Coming in fifth

Huge thanks to The Glamourbaby Diaries for naming me Glamourbaby of the Week!


It was so much fun to reflect on my glamour influence — My Grandma Shirley Barber, and to consider how her good example set me on a path of service. Here's the full piece: Glamourbaby of the Week. 

With school back in session and summer vacations becoming memory, morning rituals capturing that early morning sun (or fog) are more important than ever to get us moving forward into the day. A Twitter post and blog post by author of The Second Lunch, referencing a blog post by Tea and Cookies, got me reflecting on my own morning habits. So meta, as I have this cup of tea...

Now that I'm a student again, I've had to carve a serious routine to make my days feel structured —green tea in the morning. While waiting for the kettle, I feed the cat and dog. Once tea is ready (two bags at once in a really large silly mug), grab my over sweater and the dog leash — we're off.

Each morning we take a new route, and each morning I challenge myself to see my neighborhood in a new light. Here, a neighbor's garden with the last hurrah for her rose bush;

Friends,

I've nominated one of my dearest friends Michelle Averna and her nonprofit Fount of Mercy for a GOOD Maker/Oxfam Award.

Please consider casting a vote for her here: http://oxfamamerica.maker.good.is/projects/FountofMercy



A little background: 
Fount of Mercy was  founded in 2006. In its six years, this nonprofit organization has built indigenous Sub-Saharan African organizations’ capacity to provide educational opportunities for orphans and vulnerable children, and vocational opportunities for caregivers in their communities.


What $1,000 would do for Fount: 
Generous support from Oxfam would enable Fount of Mercy to launch their Women’s Public Health three-prong cycle. The first cycle provides an environment where participants can ask questions about their own health, learn new facts, and demonstrate their learning. The second creates a safe space where small groups of women discuss issues of womanhood and will access empowering knowledge. The final cycle identifies potential leaders, offering mentorship and support to become the future health educators of their communities. With this gift Fount of Mercy will implement their full Women's Public Health cycle with three local Ugandan organizations. Fount will hire and train a local part-time Community Health Initiative Program Associate.



Thanks for considering and clicking on. 
Erin


PS: Voting closes Thursday, March 29th at 12:00PM PDT. 

And, I've been traveling these past few months. Here's a snapshot of winter to spring: