Just Me & My Ramblings

Someone in the grocery store asked me if I'd been to all the places on my t-shirt and I thought to myself . . . 3 outta 4 ain't bad but I need to get Egypt back on the list! #missingtravel https://www.instagram.com/p/CPjb2IdpWQ6/?utm_medium=tumblr

In case you didn't know TODAY is Election Day and I'm passionate about voting . . . whether in person or by mail. I couldn't get up and get out early enough this morning and despite having my motivational election day playlist ready to go I had no line and no wait. This won't be the case for everyone in my state but hang in there. This is important! In the U.S., if you're a woman, person of color, between the age of 18 and 21 (or some combination of these), you haven't always had the right to vote. So today is your day! If you already exercised your right . . . thank you! If not, I posted this early enough so you still have time to get to the polls! Don't assume that your candidate has enough support and doesn't need yours! #WomenAreVoting #My50Pennies https://www.instagram.com/p/CHIccq3JWXH/?igshid=gsj000hko16v

Today is the end of the Day of the Dead celebration or more appropriately El Día de los Muertos. I love learning about other cultural traditions and this remembrance of those who have left us has become really interesting to me especially given some of the significant losses I've experienced over the years. There are three women who played central roles in my life that now watch over me since they're no longer here to stand by me and today in particular I think about them. Tomorrow I vote on their behalf. #My50Pennies https://www.instagram.com/p/CHGqymFJEPD/?igshid=1vijhtxiks5lv

There are lots of colors that I like but I definitely seem to default to blue. For me it represents the extremes, both highs and lows . . . The beauty and joy in a blue sky as well as the description of sadness. I love the shades in between the extremes like the steely gray tones of a moody blue and the "tiffany" blue of that iconic little box. I'm even drawn to certain songs with "blue" in the title like Aretha Franklin's "Blue Holiday" and Billie Holiday's "Lady Sings the Blues". It's a calming color and thus inspires both imagination and introspection. #My50Pennies #blue https://www.instagram.com/p/CHDmCiJpcgU/?igshid=bcurar6siwx5

Halloween has never been a favorite "holiday" of mine. The candy and all was fine (what we were allowed to keep) but aside from that it was stressful. As a kid I always wanted to be something whimisical and pretty but that never seemed to align with my mom's "creative vision" for my costume. I'm pretty sure this is the only halloween photo my family has and it's from the year I said "princess" and instead I got a homemade witch costume with a belt made from some scratchy jute rope. Needless to say, I was pretty excited to outgrow trick or treating! Most memorable trick or treating item = the annual alligator toothbrush from the dentist who lived down the block from us in Baltimore Best Halloween memory = going to the Halloween parade in New York City and spotting Michael McDonald. I shouted out " hey Michael" and he turned around and smiled. This was probably one of the first #celebsightings I had while living in New York. #My50Pennies https://www.instagram.com/p/CHBCYXLJv9x/?igshid=1mdv9igxp3o0v

Several years ago I did a DNA test and found that my gene ring includes strands from parts of South America, the Caribbean, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa . . . specfically South Africa! Armed with this knowledge, I put a plan in action to visit Cape Town and instantly fell in love. Between the urban vibe and beauty of the city, stunning landscape in the wine country, and warm affection I felt from the team that hosted us while on safari, it's definitely a place I'd travel to again and would highly recommend. #My50Pennies https://www.instagram.com/p/CG_cWcRpk4v/?igshid=p8ujd87v38fk

In the vain of "a penny for your thoughts" I thought I'd share a penny a day leading up to my 50th birthday (#My50Pennies). I don't think anyone had photos of the events of 2020 on their vision board, but having so much time away from others has given me time to reflect on 50 things I've learned or experienced up to this point in life. Over the next 49 days you'll see posts of reflections, personal nuances and memories (the few that remain) . . . just a little peek into the time capsule of my mind. #My50Pennies https://www.instagram.com/p/CG2vx-hKc2w/?igshid=owvis0m7pi4h

. .. well I've got 12 of the next 20 days of shelter in place covered! #stayhome #getvinebox #winelover https://www.instagram.com/p/B-zjLwdJhba/?igshid=1i7znka1y2bjf

After weeks of searching I've finally located elusive and in high demand parcels of yeast! Sending an SOS to @inagarten @carlaphall @friendshipbreadkitchen and @food52 ! Msg: In desperate need of bread recipes worthy of these gems! #help #stayhome #futurebreadmakerofamerica #fbma https://www.instagram.com/p/B-lNi4tpp_b/?igshid=1ms26r77fxg2a

It's #404day y'all! #riseup but #stayhome https://www.instagram.com/p/B-kUSDIJX2V/?igshid=usf0ktlixggp

Work-from-home day 19: having made chocolate chip banana bread and banana crunch muffins earlier in the week I decided to venture out and try making something that counts as dinner . . . ramen with soft boiled egg stay-at-home order begins tomorrow #wfh #stayhome #food52 https://www.instagram.com/p/B-gA6I0l_Ev/?igshid=zmkhdbox2d6p

Honored to be in the room this evening with Ambassador Andrew Young and Dr. Walter Young as they received the Bransby Christian Leadership Award for their outstanding volunteer service by the YMCA of Metro Atlanta! To witness these living legends in person is a black history moment I'll never forget. Thank you for your service, dedication and commitment to Atlanta! #ymca2020vision #foreveryoung https://www.instagram.com/p/B8aW8LgpAl1/?igshid=1isctqvtiemj7

Bring it on 2020! #idontdislikeallpeople https://www.instagram.com/p/B6_f5ACF50Q/?igshid=32av8iki3bgp

Today is Women's Equal Pay Day where we raise awareness of how all women experience the wage gap. On average all women earn 80 cents on the dollar compared to white men. This represents what black women earn for every $1 a white man earns. Does any of this seem fair? #EqualPayDay #StillIRise https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvxi8kcgbqV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9y2gg7h7o5wo

Excited to start this new book by @traceygarvisgraves Who is the girl he used to know? #ReadTheGirl #shespeaks https://www.instagram.com/p/BuZO4adhWH8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bjtk8158n17h

Love when I get gifts from my alma mater #VioletPride #nyualum #nyu https://www.instagram.com/p/Bto9pVvgQFA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=59purs7tp6qz