Lillian and Camilla August 2018 Date Day

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Camilla

August 10 2018:

Lillian and Camilla August 2018 Date Day ….

First stop – Fries for Lillian and a colorful fish shaped shortbread cookie for dessert. Coconut vegetable soup for me and a vegan hemp oat cookie for me. So yum!!!

Then shopping for some clothing items for Lillian. Now, a pit stop at home for a snack before closing out the date!!

Next half of date: A drive through our old neighborhood, with a few stops for photos.

Last piece of our date: A just-after-sunset walk. I adore the picture Lillian took of me. I had my eyes closed listening to the beautiful music the leaves sing as the wind blows through them. One of my most loved and treasured sounds.

Sunset and Beautiful and Always Heard and Dance Party and Jay and Peace and Clarity

Posted on September 15, 2018 by Camilla

July 22 2018:

Sunset walk tonight. Beautiful sky, good breeze, and an accidental sideways picture of the rocks where I sat for a few minutes.

July 30 2018:

Found while walking Yonce this morning. To be followed by passing a bouncy young girl of about 7 years old walking with her grandma.

As I walked by the young girl, I smiled and said “hello”. To which she quickly said to her grandma, “Grandma, I want that lady to be my mom.” Grandma swiftly replies no and they continue walking.

Sweet girl, I wrap you and your family in oceans of love and pray for grace, courage, and strength for whatever is going on in your lives; whether it be a small or big issue or whether you were even just playing a game. And I pray that your voice is always heard. xoxo …

July 30 2018:

From a walk last week … Created by the sun and a tree! Cool!

Last week was hugely weird so I never got around to posting it.

On another note when it feels like Life just took a big dump on you; it sort of helps to have a dance party with Boogie Shoes by K.C. & The Sunshine Band, Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry, and You Make My Dreams by Hall & Oates, among a few others!

I shall let myself mourn over that which only ever existed in my imagination, something I was desperately clinging to, feel this crappy moment or two, and let myself know what I need to know, and then ….. I’ll just keep going.

I do have much to be grateful for; yet I do not want to cram these feelings. I shall focus on gratitude once I’m done letting go of this. And, I shall remember how powerful I am.

Wanna help? Have your own dance party or whatever brings forth good feelings and then send some good feelings and prayers this way. Oceans of gratitude …

July 31 2018:

Found today …. Blue Jay or Stellar Jay. Not sure. Yet, what a beautiful message to receive.

July 31 2018:

Sunset walk with Thomas tonight …. Incredibly beautiful and peaceful.

Oh Great Sun.
Clarity,
Bathe me in
Clarity and Knowing.
Thank you.
xoxo

August 3 2018:

Sunset walk Lillian last night. We’ll need to start getting out there earlier. The move to shorter days has begun. Beautiful night!!!

Life Loves Me

Posted on August 18, 2018 by Camilla

**THROWBACK POST**

July 20 2015:

Such a wonderful walk this morning, surrounded by a symphony of birds, butterflies, and dragonflies. This morning the mantra was “Life loves me” with thoughts of gratitude for these legs and feet that assist me in going for these walks, these eyes that allow me to see all the love, the ears that allow me to hear the love, the water that I drink to love my body, and whatever I experienced in the moment.

Immediately upon my return, Lillian began escalating into a full blown melt down. I continued the earlier mantra in my thoughts and was able to remain calm. I suggested to Lillian that we take a break and focus on something else for a few minutes before she expanded (her word for blowing up); and then we could come back and continue our conversation. She said “Okay”.

We did that and afterwards I said, “Now, let’s talk.” She said, “About what. Everything’s okay now.” Good job Lillian!! That is huge for her! We are making progress! Wahoo!

And life does indeed love us. May you make this your mantra for today and let life LOVE you … xoxo

Grateful and Blessed and Crows and Amazing

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Camilla

June 27 2018:

Team TLC sunset walk yesterday … Followed by a moonlit swim in the pool. Incredibly grateful and blessed.

June 27 2018:

This crows family is looking out for him. He’s not able to fly and he’s been hanging out here for a couple of days. Every time I walk by they start cawing like crazy to warn him. I saw one bringing him food this morning. Hoping it’s something he can heal from and rejoin his family.

June 29 2018:

Oh so beautiful clouds as Thomas and I were headed to Alchemist Theatre last night. I love the amazing shapes of our clouds!

Knowing of the Heart by Camilla Downs

Posted on August 4, 2018 by Camilla

Knowing of the Heart

We have come together upon this Earth
to travel our own separate paths
Yet, traveling them together.

It has not escaped my attention
that there were and are places
and experiences we talked and
dreamed of experiencing.

Our lives together seem to
have become mundane and boring.

Seeming to have the same days
over and over again.
With little new experiences
by way of sights, sounds,
and experiences.

Poetry and Photography: Knowing of the Heart

Shadows and Lovely and Beautiful and Listen and Love and Bridge

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Camilla

June 19 2018:

Shadow lovelies this morning! xoxo

June 20 2018:

Sunset walk yesterday evening. What a beautiful night it was. Felt so good. I’ve got something weighing on my mind and nature is my confidant and the one who helps me get out of the mind and into the heart.

June 21 2018:

Don’t hold onto it. Don’t let it soak within. Let it roll off.

Nature always has a perfect message for us when we stop, Be quiet, and Listen.

A message I needed to hear once again today as I make my way into unfamiliar territory for me.

June 22 2018:

The most amazing and wonderful sunset walk last night. Nature is an incredible gift and blessing. She inspires us to ponder.

Do we love and accept others for who they know themselves to be or do we love and accept our idea of them and how we think they make us feel? I’ve got a writing bubbling forth. Love, love, love.

June 22 2018:

Love is the bridge that connects.

Thomas and Camilla April 2015 Date Day

Posted on June 23, 2018 by Camilla

**THROWBACK POST**

April 25 2015:

Off for the Thomas n Camilla April 2015 date day! Calls for a big air kiss and happy holler!! Muah!

Now that Thomas and I are frozen from being outside for an hour and a half at Kids on Big Rigs ….

Kids on Big Rigs …. Biggest and funnest fundraiser for HDMS! Brrrrrr and FUN!!

I couldn’t resist leaving a little message. I got caught though … The officer asked in a very worried voice .. “Will that erase?” Of course, Mr. Officer. I used one of your dry erase markers! xoxo

Chili and Quiche …. The best quiche I’ve ever had! YUM!!

Bartley Ranch … Such memories!

Yummy ice cream! I had deep chocolate and ricotta fig. Thomas had peanut butter chocolate chip. Then, Audrey Harris Park.

Lillian and Camilla May 2018 Date Day

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Camilla

May 22 2018:

Lillian and Camilla May 2018 Date Day

First stop – French fries for Lillian and dessert cookies for both of us. Lillian is such a Star! A lady waiting to order commented she had seen us on TV. She was incredibly kind with so many wonderful comments. Then for a walk at one of our favorite parks. Beautiful bird song too!!!!

Reflections and Let It Roll and Neither Side and Awaken the Imagination and Holding Space

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Camilla

May 14 2018:

…. from a walk this morning …… Reflections. Cloudy and clear at the same time? Ahhhh. Such is it.

Solo Walk Vintage Lake Reflections 5.14.18

Don’t hold onto it. Let it roll right off your back.

Nature always has a perfect message for us when we stop, be quiet, and listen. I mean, look at those cute little water droplets. How could I not stop, take it in, and capture the moment? …. from a walk this morning …

May 15 2018:

This side. That side. Neither side holds the answer. That lies within.

….. from a walk with Thomas yesterday afternoon.

Thomas and I spent quite some time in this spot discussing things that were on his mind. Approaching from the other side was a group of wildly loud and profanity spewing kids ranging from a toddler to teenager.

They stopped to throw huge rocks at the geese and goslings. I could not sit idly by and observe this. I felt anger brewing, yet knew this not to be the answer as that must be all these kids know to be behaving in such a manner.

They dispersed from scaring the geese and goslings as I approached. Fortunately, none were injured. I do not remember the exact words that came forth. Yet, I channeled my inner Buddha and asked them to search for the love and kindness in their heart. And I pointed out that the geese are living beings and should not be treated in this way.

Some scattered. Some stood tall and laughed. Yet, if my calmness and non-threatening communication touched just one of them. Then, that’s one. They need a different way modeled. xoxo

As I attempted to fall asleep last night I mulled over and over how I could have handled this differently, perhaps more effectively, and even woke up thinking about it. I finally “woke up” and let it go knowing that I did the best I could do. xoxo

Bridge Walk with Thomas Vintage Lake 5.15.18

May 16 2018:

This found me on a walk yesterday morning. Lots of goose quills around, yet have never seen two like this before.

I just had the chance to research online a bit and found that the quill of a goose has long been a preferred writing instrument. Apparently it awakens the imagination and intuition flows. The writer travels through time capturing stories of past, future and present.

I’ll take it! Time to write more. I’ll imagine my fingers are goose quills and that I’m writing like the wind as I type. My fingers and hand begin to hurt after about 5 minutes of handwriting so I just can’t do it.

May 17 2018:

More reflections ….This time with trees …. xoxo

May 19 2018:

Trees holding space for the moon ….. xoxo

Spider Web and Magical Shadows and Perfect and Beautiful and Dancing and Cherish

Posted on May 24, 2018 by Camilla

May 7 2018:

From a walk this morning … Pollen dusted spider web. Cool!!! xoxo

And then I came across this on a walk today …. So magical …. xoxo …

May 8 2018:

Sunset walk with Lillian yesterday. It was absolutely perfect. Beautiful weather, beautiful people, beautiful nature!!

May 9 2018:

Took myself for a walk yesterday morning and saw this beauty!! xoxo

May 10 2018:

Dinner on the patio and we discovered this wee fuzz ball stuck in a web. Due to the wind blowing, it was dancing the night away. So cute!!

May 10 2018:

After dinner walk with Lillian Darnell. There’s nothing better than a walk with my loves. I cherish every walk taken with each one of them. Every walk …. Since they were wee tiny ones growing within me. She and I have taken walks together for nearly 17 years! And Thomas and I for nearly 13 years! Love, sweet love. xoxo