Survival of the Reno Downtown Library – Lillian Darnell

November 2 2019:

Yesterday we survived visiting the downtown library so that Lillian could sign volunteer paperwork and get the fingerprinting form. That’s the one library we cannot visit due to Lillian’s depth perception, balance issues, and an uncooperative proprioceptive system. It’s a 4 level building with huge open spaces and staircases. Makes her head spin and legs shaky. It’s beautiful and I love this location. Just not a good fit for her!

There was a huge amount of anxiety over having ….

Survival of the Reno Downtown Library

Words of Alchemy – Kindle Version with Chromosome 18 Registry Information Page

October 27 2019:

Just emailed the proofed manuscript back to the book designer. A few grammar errors, along with a few apostrophes removed or added, with a dash or two removed or added. Now, circling back around to the back cover; which I think is in its final state so that the cover can be loaded to Amazon. I like to include a page at the end of our books with information about The Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society. Nearly there!!

October 29 2019:

Back cover is finished! Just need to decide on which photo of me to use. Would you mind helping? I’ve not had professional photos taken since 2012, so will be using what I’ve got!

I’m attaching the back cover with the photo that Kate used as a place holder (yet, I like the one she chose) along with other photos to choose from .. Comment with “yes” or simply “like” the photo to let me know your choice. Thanks for your input! Deeply appreciate it! 💜💜💜

 

Top 10 Digital Diary Entries for 2019

Top 10 Digital Diary Entries With the Most Views for 2019

  1. Movie Night: Castle in the Sky
  2. Movie Night: Mary and the Witch’s Flower
  3. Asking for Help and Please and Thank YOU – Chromosome 18 Family Conference
  4. Buy Me a Coffee – Thank YOU
  5. Movie Night: The Incredible Hulk
  6. The Wild and Crazy Journey to the 2019 Chromosome 18 Family Conference in Colorado Springs 
  7. Lillian Darnell Senior Graduation Photographs and Online Celebration
  8. When I Know It Is Time for a Lillian Break
  9. Stepping Into Doing for Self
  10. Fundraising for the 2019 Chromosome 18 Conference – Lillian and Breathe In and Breathe Out and Feel It by Camilla Downs

Thomas says, “Have a good year.”

Lillian says, “Happy New Year and Hope you Have a good start to the decade!”

Camilla says, “May we all be loved unconditionally and learn to love one another unconditionally.”

And so it is … xoxo

Words of Alchemy – The Kindle Version with a Strong Urge for Apostrophes and Dashes

October 23 2019:

Incredibly excited! Just received the Kindle version from the book designer for proofing!! Stay up late proofing or get to bed now so I can get up early and proof?? What a joy to be to this point now. Thank you to everyone for the support, love, and encouragement!

October 24 2019:

Deep into proofing the Kindle version of the book. During this entire process from the beginning stages of putting the manuscript together up to now; I sometimes feel a strong urge that a writing wants to be shared (right now!). That just happened with this one. Written in June 2018.

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 events 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 adventures.

Sadness and failure encroached
upon these shoulders and heart
As the message was received
of how important it is to
travel with one’s family.

Travel so as to have one to one
time together … away from the
normalcy of being in the
same place and routines.

Yet, before the cloud could
fully envelop this heart,
the heart whispered to
the sadness a response
so profound and enlightening
the sadness and failure
did halt and lift to be
transmuted to peace and knowing.

The heart whispered …
Wait.

Each walk taken,
Each drive around
neighborhoods,
Each date day,
Each spontaneous trip
for simple life’s
necessities,
Each trip to the park,
Each drive to a lookout
to watch the sunset or
have a car picnic,
Each occasion you chose
to make special …
Each of those times was
a trip to a beautiful
and everlasting destination.

You and your children
have taken many trips.
They may not be the
actual destinations the
three of you envisioned.

No. They are not.

Yet, each of these trips
led to destinations
that many may never get
a chance to experience.

The trip. The destination.
Within you it is.
Take it with you
always, you do.
This is the alchemy
of the heart.

Glory be.
Take notice of
your profound ability
to make something
out of seemingly nothing.

Know this.
And be free.
Hallelujah!

June 2018

Dedicated to my children … Thomas and Lillian

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. As of the writing of the previous poem, Lillian and I have taken walks together for nearly 17 years; and Thomas and me for nearly 13 years. Love, sweet love.
(Picture of us July 2018 – midnight at the Vegas airport, returning from the C18 Conference in Baltimore)

October 26 2019:

Apostrophes and dashes, oh my!! I’m surprised I didn’t dream about apostrophes and dashes haunting me! On the last round of proofreading and then back to the book designer. Nothing major to correct … Except … Many apostrophe slip ups and a few grammar errors! (The dandelion seed will be smaller in the final version. The designer missed that in my original instructions.)

Supported Decision Making and Power of Attorney Paperwork

October 19 2019:

Finished researching this for the most part. Just need to circle back to creating the SDM paperwork with Lillian and paperwork for a Power of Attorney. Hope to do that in between waiting for the book proof. Then on to researching ABLE accounts.

More Research on Supported Decision Making

 

Word Art – Words of Alchemy

October 19 2019:

Word art image created using the content from the web page for ‘Words of Alchemy’ … Beautiful!

In Words of Alchemy, Camilla Downs invites you to walk with her to share her love of Nature and Life through a free-verse poetry memoir.

During her daily strolls she is mindfully present as she delves into life in the raw and experiences her heart’s observations.

Camilla embraces what happens when she opens her heart and invites the written words to flow. The Alchemy of Love and Healing is what happens.

Advance Praise for Words of Alchemy

“Words of Alchemy, Camilla Downs heartfelt new collection, lives up to its namesake in numerous ways. Downs spans the broad range of nature, healing, love, and parenting, while making sure we have a little fun along the way. And the bridge she creates from the mindfulness of how we see the world at large to the poetry of everyday life is certainly worth a stroll or two across its borders.” – Thomas Lloyd Qualls, Award-winning author of Painted Oxen

“This poetry collection offers contemplative words, soothing thoughts and peace to the reader.” – Sue Bentley, Bestselling author of Second Skin

“Camilla Downs shares truth, vulnerability and wisdom in her Words of Alchemy collection, inviting readers to be inspired, contemplate and dive into her world of self-awareness and growth.” – G. Brian Benson – Award-winning author, actor and spoken word artist

“These poems take you on a calm and loving walk through the verses of the author’s thoughts. Alchemy is a perfect word for the title as Camilla Downs understands nature; connecting with its magical, medicinal qualities and beauty which she conveys throughout her poetry.” – Ailsa Craig, Author of The Sand Between My Toes

“Words of Alchemy is a chronicle of hope. Camilla Downs poetry is an encouragement, especially when we are feeling at our lowest, to keep seeking the light that is our way forward, and focus on the real. This collection is a walk through the positive nature of life. Camilla Downs is to be commended.” – Frank Prem, Author of free-verse memoir Small Town Kid

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The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love … in one beautiful book.

Pre-order a personalized signed book for $14.40 (10% off and includes tax and free shipping). Go here and enter the total of $14.40 (or more if you’d like to throw in a tip). Want more than one book? Add $14.40 for each book. FOR U.S. ORDERS ONLY.

Arriving on Amazon December 2019 (discount and personalized signed book not available from Amazon). Go here to learn more …

Words of Alchemy

Art of the Aloha Shirt with Lillian Darnell

October 18 2019:

Lillian wanted to see Art of the Aloha Shirt exhibit before it ended on Sunday. So, today we made our way to the Wilbur May Center. Lillian is standing next to her favorite. Mine is the Hawaiian postcards. The photo following it is the sketch before it was made. The exhibit was pretty interesting!

The 2019 Annual Chromosome 18 Conference by Lillian Darnell

August 6 2019:

Lillian is writing her own posts regarding The 2019 Chromosome 18 Conference. Here’s Part 1:

The Annual Chromosome Conference 2019: Part 1

August 11 2019:

Oh my gosh! You have GOT to read this! Had me laughing out loud! And, I didn’t know she had researched the elevators!! HA! She cracks me up!

The Annual Chromosome 18 Conference 2019: Part 2

August 15 2019:

Part 3 of Lillian’s blog post about the conference. She is incredibly dedicated to writing these posts! And, they are very thorough! Hope y’all are enjoying them!

The Annual Chromosome 18 Conference 2019: Part 3

August 18 2019:

Lillian’s recap of the C18 Conference – Part 4!!

The Annual Chromosome 18 Conference 2019: Part 4

August 21 2019:

Lillian is working so hard on these y’all! Thank you to those who are following …. Much love!

The Annual Chromosome 18 Conference 2019: Part 5

September 8 2019:

Part 6 of Lillian’s play by play of the 2019 C18 Conference … Another that made me laugh out loud, more than once … Give yourself the gift of laughter today, go read it!

The Annual Chromosome 18 Conference 2019: Part 6

October 2 2019:

She’s still at it! Always lots of details. Yet, this one is heartwarming and ends HaPpY!! Many photos from the farewell dance party as part of this post! Check it out!

The Annual Chromosome 18 Conference 2019: Part 7

October 10 2019:

She’s winding down! One more after this one. This girl’s got dedication! Part 8 of Lillian’s Conference posts …

The Annual Chromosome 18 Conference 2019: Part 8

October 16 2019:

Last one! She stuck with it and wrote about every single day of the journey to and from the Chromosome 18 Conference!

The Annual Chromosome 18 Conference 2019: Part 9 & Part 10