Category Archives: News and Events

News and Events: Cover Reveal for Words of Alchemy

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Book cover for Words of Alchemy will be revealed on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 1:00 pm PST! The reveal will take place on my Author facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CamillaDownsAuthor … I’ll be open to any questions anyone has and I’ll read a few poems included in the book.

You can pre-order a signed copy of Words of Alchemy using this link … WordsofAlchemy.com. The book debuts near the end of October, at which time it will be available on Amazon, and the signed pre-ordered books will ship as well.

One person will be chosen to receive a free copy of Words of Alchemy from everyone who comments during the event time 1:00 – 1:30 (if you are outside of the US, you will receive a digital copy). Join the fun and comment and you could win!

Book Blurb:

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

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

Nevada Humane Society Duck Races – River Rats

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August 18 2019:

Although Thomas and I haven’t been able to volunteer at the Humane Society in quite a while, he was adamant he wanted to volunteer at the duck races …. as a river rat. (The duck races are an annual fundraising event put on by the Nevada Humane Society. People adopt a rubber duck for $5 each and the winners, first ducks to the finish line, win things!!)

The river rat volunteers get in the river and line the “race” section so as to help any ducks that get sidetracked. 20,000 rubber ducks is a huge load of ducks!!! Once the race was over, we helped get the 20,000 ducks out of the river. That’s a lot of work!! Thomas is in the photo across the river from me. 😃

I’m so glad Thomas suggested this. I didn’t want to go. I’ve got so much to do and I’m not a fan of crowds. Yet …. I had so much fun!!!! Watching the kids and their excitement about it was heartwarming. And, I loved swooshing the water around the ducks who were headed for the side, to help them back into the race. Cool!

Throwback Post: Happy Mother’s Day Camilla 2012

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**THROWBACK POST**

May 13 2012

Yep, these two right here! They didn’t take me out to eat, didn’t fix me breakfast, didn’t buy me chocolate, flowers or jewelry. Don’t want that stuff from them …. What I do get from them is priceless …. their unconditional love and the lessons that each one of them teach me that help me grow and move forward in this amazing adventurous life of ours together.

Lillian’s Handmade Card: I love my family. But most of all, I love my Mom. Decorated with hearts and smiles and the three of us.

Thomas’ Handmade Card: Dear Mom: I like to play Uno with you. I like to run with you. I like to read with you. I like to go with you. Happy Mother’s Day. Love, Thomas … along with a ceramic wall hanger with his handprint.

Yep, I cried …. Happy, Warm and Peaceful Tears!! Hope EVERYONE had a GREAT day surrounded by those you love!

Thomas and Lillian May 2012

The New Place While Making My Way Reading

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August 12 2019:

Got to see the new place this afternoon .. styling with the orange vest and hard hat!! Less than a month now … We will lose a few great aspects of this place and community; yet, will gain great aspects that this one does not have. 🎉🎉🎉

August 13 2019:

Making my way through the “to do” list for this month and September. With Lillian turning 18 in September and our move in September, there’s much that needs addressed.

After two days spent educating myself about the qualifying aspects of SSI, I think I can check that one off the list. What a relief and weight off my shoulders for that one!

Now to address a call today that due to an agency losing paperwork that I followed instructions for submitting, and for which Lillian has received services for 2 months; they have decided she has to get on a wait list since they lost the paperwork the first time around. Tomorrow. I will deal with you tomorrow. I’m on a roll!! Bring it!

August 15 2019:

Currently reading. One is the second time around. I have different books for different times of the day. Two for early morning reading and one or two for before bed. How about you? What are you reading? Do you read different genres for different times of day? Or is that my special thang? Haha!

The Flame of Advocacy – Camilla Downs

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August 15 2019:

I know I am not alone in hosting in my heart a flame of advocacy for our children, and definitely our children with differences who cannot advocate for themselves.

My motto of “Love is the answer” was put to a true test this morning. In May I followed all directions, completed all paperwork for a service for Lillian; which was approved and we have used for two months now.

I was told a few days ago that since they did not process the paperwork properly (and actually lost the first set of documents I submitted, therefore making it overdue and Lillian not eligible) that Lillian would be put on the wait list.

I patiently waited for a reason for this from our contact person and only received, “nothing can be done”. So I asked for the supervisor’s name and email address. I sent an email yesterday to the supervisor with a time line of all conversations and emails showing that everything had been turned in and I can’t possibly control what someone does with it after it leaves my hands.

I received an email back this morning that blew me off and said that nothing could be done. After receiving this email, you bet there was huge anger rising. I absolutely had to concentrate on taking long deep breaths to create calm. HA!

I emailed back asking for this person’s supervisor and email address. I immediately received two phone calls and two voice mails and an email as the person I emailed thought that I was someone else, so she did not have the same tone and response had she had if she had known I was Lillian’s mom. I was okay with that since I know people make mistakes.

And, in that email where she said she was very sorry for thinking I was someone else, she also said she is asking administration to reconsider since everything was turned in and they lost it or misplaced it. And that we should not bear the cost of their mistake.

Well, thank you Ms. Supervisor. That is precisely what I thought too. I am so relieved you agree with me. I thanked her very much for stepping in and helping to right the situation. We shall see what they say. I may be continuing up the supervisor ladder … If it must be done, I’ll do it.

I am not posting this for sympathy. I am posting for solidarity, for strength, for courage … and just because that’s what I do. I share. Here’s to all who advocate for those who cannot. Whether they be human or animal.

Throwback Post: Elnor Key Downs and Estelle Eady Mann

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**THROWBACK POST**

May 13 2012:

Happy Mother’s Day to both my Mammaws …. two fiery women …. Elnor Key Downs (photo on the left) and Estelle Eady Mann (photo on the right). Blessed to be their Grand Daughter. Even though they are no longer with us, I still hear the things they used to say to me and their treasured advise!!

Mammaw Downs and Mammaw Mann

Third Time Has Got To Be The Charm

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August 10 2019:

Third time has got to be the charm! The past two summers I have begun packing to get us moved … And, we didn’t move! 😳😂 Just could not find a place for us to move with the growth and housing shortage here. This time, we know where we’re going. I get to see the inside of our new place on Monday.

We aren’t going far … just about 5 minutes from where we are now. Moving to a tad larger place; from this one bedroom/one bath to a two bedroom/two bath.

Thomas and Lillian will finally get to have their own space again! And, hallelujah to two bathrooms! It happens around September 9th – unless we have some sort of miracle and can move into a larger place here. Let the packing begin .. Again!! 😂💜 (photos from 2016)

**Update** The move got bumped to September 16th, due to a delay with NVE turning on the electricity!

Record Views with a Side of Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

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August 4 2019:

Something really cool happened on Friday, 8.2, with the Meeting the Authors website. Record views for a single day had been 100 from when the website launched about 3 months ago. On Friday, views reached 109! Screenshot shows 103. I forgot to take another before going to bed.

August 6 2019:

My new favorite cheese! It’s called Violife and I made creamy macaroni and cheese with the smoked provolone. Can’t wait to try the other flavors.

Life Adventures: An Update from Camilla Downs

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August 3 2019:

Written mostly to update blog subscribers. However, thought I’d share here too …

It’s been over a month since I’ve written or published anything on my blog, with my postings being much less frequent on facebook and instagram. I felt moved to share an update.

I have been busy with finishing tasks to get my upcoming book released by the end of Summer. Here’s a peek at the cover. Almost there with the cover!

I was wrapped in details of …..

Life Adventures – An Update from Camilla

 

Focusing on One Task at a Time

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July 30 2019

Had to take a break from working on the upcoming book, “Words of Alchemy” to focus on the 2019 Chromosome 18 family conference. Hoping it’ll be published by end of summer.

Yet, now I must focus on applying information learned at conference, packing to move the beginning of September (not far … about 5 miles from where we are now), and at least 3 huge issues with Lillian turning 18 in September, and maintaining and keeping the momentum going on Meeting the Authors! All good stuff! I am grateful for it all!

Poem included in “Words of Alchemy” … Pre-sales will begin soon! YAY!

Shine

Shine bright dear one.
What your brothers
and sisters think
of your shine
matters not.

You see others shine,
and shrink even further
into the smallness of
not shining your light.
Each soul is meant to shine
in their own way
And no two ways will
be exactly the same.

Your shine is dulled by
years and years
of ignoring that
which creates the shine.

Dulled by messages received in childhood,
that you are doing it wrong,
that you don’t know how to do it.

Stories learned in childhood of
how one is supposed to live
how it’s supposed to be done.

The light is ever there.
It has not departed.
You have seen glimpses of it.

To allow the light to shine brightly
you must uncover what you buried
so deeply that you remember not
even having buried it.

What you have buried swings
like a pendulum.
One side, the victim
and the other, the judge.

Uncover it you must.
Face it.
Embrace it.
Know you can no longer
be hurt, or judged.

The vital step
of uncovering, confronting
and releasing cannot be skipped.
Fear has stopped you
from fully uncovering
what has been buried.

Eternal joy cannot be
Unless fear is
embraced by we.
I will face the fear
with you.
You are not alone.

Take my hand
and let us walk
together into
the darkness
and we shall emerge
as one to shine bright
and share love with
the world.

©2019 Camilla Downs

Sneak peek at the cover …. Cover reveal coming soon too! YAY! Again!