January 24 2021
Extra movie night for me – “Mister 880”
Suggested by a friend a few years ago. Finally made it to it! Thanks for suggesting it, Bob!
Absolutely my kind of movie. Sweet, heartwarming, with heaps of kindness. Burt Lancaster, Edmund Gwenn, and Dorothy McGuire were great!
**THROWBACK POST**
(Photo of Thomas and Lillian from 2013)
May 20 2013:
I absolutely make sure to catch myself when I’m about to say “No” or “Don’t do that”. I’ll either say “Sure” or Go right ahead”. I feel this is one way our children can learn about cause and effect. As long as they aren’t going to get badly hurt, I let them do stuff so they LEARN!
I have more drawers and cabinets in my kitchen with “garbage” for them to play/experiment with than “typical” kitchen crap! My house is usually a mess. We have rocks all over, half made projects/experiments, trucks, cars, sparkly stuff and who knows what else.
I will sit my bottom down outside with them and watch the sunset and read a book with them before I waste that precious time pulling more weeds! (Although, Mr. T LOVES helping me pull weeds. It’s amazing how fast and healthy weeds grow even with NO water!)
We have a clean up hour (or more) every Sunday to straighten things and clean.
March 23 2021 Update – It appears this was written in response to a message I had received from someone after they read my first book, D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance”.
I fondly remember everything mentioned in this post. I am deeply grateful to 2013 Camilla for how she chose to parent and live. As with Thomas and Lillian being 15 and 19 years old now, those times are no longer. At the time it seemed it would be like this forever. It went quick!
January 23 2021
Thomas and Camilla movie night – Thomas’s choice: Borat 1
Thomas says, “It was good, and funny.”
I say, “Not my style. But, I’m glad I watched it with Thomas.”
January 23 2021
I finally put together the top 10 posts for 2020! I always enjoy doing this in January for the previous year. It’s neat to see which posts received the most views throughout the year.
Go here and check it out …
I’m chatting with Bill Arnott on his Author Showcase about perseverance, problem solving, role models, speaking out about what offends your heart, albums, movies, spaghetti and kayaks! Join us …
Q. What do you feel you’re best known for, Camilla?
A. It’s funny you have asked this question as I have just recently asked friends and connections what they have noticed about me and about how I solve problems. So …. I’m best known for my perseverance and being a problem solver who is able to see the situation from different angles, beyond mainstream thinking. As well as my writings, books, and nature photography, living from my heart and making intuitive decisions, being grounded by nature, and having a calming presence.
Q. (Which shines through in your positive writing.) What do you feel brought you here?
A. You and I have been playing a game of ping pong! We met in an online Facebook group for authors and bloggers. I interviewed you on my website of MeetingtheAuthors.com, you read and reviewed my book, and now I’m answering these fun questions for your Showcase! And, I’m reading Gone Viking right now and really enjoying it!
Q. (We have been dancing around in similar circles! And thanks.) Who do you consider a role model?
A. I think I’m in between role models at the moment. There are several people I admire, and am inspired by how they do business and live their lives. I have had role models in the past who inspired me, too. Perhaps it’s because I’ve pressed the “pause” button of my life, but I’m not able to name a person at the moment.
Q. (I understand; people in those roles “appear” at different times.) What’s your advice to others?
A. Live your life as you see fit, with a solid foundation of loving kindness. Speak up and speak out about what offends your heart, and try not to be concerned with what others think of you.
Q. (Oh, I like that a lot.) And what are your currently working on?
A. Currently I’m trying to take it somewhat easy. I’m just on the other side of a years long emotional and mental healing journey, while also being a single parent to two kids. I decided at the end of 2019 that 2020 would be a year of rest, relaxation, and of pressing the reset button.
I do plan on writing more books, I’m just not sure yet what they will look like. I’m beginning to think about goals for myself moving forward, and am participating in a challenge to get started with how I’d like to be of service to others with my skills and knowledge.
Q. (That sounds wonderful.) Tell us, please, what are your favourite: album, movie, and food dish?
A. Album: I seriously cannot choose a favorite album. I’m one of those people who likes to listen to music on shuffle, just to be surprised. I love 70’s and 80’s disco and rock n’ roll. Yet, I also love 50’s and 60’s rock n’ roll. On the flip side, I enjoy hard rock and some heavy metal! It absolutely depends on my mood.
Movie: It may be easier for me to name my least favorite movies! I don’t like horror/scary movies or movies with tons of violence (unless it’s based on a true story or event from history). My favorite movies are ones that inspire me, make me laugh, teach me something, or expand my awareness.
Food Dish: Spaghetti with a lovely side salad and a chunk of ciabatta bread (Now, if you ask me this next week, you may receive a completely different answer!)
Q. (Ah, a diner after my own heart!) And now for our Quirky Question. Make a choice: kayak or canoe?
A. I’m going with a kayak as I’ve been in a two person kayak exactly one time, and that was only recently! I can’t recall that I’ve ever been in a canoe.
Q. (I think of canoes more often than not as Canadiana.) Thanks Camilla, this has been fun. And I wish you continued success with your writing and Meeting the Authors.
A. Thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your Showcase, Bill! I had a great time!
Click the image below to see the interview on Bill’s website …
January 23 2021
Yesterday was the January 2021 Thomas and Camilla Date Day
Lunch from House of Mexica (all Vegan menu)
Jungle Tamale and Mexica fries for me. BBQ Mac hamburger and fries for Thomas. Horchata for both of us to rinse it all down.
We had a car picnic with a lovely view at Aubrey Harris park, and then went for a walk at Virginia Foothills park. ❤️❤️❤️
January 21 2021
Deep gratitude to Kim Rigby for this beautiful, heartfelt, review of Words of Alchemy. Thank you for seeing me, Kim! xoxo
“Words of Alchemy is a stunning collection of poems that appears to have been sourced directly from the soul, from that higher self that is only accessed when we are at one with ourselves.
We are guided through sections on nature, healing, parenting, gratitude and more, allowing us a deeply personal glimpse into the author’s perspective on life. Her words resonate with kindness, compassion for others and the self, and how nature can speak to us, calming the soul and renewing the mind. It’s a timely reminder when so much of the world has been locked down.
What is alchemy after all, but to see with new eyes, to appreciate a magical change in the everyday? The author gives us permission to stop and do exactly that.” – Kim Rigby
Go here to learn more about the book …
**THROWBACK POST**
June 2 2013:
Just back from a beautiful and inspiring walk. I got to walk by 2 yards that have honeysuckle. I floated home on a cloud of intoxicating honeysuckle scent. There’s no tellin what I’ll do. If you see me floatin by, throw me a smile! Gosh, I LOVE the smell of honeysuckle!! Visions of my childhood flooded my mind and heart! Now … I’m gonna sit and write for a bit. Happy, Beautiful Friday Y’all!
January 16 2021
Movie night for me – “Everything is Illuminated”
I liked it. It was good.
**THROWBACK POST**
August 21 2013:
Lillian just recently asked me why I do things differently than other Moms. Her questions were about how I make coffee … using a French Press and that I hand wash the dishes instead of use the dishwasher. Thomas then adds, “I like that you are different. You’re not ordinary. You are extraordinary.” These two so bless me and can snap me back out of a funk instantly. They have a knack for sharing my own advice with me when I need it most!
(Camilla in 2013 during a hike with Thomas)
(Thomas and Lillian 2013)
I try to remind Thomas, Lillian and myself is that no one is more special or better than we are and we are not better or more special than anyone else. We all just ARE. Every one of us is doing the best we can with where we are in our life. We are all different and we all have a gift that is uniquely ours. I just am crazy enough to have thrown caution out the window, along with anyone else’s reality in my quest to create my own reality, discover and love this person known as Camilla, live a simple, natural, inspired life and be ME!
**March 7 2021 Update**
When we moved into our new place just over a year ago, I began using the dishwasher again. I had a double sink and a dishwasher that was very old and useless at actually cleaning dishes. I decided to hand wash to conserve energy, and to use as a time for practicing mindfulness.
With our new place, came a brand new dishwasher, that actually cleans the dishes!! We no longer have a double sink and the sink is actually quite small. After about 7 years of hand washing the dishes, it was time! (Although, I still do not use the microwave. I discontinued using it in 2010, I think. I do use the timer on it, quite handy.
I continue to like my coffee made in a simple way. My french press broke near the end of 2019. I switched to a pour over style, and I’m loving it!