It is Done – Rainbow of Emotions Abstract Art to Handmade Quilt

March 17 2019:

Last November, Mike and I participated in a book signing for local authors at Barnes & Noble. Lillian Darnell and her mother, Camilla Downs, were seated next to us. I noticed a drawing that Lillian had done and mentioned that I could make a quilt out of it. So, I did. The photo on the left is the drawing, which was enlarged from the original, and on the right is the quilt.

This is just so beautiful and wonderful!! It has been magical watching you create this masterpiece quilt from Lillian’s 5 by 7 artwork. My artist friend who is buying this quilt is so very happy to get this and hang it on her studio wall in Houston! Just WOW!!!

Lillian created this abstract art as well as a few others several years ago. This one she titled Rainbow of Emotions and she wrote a story inspired by it (below). We sell prints of her abstract drawings to help fund attendance at a conference every summer that is specific to her chromosome deletion … The Chromosome 18 Family Conference. There’s also a section in Lillian’s book titled, Emotions and Animals, in which she writes a short story about how animals process emotions.

Here’s the story she wrote inspired by the drawing …

A Flower’s Curious Emotions

Once long ago, there lived a flower named Rainbow who was always emotional. One day, the flower was very curious about why she was so emotional.

So the flower went to a wise flower named Emotions but liked to be called Lavender instead. When Rainbow got to Lavender’s home, Rainbow asked, “Why am I so emotional, Lavender?”.

Lavender laughed and said, “You are emotional because you are always inside any living thing but I can give you some wisdom if you think it will help”.

“Yes, I think it will help me better understand. I trust you and your wisdom.”, said Rainbow in excitement. So Lavender said, “The princess who owns the sky is sometimes called Rainbow of Emotions and she watches over you. Your emotions are actually inherited from the princess. I hope that wisdom helps.”

Rainbow said, “Thank you! That helps. Now I am very grateful for the princess’ emotions.” So Rainbow walked off happily. So if you ever see a rainbow or feel any emotion, chances are you could be experiencing either Rainbow’s emotions or the princess’ emotions.

That’s the end of the story.

March 27 2019:

Look what was hand delivered to us today while volunteering at the library. Gerry says this will be one of a kind!!! She had fun creating it; yet, once was enough!

It will be headed to Houston to adorn the studio wall of one of Team TLC’s patrons.

Lillian created the abstract art titled “Rainbow of Emotions”. We met Gerry (the quilt maker) at a book signing in November where we were selling Lillian’s book. Gerry and her partner were our neighbor with their book.

She loved Lillian’s Rainbow of Emotions and commented that she would love to make it into a quilt. I told her I would see if any of our supporters would like to purchase such a beauty. One of our patrons was totally on it and wanted it to hang on her studio wall in Houston! Mounted prints of the artwork is for sale also!

March 29 2019:

Took pictures of this beauty in the natural light before she began her trip to Houston! We’re deeply grateful to our patron in Houston who supported two local artists with this purchase; Lillian and Gerry, the quilter, who made this magical creation from Lillian’s abstract art piece titled, Rainbow of Emotions (last picture). It will hang in her private studio … but may soon decorate the wall of a boutique. We shall see!! 🙏💙💙💙🙏

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Book Musings: A Thousand Mornings – Poems

A Thousand Mornings – Poems

One of my favorites from this collection:

Poem of the One World

This morning
the beautiful white heron
was floating along above the water

and then into the sky of this
the one world
we all belong to

where everything
sooner or later
is a part of everything else

which thought made me feel
for a little while
quite beautiful myself.

Lovely book of Mary Oliver poems.

Rainbow Love by Lillian Darnell

RAINBOW LOVE

This story is about rainbows and love. I hope you enjoy!

Once there lived two rainbows who didn’t want to separate for the love of nature. Their names were Candy Rainbow and Princess Rainbow. One day, Candy Rainbow was accidentally separated from Princess. What they didn’t know was that the Nature fairy had split them in half.

Candy desperately looked for Princess but there was no sign of her. Meanwhile, Princess was where Candy wasn’t. She was anxious to find him but the Nature fairy wouldn’t let her. Candy asked the Nature fairy about Princess. The fairy said, “No, I haven’t seen her. I didn’t separate you.”

Candy thought the fairy was being suspicious. Princess started suspecting the fairy. After a year passed, they accidentally ran into each other. When the fairy found out, she was furious.

The fairy decided to put Princess invisible so she couldn’t be seen when they bumped into each other. Candy tried to explain to the Nature fairy that rainbow magic was more powerful than fairy magic. Since the nature fairy wouldn’t listen, Candy decided to show her what he tried to explain.
His plan was to use his magic and power to get Princess out of the invisible world. So when Princess saw he was stretching out to use his power, she decided to reach over and touch his stretched arc. Candy felt lighter somehow but he didn’t know how.

Suddenly the invisible spell broke. The fairy was shocked at what happened and the fairy had to vanish. “It was me who helped you, Candy”, said Princess softly. “Thank you, Princess!” and the rainbows’ love was returned.

Princess thought if people saw them, it would be easier to have one rainbow be invisible. Princess decided to go invisible but Candy was able to see her. Every once in a while, Princess appeared behind Candy. That is why some people see double or triple rainbows.

(©️Written by Lillian Darnell June 2016 at 14-years-old – from the book, Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories)

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Two Ears and One Mouth

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” -Epicetus … quote and photography from the book, Biggest Little Photographer, by Thomas Darnell … 💜💜💜

Go here if you’re interested in having your own copy of Biggest Little Photographer

**Become a Patron and Support our creations of photography, poetry, books, and writings. As well as the book and movie musings we share. Click on the below photo and support with an amount that feels right for you. Note in the comments if you’d like this to be a monthly gift and we will set it up. Much Gratitude to you!**

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Nature Poem by Lillian Darnell

New poem from Lillian in celebration of World Poetry Day

Flowers shine bright
through the gloomy winter
Into the glorious spring weather.

Flowers flow like a sparkling river
Through the snow and rain
As a welcoming robin ready to mate.

Flowers dance gracefully in the windy day
Of gloom and sunshine
Flowers thankfully drink water
from it’s thirsty roots.
©️2019 Lillian Darnell
(Photo by Camilla Downs – 2018)

**Become a Patron and Support our creations of photography, poetry, books, and writings. As well as the book and movie musings we share. Click on the below photo and support with an amount that feels right for you. Note in the comments if you’d like this to be a monthly gift and we will set it up. Much Gratitude to you!**

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Getting Ready for the Chromosome 18 Conference

March 22 2019:

She says to me that she just got done watching a video of someone riding the elevator at the Colorado Springs Marriott. I say something like, you are one crazy girl!

Well, she wanted to know if there’s music playing in the elevator! The Colorado Springs Marriott is where the Chromosome 18 conference is being held this July.

She’s already watched a video someone recorded of a train ride into Denver. Just video of the landscape as it goes by …. She’s watched a video of someone flying from Reno to Colorado Springs (or Denver). Just video of the sky and clouds as they go by …. I haven’t decided which method of travel we’re going to use to get there. So, she’s just preparing herself for whatever we end up using.

She’s researched everything there is to know about the Colorado Springs Marriott, everything there is to know about restaurants in the area, and read tons of reviews for both.

She created her “to pack” list today and the excitement is building. She keeps asking what she can do to help earn money to put towards the conference. Lillian Darnell is one dedicated person!! You go Lillian!!!

Amazing Tree in Virginia City and A Wild Ride Into the Sunset

March 16 2019:

Aunt Debbie is up from Mississippi visiting The Romano Duo. She always has to visit Virginia City when in the area.

Lillian and I went for a bit to listen to The Comstock Cowboys with them. And I got treated to a really yummy virgin Bloody Mary. Yum!! Thank you Aunt Debbie and Mom n Frank. ❤️❤️❤️

We always love to stop for photos of this view and amazing tree. Love, love, love …

March 19 2019:

Peace
Beauty
Knowing
Letting go.

The morning walk was the perfect way to begin yesterday. With an afternoon and evening that morphed into absolute wildness and unloveliness.

March 20 2019:

Sunset walk with Thomas, one of the humans I love the mostest. It was much colder and windier than I anticipated! My ears and hands were frozen. Check out the sky in the photo of Thomas. One side dark, the other bright blue! Wow!