Inspiration for Words of Alchemy – An Interview with Kyrosmagica Publishing

April 12 2020

What a beautiful Easter gift to receive this morning! How did the title come about and how did it come to be that Thomas and Lillian are published authors too? Thank you Marje of Kyrosmagica Publishing for this incredibly thoughtful interview. xoxo

  • Where are you from and in which area of the world do you live now?

I have lived in Reno, Nevada, USA for the past 14 years, moving here from the Seattle, Washington area in 2006. I spent my first 18 years in Jackson, Mississippi and Houma, Louisiana.

  • Tell me about the inspiration/s for your new book “Words of Alchemy.”

About six years ago, I visited Fallen Leaf Lake in South Lake Tahoe, California. The beauty was quite overwhelming, bringing me to tears. As I drove home, I made several stops along Lake Tahoe, sitting to take it all in. While doing this, poetic words bubbled to the surface of my consciousness. This was the beginning of a six year journey of being inspired by nature with poetic words, then later, inspired by life events.

Here’s that first poem and a few photos from Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe.

Earth Dance

As the sun’s rays dance upon you like stars twinkling in the night sky, so ……  Follow the link below to read further … 

 

Author Interview: Camilla Downs #Poet #Writer #WordsofAlchemy #Nature #Inspirational #Family

My Heart Tells Me I Love You

**THROWBACK POST**

February 12 2012:

Thomas is missing Lillian very much! He made this Valentine’s card for her today. We’ve already put it in the mail to head to Grandma’s in Vegas!

Lillian! Valentine’s Day is almost here. Here’s your Valentine’s card I’m giving to you. Do you know why I love you Lillian? My heart tells me that I love you, no one else. Happy Valentine’s Day!”

Thomas Valentine to Lillian 2.12.12

Movie Review: Back to the Future

February 4 2017:

Team TLC Movie Night – Thomas’ choice: “Back to the Future”

Thomas says, “I loved it! It was really good and I want to see the sequels! Liked the music a lot and liked the plot! Can’t describe it. So good!”

Lillian says, “Good, liked the scenery, the music was okay, awesome, worth watching, great, and amazing.”

I say, “Loved watching this with Thomas and Lillian! Great testament to how one persons encouraging words can have a positive unknown effect.” xoxo

Back to the Future Movie 2017

Dreamy and Crazy Cool Clouds and Walking on Water

January 30 2017:

Just dreamy ….. xoxo

Camilla Walk Vintage Lake 1.30.17

February 2 2017:

Crazy cool clouds during a walk with Lillian yesterday afternoon! Incredibly beautiful!

Walk with Lillian Vintage Lake 2.2.17 #1 Walk with Lillian Vintage Lake 2.2.17 #2 Walk with Lillian Vintage Lake 2.2.17 #3 Walk with Lillian Vintage Lake 2.2.17 #4 Walk with Lillian Vintage Lake 2.2.17 #5

February 3 2017:

Drizzly walk with Thomas yesterday afternoon. He loves this tree …. xoxo

Thomas in Tree at Vintage Lake 2.3.17

On This Day Throughout the Years – February Fourteenth

February 14 2016:

Art from the Heart – Thomas and Lillian joined me yesterday. Having such a good time painting and just playing around with brushes and mixing colors.

I had been waiting until I had the right materials and the money to pay for a class. No more. This is FUN! Using the brushes we have, acrylic paint we have, and using thick recycled cardboard from food packages, boxes and rocks for the canvas. Just love, love, love.

Art from the Heart 2.14.16 #1 Art from the Heart 2.14.16 #2 Art from the Heart 2.14.16 #3 Art from the Heart 2.14.16 #4 Art from the Heart 2.14.16 #5

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Yum! Fresh coconut and raw honey. Plus, we had it dipped in melted dark chocolate last night during our movie! Yum, yum, yum!!!

Coconut and Honey 2.14.16

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I just finished reading Camilla’s book, “D Iz For Different”.  What a truly inspiring story! I loved every bit of it. The quote below seems to capture the essence of the journey from A-Z through the various chapters: each one of us is a “treasury” of many gifts. It is easy to forget this when our lives don’t seem to match the ever-elusive standard.

Yet, in each chapter, Camilla gives a reason and discusses a strategy for treasuring life in whatever form it might present itself in the moment, sharing her own experiences, particularly as a mother. This ranges from allowing ourselves to feel what we feel, to be present in the moment, and to not postpone happiness.

Life is not always easy, but brings many opportunities for laughter, light-heartedness, and celebration if we recognize that we have a choice in how we see and experience each moment, and the people we share it with. An absolutely beautiful book!!! -Michaela, Reno, Nevada

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February 14 2015:

Love shines brightly. It is always there, no matter if it can be felt or seen. It’s what we all are at our core. Happy day of LOVE! Picture from Autumn 2014 in Sparks, NV … “Love wishes to be known, completely understood and shared.

It has no secrets; nothing that it would keep apart and hide. It walks in sunlight, open-eyed and calm, in smiling welcome and in sincerity so simple and so obvious it cannot be misunderstood.” -from “Lessons in Love”

Sun in Clouds Sparks 2.14.15

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The actual day is not til the 26th but The Romano Duo will be out of town. So we had an early birthday celebration. YAY and YUM!!

Camilla's Birthday Celebration 2.14.15 #1 Camilla's Birthday Celebration 2.14.15 #2 Camilla's Birthday Celebration 2.14.15 #3 Camilla's Birthday Celebration 2.14.15 #4 Camilla's Birthday Celebration 2.14.15 #5 Camilla's Birthday Celebration 2.14.15 #6

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Team TLC movie night … Our 1st choice, Stuart Little 3, was too damaged. In about 20 minutes it had skipped over 50 minutes of the movie. So … since it feels like Spring …..

Swings Into Spring Movie 2.14.15

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February 14 2014:

Here’s to Love and spreadin the Love … ALWAYS …. Cheers from Team TLC …. Apple juice/water for Thomas and Lillian and Ruby Red Chai tea for Mamma!! YUM!

Team TLC Toast 2.14.13

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Okay, Okay. Got it! I’ve made the decision, now I’m gonna make it the right decision. Finally got to see the inside of the place we were going to move into tomorrow. Something just didn’t feel right. I spent all day yesterday trying to make the uneasy feeling go away.

Woke up this morning and decided that the feeling is there for a reason, so we will not be moving just yet. Thanks to an amazing and awesome friend I reached out to in my spiral of confusion yesterday, I’m moving forward with letting “stuff” go that does not serve me and is NOT the real me!! Thank you tons and tons B!

Now, Thomas is taking Lillian and I out to lunch with a gift he received from another amazing friend! Thank you Catherine Via Burzio!!! He’s taking us out for burger and fries at Inn n Out Burger! Happy LOVE day y’all! Show love every day, not just on this “designated” day … xoxo

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Thank you Thomas for treating Lillian and I to a burger and fries!! And thank you to my friend Catherine for giving him the means to do this! So awesome that you included a special card just for him in the Team TLC care package! Love is in the air …… Every day!

Team TLC Valentine's Lunch 2.14.14 #1 Team TLC Valentine's Lunch 2.14.14 #2

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Way cool LEGO BBQ grill Thomas made. Check out the awesome light brick creating a very realistic look!

LEGO GRill 2.14.14

WOW! A sky full of love …..

Sunset 2.14.14

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Team TLC is blessed by The Romano Duo! Thank you tons for the yummy lobster and champagne dinner tonight! All dinners with The Romano Duo are special. Spread love everywhere you go, every day …. Yum ….. for the food and love!

Valentine's Dinner 2.14.14 #1 Valentine's Dinner 2.14.14 #2

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February 14 2013:

Happy Love Day Y’all!

Be Love Heart in Sand 2.14.13

Stoppin for a little park adventure!!

Thomas and Lillian Park 2.14.13

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February 14 2012:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” -Steve Jobs

Happy Valentine’s Day Friends . . . Remember that you are AWESOME, you make a difference and NEVER let bumps in the road cause you to turn around . . .

Heart in Tree 2.14.12

Thomas’ homework today: Count to 100. I say to him, “Count to 100 when you finish what you are doing.” He says, “I already did, in my imagination.” That’s so good I think I’m gonna let that one slide!! Hahahaha!

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Adventure with my little sweetheart!!!!

Geiger Lookout 2.14.12

Valentine’s dinner with Thomas …. Guinness in a champagne glass? Even better!!!

Valentine's Dinner 2.14.12