Earth Day 2019 – Making Wishes and Sunset Beauty

Mother Nature showed up in a beautiful way for Earth Day. She called me out for three walks. One with Lillian. One by myself. And one with Thomas.

She knew after I spent the morning looking into how much to replace the radiator in our car, I would need some Nature Love. 💙 🌏 🌏 🌏💚

Made wishes with Nature Made wishing “flowers”. Isn’t she beautiful?? Just can’t get enough of her loveliness.

Loved these wispy clouds. Lillian had a great time taking photos.

Earth Day sunset walk with Thomas yesterday. Absolutely gorgeous!!

Easter Sunday 2019 – Hoppy Hoppy Joy Joy

April 21 2019:

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Beautiful flowers at The Romano Duo’s place …. 🧡🧡🧡

Getting ready for some yummy delicious food and laughter at The Romano Duo’s place.

Almost didn’t make it! Rosey, the car, now has crack in the radiator and was overheating on the way here! Ugh!! All filled up with coolant again and ready for the drive home.

Now for the food post!!! Look at this cute cake my mom made! Thomas and Lillian each enjoyed pieces of the ear!!

And Frank made me a refreshing virgin Bloody Mary for starters. And, check out these amazing vegan “deviled eggs” she made just for me!!! I was pleasantly surprised!! They are yummy too (made from potato)!!

And, and, my very own vegan potato salad …. squeal! What a great meal this was! I brought the baked beans with chunks of “pork” (jackfruit). That was a hit!! Two more … check out that cucumber salad and roasted sweet potatoes!! Good food heaven!!!

More photos from Easter to include a couple of bloopers. I was tickling Thomas’ back. The last picture cracks me up! Lillian looks so innocent and I’m tickling Thomas.

The last of the photos from Easter Sunday. To include more silliness and bloopers!

Capturing Blooms With Wild Clouds and Babies Underneath the Great Sun

April 14 2019:

Short walk with Lillian to capture the blooms. Too windy and cold for the long walk. Beautiful sky and clouds too!

April 15 2019:

Wild clouds and wind today! And the babies are arriving!! Saw three sets of goslings.

April 17 2019:

Sunset walk with Thomas yesterday. Now the Sun’s just showing off! I like it! Keep it up Sun!!

Lillian and Camilla April 2019 Date Day

April 8 2019:

Lillian and Camilla April 2019 Date Day! First, a stop to look for a new skirt or dress for Lillian. Found one! Yay!!

Next was a stop for fries ….. they were out of fries so she tried the sweet potato tots. Oh my goodness! Those were good!!

Pink and yellow frosted sugar cookie for her and we split the other two goodies. A vegan Neapolitan cupcake (good grief, that was so good) and a vegan snicker doodle cookie dough bite. Next stop was an incredibly windy walk.

Last stop – An incredibly windy walk!

Sunset Healing and Miniature World of Moss with Three Little Birds in the Cold

April 2 2019:

Sunset walk with Thomas.

Breathe it in
Breathe it out

Look up
Look around

Keep walking
Keep writing

Keep knowing
Keep loving

Hold space
For them
For you

This is the Way
This is the unfolding
Nature of life.
©️2019 Camilla Downs

April 3 2019:

Lillian and I visited the little garden behind the library today after volunteering. We went to look at and photograph the daffodils.

Yet, I was loving this Moss, even more than the daffodils. So soft and a beautiful shade of green. For some reason I hadn’t noticed it before. Got my attention this time! The moss is like a miniature world! So lovely!

April 5 2019:

Sunset walk with Thomas yesterday.

Every little things gonna be alright. Three little birds told me so. 🖤🖤🖤

Just about the only photos I get of Thomas these days … (3rd photo)

April 6 2019:

Cold and cloudy walk yesterday.

**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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Camilla is currently working on her next book. A collection of poetry, tentatively titled, “Words of Alchemy”. 

Lillian is currently writing on her blog and writing custom poetry to fundraise for Team TLC to attend the annual Chromosome 18 Family Conference. 

Thomas is currently working through the rush of hormones he’s receiving at 13 years old! HA!

Fundraising for the 2019 Chromosome 18 Conference – Lillian

Sharing for Lillian Darnell (my daughter for those who don’t know) …. She is one determined being with this every year. She will continue to ask me for ideas every other day with a determination and steadfastness that rivals a future Olympian in training …

“Hey, everyone! For this year’s fundraising efforts for my family to attend the Chromosome 18 Conference in Colorado Springs, I decided to make customized poems. Here’s some information on the poems:

The poems will be nature themed, fairy themed, mermaid themed, or unicorn themed. Every poem created will be different and uniquely yours! You can get a decorative border around the poem, incorporating recycled materials; or simply the poem emailed to you.

Now, here’s some information on what the Chromosome 18 annual conference means to me:

The Chromosome 18 conference means a lot to me because I get to meet new friends and spend time with old friends. It also means a lot to me because I get to travel to a new city with my family.

The Chromosome 18 conference helps me get over my fears and my emotions. It helps me feel brave, courageous, and enjoyable. Here’s an example: In July 2017, when my family and I were inside the airport, I was fearful, nervous, tired, and afraid; yet, the view I got from the airplane was amazing and it was all worth it.

Here’s a poem as an example:

Butterflies dash and play
Within the golden sunbeams
Dancing in the afternoon sky.

Butterflies fly in the sky like a colorful moving rainbow
Glimmering in the sky.
The sky sparkling like water.

Butterflies dance freely along
the water.
Water sways as it’s greeting the butterflies.

©2019 Lillian Darnell

You can still purchase prints of my abstract artwork also.”

from me: Lillian has a condition called 18p- which means she is missing the short arm of chromosome #18. The ways in which this manifest for her are: difficulties with articulation, balance and depth perception issues, chronic pain, difficulties with handling strong emotions, and irrational fears and worries.

Her only friends are through the Chromosome 18 group. She always chooses one fear to conquer leading up to the conference. This year it is her fear of taking a shower (she’s always taken baths). She’s nearly conquered it already! The conference is like one long therapy session for the entire family as there is a track for parents/caregivers, a sibling track, and a self advocate track.

Feel free to share this with any you know who enjoy supporting artists and fundraisers.

(Photo of Lillian on one of our date days; and a message from Lillian, table centerpiece and a group photo … All from the 2018 conference in Baltimore)

Go here to learn more ….

Fundraising for the 2019 Chromosome 18 Family Conference – Poem Creativity

 

The Most Perfect Time

Right now, today, this week would be THE most perfect time to add any of these to your collection or to share with a loved one. There’s also The Alchemy of You Mentoring … Thank you for sharing … Deeply grateful …

D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance by Camilla Downs

Biggest Little Photographer by Thomas Darnell

Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories by Lillian Darnell


Rainbow of Emotions by Lillian Darnell


Happy World by Lillian Darnell


Egyptian Eye by Lillian Darnell


Rainbow Mandala by Lillian Darnell

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!! 🙏💙💙💙🙏

**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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Letting the Laughter In and Wild Blueberry Hearts and Virginia City Fun

March 15 2019:

Last night the three of us laughed and laughed together. We each took an online quiz to determine our archetype. Mine and Lillian’s were pretty spot on.

Yet, Thomas’ results had us laughing, laughing, laughing. That felt so very good. We haven’t all three laughed together in a long time. Laughter is good medicine. Especially when done alongside those you love mostest. Here’s to silliness. Here’s to laughter. Here’s hoping you let laughter in … as often as possible .. Towanda … (Photo of Thomas on one of our 2015 walks)

March 16 2019:

Thawed and warmed frozen wild blueberries and they left a bit of love behind in the pan. Lovely blueberry stained heart shapes ….

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. ❤️❤️❤️

Something New – Become a Patron

**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!**

love-cards-in-a-basket-october-2016

Camilla is currently working on her next book. A collection of poetry, tentatively titled, “Words of Alchemy”. 

Lillian is currently writing on her blog and writing custom poetry to fundraise for Team TLC to attend the annual Chromosome 18 Family Conference. 

Thomas is currently working through the rush of hormones he’s receiving at 13 years old! HA!