Tag Archives: poetry

Throwback Post: Sunset Walks While Reading and Cooking

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**THROWBACK POST**

September 10 2015:

Just WOW! Beautiful walk tonight. Plus a moving quote from the bedtime book we read last night … “Do the little thing that comes from YOUR heart and everything might change, in ways no one could imagine.” – The Brave Little Parrot


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September 10 2014:

What a great morning presenting to Lillian’s classmates about chromosomes, genes, DNA, differences, acceptance, non-judgment, patience, loving and accepting our unique selves, supporting one another, and that Different iz Good! Even had a sweet young man buy one of my books for his aunt. He has a cousin with 22q-. He totally got my presentation. I could sense it in his energy and his eyes! YAY! These kids are awesome! Will post it all to my blog later today for any interested in sparking a conversation with your kids or perhaps you want to give a similar talk at your child’s school. xoxo

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September 10 2013:

Just back from a soul soothing walk. Overflowing with gratitude for the abundance of serenity and peace Mother Nature shares so freely and effortlessly. Full up of LOVE!! xoxoxo

“I feel, no, I KNOW we are at the beginning of something beautiful, magical and amazing coming into our lives! I choose to present this to myself and my kids as an opportunity for adventure. I shared the exciting news with Thomas and Lillian this past Sunday night … carefully worded and presented as a shiny new gift on a silver platter just waiting to be opened ……” Who’s ready to set sail with Team TLC? Thanks Luther for the play on words!

Allowing the Gift of a Situation

September 10 2013: Gonna enjoy as many of these sunset reading moments as we possibly can in the next month and a half …. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!


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September 10 2012:

I’m so excited!!! Prepping for my annual “Lillian Presentation”. Every year I present to Lillian’s classmates about her differences. This year I’ll have a larger audience as all of the 4-6 grade teachers want me to present to their students instead of just Lillian’s class! WOW!! I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to have these little minds to inspire and educate … My desire is that I say just the right thing, in just the right way to inspire at least one of them, hopefully more, to accept themselves just as they ARE and to carry that forward to acceptance and kindness towards those with differences … The magic happens this Friday, the 14th … not just any Friday and not just any 14th …. It’s a very special inspiring little ladies birthday that day too …. Rock on Ms. Lillian … Keep on shinin girl

Makin dinner adventures for Team Member T … Fillin my boy with confidence and kindness tonight … Spaghetti and Meatball Stoup … And I was Thomas’ helper all the way!

A little poem inspired by Team Member T & L this past July 2012 …


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September 10 2011:

About 10,000 feet up on Southwest Air on our way back to Reno from Vegas!!!


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September 10 2009:

Awoke with these thoughts this morning. 1st & foremost we must trust ourselves. We must trust & support decisions we make even if we don’t fully understand why we must make certain decisions! Liked it so much thought I’d share!

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Had a ball at Vino 100 Supporting Danell & Lisa with their wine tasting fundraiser for the 3 Day Walk next month! Man, those red wines were yummy!!

Throwback Post: Halloween Poem

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**THROWBACK POST**

October 14 2011:

Just got this in my email inbox . . . Hope y’all enjoy it!

Halloween Poem

Black cats cross the street
Black bats fly across the street
White ghost scare the people
Striped candy corn gets eaten
People wear famous costumes
Happy jack-o-lanterns watch as they smile.
Happy Halloween

Lillian Darnell
Fairy Princess

Throwback Post: The Journey – Hand Painted Rock and One of a Kind Poem

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**THROWBACK POST**

August 6 2016:

The Journey ~ Sharing a beautiful, hand-painted rock created by Camilla Downs that came with a one-of-a-kind poem that she has handwritten on recycled/reclaimed materials. She shared that the poems and words she includes with the purchase of decorated rock are directly from the heart. Much love and heart energy has gone into each one. – Tele R.

Stella’s Beloved Garden by Lillian Darnell

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April 8 2021

New story from Lillian (plus a poem!!)

Once there was a girl named Novella who was often called by her nickname Stella. Stella often loved the garden in the mansion where she would do everything and so all was well or at least so she thought.

Until one day, there was a huge fire that blew across the land. Stella was very sad to leave her beloved garden behind but she knew that her garden would always be in her heart.
So Stella and her family left to ….

Stella’s Beloved Garden

Peppermint in the Sky – New Poetry from Lillian Darnell

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February 7 2021

New poem from Lillian Darnell … This made my eyes pool with liquid love .. 🤍❤🤍

Peppermint in the sky above
Smelling like festive mints
sweet scents feel the air

Cinnamon dances
like brown snow
as cinnamon fades
through the dark

Pine trees sway and dance
Like wind and dancers
Spreading the …. Follow the link to read the full poem

Festive Seasons

Is There Something Special I Do Before Mailing a Book – Camilla Interview on Meeting the Authors

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March 7 2020

Here it is …. Today we travel to Reno, Nevada, USA to chat with Camilla Downs about how a Swedish actress, going for walks, chromosome deletions, tiny house living, a construction company, being a paralegal, nature photography, Scooby Doo, and tenacity come together to form the ingredients for the alchemy of Camilla’s life.

Is there something special you do with your book before sending it to a reader?

I personalize each book with a hand written message, at times including a special message within the book. It’s always a little different. Sometimes it’s a handwritten message on a small card, others it’s a micro short poem or message created from the words of a book destined for the trash.

In addition to that, I offer readings from the book via telephone. I’m happy to do this one on one or on speakerphone to a book club (or in person if you are in the Reno/Tahoe/Sparks surrounding area). This is done at no charge and I’m happy to have discussions after the reading. If interested … Go here to read the full interview …

Meet the Author: Words of Alchemy by Camilla Downs

Placing a Second Order – Words of Alchemy

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December 22 2019:

Moving day approaching …. Again! We finally get to move into our unit on Friday, 12.27. We have definitely enjoyed the lovely view from this temporary place. Yet, we are more than ready to be able to unpack, put things on the walls, curtains up, and make our place into our home.

It’s going to be wild unpacking things that have been packed for about 2 years! I’m positive I’ll be doing a bit of purging! Maybe Thomas and Lillian will join me.

With that approaching, I’m placing a second order of books tomorrow and both orders should arrive not too long after we get moved. The timing is aligning perfectly, as we’ll be done with the final move and I can sit down and concentrate on personalizing and signing the books! Let me know if you want to be included in this round of ordering.

December 28 2019:

I’ve placed the second order and received the first pre-order for a personalised, signed book for a lovely person in the UK. Considering that it costs nearly double the cost of the book to ship to the UK, it is a wonderful compliment and show of support. Should be receiving the first 2 orders in the first 2 weeks of January.

Words of Alchemy Proof Arrived in a Cosmic Way

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December 13 2019:

Got the proof book about 10 minutes ago! I open the package and see it for the first time with all of YOU! Never mind how tired I look, or that I nearly cried when I saw it. YAY!!! It’s here!!! It’s here!! Deeply grateful!

December 14 2019:

Carolyn R Smith! Look what I found on page 42! Love you! 💗💗💗

Thank you Thomas for taking photos of me with the proof book. Nearly done reading it and all is looking great! Plus, a blooper photo showing my favorite shoes … bare feet! HA! It’s looking like the launch of the book will be this coming week!

 

Unfulfilled Longing by Camilla Downs

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December 14 2019:

This was written over 2 months ago, on September 28 2019. If you follow me and my writings, you’ll know I have been incredibly busy these past few months with this nightmarish move, finishing my book, Words of Alchemy, maintaining MeetingtheAuthors.com, and parenting.

It has taken a while to come back around to this and publish it. The above being one reason. Another reason is that I needed to allow space. The event that brought forth this one, brought with it strong and deep emotions. I am well past it at this point, having allowed myself to sit with it and feel it. May it be meaningful to you or someone you know.

Unfulfilled Longing

As a young child,
as a young teenager,
she daydreamed of
having, of being surrounded
by loving, supportive parents.

She spent as ….

Poetry: Unfulfilled Longing

Words of Alchemy – The Kindle Version with a Strong Urge for Apostrophes and Dashes

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October 23 2019:

Incredibly excited! Just received the Kindle version from the book designer for proofing!! Stay up late proofing or get to bed now so I can get up early and proof?? What a joy to be to this point now. Thank you to everyone for the support, love, and encouragement!

October 24 2019:

Deep into proofing the Kindle version of the book. During this entire process from the beginning stages of putting the manuscript together up to now; I sometimes feel a strong urge that a writing wants to be shared (right now!). That just happened with this one. Written in June 2018.

Knowing of the Heart

We have come together upon this Earth
to travel our own separate paths
Yet, traveling them together.

It has not escaped my attention
that there were and are places
and events we talked and
dreamed of experiencing.

Our lives together seem to
have become mundane and boring.

Seeming to have the same days
over and over again.
With little new experiences
by way of sights, sounds,
and adventures.

Sadness and failure encroached
upon these shoulders and heart
As the message was received
of how important it is to
travel with one’s family.

Travel so as to have one to one
time together … away from the
normalcy of being in the
same place and routines.

Yet, before the cloud could
fully envelop this heart,
the heart whispered to
the sadness a response
so profound and enlightening
the sadness and failure
did halt and lift to be
transmuted to peace and knowing.

The heart whispered …
Wait.

Each walk taken,
Each drive around
neighborhoods,
Each date day,
Each spontaneous trip
for simple life’s
necessities,
Each trip to the park,
Each drive to a lookout
to watch the sunset or
have a car picnic,
Each occasion you chose
to make special …
Each of those times was
a trip to a beautiful
and everlasting destination.

You and your children
have taken many trips.
They may not be the
actual destinations the
three of you envisioned.

No. They are not.

Yet, each of these trips
led to destinations
that many may never get
a chance to experience.

The trip. The destination.
Within you it is.
Take it with you
always, you do.
This is the alchemy
of the heart.

Glory be.
Take notice of
your profound ability
to make something
out of seemingly nothing.

Know this.
And be free.
Hallelujah!

June 2018

Dedicated to my children … Thomas and Lillian

There’s nothing better than a walk with my loves. I cherish every walk taken with each one of them. Every walk …. Since they were wee tiny ones growing within me. As of the writing of the previous poem, Lillian and I have taken walks together for nearly 17 years; and Thomas and me for nearly 13 years. Love, sweet love.
(Picture of us July 2018 – midnight at the Vegas airport, returning from the C18 Conference in Baltimore)

October 26 2019:

Apostrophes and dashes, oh my!! I’m surprised I didn’t dream about apostrophes and dashes haunting me! On the last round of proofreading and then back to the book designer. Nothing major to correct … Except … Many apostrophe slip ups and a few grammar errors! (The dandelion seed will be smaller in the final version. The designer missed that in my original instructions.)