Catching Leaves and Wind and Shadows and Speak to Me

Posted on November 13, 2016 by Camilla

October 23 2016:

Beautiful walk with Thomas and Lillian this afternoon. We stopped for a while and caught the leaves as the wind blew them from the trees. Pure love. xoxo

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October 25 2016:

On our windy and chilly walk this afternoon, we paused for Lillian to share her thoughts on why the wind blows ….. xoxo

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Afternoon walk with Lillian today. Windy and chilly and so beautiful!! We noticed how some of the trees are almost completely bare.

The color contrasts are mesmerizing. And, not to be forgotten, we looked at and played with our shadows 55 times in 33 different locations. 😉 ….. Our walks inspire me …. xoxo

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October 26 2016:

Natures gifts this beautiful morning …. glorious trees. How I love thee ….. Thank you. And we’ll have more please. xoxo

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October 27 2016:

More beautiful gifts from nature on my morning walk. A walk in hugely gusty winds. A walk which prompted me to say out loud, “Okay. Here I am. Speak to me.”

About 5 minutes later a young lady came up behind me as I was walking away from a spot I had been standing. She was yelling “Hello” to get my attention.

We chatted about photography, the lake and the different wildlife that visit, writing, poetry, and getting out of ones own way to create from the heart.

Turns out she’s a 15 year old student at Wooster High and is currently taking a Spoken Word Poetry class. She was so excited to be talking with me.

We were practically alone out there as the weather was shifting to heavier wind and rain. She asked if I’d come speak to their class. Of course I will!

I know I am to begin speaking more so if you ask, I’ll most likely say yes! A little bit after getting home I received an email asking if I’d be willing to be a speaker on a panel next month. Of course. Yes! Thank you and I’ll have more please. xoxo

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On the morning walk …. a short video of nothing …. and everything. xoxo

You Lift Me

Posted on November 12, 2016 by Camilla

October 29 2016:

“When I’m tired, you lift me.
When my thoughts have settled on sadness,
you hold a gentle space for me.
You remind me to unfold with life
and help me remember to simply be.” ~ Camilla Downs

Oneness and Peace

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Camilla

October 22 2016:

“With each breath I take,
With each step I take,
Your stillness greets me.
A stillness that whispers
the language of oneness and peace.” ~Camilla Downs

You are Loved

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Camilla

October 21 2016:

Working on backlogged tasks and came across this post from July. As I read it again and re-visited the feelings and words, I was moved to share with you. I love when I let myself share and write from the heart … Go here to read or save this post and come back to it later!

“It has been a path of confronting feelings about my own self-worth. A path of knowing the deep intrinsic worth of simply BEing. A path of peeling back layer after layer after layer after layer of thoughts, beliefs, and ideas that have compounded throughout this life … and smothered the true me.

“And she said, I’m ready to live this life with abandon and joyful bewilderment … I’m crossing that bridge.” ~Camilla Downs

May you take this as you need to receive it. Perhaps a calling to begin questioning why you are doing what you do, what is causing you to make certain decisions. Perhaps to reinforce why you seem to be “bucking” the system, or going against what others think you should be doing.

Perhaps simply to be told that you are loved, you are loved, you are loved and to stop judging yourself.” ….. Go here to read the entire article …

Why I Live Life with Abandon

Support Team TLC

Posted on November 6, 2016 by Camilla

October 17 2016:

A homeschool facebook group I’m a member of just began a Monday thread of sharing what one does so as to support one another. Thought I’d share here too for anyone who is inclined to support Team TLC … xoxoxo … Feel free to add a link or comment as to what you do in the comments … When there’s time and availability, we are open to trading …

1) Thomas, my 10 year old, completed a 365 a day photography project when he was 9 years old and we’ve published that into a Photography/Gift/Inspiration book. It’s being printed and bound this week! YAY! Go here to learn more and watch the short 2 minute trailer …https://BiggestLittlePhotographer.com

2) As a family we assist other families with errands and to-do lists. We are pretty swamped (YAY), yet we have room for a bit more. One of our jobs is for 4 months (September – December)! Wahoo! Go here to learn more about our services ….. https://theteamtlc.com/team-tlc-errand-services/ … This is also our family blog so stick around over there and perhaps get some ideas.

3) Lillian, my special needs 15 year old, creates abstract art and sells prints …https://lilliandarnell.com/lillians-art/ …. She is also an aspiring writer and has some great content on her blog at https://LillianDarnell.com ….

Also, also, she reads a TON and recommends books on her blog. If you click through to any of the books on amazon to learn more and end up purchasing anything at all, we get a few cents. And it doesn’t cost you any more than it would have if you had not gone through her link.

4) I am also a writer. I have one published book, “D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance” … https://camilladowns.com/books/ ….

I write book and movie recommendations also. The same concept applies regarding the amazon links … https://camilladowns.com/category/book-and-movie-musings/ … I write poetry also that I usually pair with one of the nature photographs I have taken … https://camilladowns.com/category/photography-musings/ and https://camilladowns.com/category/poetry/ …

I sell custom created poems and poetry which I handwrite on recycled materials and sometimes include a painted rock to accompany.https://camilladowns.com/mystique-boutique/

I am a certified coach and offer unique coaching sessions paired with a walk in domestic nature. https://camilladowns.com/walk-with-me/

And, lastly, I write on my blog simply to share what I feel inspired to share. Most of my writings have to do with mindfulness, emotional connection, spirituality, and loving kindness. I share from the heart and always using myself and my family as the base of sharing. https://camilladowns.com/

5) I am available to speak to groups having do do with any of the above as an inspirational speaker. And now Thomas and I will be available to speak as a mom and son duo about his photography to book journey.

Thank You Angels and Living Life and No Television and Magpie

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Camilla

August 28 2016:

Sunset walk with Thomas tonight. I finished. I did it! Our part of the book is all but finished. It’s with an editor now and we will simply be adding quotes Thomas chose and then it’s off! 188 pictures and 19 categories. Finished at 2:44 … Now that’s amazing. Thank you angels! Wahoo!!! I did it!!

On our sunset walk last night, I asked Thomas his thoughts about our “living in a tiny home” adventures. Thomas’ personality really shines in this one!!

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August 29 2016:

Morning walk. I don’t know what it is about these beautiful and graceful creatures that brings such joy to my heart. What a gift this morning! Four cormorants drying together and one in the famous bat pose. So inspiring. xoxo

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August 30, 2016:

Sunset walk for all three of us last night. The sky, clouds, and sun put on an amazing show.

And Wahooo!!! Just sent everything to the local book publisher who is working with us to get Thomas’ book published! It is done! It is done! Hallelujah! You can still pre-order too!! Oceans and oceans of gratitude to those who have pre-ordered, shared, liked, and commented. xoxo

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August 31 2016:

Lillian and I very much enjoyed our walk last night. This time she shares her thoughts about life without television. Kinda goes long as we had some worries about passing dogs! Would you like a question answered by Lillian and Thomas? Let us know. xoxo

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September 2 2016:

Lillian and I found a really cool spot to sit Tuesday night on our walk. So peaceful and quiet. I just love going for walks with her, soaking it in, and taking pictures to capture the view. xoxo

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September 3 2016:

Beautiful black-billed magpie caught my ears yesterday. Such a pretty call they have. Made me look up … And glad I did!!! xoxo …. Go here to hear the call if you’d like … https://www.allaboutbirds.org/gu…/Black-billed_Magpie/sounds

Your Secrets I Must Know

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Camilla

September 2 2016:

“Deeper and deeper I must go, your secrets I must know. Your presence delivers unbounded clarity. Your embrace awakens the ability to listen with an open heart, to hear the secrets you share.” ~Camilla Downs

Your Embrace

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Camilla

August 24 2016:

“The moment I enter your embrace, my shoulders relax, my neck softens, I breathe deeply, and I know I’m home.” ~Camilla Downs

Sweet Nectar for My Soul and Bliss and Beauty and Love and Hidden Beach

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Camilla

August 15 2016:

Lillian and I got to have a sunset walk. I’ve had a rough day and this was like sweet nectar for my soul.

I received an anonymous email from someone who laid judgment upon me and the way I choose to live. It hurt. I have not been able to take my own advice of “What other people think of you, is their business, not yours.”

I finally shared with a small group of friends and that helped a bit. Then I was treated to this most delicious walk with Lillian where I ask her about our walks together. xoxoxo And, lastly, I came home to a Louise Hay post of “I Release All Criticism” … Feeling so much better. Not quite myself. Yet, much better.

I apologize! I turned the video to landscape halfway through. Oops!!

By the end of the day, I chose to see this as an opportunity for growth for myself and to have compassion and non-judgment for the one who is confused by whether my living as a free spirit is by choice or necessity and the one who feels my kids are enduring financial stress that no kid should endure … Oceans and oceans of love to you … LOVE is the answer … xoxo

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August 17 2016:

Wonderful sunset to darkness walk last night. It was nearly 8:45 pm once we got back to the car. So quiet and peaceful with stops several times to listen to the birds talking. It got too dark for more pictures. These walks are so incredibly blissful. … Then we went to the grocery store. 9:00 at night is the time to go grocery shopping! So quiet!! xoxo

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August 18 2016:

Beauties outside of the building yesterday afternoon … Northern Nevada Medical … Where Lillian receives craniosacral therapy. We were in a hurry so I could get to another appointment, yet we stopped to admire natures gift and to try and capture it. Remember to have a sense of wonder as often as you can. It’s life changing. xoxo

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August 18 2016:

Thomas n Camilla sunset walk tonight. I simply could not get enough of the light breeze brushing against my skin while gently blowing my hair. So divine.

Thomas and I had a ball. We watched the killdeer and the black necked stilt for a bit. Then danced a killdeer tango as we walked. If you’ve watched them you know what I mean.

Then Thomas said something that caused me to remember the television show with Lee Majors as The Bionic Man. Ha! Now Thomas knows some tv trivia! Nature is love … xoxo

Thomas wanted to share more about our walks. And I chime in a wee bit too. And so do the ducks!! On our sunset walk last night. xoxoxo

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August 19 2016:

Field trip day!! Lunch stop!! xoxo

Third stop on field trip day yesterday. I’ve only been here once and Thomas and Lillian have never been here.

Definitely got our exercise for the day. Another first for Lillian. She has never hiked on a little narrow path, sometimes with a steep downhill on one side. Lots of anxiety and one scream and one scratch on her toe and one scratch on my hand from her grasping my hand. We made it though!!

A first for me!!! I swam in Lake Tahoe and it was amazing. Refreshingly cold. Relaxing. I didn’t want to get out!! The water hugged and caressed my body like a Mother hugs her baby. Pure heaven.

Thomas swam too. He loved it!! Even though he got a gnarly scratch from one of the rocks. He wants to come back again and again. And wants to move to Incline Village!

Another first for Lillian. She got “attacked” by a dog. Well, not really. She has a debilitating fear of dogs. She was sitting on the towel. I saw the sweet puppy headed over and before I could get there he was trying to lick her to death. I’m sure all of Hidden Beach thought someone was in grave danger. Lillian screamed like I’ve never heard her scream. The dogs humans apologized like 5 million times. They felt so bad! It took her about 15 minutes and then Lillian recovered back to enjoying herself.

As we headed down to the beach Lillian was commenting she never wanted to come again. On the way back up she was commenting about next time this, that, and the other …

Made it back home about 8:00 with 4 scrapes and scratches amongst us and lots of tired muscles and having learned so incredibly much.

And …. We loved it!!! We will all sleep soundly tonight.

Rights My World and Swimming and Variety and Sadness

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Camilla

August 7 2016:

Drastically rights my world …. Going for a walk with Thomas and Lillian and taking pictures. So incredibly grateful for it all. xoxo

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August 8 2016:

First day of 5th grade for Thomas and 10th grade for Lillian. Field trip to Bowers Mansion park and pool after a morning of working. Thank you to Northern Nevada Home Schools, Inc. for organizing this. We had so much fun!!!!

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August 9 2016:

Walk with Thomas last night. It was an incredibly beautiful sunset and quiet, peaceful walk. Thomas loved how the holes he made filled so quickly with water. This time around we discussed the stock market and day trading. I love the variety of topics we discuss.

Today he had this to say, “It’s fun to buy things with your own money. It even feels different when you’re holding what you buy afterwards.” He bought himself a pizza for dinner … With his own money.

And he had this to say, “I’m glad I’m not an adult with seeing how sad you are today.” Yes. Sometimes I find it difficult to practice what’s in my heart. I’ve been in pain all day from a tweaked muscle or nerve in my upper left back/shoulder … And I had so much I needed to work on today. It’s been a very low day of wallowing in anxiety and fear and being in pain.

I’m blessed these two amazing young people use these low times to remind me of different perspectives at just the right moments.