Blessings,
Camilla See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!
“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.
Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here.
Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.
These are in no particular order, and are not necessarily new release movies. I watch movies as I find out about them, or when I finally get to them. May you find a movie that suits you!
1. “The Electrical Life of Louis Wain”
I was engrossed in learning about this wonderful person. Great movie. I spent a while afterwards reading more about Mr. Wain. His feline art is amazing.
2. “Vita & Virginia”
I’m not a fan of the style of the movie, however, I enjoyed learning about Vita & Virginia’s relationship. Watching this moved me to put two of Virginia Woolf’s books on hold, one of them being, Orlando. I love when a movie inspires me to learn more about a topic.
3. “The Girl King”
I enjoyed this one.
4. “The Wonderland”
Lillian says, “It was good, liked how colorful it is, my favorite characters were Akane and her cat, Gorobeh, and favorite scene is where they are walking through the grass.”
I enjoyed this one. A magical story of having ones eyes opened to the beauty of the world, with absolutely breathtaking scenery.
5. “Enola Holmes”
6. “Arrival”
I enjoyed it!
7. “IO”
Very much enjoyed this one.
8. “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”
This has been on my list for a couple of years. Happy I finally got to see it. Such a lovely, inspiring, heartwarming story.
9. “Cruella”
Lillian says, “I like the music, my favorite character was Cruella, and it was good.”
I loved the soundtrack! Didn’t think I would like it, but I loved it!
10. “Oblivion”
I’ve been on a sci-fi kick lately. Just finished reading Carl Sagan’s Contact (and have seen the movie several times).
I enjoyed this one. Kept me guessing!
11. “Harvey”
An Easter weekend tradition. Jimmy Stewart playing a tipper with a pooka friend in the form of a 6 foot white rabbit …. Perfect! 😂
Josephine Hull and Jimmy Stewart are amazing in this movie. “Every day is a good day.” -Elwood P. Dowd … “I always have a wonderful time wherever I am, and whoever I’m with.” – Elwood P. Dowd
12. “The Giver”
I enjoyed this story. I’ve not read the book, it’s on my shelf, waiting to be read.
13. “Stardust”
Thanks to Peter for suggesting this one. I enjoyed it! Loved Robert De Niro, Clare Danes, and Michelle Pfieffer. The entire cast was great!
14. “The Best of Enemies”
This had been on my list for nearly a year. So glad I finally watched it. Heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. People are horrible. People are amazing.
15. “Castles in the Sky”
This has been on my list for over a year. Very interesting, enjoyed it.
16. “Jojo Rabbit”
I went into this one not really wanting to watch it. But I checked it out from the library, and it’s due. So I went for it. 🤷🏼♀️
I think I felt every single emotion, rounded off with deep laughter. Definitely not a movie I would typically choose to watch. However, I’m so glad I did. The Rilke quote that ends the movie … 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 …. That’s my memoir in four lines. I have lived beauty. I have lived terror. And I just kept going. None of it was final. Even though it felt like it at the time. I. Have. Lived.
17. Maleficent – Mistress of Evil
Lillian says, “Good, liked the ending, my favorite character is Aurora, liked the background music, and liked how colorful it was.”
I say, “Loved this. Beautiful scenery. Loved the story. So glad Lillian finally chose to watch it. “
18. “Fisherman’s Friends”
This has been on my list for a while, as one of the authors I interviewed had just watched it, and enjoyed it.
Beautiful movie loosely based on the real Fisherman’s Friends of Port Isaac. Happy I finally watched it.
19. “Mister 880”
Suggested by a friend a few years ago. Finally made it to it! Thanks for suggesting it, Bob!
Absolutely my kind of movie. Sweet, heartwarming, with heaps of kindness. Burt Lancaster, Edmund Gwenn, and Dorothy McGuire were great!
20. “Mulan”
Lillian says, “Good, liked the background music, liked the song, “Reflection”, at the end, favorite character is Mulan, and liked the moral of never give up, and everyone has a dream and hope.”
I say, “I absolutely loved this. I was glued to it the entire time.”
21. “The King’s Speech”
A beautiful, heartwarming movie. Geoffrey Rush is fantastic in his role as Lionel. Colin Firth was amazing also. So glad I watched this tonight.
Plus! Movie(s) I forgot to list:
“Dune”
Thomas Darnell and I walked to the theater this afternoon for a matinee showing of Dune. It’s about a 5 to 6 minute walk from our place.
Thomas loved it! He said it’s in the top 3 of his favorite movies to date, adding that with Hans Zimmer composing the soundtrack, of course it was great. He also thinks Leto I Atreides resembles Haile Selassie.
We’ve been talking about it on and off since leaving the theater. If you’ve followed our movie watching journey, you may know Thomas is a skilled critic of movies and when he is this excited about a movie, you know it’s damn good.
I definitely enjoyed it, too. I’m just not a fan of theaters anymore. It’s way too loud for me, to the point that I wear ear plugs during the movie. I can’t stand the previews and ads, and can’t pause the movie if I need to go to the bathroom. Hahaha!
Blessings,
Camilla See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!
“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.
Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here.
Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.
**Throwback to 2018 or 2019 when a fellow author asked me about the endorsements I received for my first book, and for Lillian’s book.**
For my 1st book published in 2012 I received an endorsement/book blurb from Julie Ziglar (Zig Ziglar’s daughter) and Jim Stovall, the author of The Ultimate Gift which was also made into a movie.
I met the Ziglars at a conference a year or two before my book and had kept in touch with Julie’s daughter through facebook. And also kept in touch with Julie too but she’s not a heavy facebook user. When the time came, I asked Julie and she said yes.
Jim Stovall came from a connection with someone at a networking group I belonged to at the time. She just happened to be working with Jim through her employer on a matter and she connected the two of us via email.
Networking and talking to people are how I’ve received the connections I made. When people sense your authenticity and you’ve built up a trust level with them; they are more than happy to help.
With Lillian’s book just published, I emailed the senior editor of Faery Magazine and asked. She said, “YES!”
Another endorsement for Lillian’s book came from a connection with The Chromosome 18 Registry. Dr. Veronica Wain is an award winning film maker and author and her daughter just happens to have a chromosome 18 condition too. She was happy to provide an endorsement.
And the other endorsement is from networking too. I met Brian when he lived in Reno through another friend and we have remained friends since then. He’s an actor, award winning author, and producer.
So, having said all this … Networking, talking with people – everywhere: the grocery store, events, in line waiting at places. Not in a salesy, pushy way. Just be YOU and share.
These aren’t BIG, everyone-is-going-to-recognize-their-name people. Yet, I felt there support and endorsements were meaningful and they help the books to shine!
Blessings,
Camilla See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!
“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.
Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here.
Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.
Happy Happy Happy Valentine’s Day to my forever loves. Love you, Thomas and Lillian, forever and ever, always and always …
I made each of them a heart shaped crystal sun catcher (with crystal beads). Sending oceans of love to all of you, too …
Thank you to The Romano Duo for delivering Valentine’s Day gifts, too! Hyacinths and an adorable red monkey for me. I was today years old when I learned how much I needed a fluffy red monkey. A beautiful plant for Thomas, and a rose plant for Lillian. Thank you Romano Duo!!
I’m a member of an author/book reader facebook group, and the admins ask great questions. I decided to turn some of the questions into a “get to know me” series. I would also love to hear your answers to the questions posed in the series. Thanks Helen for asking such fun questions!
What song lyrics have you misheard?
When I was very young, for the longest time, I thought it was “Hang on Snoopy” instead of “Hang on Sloopy” …. There have been many. This is the earliest one I remember. ….
What about you?
Blessings,
Camilla See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!
“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.
Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here.
Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.
Welcome to the 2021 Christmas Fayre hosted by the Meeting the Authors! Facebook Group!
Beginning today, Friday, December 3rd, and running throughout the weekend. Join us for great gift ideas. Each day will hold different and beautiful gifts. With books, candles, and handmade gifts, there’ll be something for everyone! Have a browse and invite your friends too. The more the merrier! 🎄🎄🎄
Team TLC items being offered during the Christmas Fayre
Team TLC Books:
Words of Alchemy
Words of Alchemy is the poetry memoir of a single mom who travels life with reverence and reflection, reading at times like magic spells of love and good wishes. A book for those in need of uplifting, easy to read poetry that leaves one feeling comforted, inspired, with a different view of how life can be lived.
In Words of Alchemy, Camilla Downs invites you to walk with her to share her love of Nature and Life through a heartfelt free-verse poetry memoir.
During her daily strolls she is mindfully present as she delves into life in the raw.
Camilla embraces what happens when she opens her heart and invites the written words to flow. The Alchemy of Love and Healing is what happens.
Welcome to the radiant imagination of Lillian Darnell, a wonderful and unique human being, the kind who comes around only once in every 56,000 births, as she is missing the short arm of her 18th chromosome.
Leave this reality behind and enter enchanted lands awash in mysteries, happy endings, adventures, and inspiration. Come within and discover heartwarming and beautiful tales, woven with love and magic, brought forth from the imagination of a young woman with a different perspective. Lose yourself in wondrous adventures as you follow courageous, enchanting characters, kind animals and plant life, and graceful Mother Nature.
The delightful tales, legends, and poems within these pages were written by Lillian Darnell between the ages of four and fifteen. The stories and poems are mostly edited for spelling and grammar, yet the bulk of the stories remain as she originally wrote and published them to include a few grammatical errors and made up words.
Will a girls dream of becoming a princess come true? How can sad, mischievous, fearful animals help humans feel emotions? How did the world come to have color?
Life is what happens from here to there, what happens between deciding what you want and receiving that which you want.
Who is the “Biggest Little Photographer”? Why Mr. Minifigure?
At 8-years-old Thomas Darnell read an article about a professional photographer who had taken photographs of a minifigure taking photographs for 365 days. When inspired to begin his own 365 photography project, he bought a minifigure camera with his own money. A few months into the project, Thomas considered abandoning it. After considering how it would feel to finish as opposed to not finishing, he chose to continue.
Within this book you will find love, wonder, inspiration, and the knowing that whatever you dream, whatever you want to accomplish, it can be done. You will also find that life is what happens between asking, “Can I do that?” and “I did it!”
D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance
In her early thirties Camilla Downs landed in a different place than she had planned; a place more different than she could ever have imagined. Five years into her marriage with a happy three-year-old daughter, a phone call with a diagnosis from the pediatrician changed everything.
This A to Z inspiring memoir recounts Downs’ journey to acceptance of herself, her daughter’s genetic abnormality of 18p- and becoming a single mom. Through Downs’ realization’s we learn that accepting ourselves and our situations is the key to being able to accept others, tap into our vein of courage and live in the present moment. Downs details her journey with the methods and thought process that led her to achieve true acceptance and genuine happiness. You’ll learn ways to redefine your thought processes and belief system by applying the practical, insightful “Tips for the Journey” at the end of each chapter.
Whether you need to decrease stress and worries, or increase self-confidence, this powerful book will help you make changes for the better and realize you are not alone. Begin your new journey today!
I am a writer and artist who loves rainbows, emojis, nature, art, Christmas, and music. I also have a rare chromosome deletion called 18p-. (My mom, Camilla, helps me with my etsy store.)
Beginning tomorrow, Friday, December 3rd, and running throughout the weekend. Join us for great gift ideas. Each day will hold different and beautiful gifts. With books, candles, and handmade gifts, there’ll be something for everyone! Have a browse and invite your friends too. The more the merrier! 🎄🎄🎄
I’ve lived nearly all my life in fear of speaking up, speaking out for this reason. I’m done with it. My heart cracked open on May 25th and I will be silent no longer. Thank you to AOC for this powerful speech.
I grew up with a low self esteem instilled in me, thinking I was stupid, and that I did everything wrong. I’m still finding my footing. There are still things I don’t post, or speak up about.
I remember feeling similar when I began to post deep, spiritual content. I feared being thought of as crazy. I walked into that fear, and I’m still alive! Ha!
Now, I fear those who will shame me for what I say or share, or who will spew anger my direction. All of that stems from my childhood. I’m ready to walk into that fear. I know I’m not alone and I know I will not die from sharing my opinions, my views, and I will not die from being called a crazy woman. My ex-husband called me that enough times, my immunity is in tact.
It’s safe to say, I’ve had many unpleasant experiences. However, they’ve helped shape my heart and soul. That, and the last 15 years of deep diving to heal, have paved the way to trust myself, and to openly share my thoughts and opinions.
We don’t always have to be eloquent with our words. I rather like using the word fuck. It helps to channel the intense energy. Wait until you hit 50. Any remaining fucks will be on their way out the door!
When Lillian was 5 or 6 years old, I used to tell her that her differences would be to her advantage, that she could use her differences to stand out and for her benefit. I don’t know if she remembers any of this, but, I do know that she seems to have no fear in announcing to the world things about herself.
I feel I’m very strong in the areas of advocating for my kids, and certain areas for myself. Where I would like to improve is that I am incredibly thin skinned when it comes to criticism and being in the midst of confrontation and arguing. I’m aware that this comes from childhood and think the only way it will improve is for me is to walk into it. I’m game!
Now, I’ve been known to act crazy. That’s for sure. Seriously, though, from my experience, whenever someone resorts to “You’re crazy”, it’s because they don’t want to engage in a conversation, and in some cases gaslighting is involved.
**Update – November 29 2021** I have definitely improved with my ability to say “No”, to speak up for myself. One area I still continue to work, is not being concerned of what others think or say about content that I write, or other’s content that I share.
Blessings,
Camilla See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!
“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.
Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here.
Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.
I’m a member of an author/book reader facebook group, and the admins ask great questions. I decided to turn some of the questions into a “get to know me” series. I would also love to hear your answers to the questions posed in the series. Thanks Helen for asking such fun questions!
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Warning: Do not tell this one what she can or cannot do. Don’t be fooled. She will politely smile, and then do what she was told she could not do.
This one has a solid BS detector as well as an intense aversion to spending time with anyone who attempts to manipulate or take “No” for an answer.
This one is also very clumsy. Beware of cherished items near her. You may want to wear ear plugs when in her company, as she laughs loudly, and swears very much.
What about you?
Blessings,
Camilla See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!
“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.
Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here.
Wonderfully exciting news! My 16 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.
Blessings,
Camilla See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!
“Words of Alchemy”, published December 2019, is a free-verse poetry memoir covering the last 6 years of my life. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love, in one beautiful book.
Amazing news! My 20 year old daughter, Lillian Darnell’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” was published January 2018. Learn more and order here.
Wonderfully exciting news! My 15 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.
