Latest News: Top 10 Soul Writings for 2020

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(Spooner Lake July 2020)

Top 10 Blog Posts With the Most Views (Culled only from 2020 blog posts)

  1. Latest News: I Support Black Lives Matter – BIPOC
  2. We Are Family – A Dedication to Mary Armstrong
  3. Why Writing is Important to Me – An Interview with Clare Rhoden
  4. Educating and Re-educating Myself
  5. Sobbing in the Garage With the True Meaning of Beauty – An Interview With Marjorie Mallon
  6. Walk With Me – Words of Alchemy
  7. Writing With My Eyes Closed – Author D.G. Kaye Interviews Camilla
  8. Throwback Post: Being a Sibling to One With Special Needs and Throwback Post: I Vow to Learn and What Does it Mean to Love (all three of these tied for #8)
  9. What Led to My First Book and Five Fun Facts – Jess Interviews Camilla and
    The Path of the Heart – Words of Alchemy (these two tied for #9)
  10. Twenty Nine Favorite Movies Watched in 2019

Top 10 Blog Posts With the Most Views (Culled from all blog posts)

  1. Recipe: No Powdered Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting
  2. 17 Easy and Free Ideas on How to Rejuvenate Yourself
  3. Olive Oil as Facial Cleanser and Moisturizer – Oil Cleansing Method
  4. Latest News: I Support Black Lives Matter – BIPOC
  5. Happy Birthday to Me – Reuniting With Someone Special
  6. We Are Family – A Dedication to Mary Armstrong
  7. Why Writing is Important to Me – An Interview with Clare Rhoden
  8. Trees Preach the Ancient Laws of Life
  9. Book Review: I Am That Girl
  10. Educating and Re-educating Myself

Top 10 Blog Posts of All Time With the Most Views

  1. Olive Oil as Facial Cleanser and Moisturizer – Oil Cleansing Method
  2. Recipe: No Powdered Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting
  3. Recipe: Almond Flour Cookies
  4. Help Team TLC with a Christmas Miracle
  5. 17 Easy and Free Ideas on How to Rejuvenate Yourself
  6. Oil Cleansing Method – Update
  7. A Moment of Defeat
  8. Taste the Wind
  9. I Wish I Wasn’t an 18p- Girl: Moment of Defeat – Take Two
  10. Lillian and Being Different Presentation

Top 3 Countries With Most Views for 2020

Top 3 Countries with Most Views for All Time

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 19 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.

Throwback Post: Interconnectedness of Kindness and Intuition

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**THROWBACK POST**

March 11 2016

Yesterday afternoon Thomas and I were looking at an ad that came in the mail from Bed, Bath and Beyond. On the front cover is a Himalayan salt lamp. I told Thomas I’ve been wanting a votive candle holder or a lamp for years and one day I’m gonna have one.

This afternoon I received a message from a friend that a little something had just been left on the porch. WOW! I sent a message thanking her and shared the story above.

Her reply, “I got that flyer in the mail too. It made me think of you.” I don’t think I had voiced to anyone except Thomas that I wanted one of these. It’s just beautiful and magical when synchronicity shows up like this … When we listen to our intuition.

I have had this happen as the giver as well. For me it has been an inner nudge to share a quote, a passage from a book, or simply to reach out. It’s always a blessing for both the giver and receiver … as when we give, we receive.

Even in instances where we never hear back from the recipient. That doesn’t matter. There was a reason for the inner nudge. We don’t always need to know the reason. Years ago I shared with Thomas that if we are moved to reach out, to share kindness, we should never let fear of the receiver not responding or openly appreciating the act, stop us. Someone will benefit. The giver, the receiver, someone who witnessed … someone. xoxoxoxo

**October 2021 Update – I still have this lovely gift, gracing our dining table.

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.

Get to Know Me: Imaginary Friends

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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!

Did you have an imaginary friend as a child?

I didn’t have an imaginary friend, but my cousins and I would pretend the bottom of the deep end of the pool (9 ft) was our house. We’d swim to the bottom, sit in different spots, pretend we were doing things. Wild to think about now. We spent a lot of time swimming, so we could hold our breath a decent amount of time.

When my 19 year old special needs daughter was younger, she used to have an imaginary twin. When she would get admonished for something, she would always say, it wasn’t me. That was the other Lillian. 🤣 😂

She also used to sleep walk. She woke me up one night as she was in my closet, having a conversation with someone. That happened several times throughout her younger years.

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 19 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.

Reblog: Thomas and Camilla January 2021 Date Day

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Thomas and Camilla January 2021 Date Day - featured image

January 23 2021

Yesterday was the January 2021 Thomas and Camilla Date Day

Lunch from House of Mexica (all Vegan menu)

Jungle Tamale and Mexica fries for me. BBQ Mac hamburger and fries for Thomas. Horchata for both of us to rinse it all down.

We had a car picnic with a lovely view at Aubrey Harris park, and then went for a walk at Virginia Foothills park.

 

Follow the link to see the original post with more photos …

Thomas and Camilla January 2021 Date Day

Enjoyable and Soothing – Words of Alchemy

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Thank you to Chantelle Atkins for this lovely, glowing review for Words of Alchemy!

I found this to be a very enjoyable and soothing read and would recommend it to anyone who feels the need to dip out of this busy life for a while and lose themselves in words and imagery. The author does a fantastic job of penning poems that are thought provoking but ultimately calming. I read this in a few sittings and came away feeling soothed and replenished each time. I particularly liked the different topics tackled, such as parenting, healing and nature, and I really feel there is something for everyone in this collection. – Chantelle Atkins

You can learn more about Words of Alchemy by going here …

Author

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 19 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.

Throwback Post: Life is Like a Maze – Lillian Darnell

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**THROWBACK POST**

I have no idea when Lillian shared this with me. It was either in 2017 or 2018.


(Photo from an October 2020 Date Day with Thomas)

Hey there! Imagine a maze with dead ends and straight lines. Every bad thing that happens takes you to a dead end even if it seems to be leading in a straight path. Every good thing that happens takes you to the correct path. The entrance is you come in the maze as a newborn and the exit is your soul exiting and reentering as someone or something.

I told the shortened version to Camilla this morning and it had just came to me. Think of your life like this and your life should be easier to live. – Lillian Darnell

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 19 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.

Get to Know Me: What Was Your First Job?

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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 was your first job?

My first proper job was at 15 years old as a grocery checker at Jitney Jungle in Jackson, Mississippi. I was eventually promoted to bookkeeper/front end manager before moving out of state at 19 years old.

Before that, all the grandkids were required to help our pappaw in his yard mowing business. He paid us, and it was hard work in that Mississippi humidity and heat! All the grandkids were required to help in the garden, too. We got paid for that by the food that our mammaw canned and cooked.

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 19 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.

Reblog: Beautiful and Wild With Mother Nature

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December 31 2020

Beautiful last sunset of 2020!

January 7 2021

Wild n crazy clouds yesterday.

  

January 7 2021

Thomas and I went for a much needed walk this afternoon. Mother Nature is simply the best.

   

Follow the link to see more photos …

Beautiful and Wild With Mother Nature

Asking for Help is the Hardest Part

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September 26 2021

This was hard for me to do. But, here it is. xoxo

Thomas has a severe overbite, and needs orthodontic treatment to help correct it.

The overbite not only effects his inability to have lip closure, it affects how he chews food, and contributes to his negative body image. This is a huge investment, but necessary for Thomas’s overall dental, medical, and psychological well being.

Thomas’s treatment involves installing a herbst appliance to his lower jaw; which will remain for about a year. Three months after the herbst appliance is installed, upper braces are affixed. When the herbst appliance is removed, lower braces are affixed. After about a year, the braces will be removed, and he’ll wear a retainer for a while, finishing with wearing a retainer while sleeping. The entire process will be about two years.

The total cost of the treatment is about $7,900.00. The down payment for the treatment is nearly $2,000, with monthly payments thereafter for 32 months. The down payment is the reason for this fundraiser. Should donations surpass the deposit amount, the remainder will be put toward the balance due ($5,900.00). On the optimistic side, I think I can handle the monthly payments. It may be a struggle at times, but absolutely worth it for Thomas.

More about us: We are a family of three, and we call ourselves Team TLC. T for Thomas, L for Lillian (Thomas’s older sibling), and C for Camilla. I’ve single parented Thomas and Lillian since Thomas was 1 year old. Lillian has a disability by way of a chromosome deletion, called 18p-.

Thomas has just recently been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and autism; along with having a high IQ. We have already been addressing one of these issues, and will make our way through getting Thomas the help he needs. He currently attends an online school, and has a 4.0 average.

If you would like to support us by purchasing any of our books, they are all on Amazon.

And if you would like to learn more about our family you can go here, https://theteamtlc.com/, or have a look around my website and blog.

You can donate through Gofundme (below) or PayPal at http://www.PayPal.me/CamillaDowns or Venmo @CamillaDowns …

Thank you so very much!

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 19 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.

Throwback Post: This is the Space

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**THROWBACK POST**

March 21 2019


(Photo from August 2021 Walk)

This is the space I was in Tuesday night … I sat to write as I felt overwhelmed with the enormity of circumstances and unclear how to proceed.

When it’s my own internal struggles and turbulence I have learned to lean into it, be with it, and try to remember to keep love at the forefront of whatever it is.

What I have not learned is how to do this when someone I love dearly is struggling and I don’t have clarity about how to help them and feel deeply inadequate for the task. Especially when there are two someones struggling. And, sometimes, struggling at the same time.

This is what lies at the forefront of the current journey. It’s definitely not a pleasant place to be. Yet, offers much opportunity to continue to move through one’s own journey while at the same time holding space for those closest to you as they travel their own journey.

I went to bed shortly after writing this. I woke up feeling lighter and more at peace than I had in nearly a week. I also knew which first steps to take in helping my loved one and I took it. PSR Through Writing …. That’s what I call it. Peace Solutions Relief …. Through Writing ..

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 19 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.

Get to Know Me: Choose Anything for a Day

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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 could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?

My answer would change daily, but right now, I’d like to snap my fingers, having all paper work magically completed, all decisions made in my and my family’s favor, and then spend the day getting a full body massage, soaking in an hot epsom salt bath, and having someone fix all of my meals, vegan and to my liking. In short, I would love for someone to dote over me and spoil me.

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 19 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.