Displaying the Love – Finally

February 10 2024

Finally got these hung. I think I need another row across the top.

February 11 2024

More photos hung and some rearranging of others. I’m loving the way it feels in here. The Team TLC 2023 photo is made with diamond art by my mom.

The movie wall and a hallway wall remaining.

Thank You for the How To Videos

February 10 2024

One bandaid later and I’ve replaced the sprayer head. Maintenance keeps replacing with the same flawed model that gets stuck in spray mode. Absolutely a pain in the ass to turn on the water and be sprayed right in the stomach and all over the kitchen floor. Thank you to the folks who create the “how to” videos, as I had to remove the clip and o ring. 🎉💋🎉

Poetry: The Age of Pleasure

February 10 2024

Written June 2023

The Age of Pleasure

Since the time she was a teen,
Fast and intense
Have been the path
For relationships, friendships or otherwise.

Born from messages
Received as a child
Taught, learned, observed,
taken as her own
Not seen,
Not important,
Her heart’s desires not honored.

At the young age that she is
She’s determined
To drain these old wounds
This old trauma.

She no longer wishes to live
This life from things
That happened to her as a child
Things that were done to her as a child
And the emotional presence withheld from her as a child.

With the help of a bad ass therapist
She’s doing it differently
She’s approaching relationships with fresh eyes.

Relationships in her teens and 20’s
Happened incredibly fast, unhealthy,
Withering on the vine of life.

She has learned that the part of her
That is impatient, wanting fast results
Fast results that make her feel important, seen, wanted, desired
All that nonsense is from her past, yet if feels familiar

And part of her still had been craving that,
The part operating from trauma.
She recognizes this now
And declares, “No fucking more!”

This declaration brings with it
Excitement
Anticipation
Lightness
FREEDOM

And Freedom’s just another word
For Nothing Left to Lose.

This is the time for new beginnings
The time for doing it differently
Meeting life in this moment
Not from hurts or trauma of the past
Not with biased future visions
Fully meeting this moment.
The Age of Pleasure.

New connections, built slowly, with patience
With intention, with authenticity, with clarity.

Connections with kindred spirits
Ready to have fun together
Ready to share joy together
Ready to share sadness together
Ready to share all the feels together
Ready to share the ride of getting
To know one another.

Sweet friendships
Sweet connections
Sweet lovers
Sweet partners
Born of patience, honesty, openness.

Although there will be jolts
Of falling into the ways of old
She will know the difference of
Responding to old shit
And responding to the dopamine hit
Of kindred spirit connections
When of the latter
She will fully meet that moment
With wild abandon.

She’s decided to be in this moment
On its way, slow and gentle
Or fast and intense

While at the same time, holding space for those who aren’t yet ready

May those who are ready saunter on board
This Meeting of the Moment
As we sail into the mystic. – Camilla Downs

June 13 2023

**You’re 50’s**

Give Me One Reason – Monday Night Poetry

February 9 2024

Last Monday was exactly what I needed and I had a blast! Love these deep diving poetry folks!

The Space in My Heart

Give me one good reason
Why I should stay

When we’re together the words
You say to me
Bury themselves into the fertilizer
Of my heart
Watered with the tears that shed
When you ignore me
Sprouting, growing into the garden of you

Only to be crushed by the boot
Of your unreliability, dishonesty
Your empty, meaningless words
Supported by your inconsiderate nature

You come to me as an option
When you need replenished
When you’re lonely, sad, or confused

I am sustenance caught
In your web
Suspended, stuck
Waiting for you to come for me

I’m continually questioning my
Position in your life

I’m tempted by your tasty fruit
I know I should disconnect

My soul knows this

I want to understand you
I want to explain how I feel

But my soul knows I need someone
Who chooses me over and over again
Someone whose efforts reflect
I am wanted in their life
Someone who abundantly fills my cup

Give me one good reason
Why I should stay

Are we just telling ourselves stories?
We would do and say anything
To hang on to each other

Fiction filled stories
With pieces of truth
Patching the plot holes

Dancing to the tune of
Each others energy
Smiling in each other’s sunlight
Singing the joy bursting from our hearts
Drawn together like magnets

Is it fiction or truth?

Deep down I know the answer

Infusing myself with the strength
Of all the goddesses before me,
I close my eyes,
take a deep breath
And I
Walk away

February 2024

Inspired by Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason”

Hosted by @sidewayseightprojects and @mondaynightpoetrynv

Throwback Post: Plum 100 Photo Shoot

**THROWBACK POST**

October 7 2012:

Thank you Ashley Graham for making ALL this happen! You are a rockin, fabulous and amazing woman!!

Thank you Jeramie Lu for the FABULOUS photos!! We had FUN doing this photo shoot y’all!!!

Thank you Janet Storie for loaning me beautiful and fun jewelry from Sparkles to wear for the photo shoot!!

Thank you Tina Mokuau of Tina Mokuau – The Makeup Artist for powdering my nose too!!!!

I’m grateful to everyone involved and blessed to pieces to know y’all!

____________________________
Top honorees from last night’s Plum100 Celebration Awards Show:

Artists & Icons: Grae Warren, Reno Tahoe Tonight
Community Leaders: Pete Parker, Summer of Service & NPCatalyst
Charity Drivers: Marty Ozer, Ronald McDonald House
Foodies: John Pinocchio, Pinocchio’s Bar and Grill
Risk Takers & Visionaries: Chris Riche, Discovery Museum
Business Owners & Industry Experts: Toni Suttie, Integrity Casting
Extraordinary: Camilla Downs, D iz for Different
Scientists & Tech Savvy: Eren Ozmen, Sierra Nevada Corporation
Super Heroes: Michael Hernandez, Reno Fire Chief
Beautiful Minds: Wendy Calvin, Geology-University of Nevada, Reno

Thank you to everyone within the Plum100 you are all incredible and influential.

____________________________________
Celebrate the courage and character of the Reno region with the 100 most influential people within the area.

We are recognizing Super Heroes, Business Owners & Industry Experts, Community Leaders, Foodies, Extraordinary neighbors, Charity Drivers, Artists and Icons, Scientists, Savvy Techs and our region’s Risk Takers and Visionaries who lead our economic engine.

There are ten people within the ten different categories which make up the full list of 100 and only one of them will be awarded as the top influencer within their category. This won’t be your average awards night!

See the Full Plum100 List: https://issuu.com/pluminfluencemagazine_reno/docs/plum100

This event comes complete with two film crews, outside influencers, photographers and media coverage.

This inaugural event brings our regions most influential leaders together along with the community in order to show the world who we really are. Join us and join an eve of a new era for the Truckee Meadows.