**THROWBACK POST**
August 30 2013:
These two young people = Faith, Inspiration and Courage …. nice time outside at The Romano Casa tonight!
August 30 2009:
Just back from a minication with Thomas & Lillian to Incline Village/Tahoe. Left Sat morning & just back – what a beautiful place!! We had so much fun, Saturday at Burnt Cedar Beach & Pool & Sunday at King’s Beach.
**THROWBACK POST**
September 24 2013:
Thomas told me this morning that he wants to be a teacher. I asked him why and he said Mrs. Nicole always looks like she’s having so much fun (his teacher). And she’s friends with all of the students. This touched my heart so … almost made my eyes sweat! She IS a fabulous teacher indeed and he is right on … She is having the time of her life spending her days with these kids …. She shines and it’s obvious she is so happy! Both Thomas and Lillian have had the experience of having the opposite kind of person as a teacher and I am so very blessed and grateful for Mrs. Nicole and her beautiful light! xoxo
September 24 2011:
Off for an adventure!!
Here’s where we ended up!!! Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!! Lake Tahoe – Sand Harbor
August 5 2023
I have reserved a lake view room for myself in South Lake Tahoe for one night next week. Fear and worry nearly kept me from doing it. In fact, I lost the room I was going to reserve because I kept putting it off.
I will spend a morning at Nevada Beach, go to a live music at the beach event, and enjoy my day and night to myself. I’ll be reaching out to a few helpers to text with Lillian, making sure she’s okay. Thanks again to Matt and Julie Miller for sharing your method for making vacations without our self-advocates work for them and us. I’m a bit worried, but I will work on that between now and when I leave. 🖤💋🖤 (Photo of Lake Tahoe, taken by me in 2018 or 2019)
April 22 2023
Lovely drive to and from South Lake Tahoe for a vegan lunch meet up with the Lake Tahoe Herbivores. It was such a beautiful drive. I stopped for scenic photos on the way there. Loved getting to see my Pisces birthday twin, Tania. 💜💜💜 I had the enchiladas with red sauce and a horchata.
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 21 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 17 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s book, Biggest Little Photographer is published. Be inspired! Learn more and order here.
July 16 2021
Fun synchronicity story of an introverted extrovert …
I was supposed to have a poolside chat with a friend and her son yesterday morning. My friend wasn’t feeling good so that got canceled. I decided to drive to South Lake Tahoe, Nevada Beach. I wish I could say I came to that decision in an instant, as I’ve been wanting to visit Lake Tahoe since last year. It’s always an internal struggle for me to leave the house, leave my comfort zone.
Conversation with myself:
Me: You have been wanting to go for a year now. Just go.
Me: But, maybe I should just do my regular routine, go for a walk, and then a swim?
Me: You’ve had a full year of staying at home, it’s time to start getting out and doing the things you daydream about doing.
Me: Maybe I’ll start doing that next week.
Me: When have you ever regretted leaving the house for a ride up to Lake Tahoe?
Me:
Me: If you want to do these things you daydream about, you have got to get out there and do them. You are not getting any younger. You have got to learn to step out of your comfort zone, and do things alone. You can’t sit at home waiting for whatever it is you’re waiting for.
Me: Okay then. I’m doing it!
This went on for a good hour before I finally put some things together and left. I invited Thomas but he wasn’t up for it.
Nevada Beach is nearly an hour’s drive from where I live in Reno. When I reached Nevada Beach it was nearly 10:00am. The spot I chose to park and to enter the beach laid the way for the synchronicity that followed. Instead of following the paved entrance to the beach, I veered off and followed a sort-of sand path. To my delight there were only a few people in this section. (Heaven for an introvert!!)
After about 2 and a half hours, I heard a familiar voice behind me. I turned around and saw it was my birthday twin, Tania, who lives in the area. Not only that, she had friends from Arizona with her that I had only ever met through facebook. We had a lovely time catching up and chatting. They had planned on going for a hike most of the day, deciding instead for a relaxing beach day.
Many things had to line up for this to happen. It was such a great day. It causes one to wonder … What if more humans listened to their inner voice? How many magical alignments could happen for society?
Thank you “outgoing” me for not giving up on “stay in the comfort zone” me.
Although I am an introvert, when I am among friends, or when I become comfortable with others, it’s difficult to get me to stop talking! HA!
She’s been calling my name for over a year. Put some things together, stopped for a vegan donut and cappuccino, and here I am. Had a snack, a few swims, now eating lunch.
This is a feeling like no other. I am relaxed, at peace, soothed. I’m home. I love you Lake Tahoe. Thank 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.
July 17 2020
Thomas and Camilla July 2020 Date Day – Kayak picnic in Lake Tahoe …. …
I have wanted to do this with Thomas for many years. Happy that we finally got to do it!
Go here to see more photos …
“Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.” -Henry David Thoreau
A while ago while writing the 4 month update post for the “Living in a Tiny Home” series, I was reviewing the previous posts and came across this passage that I felt moved to share:
” …. Thomas and Lillian have a more difficult time letting go and releasing “stuff”. I choose to see this as a learning experience for all of us. I do not require that they get rid of things. I simply ask. If they say “no”, we keep it.
However, I model for them getting rid of things. I let them witness me doing it. They don’t always say no. In fact, they surprise me sometimes by saying yes, when I thought they’d say the opposite. They ask me to take a picture of it and then they let it go … “
If you want to receive new blog posts as they are written via your email, you can subscribe here … https://camilladowns.com/blog/ …. The top of the right hand side bar has a box to enter your email address for subscribing.
Beautiful Hidden Beach – Lake Tahoe July 2013
Blessings,
Camilla
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!
Wonderfully exciting news! My 10 year old son, Thomas Darnell‘s, book, Biggest Little Photographer has arrived! You can learn more and order here.
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I took a trip to South Lake Tahoe the weekend of January 18, 2013. This was a much needed trip to refill my cup and infuse my soul and spend time with a very dear and loved friend. While in … Continue reading