
Dear Friends,
It has been a wild, exciting ride with the launch of my new book and all the wonderful support I’ve been given. But in the midst of the excitement, my father-in-law has been on hospice for almost two weeks, and it’s been tough, to say the least. A surreal time, waiting for the inevitable. But his large support circle ensures that he is comfortable and loved, which is most important.
Before he started to decline, we already had our backpacking trip reserved in the Sierra Mountains, but with his encouragement, we are still going. Although, due to my foot issue, we decided that I shouldn’t push it. My foot has been cooperating, but I’d hate to overdo it and take five steps backwards. So, we’re camping. We’ll be relaxing by the lake, surrounded by ponderosa pines and nature’s warm embrace. And this is really what we need. My brother-in-law will ‘hold down the fort’ while we’re gone. He also told us to go. “Dad wants you to enjoy the adventure.” We will have our Spot X satellite device though to stay in touch. And obviously, if something changes before we plan to leave, we won’t go. Always ‘one day at a time.’
So, I’ll be offline next week and will return the following week of the 21st. The photo above is from one of our trips to our favorite Sierra lake, and the poem below is in my book and one I wrote while sitting on the shore in the company of the smooth water, and journal and pen (and hubby, of course.)
The Sun Knows
Evening advances.
The shore wears nothing
but a few rocks
scattered on its sand.
In their quiet space,
a father and son hold fishing lines
hoping their luck will lift.
A lone sailboat glides by
pausing for the unfolding.
With hair the color of an egret,
an older man leans against a stump.
Clouds understand why we wait.
A fine yellow highlighter
has delicately outlined
their smooth edges.
Occasionally, trout jump
out of the still water,
only a few ripples
show their excitement.
Then suddenly the sky explodes
in tangerines, salmons, canary yellows β
brighter with every second.
Itβs as though a painter swished
her brush back and forth
on the immense backdrop,
to the left, to the right,
repeating with the grace
of an orchestra leader.
Can the sun slipping behind
downy clouds
be more spectacular?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The blog tour will continue when I return and I have to share two more beautiful reviews:
Reading Ms. Scott’s poetry is like roaming the pages of a spiritual book and you can feel a connection. Upon picking up this book I first read “Ever So Gently” and felt an instant connection, as I’ve lived such moments myself during bushcrafting adventures, connected to nature and all of creation. As I continue to read, each poem is equally as deep and reveals not only the writers soul, but my own.
~ Scott Mitchell – Lauren Scott will touch your soul. 5 stars
What an endearing gathering of short poems, some written as Haiku and other syllabic poetry, but all comforting, calming, restorative. Presented in three sections, these verses pose the wonder of nature, the love of family, even the delight of a pet. An elegant medley.
~ Joy Neal Kidney – An endearing collection. 5 stars
I am humbled and grateful for these lovely reviews, and I want to thank you all for the ‘book’ support, the visits, the comments, and the love.
So, have a Fabulous week! Stay well and Be happy!
Sending virtual hugs out to you all,
Lauren β€οΈ
Β© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
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I hope itβs a relaxing trip. And things stay stable in your absence. Lovely, evocative poem
Thanks, Sadje. If something drastically changes before we leave, we won’t go. So all we can do is one day at a time. I appreciate your kind words. β€οΈ
Take care my friend
π©·ππ»
Have a wonderful trip hon and all the best. Relax and enjoy. Beautiful poem πΉβ€οΈ
Thanks for your lovely words, Gabriela. πππ»
Take good care and enjoy the mountains. xoxo
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Thanks, Sharon! xoxo
It’s been wild indeed! This is a very surreal time as you say and very hard to wish for any outcome. Take it easy and relax. You need that rest! Sending my most positive thoughts and wishes for an enjoyable break. Love & many hugs! β€οΈπβ€οΈ
Thanks for your comforting words, Marina. There’s no better word than ‘surreal.’ Hope all is well with you, dear friend. Sending love and hugs back your way. β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈππ»ππ»
More love back to you, my dear friend! β€οΈπβ€οΈ
Wishing you a wonderful trip Lauren. Enjoy your time off. Thanks for sharing a beautiful poem. π
Thanks for your wishes and lovely words about my poem, Balroop. β€οΈ
I hope you enjoy the peace in the Sierras.
I hope so too, John, but it’s hard to not think about things. I’m behind on reading blogs also, so I’ll visit you soon. Thank you!
I love camping as a wonderful escape to nature. I hope all works out for you and the worries about family donβt dominate your days away.
Camping is a wonderful escape and the lake that we go to is truly stunning and not touristy. Thanks so much for your lovely words. Have a good weekend too.
Weβre headed to Santa Barbara among other places.
Another beautiful place to visit! Have fun!
ππΌ
Have an amazing time there! We’ll be here waiting for your return.
Thanks, Pooja. You are so kind, and I hope you have a good weekend too. π©·π€
Thank you π€
My thoughts are with you, Lauren.
Thanks, Anneli. π©·ππ»
Beautiful poem Lauren. Helping someone labor from this life to the next is exhausting and emotional work. Enjoy your time away, rest, and restore. My love to you, C
Thanks so much, Cheryl, and you’re right. We’ve never experienced this before, so it’s hard waiting for that moment, you know? And we just want him to be comfortable. One day at a time. Anyway, I appreciate your kind thoughts and will try to follow through. Love and hugs to you!
I love your poem; it paints such a beautiful and serene picture. I’m sorry your father-in-law is in hospice. That’s such a difficult time for a family.
I appreciate your lovely words and compassion, Liz. He’s lived a long life, but waiting for the inevitable is something we’ve never experienced before. But we savor each moment with him.
I’ll be thinking of you, Lauren.
Thanks, Liz. That’s kind of you. π
You’re welcome, Lauren.
Oh Lauren, I am saddened to hear about your father-in-law. π₯ In the midst of your celebration, continue to embrace this awesome gift of life. Take this time to get away, relax and rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit, and don’t forget your purpose. Keeping you and your family in my prayers my friend. Safe travels. πππ€
Thanks, Kym, for your loving and compassionate words. They’re greatly appreciated and I will try to live by them. π Once we’re by the lake, nature will perform her magic. Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead too. Thanks again, my friend. β€οΈππ»π€
You are so very welcome Lauren. Stay encouraged my friend. Peace & Blessings! π€ππΌπ₯°ππ
What a beautiful poem. Take care, Lauren. Thinking of you all.
Thanks, Barbara. I appreciate your good thoughts. Enjoy your weekend!
Such an amazing place in photo to view π·ππ happy and safe travels and congratulations celebrations πππ the poem so glorious to read ππ Prayers for your Father -in law’s
Fast recovery πππΌ grace wishes my friend π₯°ππ·
Thanks for your wonderful words, Thattamma! I’m glad you liked the photo and poem. Have a lovely weekend ahead. β€οΈπ€π»
A lovely poem, Lauren. Beautifully indicative of life, and how nature is such a reliable source of awe; awe that can carry us through uncertainty and anticipatory grief. I hope the camping trip goes well for you in this time of transition. ππΌ
Thanks for your wonderful comment, Steve. Once we’re by the lake, we’ll be embraced by nature which will be comforting. Enjoy your weekend too!
What a wonderful feeling that will be for you both. I will enjoy, thank you!
Fantastic blog post Lauren and I love the fact that you have launched your new book, that’s amazing. As Writers we need to express our skill by writing books, ebooks, blogs, screenplay and other areas that need written work. I am glad your family is also well and I sure will await to see you back online , your blogs are motivational and the poetry top notch.
Have a great weekend ahead! I am happy for you about the release of your book and I can tell by this blog, how excited you areπ―ππ
Thanks for your wonderful and kind words, Mthobisi. They are greatly appreciated! It’s been an exciting time, for sure. Wishing you a peaceful and fun weekend too! π
Lauren all will be good with your father-in-law. Have a lovely time and we will surely see you after your break. Such a lovely and beautiful poem. Wonderful and great reviews too. Have a great weekend.
Have a lovely trip, Lauren! Love the imagery in your ending poem. β€
Thanks, Layla, on both counts. π Have a good weekend and week ahead too! β€οΈπ€
What a beautiful poem, Lauren! I felt as if I were there enjoying the view. I’m sorry to hear about your father-in-law. It is never easy. May you enjoy every minute of your trip, and may his passing to the next realm be comfortable and gentle.
Yvette M Calleiro π
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Hi Yvette, thanks so much for your kind words about my poem, and for your gently wishes for my father-in-law. I really appreciate them. I’m going to be signing off here, so I’ll see you again the following week. Take good care, and don’t forget to breathe in your busy schedule also. π©·π€