Coffee, Colors, & Contemplation!

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Coffee Date, Poetry

Hubby and I tried out a new coffee place Saturday morning and it was very cool
(and delicious)!

I splurged on a blackberry peach scuffin
and chai latte, and hubby had good ‘ol coffee
and a breakfast sandwich. Yum!

After we finished eating, we enjoyed our drinks while walking around the charming old downtown. We both bought a new book to add to our towering TBRs (how could we pass up the bookstore?), and when I saw this mural, I thought of my dear friend, Resa, who goes on adventures, seeking amazing and emotive murals.
This one isn’t huge, but the colors, joy, and positivity caught my eye:

I couldn’t see the name of the artist…
Too bad the shadow overshadowed this one!
Not the best photo, but a new bloom on our patio.

I’m ending this beginning-of-the-week post with a poem that was inspired by all the rain we were getting. The sun will be in the spotlight this week though…

Your Best Interest

Steel gray clouds battle it out
with the golden orb,
moving slowly to the naked eye,
desiring to cleanse –
Mother Earth is on their side.

But the golden orb wishes
to slide into place
to shine for spirits to rise.

Tragedy and bloodshed fill screens
causing our souls to weep again.

Which one will prevail?
Which will you applaud for?
Cleansing or joy?
Isn’t it a toss-up?

And yet, emotions lie in our hearts.
We choose to let joy flow,
instead of falling to our knees,
because if there is a way to help,
we will lend a hand,
we will lend our hearts.

So, make the choice that befits your best interest.
Then you will see…

Thank you for visiting today, and I wish you a good week! ❤️

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© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

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109 thoughts on “Coffee, Colors, & Contemplation!”

    1. Thanks so much, Joy! I’m glad you enjoyed the cheer, and I feel the same about watching the news. But I don’t want to disregard the tragedies either, and I want to stay informed. For me, it’s about finding a balance. ❤️

  2. What a wonderful coffee story with the beautiful mural Lauren. Love your rain inspired poem so gorgeous with the right sentiments to help cleanse our world. I’m with you in lending a hand💕

  7. Some beautiful blue sky on your coffee shop/mural day, Lauren. It looks delightful. And a poem that pulls at the soul. When the daily tragedies compound what can we do but open our hearts and act with love. ❤

    1. It was a beautiful day, Diana, even though it was cold. But it was a nice change from all the rain. 🙂 Thanks for your kind words about the poem too. The ongoing gloomy weather was bringing me down, along with the news. And you also said it well. Hugs ❤️

    1. We’ve organically slid into going on a coffee date each weekend regardless of what else we have planned. So, our goal is to try a different shop each time. But we really liked this one, so we’ll probably frequent it often. 🙂 I’m so glad you liked the poem too. Thanks, Elizabeth! 💞

  9. Looks like a great way to start the morning, Lauren! I normally went through Petaluma on my frequent trips to the coast when I lived in Sacramento, but I always enjoyed Novato when I went that way. As for your poem, let the sunshine in! We don’t have to accept darkness.

    1. It really was, Curt, and we love Petaluma too, and Sonoma. We’re planning for a weekend in Fort Bragg soon. It looks beautiful and interesting, and someplace new for a quick retreat. 🙂 Have you been there? Novato’s downtown is really cute and charming, but we haven’t been there in a while, so it was a fun change. And yes, let the sunshine in! I agree! (until it’s so hot that we’re dying) 😃🌞 Thanks for popping in!

      1. Fort Bragg is one of our two week stops on our way up the coast, Lauren. We’ve been there several times over the years. Be sure to spend time in Mendocino if you haven’t, or even if you have. Much fun. Be sure to check out the Gallery Bookshop. You will love it. There is a nice coastal walk right out of town. And if you like/remember ‘Murder She Wrote,’ the house is in the town.

      2. Thanks for your recommendation and tips, Curt. We’ve been to Mendocino before too, but it’s been years. Oh, I have to remember to check out The Gallery Bookshop! And Yes, I remember ‘Murder She Wrote.’ How fun! This really helps, so I’ll share with hubby. 🙂

    1. Thanks so much, Teagan! The morning was going well already, and then I found that beautiful mural. Aww, glad you could almost smell the coffee. You should taste the scuffin! Delicious! Hugs to you! ❤️

    2. Very charming, Beth, and I’m really into charming these days. Yes, a scuffin is part scone and muffin. I had never heard of these before, so the whole experience was educational! 😃 Not to mention, really good! I’m glad you enjoyed the post! ❤️

  16. I’d never heard of a scuffin, but yours looked so good I looked for a recipe–and I found one that sounds very yummy. I enjoyed the cheery mural and of course, the fresh flower! I found this stanza in your poem particularly thought-provoking:

    Which one will prevail?
    Which will you applaud for?
    Cleansing or joy?
    Isn’t it a toss-up?

    1. I hadn’t either, Liz, and oh, boy, I’ll look for a recipe too! It was really good! I’m normally not a fan of scones because they can be dry. But I suppose with the muffin mixed in, that’s not possible. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post with the beautiful mural and blooms. And I appreciate you pointing out the lines in my poem that stood out for you. Thanks so much! ❤️

  17. Beautiful poem Lauren. Love your pictures, but may I ask what exactly is a scuffin? It looks like a cross between a biscuit and a muffin! Looks yummy though. ☕🥯😊

    1. Thanks a bunch, Kym, and I hadn’t heard of a scuffin before either. But it’s a combo of a muffin and scone, and mine was really good and moist, not dry at all. A delicious splurge once in a while. I learned something new on this coffee adventure, so it really was educational. 😃😃 Hugs, my friend! ☕️🩷

  18. It’s easier to choose joy, but the war and bloodshed are so much overpowering and crushing to our emotions that we can’t ignore them. A beautiful poem Lauren. Thank you for sharing

  20. A cozy coffee place, beautiful murals, a bookstore, a garden flower reaching toward the sun, and a beautiful poem. A lovely ensemble, Lauren.

    Which one will prevail?
    Which will you applaud for?
    Cleansing or joy?
    Isn’t it a toss-up?

    Your thought-provoking stanza is much to ponder. I applaud for both but feel cleansing must prevail for us to feel joy. 💞

    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed this post, Eugi, and thank you for your lovely description! I also love your profound answer to my question. “Cleansing must prevail for us to feel joy.” Wonderful! ❤️☕️🤗

  21. Lauren, I love old downtowns. If there’s heritage to be saved in cities, it’s the downtown.

    Your poem is quite introspective. Deep, most would say. Still, nothing of yours is shallow, the simplest of your poems hold emotion. You are a brilliant poet. Thank you for sharing this!

    OMG!!! You thought of me when you found the mural. That is so cool. How wonderful to be thought of!

    It’s a lovely mural. Ah the shadow. Many of my art trips have been ruined by shadows. I’ve learned when to go and when not to. It doesn’t always work out.

    Every once in a while, a strange shadow can make a mural more interesting…. Mother Nature’s paint brush at work!

    Sending best wishes and love all around,

    Resa 💙💙💙xoxoxoxo

    1. Thanks for your wonderful words, Resa! I’m glad you liked this mural. I thought it was beautiful and cheery, two great features. 🙂 And you always come to mind whenever I see a mural. I didn’t have time to think about the shadow though, so I just took the picture. And then we went on our merry way through this charming downtown. But I can see your point too, that Mother Nature has her way of making murals more interesting with her brush strokes. Love and hugs to you! ❤️⭐️🌷😍

  24. Cheerful and great blog Lauren. I am smiling and happy as I am reading this blog post, it is always nice to spend time with those close to you😀💖💖

    It looks like you and hubby enjoyed the Coffee and delicious food served there. I love coffee as well especially when the weather gets cold, just grab a cup, sugar and stir the hot water and you are good to go😀💯☕🍶

  25. Sounds like a fun little getaway for the two of you, Lauren. And definitely, if there’s a book store nearby, you MUST check it out! Your poem is beautiful, too, with the depth to make us pause and consider some important things. Lending our hands and hearts will benefit not only others, but ourselves as well. We’re all in this together, after all. 

    Wishing you a happy Thursday, my friend! 😊

    1. Thanks so much, Mike, for your insightful words. This really was a charming destination, not to mention, good coffee, chai, and food. 🙂 Finding the mural was a bonus too, and I appreciate your lovely words about my poem. We’re all in this together. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone felt this way?
      As to books, I can’t pass up a bookstore. I think I have close to 15 books waiting for me to open and begin turning pages. I’ve been slow on reading this year, but I’m getting back into the groove. I hope you have a good Friday and weekend ahead, dear friend. 🤗🥰

  32. What a wonderful coffee story ♥️
    And beautiful place
    Colorful, holding special attention-
    A nice walk – delightful, nice way to spend the morning

    Loved it ♥️

  36. It’s always a great day when you find that gem of a coffee shop. I’d never heard of a scuffin, but yours looked delicious. And yes . . . much wiser to focus on the positives of life. Excellent post and poem, Lauren.

    1. Hi Mark, thanks for all your visits today. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed this post, the coffee, and the scuffin! It was delicious, and this was my first scuffin too. Cheers and have a good weekend! ☕️☕️

  37. I am sure I had started a comment on this post but can’t recall what happened next, Lauren! This sounded like a fun outing and opportunity to enjoy some good coffee and find more books to read. The verse is evocative of so much of what we see in our lives and around the globe, gently prompting us to be the good we seek in the world.

    1. Thanks for dropping in, Steve, and who knows what happened! I’m consistently behind on reading blogs these days, so whenever you can visit makes me grateful. Anyway, thank you for your wonderful words and I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. It’s fun to try out new coffee houses, and we can’t pass up a book store, though I have close to a dozen waiting for me to read. 🙂 Have a good night!

      1. New coffee house are fun, yeah! Oh I hear you on trying to keep up. You have a good night, too, Lauren! Remember it’s the Pink Moon tonight! 🌖

      3. Ah, great! I’d make tea for your visit but I’m out volunteering at a bike valet for the Stanley Cup playoffs… Winnipeg hosting Colorado. 😉

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