Spreading Exciting News for Friends & A Special Ode ❤️

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Awards, Poetry
Photo by AS Photography on Pexels.com

I’m happy to share the great news that my good friends Maggie, Mike, Dawn, and Robbie have been nominated for 2026 Best of the Net. Also, Robbie’s son, Michael, who’s following in his mom’s footsteps.
Editor Michelle Navajas of Hotel by Masticadores found their work to be worthy of this high honor, and I couldn’t agree more with Michelle. So, please join me in Congratulating not only these talented authors, but all of the nominees! You can read about these amazing authors and their writing by clicking on the link below. 🎉

Hotel By Masticadores Proudly Announces Its Nominees for the 2026 Best of the Net

And I’ll leave you with another peek into Colorado beauty
that inspired a poem…

Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park
Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park
Trail that loops around Bear Lake
Trail of Aspens with the Rocky Mountains in the distance

Dear Nature,

You cast your spell
and all sense of reality
magically slips away
into the ether.
Your shimmering lakes
entice with their serenity.
We inhale peace,
exhale burdens.
Your trails lead to places
only presented
in our imaginations.
We inhale peace,
exhale burdens.
Your mountains humble
in their magnificence.
We inhale peace,
exhale burdens.
Your aspens captivate,
donning their golden apparel.
We inhale peace,
exhale burdens.
Thank you for your beauty,
for your gifts of tranquility…
priceless gems to be cared for,
never to be taken for granted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for your presence! I hope you enjoyed the pics and poem, and please visit Michelle’s post to Congratulate the nominees! Have a wonderful day! ❤️

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com

Click on the image to order your copy! 🧡

Lauren Scott

Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry
Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book)
Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry
Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose
Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry
Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry
Co-Author – Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku
Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology
Co-Author – This Is How We Grow
Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships
Bi-Monthly Contributor on Gobblers by Masticadores
Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023
Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024
Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025

60 thoughts on “Spreading Exciting News for Friends & A Special Ode ❤️”

  8. Stunningly gorgeous photos and a splendid poem to match! I love the repeated refrain:

    “we inhale peace / exhale burdens”

    Also, thank you for your kindness in sharing Michelle’s nominations for Best of the Net 2026. It’s so generous of you to always be so supportive of your friends and fellow creatives. A deeply grateful and sincere tip o’ the cap to you, my friend! 🧢😊

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Mike! CO is stunning, and we can’t wait to visit our son again and to see new sights. Thanks about my poem too, and it’s my pleasure to support fellow writers. I’m happy for all of you. 🥰

      Reply

  9. Wow Lauren, how stunning are your photographs🤗
    I agree with Mike, “we inhale peace/exhale burdens” makes you want to do that!
    How kind and thoughtful of you to share the news of our nominations thank you so much ❤️
    You have such a huge big heart my friend.
    Lots of love and many hugs to you xoxox

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Maggie! Our cell phones came through with many stunning photos, but the landscape. Stunning was the best adjective. 🙂 And you’re so welcome! I had never heard of this anthology, so I learned something new, and I’m thrilled for you and all the nominees! Enjoy the glow, my friend! xoxoxoxoxo

      Reply

      1. Hi Lauren
        I have a good camera, and have no idea how to use it 🤪
        If you put an sd card in for storsge, a cell phone works just as good.
        Indeed, we are all glowing atm 🌟😁
        Thanks again xoxoxoxo

  11. Congrats to all!

    How lovely of you to share this, Lauren. I’ll head over when I’m finished here!

    Your pics are wonderful, and your poem is perfect with them.

    I can breathe with your words.

    Thank you!

    🌹❦🌟❦🌹

    Reply

  14. A most heartwarming post. Yes congratulations to all the nominees. Mich has a good eye for choosing. How wonderful.
    Your photos and poem are simply amazing. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, Lauren.

    Reply

  15. I love this line, Lauren: “we inhale peace and exhale burdens.” Nature always offers that to us to us. I enjoyed the photos, especially the trails with big trees. Your poem suits the photos beautifully.

    Reply

  19. Congrats to your friends! And thanks for this fabulous poem – nature in your side of the world is wonderful. Nature is always a place to unwind and recharge and your poem is showing how precious it is 🙏🏻.

    Enjoy a relaxing weekend Lauren! ❤

    Reply

    1. Thanks for the good wishes for my friends, Marie! You’re so kind, and I appreciate your lovely words about my poem and pics. We can’t wait to visit our son again and Colorado to see new sights. Wishing you the same, my friend. ❤️

      Reply

  20. Thank you for the shout-out, Lauren! The nomination was an unexpected honor. I appreciate your good wishes. I love your autumn photos because we didn’t see many autumn leaves in Lake Tahoe. Too early, I guess. And your poem evokes feelings of autumn. Peace & Serenity to You!

    Reply

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