Readings, Respite, Reflecting, Resuming 🍁

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Poetry

Dear Family and Friends,

I’m combining several things in this post, so make yourself comfortable and pour a glass of your favorite cold or hot drink! To begin with, I had the opportunity to read my book, Cora’s Quest, at our local library. This was a ‘first’ for me, other than the reading at the book fair in May. Seven children and their moms arrived with attentive hearts and minds, and it was wonderful, to say the least. I don’t have many photos because the kids’ faces can’t be seen, but these give you an idea.

I spoke a little before I began reading, and then I had several questions for the children afterwards. They answered and were adorable, not to mention, smart! A few moms chimed in too! And a couple of the moms mentioned to me that they really loved the message in the story: To remember that we always have courage inside of us and to stay calm when we’re feeling afraid.

I had several giveaways: stickers, bookmarks, puppets, and coloring pages, and many of the kids had fun coloring at the table. And I sold some books, which wasn’t the main goal. First of all, I hoped for a decent number of kids to show up, which happened. Then of course, I hoped that the children and parents loved the book, which they did by clapping at the end of the reading. I have to add that all the kids left with a sticker on their shirt or dress, and some of the moms did the same. I had a happy heart, and they all loved Cora! So, that evening, Matt and I toasted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to my success! 🥂

Now as for respite, this will be my last post until the first week of December. It’s time to prepare for the big day, Thanksgiving, and excited to see our kids while also reflecting upon past memories of our parents whom have all passed away. Not to mention, our lovable dogs, and Copper, who we still miss so much. They’re having lots of fun together over the Rainbow Bridge. 🌈

Speaking of Copper, yesterday afternoon I was really missing him and my emotions got the best of me. I was sitting at my desk and happen to look out the window, and what did I see? Our neighbor’s gray cat relaxing on our patio chair. She was all curled up and quite cozy and comfortable. I felt like something bigger was at play because of my longing to hug Copper one more time, and knowing that this holiday season will be our first without him. Sigh.

the timing was purrrfect
Copper loved this time of year, and he definitely was a regal boy. 🧡

Lastly, I leave you with old poetic thoughts for Thanksgiving.
So, to those who celebrate this holiday,
I wish you a blessed day, and to those who don’t, I wish you a blessed day!

Below is a poem I give to you all! ❤️

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Born from history a day we celebrate
blessings in our lives, for each breath we take
but some live in darkness with light, imaginary
living to survive is anything but sanctuary
I hold them in my heart, though trite to some ears
In moments of surrender, I give freedom to tears

So, I ask not for anything
but one gift I will bring
to the feast laid before me
where all should dance with glee
a piece of me that I impart
is my very grateful heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I’ll see you in December to resume my blogging routine,
so be well, be safe, be happy. Sending love! ❤️

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com

Click on my son’s 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

109 thoughts on “Readings, Respite, Reflecting, Resuming 🍁”

  3. Lauren, you will be missed my friend.
    We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here.
    Have a restful / happy time with your family 🙏🤗
    Copper will be there in spirit .
    Much love and warm hugs xoxo
    Take good care ❤️🌹❤️

    Reply

  4. love your reading and interacting with the children. there is a certain energy that is shared both ways in that. I understand your longing for your loved one who is missing at this time, dear copper and sometimes loss hits us when we least expect it, that is our heart talking to us. enjoy your respite and we will see you again in December -<3

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  7. This was such a heartwarming update to read, Lauren. ✨ Your library event sounds absolutely magical — the way the kids engaged, the moms chiming in, and everyone leaving with stickers and smiles… it’s clear how much love and intention you pour into your work. Cora’s message of courage and calm is so needed, and I’m glad the little ones (and their parents!) felt it.

    The story about Copper touched me deeply. Grief has such a way of washing over us unexpectedly, and that little gray cat showing up at that moment… truly felt like a gentle nudge from the universe. A reminder that love doesn’t really leave us. 🧡

    Your Thanksgiving poem is beautiful — tender, honest, and full of grace. Thank you for sharing your heart so openly. Wishing you a peaceful, blessed holiday season, and looking forward to your December posts. Sending love right back to you. ❤️

    Reply

    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed this post in its entirety, and I appreciate your most thoughtful comment. Thank you for taking the time to share what resonated with you. I love to find out what means the most to those who read my posts. Have a lovely weekend, and thanks again! Wishing you love and blessings! ❤️

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  11. A beautiful… enchanting post, Lauren, so warm and comforting! 💕 Congratulations on the lovely library event, I’m sure everyone enjoyed themselves wonderfully! 😊 So sweet, the way the neighbor’s cat found a cozy place to purr, on your patio chair… love the photo you took through the shutters! And so true, sweet regal Copper… that is such a beautiful photo of him. Happy Thanksgiving week, Lauren! 💖

    Reply
  14. Willie Torres Jr.'s avatar Willie Torres Jr.

    Lauren, this was such a beautiful post. I’m truly happy for you and so grateful to see your reading at the library go so well. What a blessing to reach those kids and parents the way you did, that’s a special gift.

    I hope you have a Wonderful and Blessed Thanksgiving. I’m so sorry that this will be your first holiday season without Copper. My heart goes out to you. May God give you comfort, peace, and sweet memories.

    You Are Loved 🙏

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Willie, for your kind, kind words that touch my heart deeply. I hope to do more events like this one. And I appreciate your lovely wishes too. I hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving. Thanks again! ❤️

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  16. It doesn’t get much better than reading one’s book aloud to an appreciative audience! I’m so glad the event went well for you. I hope you enjoy your break with your family and fond memories of Copper.

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    1. Thanks for your kind words about the event and my poem, Thomas. We’ll be fine, but once in a while, we get a little teary-eyed from missing Copper. I know you know the feeling. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I’ll see you next month. 🙏🏻🍁😊

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  22. This was such a joyous trip. Every curve offered me reasons to be happy- for you, for the kids for the neighbor’s cat- and finally to all of those that will take part in your upcoming Thanksgiving Day celebrations!

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  24. Thank you for the heartfelt Thanksgiving poem, Lauren!

    I wish you and your family all the best for a marvellous time! Maybe you’ll write a poem on the wonder and beauty of it all?

    YAY! What a terrific sharing of your poetry reading! I can’t say enough about how happy that made me!

    ✨🥂 💛 HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 💛🥂✨

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your awesome, supportive words, Resa! I always appreciate them! I will see if I’m inspired to write a poem over the holiday. What I need to do is write seven book reviews, so the break will come in handy. I also want to begin work on my children’s book, Carlie and Charlie Go Camping. Well, it’s written. I’m just doing some edits and then I need to figure out what route to take to get it published. But I do wanna pitch it at the writers conference in February. Anyway, have a wonderful week and I will see you in early December. But I’m only an email away. Sending hugs and love. 💞🌸💞🌸💞

      Reply

  26. Dearest Lauren, your library reading sounds wonderful, as is your poem. Happy Thanksgiving, my lovely, to you, Matt and your children and their loved ones. Much love, with warm hugs, Xxxx 🩷😘✨🩷

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  29. Awww Lauren…. What a lovely experience for you and the children to hear you read your book.. Congratulations.. 🙂
    And tears stung at the corner of my eyes as you mentioned Copper and missing him this Thanksgiving… The neighbours cat I am sure just came along to show you some love in remembrance of Copper and those happy shared moments around this time of year.

    And have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family Lauren… ENJOY your family time xx ❤ 💖🦃💖

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    1. Thanks so much for your compassionate words and wishes, Sue. I’m grateful for a successful event and I hope there will be more in the future. Guess what? That adorable gray cat has found our chair for 3 nights in a row. So cute! Copper is in our hearts and precious memories, but now and then, I get teary eyed. Sigh. Wishing you a wonderful week! Lots of love and hugs, my friend ❤️🦃🧡🍁

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      1. I can relate to the teary eyes… And Cats know when to bring comforting energy..
        Our next door neighbour lost their dog a couple of months ago…
        Our Cat Biscuit never to either of our knowledge had ever gone over the fence .. But the day after they lost their dog, He went over and sat on their patio seats, Until my neighbour came out to stroke him… She said it was like Biscuit knew and he brought her comfort . He hasn’t been back over the fence again to either of our knowledge… So I feel that Cat of yours is visiting, and is bringing you some comfort by its presence…

        Sending love and HUGS dear Lauren xx 💖🙏

      2. What a beautiful story, Sue. I’m glad you shared it. Dogs, cats, and probably many animals are intuitive to humans emotions. And that connection is so special. More love and hugs coming your way! xoxoxoxo 💞🌷

  30. What a beautiful post, Lauren! I’m so happy for you and so proud of you and your success. And I can relate to your thoughts and tears. My parents always drove over from California for Thanksgiving, and they’re both gone now. The holiday isn’t the same without them. With the cold weather, I’ve really missed our cats. I liked snuggling in my favorite blanket with a warm, purring cat on my lap. The house seems empty without them. I love your Thanksgiving poem and its heartfelt feelings and thoughts. May God’s blessings shine down on you and yours, Lauren! Have a truly wonderful Thanksgiving with your family.

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    1. Dawn, your compassion brought tears. Thank you so much for all that you wrote. I really appreciate your friendship and support here on WP. It’s hard adapting to the life’s changes as our parents and children get older. Not to mention, the loss of our lovable pets. That adorable gray cat has found our chair for 3 nights in a row now, and it’s comforting in a way. I think we’ll get another dog in the future, but we’re just not ready yet. Copper is still so deeply in our hearts. Thanks for your lovely wishes, and I also wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. Hugs ❤️

      Reply

  32. How nice for your reading Lauren! You’re right to celebrate; I read Cora’s Quest to my son, and I feel both kids and adults can benefit from the story.

    Enjoy Thanksgiving holidays and sweet time with your loved ones. May it be a time to rejoice and feel comfort.

    Thinking of you 🫶🙏

    Reply

    1. It makes me happy that you read my book to your son. It really warms my heart, Marie, so thank you for your amazing support and friendship. Wishing you the same, dear friend, and I’ll be thinking of you too. Hugs 🤗❤️

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  36. How wonderful you read your book to the children at the local library, Lauren! I thought of reading my children’s book at our local labrary. They have reading hours but the kids are preschool kids and my book is little bit too long for them. I read it to my granddaughter’s class last year shen she was in first grade. That was wonderful. Thank you for sharing your Thanksgiving poem. I enjoyed it. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  39. Happy Holidays, Lauren!

    I love the falling snow on your blog page. It is festive! Holidays can bring up the pain of loss. Sending you a big hug as you continue to grieve, Copper.

    Congrats on your book reading. I love that message; To remember that we always have courage inside of us and to stay calm when we’re feeling afraid.

    Many Blessings,

    Lisa xoxo

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Lisa, and I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving! I had trouble with the snow, then the next day, I couldn’t believe it was snowing! A miracle! 🙂 It’s a fun effect! I appreciate your hugs about Copper too. And thanks for your good wishes about the reading. I hope to do more. Wishing you a blessed holiday season! xoxoxoxo

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  40. First, congrats on your library engagement! I’ve done a few. Always fun. Second, the kitty. I’ve a lot of photos of cats relaxing, and one of a cat next to a mosque in Cairo outraged over a dog trying to steal its food. Seems I can’t resist photos of cats. Or dogs for that matter. Enjoyed your Thanksgiving poem. Meaningful!

    Reply

    1. Thanks regarding the reading, Curt. It was fun, and I hope to do more. Yes, cats and dogs seem to steal the show, don’t they? We haven’t seen the adorable gray cat for a few nights, but I hope she comes back. And I’m glad you liked my poem. Thanks, and I wish you and Peggy a wonderful Christmas!

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      1. Cats and dogs always do it for me, Lauren. I’ve been working on my photo library for my new series. I have lots of dog and cat photos from around the world. Grin. More than people, it seems. But then, cats and dogs rarely object to having their photos taken. A wonderful Christmas to you and your family as well!

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