Welcome to my corner of this wonderful community where I share my poetry, short stories, and occasional photos. My husband and I have been married for almost thirty-five years, and we have two adult children. Our furry family member is Copper, an 80-lb chocolate lab mix, and he just turned 13 years old.
I have published two collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013) and Finding a Balance (2015). My memoir, More than Coffee, was published in 2021, and my recent publication is a poetry collection titled Ever So Gently released in July.
I have finished my first children’s book and am working with my illustrator with plans to publish in 2024.
When you visit, I hope you find something to take with you, but that you also find something enticing enough to keep bringing you back. I truly appreciate your visit.
Cheers,
Lauren ❤️
it could be a lunch at our favorite café it could be a chat, laughter, and stroll through the mall it could be sharing a morning coffee with a stunning sunrise it could be gossip on the patio it could be a Sunday dinner it could be a weekend away for mom and daughter…
but it can’t for now as long as geography gets in our way as long as circumstances dictate so I’ll continue missing her, comforting my hurting heart until the next trip in the air.
i thought i’d get used to it i thought time would heal well, time has done diddly-squat so, if i allow the distance to take up residence in my thoughts, i’ll just add one more ache to my medical records.
The world is beautiful, proof dances all around… leaves fluttering in a breeze, butterflies floating by with grace, but the world is more beautiful with him. Even if the sky unfolds, and a storm rages, his presence adds a glow to fade the shadows and quiet the fear. If the universe has stolen my spirit and descent is imminent, his arms catch me before the landing. He comprises the tones in my tapestry, rebirth in my rain, fire in my winter. He is everything around in between within the world I reside.
Make yourself seen. Don’t slip into invisibility like shade in the night.
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Comments have been turned off, but I wanted to wish you all a beautiful weekend and offer some words to ponder. Some of you may have also seen this on Instagram. Hugs, Lauren 💞
My goal to publish this special book last month obviously didn’t happen. Sometimes, I wonder if the editing will ever end. I’m working on Ingramspark, and this week I will progress to the next step for them to review. Then I’ll have to see what comes next. I toyed around with various title ideas, but then ‘King Copper”‘popped into my mind and it lingered like a warm hug. He was the king in our house, and you can tell in the cover photo below that he wore the crown well and looked so handsome. What a gentle 80-lb giant he was. Sigh.
Anyway, now I’m hoping to publish King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry this month. But we’ll have to see if any glitches jump in the way. I believe the editing is finally done. With this being said, unless we make last-minute changes, this is the final cover. The dark chocolate color scheme ties into Copper’s mixed chocolate lab breed. Other shades of brown just didn’t work. I also like the idea of dark chocolate, a rich beginning into this poetic journey of Copper’s wonderful life. I hope you like the cover too.
More updates will follow regarding the publishing date, and life sure is interesting, isn’t it? You know this book wasn’t planned. But I had already written joyful poems about Copper when he was with us, so when he passed in March, I began writing poetry for therapeutic reasons. He was my 3rd child, and even though he was elderly, his passing was “still too soon.” Reading this collection of poetry will take you on an emotional roller coaster from joy to grief to acceptance. And sharing our life about our beloved senior pup will hopefully provide comfort to everyone who is also grieving the loss of their pet, or has done so in the past.
A poem from the book…
Will you?
Will you remember us when you cross the rainbow bridge where grass stays emerald green high upon the tallest ridge?
Will you wait for us when our time for crossing arrives to be a family once again filling the hole in our lives?
But before we reunite be your happy, playful self run and sniff, no pain, be free your joy and freedom is our wealth. ❤️
Sending love, and if you have a furry family member, give them a hug for us. ❤️
Even though the sky was a stunning canvas of vibrancy yesterday morning, my mind was in a funk. Worries flooded each thought, and each worry got stuck like gum under a school desk. But I had to get on with the day – first stop was the post office. I was happy to see that street parking was ample. As I pulled up to the curb, I noticed the truck in front of me was about to leave, so I waited. When the truck pulled out, I pulled up, leaving room for parking behind me. I’ve done this a million times before, and sometimes finding a parking spot feels like winning the lottery. Plus, it’s nice to be able to park with lots of room rather than attempting to squeeze in between two cars. Why not make things easy for the next person?
After I finished inside, I headed for my car. As I sat with my foot on the break, hands on the wheel about to leave, a woman pulled up beside me, motioning for me to roll down my window, which I did. She said, “I just want to thank you for pulling up so that the lady behind me and I could pull in right behind you. There’s a lot of rudeness nowadays, so we found your gesture to be very kind.”
“Of course, I was happy to do that.” I replied, a bit surprised by her kind gesture for the same reason. Then we both went on our merry way. However, the funk that dominated my thoughts earlier had dissipated because I brought a smile to two women from a little bit of kindness. What could have been a frustrating undertaking for them was made a little easier – the gift of a parking space!
This moment yesterday may seem unimportant, but my experience proves that not only does a simple act of kindness brighten the recipient’s day, but it does the same for the ‘kindness provider.’
Overwhelmed jubilantly by your Radiance relieving uncertainty Along the path of unknowns Not once drifting off-course Giving unselfishly of your essence Emotions shift in your presence
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Oh, how you delight with your happy state Reliable in your everlasting contribution Awe is a natural reaction Never taken for granted Growing from your vibrant message Effervescent way of spirit-lifting
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I…
Observe soft petals that grin Raining positivity on passersby Ambience to daily reside in Noise silenced so peace becomes the Glue for a healthy well-being Elixir from nature’s gift basket of magic
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Do you have a favorite? The 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, or all 3? 😊 Does ‘orange’ make you feel the same? If not, what is your spirit-lifting color? 🧡
Thanks for gifting me with your presence today, and please keep the families affected by the Texas tragedy in your hearts. ❤️