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 ❤️
Sally at Smorgasbord Blog Magazine is always generous when she helps to spread the word about new books being released. So I’m honored that she featured my first children’s book. I’ve been trying to reblog and share links of the friends who have shared the news about Cora in the order that corresponds with their posts. But if I’m out of order, please forgive me. My head has been spinning for over a week, but for celebratory reasons! 🥰 My deepest gratitude to you all who have helped me out in the most gracious ways!
Sally is the author of Size Always Matters – a wonderful tool for not only losing weight, but for eating healthy as a lifestyle change. I loved this book and will keep it within reach. We all need some guidance at some point regarding our eating habits. My review of Sally’s book can be found here.
Click on the image to purchase your copy!
So, I invite you to visit Sally’s post by clicking on the link below to check out her beautiful way of announcing the release of Cora’s Quest.Thank you again, Sally! I’m so appreciative of your support, and I’m still doing the happy ‘deer’ dance! :)🙏❤️
As always, thanks so much for your presence, and I appreciate your patience while I promote my book. 🙂 Also, Cora’s Quest would make a wonderful gift for any little ones. It’s a sweet story with a big message for all ages, and the images are magical and vibrant, so the paperback would be lovely for a child to hold in his or her hands. Have a wonderful rest of the week! ❤️
When I read Brian’s post at WritingfromtheheartofBrian where he shared a list of 100 things he loves, it really touched me. Brian’s posts and the essays he writes are always moving, humorous, and authentic. Please pay him a visit if you haven’t met him yet. Anyway, I picked up my loyal journal from where it rests on the coffee table, and began making a list. I seamlessly wove together things I love and things I’m thankful for. Perfect timing because here we are with Christmas just around the corner. The spirit of the season seeps into our hearts. For the sake of time, I tried to narrow my list down to 50, but I couldn’t. Now this says it all! And I went a few over! 🙂 These are in no particular order.
Family time.
Sharing life’s adventures with my best friend, my husband, for almost 36 years (37 since we met).
1989
3. My dog, Copper. He’s 14 years old and doesn’t go fast and far anymore, but he’s doing well. 4. Good health – this is no laughing matter, as my dad used to say. I don’t think I grasped the profound meaning when I was young, but now I get it. 5. Baking – carrying on my mom’s tradition. 6. Singing – my passion since I was 9 years old. 7. Barbara Streisand – my vocal idol who I was fortunate to see in concert – the most magical evening! 8. Elvis Presley – I was only a teenager, but his voice was incredible and he was so handsome. 🙂 I was lucky to see him in concert with my family two years before he passed away so young. 9. Redwoods – I feel a sense of peace and reverence whenever I’m in their company.
10. My childhood cabin – memories of Yahtzee nights and Mom’s lasagna! 11. Chocolate chip cookies made from scratch right out of the oven! 12. Sunsets, especially at our favorite lake.
13. Writing! Poetry, Fiction, a children’s book – trying new genres for a challenge. 14. Reading – getting lost in poetry that resonates or in the pages of a compelling book! 15. Poetry of Mary Oliver – I feel deeply moved by her poems. 16. Beautiful gardens – the colors, the life, the connections, the honey bees! 17. Addictive Netflix shows – Virgin River, Schitz Creek, Grey’s Anatomy, Gilmore Girls, & New Amsterdam. 18. Long phone chats with my daughter in TN. 19. Long phone chats with my son in CO. 20. Chardonnay on a Friday night after another work week has come to an end. 21. Going to the movies – the whole experience of relaxing in the recliner chairs and munching on popcorn. 22. Music – singing, dancing, listening, going to concerts. 23. A quiet drive on country roads. 24. Wine country in the spring and fall. 25. All animals, esp. dogs, and elephants – After I read two non-fiction books about elephants, I fell in love with the magnificent creatures. 26. Chocolate!
27. Hawaii. 28. Camping in a tent – I don’t mind roughing it and getting a little dirty. 29. Campfires in the wilderness.
30. The color blue like the clearest sky, a tropical ocean, and my husband’s eyes. 31. Musicals – The Sound of Music with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plumber top the list. 32. Small, charming towns. 33. Reminiscing through old photo albums. The memories… 34. Moving furniture around in the house. 35. RomComs: Pretty Woman, While You Were Sleeping, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, The Proposal, When Harry Met Sally
36. A hot shower after tent camping for a week. 37. Air conditioning on a 100 degree summer day. 38. A fun day at the county fair. I have great memories of going as a family, checking out the art exhibits, the pig races and petting zoo, riding the ferris wheel, and eating fun fair food: gyros and chocolate mint ice cream. 39. Noisy holiday gatherings with children’s laughter that evoke wonderful family memories of when my parents were still with us. 40. Christmas decorations inside and outside. 41. Coffee with hubby no matter where we are.
42. Typing. 43. A great sense of humor 😂 44. Kind people. 45. Ethical politicians. 46. Tacos and a margarita. 47. Jeans and t-shirts. 48. Hokas – my saving grace to mitigate foot nerve pain. 49. Jewelry – Silver, gold, beaded, all kinds. Necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets. I love to accessorize! 50. Blogging and the wonderful friends I’ve made! 51. My Apple watch – changing the photo & using for exercise. It’s simply fun. 52. The moon! 53. Visiting my daughter in TN. 54. Visiting my son in CO. 55. Technology when it works! LOL 56. My white Mazda CX-5. 57. Disneyland – Childhood memories of having Disneyland in my backyard. I love Disney! 58. Compassionate and trustworthy doctors – I am grateful for the care and treatment my family has received at Kaiser over the years. 59. Purses. 60. Backpacking with my husband! The tranquility, carrying all we need on our backs, the photos, the memories!
61. Hiking. 62. Holding a book in my hands. There’s something special about the feel of the cover and pages. 63. When Paxlovid kicked in during Covid, even though the metallic taste in my mouth was unpleasant for a week. 64. Organization. 65. Playing in the snow: sledding, snow shoeing, tobogganing, tubing. 66. A lush, green lawn. 67. Carrot cake. Did you know it counts as a vegetable? 🙂
Made by my son for my birthday a few years ago.
68. Sitting on our patio on a summer evening, watching the hummingbirds. 69. Stinson Beach. 70. Heat in the house on a cold winter’s morning. 71. A live Christmas tree adorned with ornaments the kids made and ornaments that were given to us.
72. A new roof that cost too much but that keeps us dry. 73. A house we call home. 74. The feeling of euphoria I had after giving birth to my daughter and son. 75. Walking hand in hand with my husband. 76. Paying someone a compliment. 77. Waking up early in the morning and enjoying quiet time to read, write, or blog. 78. Reveling in the joy when my husband gets home from an awesome motorcycle ride. 79. A simple walk around the neighborhood. Each time, it’s a different experience. 80. When my kids tell me they love me. 81. Receiving Christmas cards. 82. Getting together with friends. 83. Motorcycle rides with my husband. 84. Lucille Ball. The laughter never ends! 85. Enjoying a day at the beach. 86. Attempting a new creative endeavor and succeeding. 87. Reading the blogs I follow. 88. Listening to the rain from inside my cozy home. 89. How comfy my bed feels at night when I’m tired. 90. Any body of water.
91. The excitement of a new year’s possibilities. 92. Riding bikes in Lake Tahoe. 93. Weekend getaways. 94. Having something to look forward to. 95. When my children graduated from UC Davis. 96. Self-publishing a new book. 97. My poetry and stories getting published in literary magazines. 98. Opening all windows in the house on a beautiful spring day. 99. Emojis ❤️🥰🎉🤗🙏 What can I say? They’re fun! 😍 100. Bodega Bay. 101. Pain-free days and nights. 102. Samuel P. Taylor Park. 103. Point Reyes. 104. West Marin. 105. The Cheese Factory.
Could any of these land on your list? I’m sure some from Brian’s are the same for mine. And that’s okay. Like- minded individuals! I’d love to hear your thoughts! Thanks for taking the time, and for stopping by today! I appreciate you all for visiting my little corner of blogland. ❤️
I’m honored and thrilled that my new children’s book, Cora’s Quest, has been promoted today on Gobblers by Masticadores! Thank you to Manuela Timofte for publishing this exciting news! 🙏
Dear Family and Friends,
I’m excited to announce the release of my children’s book, Cora’s Quest! My nephew, Chris Mendez, illustrated the book, and it was a magical experience watching Cora come to life in her woodland world through her beautiful artwork.
Full transparency, this is my first children’s book. So, I hope that anyone (adults or children) who gets to know Cora will find her little story to be a charming tale, and will take her big message to heart with them into the future.
Book blurb:
Cora is a curious fawn who loves spending time with her parents. On one beautiful day, they stroll deep into the wilderness. They trot along on the trails, and Cora finds other fascinating animals. They skitter and fly around her with joyful purpose. Every unique sound catches her attention, stirring her curiosity to discover just where that sound came from. But suddenly her delightful family day takes a turn that begins to test the courage inside of her…
Cora’s Quest is available on Amazon (paperback and e-book) Click on the links for more purchase options: Barnes & Noble (paperback and e-book), and Kobo (e-book only).
To read more about my book, please visit Gobblers by clicking on the link below. Thank you for supporting Manuela and her team. ❤️
As the year slowly or rapidly (depending on perspective) comes to a close, I thought to share this poem again. A poem reminding us that each day is a gift, and those who love us and Nature herself are precious gifts. I hope you enjoy for a second time around if you’ve already read it earlier in the year.
For All That Was Lost Has Been Found
When the sun descends behind emerald, rolling hills and evening offers all that it owns, my husband falls into a serious slumber in a matter of seconds – I am envious. It takes more than seconds for my mind to shut down, for thoughts to pause for an evening’s repose.
The flowers in our garden turn in for the night, and the smiles in their blooms wait for dawn’s greeting. Critters burrow in their homes, although darkness calls some to come out and play and we miss the show. Our dreams carry us through minutes and hours until night bids farewell, the cue for morning to slide into her spotlight.
And when she does, we witness again the glorious sun rising over those rolling hills, one more sky where clouds stay hidden, one more kiss from each other, the one who accelerates our heartbeats… when our children are home, they gift us with another hug, age is irrelevant…from babies to adults, their hugs are priceless like the moment we draw a new breath.
And don’t forget how nature delights with her offerings… our feathered friends sing their wake-up chorus of joy, bushy-tailed squirrels skitter along redwood fence tops. How do their tiny feet not miss a step, tumbling their little bodies to the ground?
So, we wipe the sleep from our eyes, gratitude flows through our veins, for all that was lost in the darkness has been found on this fresh, magnificent day.
On another note, I was honored to be included in Diana’s November book reviews. Diana shares excellent monthly reviews on her blog, Myths of the Mirror. She read Cora’s Quest the first day and gave Cora 5 glowing stars. You can visit her here to read her wonderful review and those of several other great books perfect for shopping for the holiday season. Thanks again, Diana! 🙏
Today, I’m honored to be included in Sally’s roundup post which you can find here. Sally at Smorgasbord Blog Magazine is so kind and generous by helping other authors promote their new books. So, I am truly grateful, and as I told her, the happy dance continues, and in Cora’s case, it’s a happy deer dance! 😁
I’m sure most indie authors would agree that promoting books isn’t fun. But we only have ourselves, and family and friends who offer to help out. So, thank you for reading, and if you’ve bought a copy of Cora’s Quest, Chris and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 💞
Wishing you all a lovely day and week ahead, Lauren ❤️
Resa rocks, enough said, and I’m sharing a bit about her if you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her:
I’m an amateur photographer who has a passion for taking pics of outdoor ephemeral art.
My name is Resa McConaghy, and my site, “Graffit Lux and Murals”, was originally dedicated to showcasing & documenting Graffiti Art and Murals in Toronto and Winnipeg.
However, I now find I am featuring the Street Art of other cities around the globe through travels of mine, and guest contributors.
Taking these pics is a passion and a joy. Each work of graffiti art or mural evokes thoughts in me, and these thoughts are reflected in the titles of my Post.
Resa has posted and reviewed my last two books, Ever So Gently and More than Coffee, and now she’s done it again for Cora’s Quest, my first children’s book illustrated by my nephew, Chris Mendez! She creates stunning masterpieces weaving art and books together seamlessly like needle and thread.
So, I invite you to visit Resa’s post and immerse yourself into the colorful palette of her amazing creativity! Thank you again, Resa, for your invaluable support and friendship! You have enriched my life! ❤️🎉🙏
A Huge Thanks to you who have bought Cora’s Quest, and I’ll share again that in the last few days since Cora was released, it has reached… Top New Release in Baby and Toddler Beginner Reader Books, #1 New Release in Children’s Self-Esteem and Self-Respect, and #1 New Release in Children’s Mammal Books! I’ve never paid attention to Amazon’s Best Seller’s Rankings, but I’ll admit this news is a great boost! 🎉👏🏼 Thank you for stopping by! I appreciate you so much! ❤️ And I hope Cora will find herself on your holiday shopping list. 🥰
Have a wonderful weekend ahead, and I hope to see you at Resa’s!
In the last few days since Cora’s Quest was released, it has reached Top New Release in Baby and Toddler Beginner Reader Books, #1 New Release in Children’s Self-Esteem and Self-Respect, and #1 New Release in Children’s Mammal Books! I’ve never paid attention to Amazon’s Best Seller’s Rankings, but I’ll admit it’s a great feeling to see these headlines pop up! 🎉👏🏼 Thank you to those who have offered Chris and I good wishes, and who have already purchased copies. I’m delighted to share Cora’s first review, 5 stars, from a fabulous writer herself, D. L. Finn from dlfinnauthor.com:
Cora’s Quest is a sweet story about a deer’s family outing. Cora is enjoying the forest until things change quickly, and now she needs to find her courage. A fantastic story to read to your little ones or for young readers to enjoy. The illustrations are beautiful and full of color, and the story is woven into a lesson that will resonate with children and their families. Here is an engaging passage: “An owl hoots/from its lofty perch./ The wind howls,/swirling around Cora./Grunts and growls/in the distance/steal her courage!/ They act like thieves!” I can easily recommend this story for young readers and those who read to them.
Thanks again, Denise! ❤️🙏 And if you’d like to purchase a copy of Cora’s Quest, please click on the image below that will take you to Amazon. Also available on Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.
Now for some book reviews…I always seem to be long overdue in sharing book reviews, but the intention is always good! Reading has been a slow-going process, but I’ve read eight wonderful books that I’ll highlight in two separate posts. I give all of these books 5 glowing stars and can highly recommend…
Click on image to purchase.
Size Always Matters by Sally Cronin is a tool that can be used as reference repeatedly throughout the years. Cronin shares her story of reaching a point of literally life or death, choosing life. She mustered up the willpower and fortitude to lose 154 lbs while studying nutrition, and later, becoming a nutritional therapist and health consultant. I admire her for being transparent with her weight struggles in order to help others because it’s not always easy to shed the mask. She compiled a program that worked for her, so she lays it all out from page to page for us to absorb and utilize.
I remember when I was young, my dad used to say, “Good health is no laughing matter.” I couldn’t really grasp the full, profound meaning of his words at a young age because honestly, I thought I had all the time in the world to live! Now in my early sixties, I can attest to him being right. I’ve had my share of health issues, not food related, but I’m sure we all know that what we eat makes a difference for the better or worse. Cronin delves into the scientific formulas behind the simple concept of dieting, exercising, and hesitantly stepping on the scale to check those numbers – numbers that can make or break a day. She underscores the necessity to identify the physical, emotional, and mental attachments we have to food. She talks in depth about obesity and reiterates that it’s not about yoyo dieting. It’s about making a serious lifestyle change.
So, if you need to lose 10 lbs or 110 lbs, this book will serve as a beneficial guide to you attaining your goals. As a bonus, Cronin includes delicious recipes at the back of the book, which I intend to try, such as the Tomato Tostada, Baked Frittata, and Vegetable Casserole. Are you getting hungry? The last several months have been more of ‘grab pre-cooked dinners and go’ due to being busy and a hot, hot summer! But now that the temperature has dropped, I’m back in the kitchen, cooking dinners like old times. To learn more about Sally’s books, visit her at smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com.
Click on image to purchase.
Orion’s Gift by Anneli Purchase is a riveting story involving romance and intrigue in the beautiful setting of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. The author creates a vivid world with landscape and climate that she knows well from her visits to this terrain. I loved this detail and felt as though I was there. Sylvia and Kevin are easy-to-like characters but authentic carrying their own baggage, running from their abusive spouses. Their paths cross, sparks fly, but can their evolving love endure the danger lurking around each corner? Their fear and secrets from each other have a way of creating a gap. I enjoy a good romance, but this book isn’t your usual love story. Abuse is always a heartbreaking topic to read about or to discuss. However, as I turned the pages, I hoped that Kevin and Sylvia would find peace and happiness at the end. Orion’s Gift is the first book I’ve read from Anneli Purchase, and I know it won’t be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Engaging, compelling, action packed told in a vivid setting with dialogue that flows smoothly to the end. I couldn’t put it down! To learn more about Anneli, please pay her blog a visit at wordsfromanneli.com.
Click on image to purchase.
I’ve read several books by D. L. Finn, both poetry and fiction, so I knew that Sounds in the Silence would be another can’t-put-it-down book. Finn engages the reader with this mystery written in a dual timeline spanning from the 1920s to the 1960s. We have the privilege of meeting Helen and Charles in 1924 who are madly in love, well liked, and enjoy throwing extravagant parties. They have a great time with their friends but insert Prohibition, and evil begins to loiter from the local church, keeping an eye on them. My concern for this lovely couple grew as I turned the pages. In the later era, Maria and Logan are a delightful, young couple who have a dream of owning a successful inn. They discover the perfect old house with a beautiful lakeside setting. However, its charm from decades ago has turned into dilapidation – livable, but renovations are needed before opening the doors to the public. While working diligently on the restorations, they realize they aren’t the only occupants living in the grand old house. A ghost seeks justice for a murder that occurred forty years earlier. Maria, especially, can’t ignore her curiosity, so she and Logan dive deep into uncovering what actually happened in the 1920s. But in doing so, they find themselves in danger. Their rescue pets add amusement and warmth to the tale and become useful in solving the mystery. Sounds in the Silence is a captivating novel filled with tender moments of romance, intense mystery, and paranormal elements. To find out more about D. L. Finn’s books, visit her at dlfinnauthor.com.
Click on image to purchase.
Three-Penny Memories by Barbara Harris Leonhard is a powerful poetic account of the author’s life. Leonhard speaks of her own life-threatening illness at six years old, and then later on when she is unable to carry a baby to term. However, most of the poems provide a moving glimpse into a mother-daughter’s relationship. I was struck by Leonhard’s queries: “How can a daughter question her love for her mother while helping her to navigate the progression of Alzheimer’s? Can she learn to love the stranger that her mother has become?” These are questions that can only be answered by someone who has cared for an Alzheimer’s patient. In “Daughter, Like Mother” Leonhard writes, “I can relate, Mom, to how histories crumble/How memories burn off/like the dew in hot sun/Our paths align/You held me/Now I hold you.” While reading this emotional and beautiful memoir, I felt pain, joy, conflict, and devotion between mother and daughter. Leonhard’s memories make me pause, remembering when my brother-in-law had Alzheimer’s, and my sister was his caregiver. She is a retired nurse, but even so, caring for him in the various stages of the disease was both physically and emotionally challenging. The disease took his life eight years ago. This is a provocative collection about accepting and coping with the hand that life deals us – poetry that will truly touch your heart and soul. To learn more about Barbara, visit her at https://extraordinarysunshineweaver.blog.
I hope you enjoyed my reviews. Each book comes in e-book and paperback. Simply click on the images to purchase your copy on Amazon.
Thank you for stopping by, and please don’t leave empty-handed. These books would make great Christmas gifts! Happy holiday shopping! ~ Lauren ❤️
I’m excited to announce the release of my children’s book, Cora’s Quest! My nephew, Chris Mendez, illustrated the book, and it was a magical experience watching Cora come to life in her woodland world through his beautiful artwork.
Full transparency, this is my first children’s book. So, I hope that anyone (adults or children) who get to know Cora will find her little story to be a charming tale, and will take her big message to heart with them into the future.
Book blurb:
Cora is a curious fawn who loves spending time with her parents. On one beautiful day, they stroll deep into the wilderness. They trot along on the trails, and Cora finds other animals fascinating. They skitter and fly around her with joyful purpose. Every unique sound catches her attention, stirring her curiosity to discover just where that sound came from. But suddenly her delightful family day takes a turn that begins to test the courage inside of her…
I haven’t planned a blog tour, but my good friend, Resa, is just as excited as I am, so she’ll spread this exciting news on her blog as well! If you would like to promote Cora’s Quest on any social media platform, I would be honored and thrilled! If so, please let me know in the comments below, or you can email me at baydreamer25@gmail.com. A Huge Thanks in advance! 🙏
Cora’s Quest is available on Amazon (paperback and e-book) Click on the links below for more purchase options: Barnes & Noble (paperback and e-book), and Kobo (e-book only).
An important sidenote: Due to inadequate performance by the software tools provided by the self publishing company, I am unhappy with the illustration/text alignment in the E-Book. I recommend the print version for the full experience.
Call me old fashioned but I believe a child should hold a book in his/her hands, feeling the excitement of turning the pages, which in turn, creates a more magical reading journey. 💖
To purchase your copy from Amazon, click on the link above. Cora’s Quest would be a delightful addition to your holiday shopping!
Thanks so much for stopping by, and I wish you a peaceful holiday season. Lauren ❤️
I have read that a book can be promoted for any amount of time, not only on the heels of its release. Editor Barbara Leonhard from MasticadoresUSA proves this fact because my poetry collection, Ever So Gently, was released 16 months ago. So, I am honored and thrilled that my book is still being read with positive reviews flowing in after all this time.
Barbara says, “Scott’s poems may enable readers to find answers to their soul’s longings.” To read her beautiful review, a wonderful testimonial from Diana at Myths of the Mirror, and to learn more about my poetry collection, please click on the link below. I hope to see you at Barbara’s place. ❤️
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 