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 ❤️
I’m sharing a little bit about a dear friend of mine, Resa. She is an amazing photographer with a passion for taking pics of outdoor ephemeral art, and the artwork she finds is stunning and unique. Resa opens our eyes to this incredible corner of the art world, and our lives are enriched and better for her discoveries!Today she shares gorgeous owls, and I’ve always been fascinated by these beautiful birds.Check out her post!
Her site is “Graffit Lux and Murals”, dedicated to showcasing & documenting Graffiti Art and Murals in Toronto and Winnipeg. But she also features Street Art of other cities around the globe through travels of hers, and guest contributors. Taking these pics is a passion and a joy, and it shows in her blog posts. Each work of graffiti art or mural evokes thoughts in her, and these thoughts are reflected in the titles of her Posts.
I’ve closed comments because I’m directing you to Resa’s blog. Visit her and you’ll know what I’m talking about. 🥰
Thank you for stopping by. Have a great day! Sending out peace and love! ~Lauren ❤️
Over the past year, I have been collaborating with a very talented artist who happens to be my wonderful nephew. I presented the opportunity to Chris to illustrate my 1st children’s book and he was absolutely thrilled. The title is Cora’s Quest. Some of you may remember when I shared the story a while ago. Anyway, working with Chris has been delightful and amazing! The hardest part for both of us has been not sharing his progress on social media, and he just completed the final illustration page!!! He will be working on the cover and back cover next, and then the formatting begins for me! The release date is TBD, but I’m aiming for sometime in the spring. Cora has already come alive through Chris’ illustrations, and it is pure magic! 💖 Stay tuned for more information on Cora’s Quest, and I am excited to embark on this new adventure! ____________________________________________________________________________
A collection of poems about nature, love, and the mysteries of life. Click on the image to purchase your copy. Thank you! 💚
Thank you for dropping in and I wish you a Terrific Tuesday! Lauren ❤️ Photo by samer daboul on Pexels.com My camera never does justice for moon shots, so I chose to enjoy the moment.
Stones of burdens can seem like pebbles barely tripping us up in our routines, but sometimes, they’re boulder massive, sliding us deeply into our heads when the need to escape from our own selves becomes vital for our sanity
we pause in our footsteps, holding our breath, fighting tears pushing as fiercely as a category five
but then our eyes look out the window following sunlight, focusing on the frost hanging on tips of tree branches as though adorned by sparkling jewels
they wink at us and those boulders shrink to pebbles with the sweetness of air, we inhale new life burdens we exhale, so we can breathe in miracles surrounding us – in those who hold our hearts, in every sight, every bloom, every sound…
I walk through the front door, and with each step, a memory embraces me like a warm hug of sweet nostalgia, chatter and laughter echo in my mind leading me to the framed photos on the ivory walls that come to life – savory and sweet aromas whirled from kitchen to living room enticing palates, the television stayed on for background noise (when back then, streaming brought only thoughts of calm, flowing water) the vision of mom’s lovely smile, the music of dad’s chuckle, what I would give for another moment to be with them – the enchantment of seven grandchildren running around wearing huge smiles, their giggles following their footsteps – before the lawn was laid and array of blooms were planted and the concrete basketball court was poured, nothing but earth in the backyard – she’d relax on the chaise beside the new pool a million laps later, the turquoise still glimmers – fond memories of those chapters stay cozy in the walls in the cracks and crevices over the passing of time among the fleeting minutes… I step through the door, and it feels like home.
Valentine’s Day makes me think about people who are less fortunate. This day that is meant for romance and candy hearts sends my mind to the same place it travels to on Thanksgiving and Christmas. So, this poem is the result…
Candy hearts say Be Mine Red roses represent forever Fancy dinners for two in love A lifetime of together…
Ahh, the joy… but my thoughts drift to the old man on Anderson Drive who wears his gray hair long, surrounded by treasures divine, and sits outside his raggedy, faded blue tent that balances on damaged poles, an office of esteem used to house the chair that wobbles beneath his body of bones
and I wonder about the young woman on Lincoln Avenue who burrows into a weathered, pea-green bag on the old bus stop bench – the scratched enclosure keeps her dry when raindrops fall on cue, buses pass by, heading to their next hub by the curb lies an old shoe
and the poor mutt curled up beside his master, ribs defined – who doesn’t know why he only gets crumbs to lick up from the unwashed hand, but no leash keeps him bound – he knows not of despair, but loyalty he comprehends
So, I browse over the valleys of my pondering and wonder, do your thoughts also drift to defeated souls where hopelessness betrays faith, where life has taken a toll? Where is their place on this Valentine’s Day?
A collection of poems about nature, love, and the mysteries of life. Click on the image to purchase your copy. Thank you! 💚
I wish Love would abound for Everyoneduring this Valentine’s Week. You see, as the years pass by, I view this special day not only for romantic love, but for feeling thankful for all the people in my life who love me and whom I love with all my heart.
A few days ago, a friend of mine surprised me with flowers and a card with such beautiful and thoughtful sentiments. I was truly touched, and the first thing that came to mind was gratitude…for so many things in my life. So, I’m sharing the flowers with you today and a poem from one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver. Her words will give you something to think about…
The Summer Day
Who made the world? Who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean – the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down – who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face. Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away. I don’t know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
Thank you again for all the love, hugs, and prayers. Please know that your kindness means a lot to me. The pain has either been silent or less intense this week; it’s so unpredictable, but I’m starting treatment soon, so I pray it will make a big difference.
Happy Friday, and I wish you a wonderful weekend ahead!There is no way to go but forward!
I had every intention to read blogs this past weekend, to ‘get caught up’ as we all say often. But last week I received a new diagnosis and the symptoms decided to bark loudly instead over the weekend. Concentration was far from reachable, but I took advantage of moments when the symptoms rested, and that’s when I put thoughts to paper in my journal. Please know that my transparency is not for sympathy. If you recall, I shared about a health issue that began last year, well, this is new, but the doctor thinks it’s all connected – ten months later, the big picture has changed. So, below is my catharsis in the form of a haibun (or similar to one with an extra haiku):
Compromised
The rain and wind collaborate for a stormy Sunday. I look through the window, a deluge of raindrops plummet to the street and lawns, and the tall oaks and firs bend unnaturally. Inside, the house feels safe and warm, but this new presence feels like a knife in the gut. What used to be an infrequent timeline is now an everyday visit. What used to be mild is now moderate, or sometimes, severe. A relationship I don’t care to nurture. Pain closes in, becoming more intimate, but not the intimacy that makes my heart skip a beat. No, this type, and where it could lead, paralyzes because fear sidles up beside it. A duo not to be reckoned with. Cancer hasn’t knocked on my door, nor has a death sentence. But the ability to walk long distances or hike on a mountain trail, slips through my fingers like tiny grains of sand.
My body feels broken – not fully – but broken – because my feet and legs take the brunt. I miss the ‘me’ I used to be. And then there is sleep, or lack thereof because of throbbing and/or electric shocks, thieves in the night that rob me of those dream-filled deep slumbers. The persistence is like a doorbell gone wild. Negative thoughts push their way in for the spiraling, mirroring the stormy weather, but my inhale and exhale create a brick wall – blocking them from breaking me more. Although, no easy ‘fix’ heads my way, so each day I struggle to keep hope beside me. Focus on what I can do, they say. I try. Ask questions. Get answers. My mindset waivers, but the support encircling me helps keep my sky blue.
an MRI shows narrowing from wear and tear nerves agitated
he says it’s common not comforting to body spinal stenosis
(I’m exploring all treatment options, such as injections, meds, surgery, physical therapy, etc.)
I don’t know how this week will go or how much time I’ll spend blogging, but I’m hoping for quiet nerves. The weekend was yesterday; today is a new day. I also hope to get answers to many questions this week. Please know that I appreciate you all!
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 