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 ❤️
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!
I’m writing this post as Friday evening is upon us. The sun hasn’t dipped behind the trees yet, but the photo above is one of my favorite images from ‘our’ lake in the Sierra Mountains. I will never own enough photos of sunsets and sunrises. Do you feel the same? It’s parallel with never having too many photos of our kids and pets. 🙂
Anyway,here’s a little update for those who haven’t heard…I did not win 2023 Author of the Year at Spillwords. However, I am super happy for my friend, Cindy at Unique Times, who did walk away with this award. Way to go, Cindy! Please check out her post to read more! I always leave her site smiling! She exudes joy no matter what she writes about.
And thank you to those who voted for me. Your support means more than you know, and it encourages me to keep on writing! Not to mention, being nominated felt like winning in itself. So, Congrats again to Cindy, to all nominees, and to winners in all categories! 🎉
Now to change the subject! I read some wonderful books last year and wrote reviews that I’m late in sharing, so here are a couple :
Neema the Misfit Giraffe by Robbie and Michael Cheadle
Robbie and Michael Cheadle are a talented mother/son duo writing team who have published several children’s books. Neema the Misfit Giraffe is their latest accomplishment, but although this book was written for children ages 2-9 years old, adults will enjoy Neema’s touching tale. All ages will benefit from the lesson Robbie and Michael incorporate through easy-to-read rhyming verse. Neema doesn’t fit in with the crowd that she deems as normal. She looks different than the giraffes she wishes to befriend, but they don’t like her simply because of this difference. Instead of letting kindness lead, they allow prejudice to dictate their behavior.
The notion of judging a book by a cover is unending, but we know this isn’t fair to anyone. Everyone has a story that deserves to be heard. Not only is the cover gorgeous, but the story of Neema is accompanied with lovely photographs from the duo’s personal adventures, along with Robbie’s incredible artwork. Video footage is also included that will take you to You Tube to watch these graceful animals in their natural habitats. You’ll enjoy the giraffe fun facts at the end of the story which offer an educational element.
I bought the paperback because I’m in a book-collecting mode. But I also love the feel of the pages as I progress to the end. So, this lovely book comes highly recommended for children and adults who enjoy a good life lesson, a reminder of the wonderful ripple effect of showing kindness. And I highly recommend the paperback to fully appreciate the beauty of this book.
Locker by Michelle Ayon Navajasis a collection of 57 flash fiction stories with poetic ingredients sprinkled throughout the prose. I am familiar with the author’s beautiful and evocative poetry, so to read these fiction stories was truly a treat that enlightened me to the scope of her talent as a writer. Locker, the title of this collection, obviously infers a compartment where personal possessions are safely kept, and a key is required to unlock it. But the word locker can infer a variety of meanings, such as “the realization of another unlocked dream” as stated by Navajas in her introduction.
The stories can be read as stand-alone, but the commonality in each is the array of emotions the reader experiences that sometimes parallel with reality. Navajas touches on love, death, loss, betrayal, miscarriage, and abuse. As much as these fiction stories effortlessly drew me in, the Introduction alone was compelling. Navajas informs the reader that she is a dreamer, but her actions demonstrate that she’s not only a talker but a doer. And she is not afraid of a challenge; in fact, writing fiction was her subsequent dream following the writing of poetry. However, flash fiction is not as easy feat. The author must condense the essential storytelling elements into 1500 words or less. Navajas convincingly executes this requirement. And her desire to learn a new form of writing would inspire any author to do the same.
I read Locker over the course of several days, taking my time and savoring each combination of fiction and poetic elegance. Not to mention, I intend to reread this collection. When I love a good book or movie, I delight in those second readings or viewings for new takeaways, components that were possibly missed the first time around. Additionally, in most collections of poetry or fiction, I dog-ear the pieces that stand out, and this book with its vibrant, amazing cover is dog-eared from the beginning to the very last page. A few favorites are: “Kiss”, “Alone”, “Withering Heights”, “Photographs”, and “Growth”.
Locker is for anyone who doesn’t mind a soft nudge into revisiting their own ‘locker’ while realizing that they are not alone in feeling the emotions that encompass their hearts and minds. The uplifting tone also offers encouragement to move forward after enduring the challenges and heartbreaks that befall us. Slowly savoring this story collection is highly recommended!
And now I’ll leave you with a song that has a timeless message, and it just might transport you back a few years. 🙂
Happy Friday, have a lovely weekend, and thanks for stopping by! Cheers! ❤️🥂 P.S. More reviews of amazing books coming soon!
Time is flying, minutes are passing by at lightning speed, the days are staying lighter a little longer, and tomorrow, Wednesday, January 31st, is the last day to vote! Again, thank you to Dagmara and her team for publishing my work. I’m honored to be nominated for this award, and to be among wonderful friends who are amazing writers! As far as I’m concerned, we’re all winners! 🎉🎉
To vote, you’ll need to log in, and I know this can be challenging. But I do appreciate your time, effort, and support! I really do! 🙏
In order to cast your vote, simply clickhere. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! ❤️
I’ll leave you with a poem from my book (the poem from which my book found its title) to guide you through today and days to come.I’ve shared it before, so enjoy for another reading!
Ever So Gently
Sometimes we get lost in our thoughts… losing focus of the stars lighting up the night sky. We tumble too deeply into the frontal lobe, allowing negative thoughts to awaken, to throw a tantrum.
Remember, the breeze carries burdens down rivers and across oceans, majestic trees sway with joy, sheltering from shadows, and the light shines even if only a slight glimmer slips through.
Its glow will grow ever so gently into a bright beacon of hope rising with the golden sun bringing clarity to our vision.
What a surprise I discovered last night to find an email from Dagmara at Spillwords Pressinforming me that I have been nominated for Author of the Year for 2023!
The following nominees for Author of the Year are:
SmithaV Michelle Ayon Navajas Cindy Georgakas Lauren Scott Suman Pokhrel Verity Mason Nial Crowley Vidya Venkataramanan Caroline Ashley Adele Evershed Rob Wilcher Dawn DeBraal Ernie Stricsek
So, this is the time when I ask for your vote, and voting begins today and will end on Wednesday, January 31st. You will need to log in to vote, but all I can do is ask. You may cast your vote by clicking on this link: https://spillwords.com/vote/
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 