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 hope you will…You can show your love by clicking on the heart to “like” the poem, or to leave a comment, you’ll need to create an account and log in. I offer my heartfelt thanks in advance if you choose one of these options. ❤️
Thank you so much to Dagmara K. and her team for this wonderful opportunity of becoming a part of Spillwords Press.
Perhaps he was a Western Screech Owl that I heard outside our bedroom window in the early darkness before the sun fashioned its glorious arrival. I cannot say with conviction, but it is certain he proclaimed his presence with his high-pitched toots.
And what I’d like to know…
was he aware that just before he sang his series of notes our alarm would, in a matter of minutes, sound off in its circle’s ringtone?
And did he realize at this time when most homes on the street have not awakened, we make our preferred dark roast from old faithful Mr. Coffee, then sit together in harmony for soft conversation?
That this routine, though understated for some, would not be the same,
would not provide the equivalent comforting experience if one of us was not present?
Today is an exciting day for couples to celebrate their love for each other. I also show my love not only for my husband, but for my family and friends who hold a special place in my heart. You see, today isn’t joyful for everyone. Some people grieve the passing of their spouse or partner. Some hearts hurt from a breakup. Some people have chosen to be single, so today may not hold a huge significance for them. Some live on the streets. Some live with daunting diagnoses. So, let’s be mindful of the different scenarios that play out on this day. If today is a joyful day for your heart, I implore you to take a moment to think of those who struggle in some manner…
Give Love
Candy hearts that say Be Mine Red roses bestowing forever Fancy dinners for two in love A special night to remember
But what about the lonely – The broken hearts and souls? What about the hopeless Where life has taken its toll?
On this day where hearts abound Give love where you find sorrow Let compassion be your guide to fashion a better tomorrow
And now for a mixture of love poems from the past…
Forever Love (an Acrostic)
Faint is how you make me feel and not Only when our lips connect, but when I Remember our first embrace and how my Emotions twirled inside of me; dizzy and Voiceless I was and those moments still exist Even though decades have come and gone Reflections of those first days are magical Learning the true meaning of bliss, an Out of the ordinary feeling, knowing you are my Valentine, lover and friend for the rest of our life and for Eternity~
Glue
I stumble over his broken pieces, their jagged edges reach for me. I want to be their healing glue.
His mind is weary, I understand the layers of his soul. I want to be his shoulder.
His heart aches trying to make sense of it all… but I won’t let him fall… I am his remedy.
The World is Broken
The world is broken, we are aware,
but being alive on this crisp autumn morning, what a blessing to behold
and he says,
“The good news for today is I love you, Your heart, Your mind, Your soul.”
The world may be broken,
but I am not.
I hope today will be joyful for you from my heart to yours. Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️❤️
Variety is the Spice of Life by Sally Cronin is a poignant collection of poetry and short stories. Reading Sally’s entrancing writing is as calming and illuminating as sitting on a slab of granite in the wilderness, witnessing the sun slowly rise to begin another glorious day. The clever cover alone caught my eye – perfect for this blend of poems and prose. Then I turned the pages, and Sally had me at “Key words” which is a short piece packed with power of how words can make our hearts sing or how they can cause our hearts to shatter. Sally writes about life and all it embodies: nature, loss, relationships, and our furry animal friends. The scenes portrayed through her beautiful writing had me drying a tear, reminiscing, and smiling.
A few favorite poems that come to mind are “Expeditions” which inspires us to step out of our comfort zones. “Above the World” speaks of memories from Sally’s youth but evokes wonderful recollections for me of recent backpacking trips with my husband. “Face in the mirror” is accompanied by a lovely, delicate picture of Sally and her mother, which brought forth priceless memories of my mom who passed away over a decade ago. “Seasons” is thought-provoking and speaks not only of nature’s changing seasons, but how life transforms over the years – how hope can be discouraged by “chill winds, the evil that is done by humans.” “Drought” undeniably hit home but ends on a much-needed high note.
Sally’s stories with their realistic and charming characters are beyond engaging as well. I love them all, but the stories that shine are “The Neighborhood Watch,” highlighting the marmalade cat with an impressive left hook. “Miss Lloyd’s Robin” is about a delightful robin, the benefits of forgiveness, and newfound friendship. “The Home Help” touches on loss of hope, unexpected surprises, learning to trust, and renewed excitement for what lies on the horizon.
Variety is the Spice of Life prompts a precious memory or chuckle or a nugget of understanding, whether it’s a poem or story that resonates, brings enjoyment, or simply touches the heart. I love Sally’s writing and highly recommend this collection for lovers of engaging stories and sentimental verse.
Reading Jeff Flesch’s poems in Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow is like strolling along a beach, allowing the waves’ lullaby to soothe your mind from any burdens. He weaves human experiences with the wonder of nature – how we are all connected. The love and sorrow he conveys through his beautiful poetic verses are almost tangible. Jeff’s use of poetic language touches on a myriad of emotions, affecting all senses. And even in sorrow, I recognized that he views life through smiling eyes.
In “Oak Trees” Jeff shares a memory from his youth, “that their branches resemble the veins of my heart or lines of the part you played.” “Slow-Motion Moments” reminds me of my many walks through a forest and how the trees, the birds, and the flowers allow time to think “like an avalanche of thoughts pervade me.” When I am among nature, I revel in the solitude that allows me to breathe in the silence of that moment with deep appreciation. “Cosmic Arts” will take you on a magical ride to contemplate love, surrounding beauty, and the mystery of Heaven “as the sun comes up inside your heart.” “Needle and Thread” tells of a love so deep and relatable; I felt myself tumbling into the beauty of Jeff’s lines. “Did you know it was you lost in my prose? Alas, as the moments tick by, it is you I look for in the wind.”
And then, “Moments Grasped” is sadly the last poem to read, but the lines are enticing, “wafting in the breeze/it’s all I can do to breathe/into this moment and the next/realizing it’s all been/and will be for the best.” Nature Speaks is exactly what the title expresses and is easily enjoyed nestled into your favorite chair, sipping a cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of wine. Jeff’s writing is sublime, so when you reach the last page, you’ll feel a sense of melancholy. I highly recommend this lovely book for anyone who loves poetry that calms both the mind and soul.
Asunder, Baby by Steven Baird is a profound collection of prose and poetry. In his introduction, Baird conveys that short stories have never been easy for him to write. Yet, his words flow seamlessly, creating such vivid settings that I can’t fathom him having any difficulty at all. His stories and poems reveal loss, beauty, love, and despair with an intensity that digs deeply into the hearts of his readers. Baird’s originality and authenticity in portraying his characters and backdrops are the brilliance of this intellectual compilation.
I found myself dog-earing page after page. Many of the stories and poems turned into favorites, but a few I’d like to highlight are “Where we go dancing,” “Your father’s Delta 88,” “Cinnamon Suites,” “The last angel of the Lord,” and “Rhapsody.”
An example from “Where we go dancing”
“…I can dance the ears off a row of corn when I have a mind to. Why, that corn becomes ashamed of itself and wishes it could be half as worthy as old dry cabbage or a leaf of backfield tobacco then have to endure another minute of the spectaculation of my feet.”
And from “Your father’s Delta 88”
“…and watch the eddies pull quilt-shaped flowers along their creases, folding them, unfolding them, pressing their petals into wine.”
Asunder, Baby is the first book I’ve read from this author, but I look forward to reading more of his incredible storytelling and poetic verse. Highly recommended for those who love prose and poetry that have you pondering and deeply feeling at the same time.
Thanks for stopping by, andI hope you were enticed enough to click on the links for your copies of these three wonderful books! ❤️
My friend, Annika, wrote a glowing review for More than Coffee. She says, “I only hope I will learn to collect my memories with equal clarity, wisdom, and warmth, to reach a deeper understanding of life and its joys and tragedies. ‘More than Coffee’ is a true tonic for the soul and I cannot recommend this book highly enough!”
What a lovely way to end the weekend and begin a brand-new week! And for those of you who haven’t met Annika Perry, take your time to peruse her blog. She is a fantastic storyteller and poet and is one of the many wonderful friends I’ve made since my blogging journey began over a decade ago. Annika has published two books, The Storyteller Speaks, a captivating collection of short stories and poetry, and Oskar’s Quest, a delightful children’s book. She has two other books on the horizon and I’m excited for their release. So, head on over to Annika’s blog to read her entire stunning review. Another big thanks, Annika! xo
‘More than Coffee’ by Lauren Scott is a beautiful and reflective celebration of life; a book of poems and prose that flows with ease between memories of the author’s life, of the six decades of a loving marriage of her parents and of her family, to present day hiking trails, between the wonder of nature and the seasons to the amusing encounter with spiders!
The pieces are imbued with warmth, love, light humour and sadness; overall togetherness. Life in all its facets is explored and ensures that the reader reflects on their own lives and those closest to them, reminding us of the treasures within even the most insignificant of items or events.
A late-comer to hiking and camping, Lauren captures the magic and enriching moments of being in the wonder of solitude in nature.
‘It’s about those quiet, nostalgic moments sitting on a smooth slab of granite, captivated by…
It is with great pleasure to host friend and amazing writer, John Howell, so that he can tell us all about his new book, The Last Drive. Go ahead. settle in, and enjoy the show! John, the floor is yours!
I am so pleased to be with you today, Lauren. Thank you for helping spread the word about The Last Drive. You write such lovely poetry based on everyday observations of normal things. This kind of poetry is a slice of life. The wonderful thing about this style is the uplifted feeling your readers get while contemplating the words you create. This reminds me to mention to my potential readers that even though the antagonist of my story is the Devil this is not a depressing story, but rather one of a quest for an eternal home.
Here is the blurb and then we can get to a short excerpt from the book.
In the sequel to Eternal Road – The final stop, Sam and James are reunited to look for two souls, Ryan and Eddie. Ryan was killed in Afghanistan, trying to avoid a schoolyard with his crippled plane. Eddie Rickenbacker, Ryan’s hero, is to guide Ryan to his Eternal Home, and now both are missing.
The higher-ups believe that there has been some interference in Ryan and Eddie’s journey by Lucifer, so Sam and James have the task of finding Ryan and Eddie to get them back on the road despite the evil interference. Unfortunately, the machinations designed to prevent Ryan and Eddy from completing their journey take the pair to horrifying testing grounds. The places visited represent the best work of the Devil. They are the trenches of World War I in France, gladiators at the Roman Coliseum, the sinking Titanic in 1912, Hiroshima 45 minutes before the bomb, and the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1943.
This book is for you if you like plenty of action, strong characters, time travel, and a touch of spiritual and historical fiction. So, join Sam and James as they try to find the missing souls while staying one step ahead of the Prince of Darkness, who is determined to destroy all that is good.
Enjoy the Excerpt:
“Nice meeting you, Roy. I’m Sam, and this is James.”
James leans forward again. “We sure appreciate the lift.”
The driver blushes. “Happy to do it. Well, we’re almost there. See that big building? That’s where they work on the airplanes. The one beside it is the club. No one can go in there but officers. If you hang around outside, I’m sure Eddie or your friend will show up. Once they finish flying, that’s the first place they go before hitting the barracks.”
Roy pulls onto the long drive, which leads to the aerodrome. The road grime flows over the ambulance when he comes to a stop. Sam and James climb down and give Roy a wave.
He returns the gesture and pulls away, and the retreating ambulance raises more dust into the air. James fans his face with his hand in a vain attempt to keep the grit from his eyes. Sam turns her back to the cloud. James breaks into a fit of coughing and, finally, catches his breath. “Man, this is some place.”
Sam waves at the muck. “Well, it beats that nasty trench. That was the worst.”
“I agree. What do we do now?”
“You heard Roy. We wait until Ryan and Eddie show up.”
James spits and rubs his lips. “There’s plenty of daylight left. That could take a while.”
“You know, I just had a thought.”
“What?”
Sam stops waving away the dust. “We may be waiting for no good reason.”
“Why?”
“Hear me out. Even if Eddie shows up, he won’t understand what we’re talking about when we ask about Ryan.”
“Why not?”
“Don’t you see? This is the past, and Eddie is still alive. He won’t be escorting a soul, and, in all probability, if Ryan is flying with Eddie, he doesn’t even know Ryan’s a spirit.”
“Does that matter?”
“Not really. I guess what I’m trying to say is we’ll need to get Ryan away from Eddie to have a decent discussion.”
“Yeah, okay. What do you say about walking over to the hangar?”
“I would be game for that. After all, we’re not about to miss a bunch of airplanes landing and miss Ryan.”
And the Trailer:
To purchase your copy, click on the links below:
The Last Drive is available in paper and Kindle editions on Amazon. The Kindle edition is on sale for 99¢ through mid-February. Here are the universal links.
John is an award-winning author who after an extensive business career began writing full time in 2012. His specialty is thriller fiction novels, but John also writes poetry and short stories. He has written Six other books that are on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. John lives in Lakeway, Texas with his wife and their spoiled rescue pets.
Have you ever sensed the tingling of a feeling arriving without a label? It stirs through your reflections, your layers, and you find yourself walking around in a daze where reality offers no place of comfort. So, the sun sets for the moon, but what does this clarify? One thing is certain – within the constellations, among the celestial stars, this emotion finds balance, graciously treasuring the safety it has stumbled upon.
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 