Author: Lauren Scott, Author

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 ❤️

Celebrating 5 years with WordPress! :)

On September 23, 2015September 24, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Blogging, Discussion53 Comments

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

You registered on WordPress.com 5 years ago!
Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging!

Another year zoomed by since I last celebrated with WordPress and
I’ll repeat my story from last year…I opened this blog in 2010,
became active in 2011, so I’m always one year behind. 🙂

In addition to my “blogiversary”, I’d like to celebrate the making of new friends, the joy of learning, the amazing following, the expansion of communication, and most of all, the fun! Cheers to taking life less seriously and having more fun!

Writing for our blogs is a great hobby; it gives us the opportunity to meet new people along the way. What could be better?

So thank you, EVERYONE, for your continued support! I began this journey before I turned the big 50 and now it’s been five years? Sigh…oh well, let the fun continue…

and now please join me in celebrating by singing, dancing,

and toasting to another awesome blogging year!

Sending lots of love, Lauren ♥ ♫ xo

The End and the Beginning

On September 20, 2015September 20, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Poetry35 Comments

How can we part this way
after all the things you said?
Your words were gold and shiny,
now our love is but a thread
of loneliness and heartache
and all sad words we know,
I gave everything of me
to you; my love was bestowed

Isn’t it mysterious how relationships end when we believe all is wonderful? Whether they’re made of romance or friendship, the outcome is the same. Our emotions are activated in heart-tugging manners, questions form, and our minds are baffled. We tried our best to contribute fairly in all that is required to keep a relationship stable. We felt comfortable enough to remove the mask and be ourselves without fear of judgment.

Many factors contribute to broken relationships as J.K. Rowling points out: “Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike.” We need to show up, we have to participate, and we must communicate. So what happens then when two people part? Where do they go emotionally? Is it just as hard when two friends separate than when two lovers do? More is invested into a romantic relationship because of the physical connection; however, in both cases, there is loss, which is difficult regardless of the details.

One can wade in self pity, spend many moments crying, wondering what went wrong, and all of this is fine. Yet, how much time should be spent on over analyzing? Each break up is different because of its content, but as long as we don’t strive to swim a marathon in those tears, a little bit of emotional cleansing is healthy. Then it’s time to move forward; Steve Maraboli says it well: “Cry. Forgive. Learn. Move on. Let your tears water the seeds of your future happiness.”

When these events arrive in our lives, they are another step in the growing up phase, and age bears no relevance. Let us be aware, give in to the hurt, and then carry on into a new beginning.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about past relationships, after reuniting with a girlfriend from many years ago. It was interesting to write on this topic and if any of you are experiencing a break-up, romantic or friendship, I hope my words are inspirational for your future. I also wish you much happiness, with few tears and heartaches, and I’m always grateful for your visits! Sending virtual hugs and love! Lauren ♥

Charmed

On September 18, 2015September 18, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry35 Comments

His complements cause me to stumble
and fall over his sweet whispers, too
My heart should surrender its powers
Oh what a feeling of déjà vu
Though I’d be discontent
if this mood shall vanish
It’s quite delightful to the mind
And leaves my head in such a cloud
Full of dreams; you know the kind

Wishing you all a fabulous Friday and weekend ahead
and I hope you enjoyed this touch of romance.
Sending love and hugs, L ♥

Friends

On September 16, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry29 Comments

Those were the days of laughter beneath the sun
Conversations that always seemed undone
Continuations when timing was right
Long deep confessions into the night

Those were the days of enduring inseparability
The future was ours with a wealth of possibility
Of stories told and falling tears and necessary trust
Now in our hands lie only remnants of dust

Rocking Back to the Past ~ Five Photos/Five Stories 5

On August 30, 2015August 30, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Photos34 Comments

When my Mom was five years old, her father built this rocking chair; it was the year of 1926. Freshly painted bright white with animal decals were the final touches. I can only imagine the expression on her little face when “Daddy” presented this to her. It has traveled from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Mom was born, far west to the sunny state of California. All of her daughters in their youth (my sisters and I) have shared the joy of this piece of history.

This priceless heirloom has lived in my sister’s homes for their children to use and appreciate. Then when our son and daughter were born, the charm of this gift touched them, as well. Over the years and more often than not, the thought of refinishing this mini rocker had drifted in and out of our minds. Although for some reason, it never happened. Maybe we were afraid of erasing history. Nonetheless, it will remain as you see it in this photo and our hope is that in the far future our grandchildren will have the chance to rock too.

Sometimes memories are all we have of years gone by, at times photographs evoke past moments spent, and now and then, a piece of handcrafted furniture takes us back to people we love and have lost. It’s been over three years now. We miss you, Mom. ♥

I’d like to thank Jean at https://socialbridge.wordpress.com/ for tagging me in this fun photo challenge.

For my fifth and final nomination, I am tagging Michelle at http://michelleclementsjames.com/ (Book Chat) and I look forward to her contributions if she can find the time in between her wonderful book reviews.

Our Beach Buddy ~ Five Photos/Five Stories 4

On August 28, 2015August 28, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Haiku, Photos22 Comments

a quick little stop
to seek some tasty morsels
no such luck this time

I’d like to thank Jean at https://socialbridge.wordpress.com/ for tagging me in this fun photo challenge.

My fourth nomination for the challenge is Ian (The Emu) at https://aussieemu.wordpress.com/about/

Have a fabulous Friday and weekend! ♥

Beauty Beneath the Sky ~ Five Photos/Five Stories 3

On August 26, 2015August 26, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Photography, Stories25 Comments

My family is pretty outdoorsy; we enjoy hiking, biking, camping, swimming, etc. What better way to clear the mind than to be one with nature. The flora and fauna, the big blue sky, the mountains in the distance, the smells, the sounds of the ocean…these are all gifts to us. We have beauty in our backyard to be cared for and to be appreciated. Not to mention the necessity of scooting back the chair, turning off the computer, stepping outside to get some exercise, and inhaling some fresh air.

This photo was taken years ago at a favorite destination, Samuel P. Taylor State Park. It’s spread out among beautiful redwood groves and is truly magical. Our children were much younger then. Some of you know our daughter graduated from college this year and our son has three years to go. They’re now young adults, however, there is no age limit for this beautiful place. From young to elderly, many enjoy camping here, spending a day of play in the creek after picnicking, or simply enjoying some quiet walks while contemplating life.

In closing, I’ll repeat this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, which becomes more profound each day as lives become busier in this progressive world of technology:
“Adopt the pace of Nature; Her secret is Patience.”

I would like to thank Jean at https://socialbridge.wordpress.com/ for tagging me in this fun photo challenge.

Here are the rules for the “Five Photos Five Stories” challenge: “Post a photo each day for five consecutive days and attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction or non-fiction, a poem or a short paragraph and each day nominate another blogger for the challenge.
(Sporadic posting is alright if you’re unable to post each day.)

My third nomination for this challenge is Kim over at https://silentlyheardonce.wordpress.com/.

Who’s in charge? Five Photos/Five Stories 2

On August 25, 2015 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Pets, Photography, Writing29 Comments

Copper, “It’s all about me”
Lauren (mom), “You’re absolutely right!”

If you’re a dog owner you’ll relate to your pup wanting to be fed, eager to fetch, ready for walking, longing for his/her belly rubbed, anxious to play and cuddle, i.e. it’s all about them! It’s up to us, their owners, to provide the best, loving home so they feel safe and secure.

However, when you flip the coin, our time with them is more about us because all they want is to please their owners; to make their families happy. They look at us with those eyes that melt our hearts from the first meeting and there’s no turning back. They can sense our moods and they have our backs.

I’ll use one example using my dog, Copper, when he hears any of his family crying. He’ll walk over to us, rest his head on our leg and look up with his amber eyes as if to say, “I’m here for you.”

Their unconditional love is a gift to be cherished. If you’re a dog or cat owner, I’d love to hear your thoughts, too. ♥

I would like to thank Jean at https://socialbridge.wordpress.com/ for tagging me in this photo challenge.

Here are the rules for the “Five Photos Five Stories” challenge: “Post a photo each day for five consecutive days and attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction or non-fiction, a poem or a short paragraph and each day nominate another blogger for the challenge.
(I’m unable to post each day so mine are days apart, which is alright if posting each day is difficult for you, too.)

My second nomination for the challenge is Scott over at http://worldiction.com/.