Little things, Great news, Halloween, & Spiders!

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry80 Comments

I hope you’re doing well around the globe! I’ve always loved autumn and recently bought this tree for another fun decoration. It’s so beautiful and adds ambience. I love it, so it’s the little things in life that bring joy.

To begin with, I have exciting news…my story “Resilience is her Saving Grace” is chosen as one of the top ten in the Flash Fiction category in the 2026 San Francisco Writers Conference contest!

I think I’m still in shock, a happy shock though. Honestly, I wasn’t planning on going to the SF Writers Conference next year unless I have something new ‘to bring to the table’ and now I do! If you remember, I’ve attended the last two years and had fabulous experiences both times. However, now that all winners will be recognized and in a group photo, of course, I’m going! The winning entries will also be in the SFWC 2026 anthology!

On another note, it’s wild that October is coming to an end and trick-or-treaters will soon wander the streets, decked out in their cutest and ghoulish costumes in pursuit of candy! 👻

It’s also fun to reminisce through old photos. I miss those times, but I love ‘the now’ with our daughter and son (35 & 31).
They’re the best, bias or not, they really are. ❤️

In view of the spooky night just around the corner, I’ll leave you with a poem from my upcoming poetry collection:

THE ARCHITECT

I could live without arachnids…
how a dime-sized spider
can rattle my nerves
mystifies me.
Do spiders jangle your nerves too,
or do you study their artistic ways?

Walt Whitman wrote a poem,
“A Noiseless Patient Spider”
that reached me deeply.
He compares a spider spinning
its lovely web to a human soul,
searching for a sense of belonging.

Aren’t we all searching
for the same thing?

Spiders…
such skilled architects.
I respect the lines and angles
in fascinating silky designs
and Whitman’s poem spins
a new perspective…

so when those eight legs
cause my nerves to quiver,
I will try to see beyond my fear
to the architect spinning silk
into possibility –

for perhaps we are all weaving
our delicate webs,
thread by thread,
hoping to discover where we belong.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Does the deeper meaning in my poem resonate?
Do you share my same fear? If so, does this new perspective help you also?

Enjoy the beauty of this season, and have a safe and fun Halloween! 🧡🎃👻❤️🍁

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com

Lauren Scott, a Pushcart Prize nominee, enjoys small-town living in Northern California with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Their daughter and son live out of state, but with frequent visits and technology, the family stays close. Lauren is the author of four poetry collections, a memoir, and a children’s picture book. She has been a guest on several podcasts and her work has appeared in eight anthologies. Her poetry and prose has also been featured by Spillwords Press and Literary Revelations where she has received several honors. Lauren is a member of the Redwood Writers chapter and Marin chapter of the California Writers Club, and she is currently working on a new poetry collection, a short story collection, and an early chapter book for children.

If you’re an animal lover and haven’t read
this collection, click on the image to purchase
your copy. Copper will touch your heart. 🧡

October’s Optimism

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry84 Comments

It feels strange that I’m not around as much, but you are missed! I just don’t have the bandwidth to blog like I used to. Maybe this schedule will be my new normal – only time will tell. Life has been challenging since July, but we remain hopeful that things will improve soon; hence, October’s Optimism. I love this new season, but ironically, we’re having a heat wave. Sigh. Anyway, as you know, several projects have kept me busy, and while waiting to hear back regarding submissions, I’m working on a new poetry collection: An Invitation. If all goes smoothly, I’ll have a new book by the end of the year. Below, I’m sharing a micro poem from the collection.

May you be blessed with stunning sunrises!
Thanks for visiting, and I’ll visit you soon! ❤️

My Lashes

I pull hope
from my eyes,
leaning into
the positivity
of my lashes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com
Photo: a neighborhood sunrise

Lauren Scott is a Pushcart Prize nominee who enjoys small-town living in California’s Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Although their daughter and son live out of state, frequent visits and modern technology keep their family of four close. Lauren is the author of four poetry collections, a memoir, and a children’s picture book. She has been a guest on several podcasts and her work has appeared in eight anthologies. Her poetry and prose has also been featured by Spillwords Press and Literary Revelations where she has received several honors. Lauren is a member of the Redwood Writers chapter and Marin chapter of the California Writers Club, and she is currently working on a new poetry collection, a short story collection, and an early chapter book for children.

Click on the image to purchase your copy. ❤️

To Be Able

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry101 Comments

The ability
to get out of bed.

To wash the dishes
do the laundry
grocery shop
sweep the floors –
ordinary tasks
we so often
groan about.

To take a step
around the house
to the mailbox
down the block
through a store.

To work at a job
that pays the bills
or feeds the soul…

to simply pay the bills.

The ability
to eat and drink
to nourish our bodies.

Think about diseases
that steal our abilities –

life-altering
life-threatening…

I don’t know about you,
but I welcome the mundane
with wide open arms
because I am grateful
to be able.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I wish you a wonderful weekend
of both the mundane and extraordinary! ❤️

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com
Photo by iOnix08 on Pexels.com

Lauren Scott is a Pushcart Prize nominee who enjoys small-town living in California’s Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Although their daughter and son live out of state, frequent visits and modern technology keep their family of four close. Lauren is the author of four poetry collections, a memoir, and a children’s picture book. She has been a guest on several podcasts and her work has appeared in eight anthologies. Her poetry and prose has also been featured by Spillwords Press and Literary Revelations where she has received several honors. Lauren is a member of the Redwood Writers chapter and Marin chapter of the California Writers Club, and she is currently working on a new poetry collection, a short story collection, and an early chapter book for children.

To purchase your copy, click on the link. xo

Afternoon of Poetry

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry79 Comments

Sunlight paints patterns
across leaves and debris.
Redwoods stand tall
in a forest of dreams,
a place for peace
where water flows
to the Pacific
and birds sing
on center stage,
but children’s laughter
joins their melody.
A dog’s bark reminds me
of our beloved lab.
Kids on bikes bring visions
of our son and daughter
back then pedaling away
on their two-wheelers,
no electric switch,
just good fun and exercise.
Standing in a moment
of tranquility, I listen…
and then we enjoy
charcuterie delight
with sips of red and white –
an afternoon of poetry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Redwoods seem to star in many of my poems, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop writing about them. Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful Wednesday! ❤️

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com

Lauren Scott is a Pushcart Prize nominee who enjoys small-town living in California’s Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Although their daughter and son live out of state, frequent visits and modern technology keep their family of four close. Lauren is the author of four poetry collections, a memoir, and a children’s picture book. She has been a guest on several podcasts and her work has appeared in eight anthologies. Her poetry and prose has also been featured by Spillwords Press and Literary Revelations where she has received several honors. Lauren is a member of the Redwood Writers chapter and Marin chapter of the California Writers Club, and she is currently working on a new poetry collection, a short story collection, and an early chapter book for children.

Lily Pads

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry86 Comments

Lily Pads

Plump frogs hide
under bright green,
veiled beneath
their patch
of security,
and I wonder where
in the velvety sheen
am I?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com
Photo: S. Mendez

Lauren Scott is a Pushcart Prize nominee who enjoys small-town living in California’s Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Although their daughter and son live out of state, frequent visits and modern technology keep their family of four close. Lauren is the author of four poetry collections, a memoir, and a children’s picture book. She has been a guest on several podcasts and her work has appeared in seven anthologies. Her poetry and prose has also been featured by Spillwords Press and Literary Revelations where she has received several honors. Lauren is a member of the Redwood Writers chapter and Marin chapter of the California Writers Club, and she is currently working on a new poetry collection, a short story collection, and an early chapter book for children.

Cactus Contentment

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry78 Comments

I’m currently reading a beautiful book of syllabic poetry, Seasons and Crystals, by Balroop Singh. I’ve written syllabic poetry, but it’s not my go-to form like free verse. And yet, reading her poetry and the various forms inspired me. I thought about life in general, about the past events in our family, and about nature’s beauty right in front of us. So, the other evening, Hubby and I were enjoying our patio time and the weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cold or windy. A cactus sits on our table that our daughter bought years ago. My husband gave it a drink, and I loved the water droplets on the tepals. So, I wrote some poetry in the form of American cinquain which consists of 5 lines and a syllable count on each line of 2-4-6-8-2. This form is also known as the Crapsey cinquain and was invented by American poet, Adelaide Crapsey.

Evening on the Patio

Pleasure,
simple and free,
birds sing from tree tops in
the distance under vast blue sky –
senses

Splendor

Beauty
comes in many
forms, colors, and textures –
painful to fingertips or soft
to touch

Living

Lovely
life around us
can be prickly at times
but keep eyes open for when hope
glistens

Layers

Secrets
lie in layers –
will they be publicized?
time is the ultimate answer –
patience

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoyed this post. Do any of the poems resonate?
Happy Labor Day and have a wonderful week! 💖

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com

Lauren Scott is a Pushcart Prize nominee who enjoys small-town living in California’s Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Although their daughter and son live out of state, frequent visits and modern technology keep their family of four close. Lauren is the author of four poetry collections, a memoir, and a children’s picture book. She has been a guest on several podcasts and her work has appeared in seven anthologies. Her poetry and prose has also been featured by Spillwords Press and Literary Revelations where she has received several honors. Lauren is a member of the Redwood Writers chapter and Marin chapter of the California Writers Club, and she is currently working on a new poetry collection and an early chapter book for children.

Click on the image to purchase your copy.

Book Review: Sally Cronin’s “Tales from the Irish Garden”

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Reviews, Books110 Comments

Today I’m sharing the last review I’ve been working on. If you’re met head-on with unforeseen challenges and seeking comfort in the written word, you’ll find what you’re looking for in this beautiful collection of short stories. And if you’re simply drawn to uplifting and magical tales, you’ll find plenty to captivate you in this lovely book. As I think about Sally, I’m not sure if there is anyone in this warm community who isn’t familiar with her blog where she provides “health articles, book marketing, music, humor, lifestyle, cookery, food and short stories.”

Sally is more than generous in helping to promote authors and their new books. I’ve been fortunate to be featured on her blog, Smorgasbord Blog Magazine, and words truly can’t express my gratitude. 🙏

About Sally:

I have enjoyed a nomadic existence living in eight countries including Sri Lanka, Malta, South Africa, USA and Spain, before settling back here in Ireland. My work, and a desire to see some of the most beautiful parts of the world in the last forty years, has taken me to many more incredible destinations around Europe and Canada, and across the oceans to New Zealand and Hawaii. All those experiences and the people that I have met, provide a rich source of inspiration for my stories.

After a career in customer facing roles in the hospitality, retail, advertising and telecommunications industry, I wrote and published my first book in 1999 called Size Matters, about my weight loss journey, losing 154lbs in 18 months. This has been followed by 18 further fiction and non-fiction books, including a number of short story collections.

Extracted from Amazon:

The Irish garden has been a sanctuary for centuries for those escaping persecution, invaders and grief. Its guardian is the storyteller, a man who has lived for hundreds of years and who is part of a network of guardians around the world, offering a safe haven to those worthy of their protection.

Click on the image to purchase your copy.

Now for my 5-star review:

Sally Cronin is an excellent and prolific writer. I’ve read several of her books, and I’ve enjoyed each one equally. Tales from the Irish Garden: The Missing Pieces is no exception!

This book is a poignant, tender, and encouraging collection of short stories inspired by Sally and her husband David’s garden in Ireland—a safe haven offering the magic of nature. The keeper of the garden is the storyteller who has lived hundreds of years. I loved the musical thread that weaves through many of the stories based on a Zulu lullaby that Sally’s nanny used to sing to her in South Africa—haunting yet comforting.

Throughout the pages, themes of kindness, friendship, animal therapy, healing, starting over, and moving through grief gently emerge. These are themes every reader can relate to, and a wide range of emotions found their way into my heart.

One line that especially stands out to me from “The Orphaned Boy” is: “Let’s get this chap home to the magic garden and show him life can be kind.”

Don’t we all need this kind of affirmation? With all the news making hate and violence seem so prevalent, I certainly do.

Each story has a new offering. I had the privilege of meeting Finn, Lilah, Ramon, Michael, Flaco, and Bebechat. My love for animals was satisfied from a dog, a cat, and even a crow named Charlie. I loved every tale, but a few of my favorites are “Finnegan,” about a man who has lost everything. “Charlie’s Story” is about an injured crow who is about to be attacked by crows of his own kind. “Lilah” endures many tragedies and is in need for healing. “The Invitation” speaks of providing sanctuary to those who have been persecuted – a magical tale that reminds me of current tumultuous times in our world.

As I read each story, I was captivated and felt the strong possibility of a mood boost. I encourage you to read these heartwarming tales that inspire transformation in lives that have lost all hope. A magical garden would be welcomed, wouldn’t it? A place where those distressed souls – both humans and precious animals – could find safety, healing, kindness, and a home. Highly recommended.

If you haven’t met Sally, I know she’d love to see you at Smorgasbord Blog Magazine, and I hope you won’t leave here empty-handed! Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful weekend ahead! 💚🩷💚

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com

Lauren Scott is a Pushcart Prize nominee who enjoys small-town living in California’s Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Although their daughter and son live out of state, frequent visits and modern technology keep their family of four close. Lauren is the author of four poetry collections, a memoir, and a children’s picture book. She has been a guest on several podcasts and her work has appeared in seven anthologies. Her poetry and prose has also been featured by Spillwords Press and Literary Revelations where she has received several honors. Lauren is a member of the Redwood Writers chapter and Marin chapter of the California Writers Club, and she is currently working on a new poetry collection and an early chapter book for children.

September slides in…

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry84 Comments

A huge thanks to you who left caring comments on my prior post, which after a night of restless sleep (tossed salad), I decided to delete. One friend said that my words helped her, which made me feel good. And your kindness helped me. So, I think it’s time to push aside the sadness, if only for a minute.

To welcome this new month of September that brings its own season, I’m sharing some photos that I took from China Camp, along with a few haiku…

naked ladies dance
in the summer ocean breeze
with soft, blushing cheeks

the laughter you’ve heard
the tears fallen on your chest
the stories you keep

your vastness holds dreams
released to your custody
until my return

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoyed the pics and poems. Life goes on, and I’m reminded just how fast time seems to fly. My gratitude also goes to you who continue to visit even though I’ve been more absent than present this year. Anyway, I wish you all a Super September. And I promise to visit you during the week! Your time spent here is always appreciated! ❤️

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© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com

Lauren Scott is a Pushcart Prize nominee who enjoys small-town living in California’s Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Although their daughter and son live out of state, frequent visits and modern technology keep their family of four close. Lauren is the author of four poetry collections, a memoir, and a children’s picture book. She has been a guest on several podcasts and her work has appeared in seven anthologies. Her poetry and prose has also been featured by Spillwords Press and Literary Revelations where she has received several honors. Lauren is a member of the Redwood Writers chapter and Marin chapter of the California Writers Club, and she is currently working on a new poetry collection and an early chapter book for children.