Ever So Gently receives more love from Michelle Ayon Navajas!

Hi All,

For those of you who have asked, I’m feeling better since that post a couple of weeks ago. But I’m still working through two health conditions that began last year – a double whammy. Changes are constant, but when those changes are permanent and challenging, it takes time to figure out how to live them. As with anything, time will tell and help me decide what do to next. But I’m thankful to feel a little better with no brain fog. Anyway, enough of that, and now on with my exciting news!

I was surprised to find this beautiful review of my book from Michelle Ayon Navajas on this Monday morning. And I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start my week. Her wonderful words truly touched me, so, I had to share her full review:

“The sky is the limit” they say, but I think not even the sky has the power to limit the endless possibilities of how our minds work.

I was struggling with Reena’s prompt this week. Not for anything else but simply because I wanted it to be a motivational piece,  and maybe I suck at writing motivational pieces so I had to put this prompt aside and went to write my long overdue review of Lauren Scott’s book “Ever So Gently”.

I was down with the last pages of the book, when an epiphany happened. This book is about the quote prompt of Reena; “I think if you are curious, you create opportunities, and then if you open the doors, you create possibilities.” – Mario Testino

“Ever So Gently” is a collection of soul-soothing journey pieces of poetry packed up with calming scenes of early morning communion with nature. It is with our interaction with nature that we discover the endless possibilities about life and living it to the fullest. “The sky is the limit” they say, but I think even the sky would be jealous at how beautiful Lauren wrote her collection.

‘In Good Company’ begins:
“We stroll among redwood trees,
our steps slow down, we are in good company.”

I could almost feel the magical power in my hands through Lauren’s lyrical prose, and we know that when one believes in magic (magic happens).

“Clouds understand why we wait.” This is one of my adored lines from the book. Clouds may have a “not so good reputation” for bringing in heavy rains or for signaling the coming of a storm (could be both literal and metaphorical), but in her book, Lauren had me stopped and pondered. Clouds, after all aren’t that bad. It can be a sign of something good or better. It can be a friend who gives us a signal or warning that a rain is coming, we must be ready. So, clouds do give us the chance to prepare and be ready for the challenges we may encounter as the rain pours.

‘First Breath’, is my favorite. It is about a mother’s love, the reason being my favorite is obvious. I am  mother and anything that speaks highly of a mother’s love is grately admired by me.

“With every new miracle of life
answers aren’t scripted in the stars,
but I knew since your very
first breath
my life would become yours.”

Every child is a blessing and Lauren said it so beautifully in this poem. It also brought me to tears and reminded me of my own journey as a mother to four beautiful daughters.

Lauren’s book is not only about creating and opening doors of possibilities but also of celebrating wonderful memories.

Her communion with nature brings forth wisdom of mother earth that unfolds through her stunning imagery like: “hear the rustle of a skittering squirrel,” “petals of velvet invite raindrops to bask in their peach enchantment,” and “breeze carries burdens down rivers.”

This book will surely uplift your spirit, and make you fall in love with love, create more memories with your loved ones, and appreciate nature even more. If you are not the type who loves to taka quiet walk in the morning or early in the evening, this book will make you wanna grab your walking or running and go for a short easy- breezy walk. As for me who used to run in around my neighborhood, it made me miss those moments. I said “used to” because I no longer do it as often as I do it before pandemic.

Here are some of Lauren’s memorable imagery:

“The sky explodes in tangerines, salmons, canary yellows – brighter with every second. It’s as though a painter swished her brush back and forth…”

“And water hasnt caressed the hills
The earth, parched like Chile’s Atacama.”

“Silk-thread drizzles dusted rooftops and parched hills.”

Lauren wrote in various poetic styles and forms from free versse to syllabic poetry like haiku, tanka, etheree, shadorma – this collection will not bore you. She made these forms looked so easy to write.

Lauren emphasizes how mysterious life is. She also made me ponder deeper into the essence of my own existence while reflecting upon my journey in life, and that at the end of it all no matter how difficult life is, we must not forget to love and live life ever so gently.

This book is best read with a hot chocolate or a coffee as you curl up and savor each poem.

Visit Lauren’s blog to read more of her brilliant poetry:

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Thanks again, Michelle! Outside, darkness still befalls the neighborhood, but you have brought an early sunrise. 🥰

Photo by u0158aj Vaishnaw on Pexels.com


If you haven’t met Michelle yet, please visit her blog to read her evocative poetry. And thank you for stopping by! ❤️

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

A collection of poems that speaks of nature’s healing touch,
how love shapes our lives, and the mysteries of life.
Click on the image to purchase your copy. Thank you! 💚

As This Moment Journeys Into the Next

I realized this moment would come
I knew the time would arrive,
those hands on the clock
they’re always on the move –
when I had dreamed
of so much more

for this special minute,
I have no poem…

even as I reflect while observing
the hanging petunia,
appealing in purple,
swinging gently in the breeze

or as I listen to my lab
snoring softly, lying inches away,

no poem has settled beside me…

even as I watch the geranium reach
in its rich wine-red wardrobe
for the infinite wild blue
and the lemon-yellow daffodil
looking dapper
in its shamrock finery,
no poem has greeted me
with a tender embrace.

I fear that as this moment journeys
into the next, and the sun bids farewell,
allowing the moon to play her part,
and those dedicated hands
continue to circle and mystify,
my pen will lie dry as a desert riverbed,
my paper bare as a wall without photos.

Still, I will remain empty handed
without poetry to enrich my soul,

but tomorrow when the sun ascends
and the sky unfolds to new possibilities,
it will be then when I shall try again.

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

A collection of poems that speaks of nature’s healing touch,
how love shapes our lives, and the mysteries of life.
Click on the image to purchase your copy. Thank you! 💚





Feel like Dancing!

Dear Friends,

Since it’s Friday, I thought this song would be good to share. It’s one of my all-time favorites. And I wish I felt like dancing, but the truth is…my body and head haven’t been feeling the best lately. My energy has been low and my brain has been foggy. Anything that requires full concentration hasn’t been at the top of my list like working on my children’s book with my nephew, reading, writing book reviews that are long overdue, writing anything, and reading blogs. So, I am very sorry for missing your wonderful blog posts, but I just haven’t been myself. It’s all I can do to write this to update you. And it’s not for sympathy. I just want you to know why I haven’t been around that much. I hope that my energy will return a little more over the weekend because there is so much I want to do! Sigh. Anyway, I leave you with this song, so Dance and enjoy today and your weekend to come. I’m turning off comments, but just know I appreciate you! ❤️

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© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

A collection of poems about nature, love, and the mysteries of life.
Click on the image to purchase your copy. Thank you! 💚

Night Owl by Resa McConaghy

Hi All,

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
❤️

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

A collection of poems about nature, love, and the mysteries of life.
Click on the image to purchase your copy. Thank you! 💚

A Sneak Peek!

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!
____________________________________________________________________________

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

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 lovely and peaceful weekend!
Lauren ❤️



On Top of the World

the road winds
gaining altitude
we’re on top
of the world
moon glimmers high in the sky
stars dangle unseen

darkness rests
in the neighborhood
quietness
trio stands
arm in arm, eyes on the view
lights twinkle on hills


time will shift
this sweet moment to
memory
we’ll wish to
retrieve and relive, so we
seize the here and now


© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
These poems are in the form of a Shadorma. Here is a description from Wikipedia: The Shadorma is a poetic form consisting of a six-line stanza (or sestet) that originated from Spain. Each stanza has a syllable count of three syllables in the first line, five syllables in the second line, three syllables in the third and fourth lines, seven syllables in the fifth line, and five syllables in the sixth line (3/5/3/3/7/5) for a total of 26 syllables. A poem may consist of one stanza, or an unlimited number of stanzas, called a series. It is typically unrhymed.

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.

burdens to buoyancy

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…

How liberating to feel such buoyancy!

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

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 stopping by and have a wonderful weekend ahead! ❤️
Photo by Ir Solyanaya on Pexels.com

My Sister’s Home

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.

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

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 stopping by and have a wonderful week ahead! ❤️