Birds, Blooms, Beauty, & Books!

Hubby and I are the proud landlords of a couple of feathered friends. They both worked hard to build a nest for their babies and chose our hanging ladder for the base. Needless to say, we are not moving the ladder until they relocate! Friday morning, I was lucky to get some photos while I quietly stepped outside. When I walked a little farther, they fled, landing on the power line, and watching me like a hawk, I’m sure.

aware while they work
a safe home of leaves and twigs
the honor is ours

That evening, we tried a new restaurant. A little wine bar in downtown that also serves Sonoran food. With an elegant, yet cozy ambience, the environment was inviting, and the food, delicious! We tried one of their burritos, ate half, so enjoyed two meals out of them. But first, we savored wine and good conversation before diving into dinner. A myriad of music genres in the background played a role in this wonderful dining experience. As we strolled back to our car, we passed a garden of stunning roses. I couldn’t help but stop to tap away on my cell for some pics.

springtime bling uplifts
abounding with vibrancy
rose beauty for you

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I hope you enjoyed my nature exhibit and poems. 🙂 Now, onto the books! 📚

Yesterday, Japan joined the US and made Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku a #1 Amazon Bestseller, too, and in Gabriela’s post today, she features two of my haiku…

feel the quietness
on the meandering trail
worries drift to earth

Please visit her post to read my other poem and for more information about this wonderful book. Congrats again to Editor, Gabriela Marie Milton, and to the other fabulous contributors! I’m honored to be a part of this beautiful anthology! And don’t forget to order your copy!

Kindle: https://shorturl.at/AEYoU

Paperback: https://shorturl.at/pWXIm

Lastly, my presence in the next week or two may be spotty as I’m drilling down on bringing my ‘Copper’ book to print. However, I’ve run into another glitch (gotta love those glitches that challenge us). But I’m persevering because this book means a lot to me. Of course, all books hold special meanings for their authors. 😁
Anyway, thank you from the bottom of my heart for visiting my corner of blogland. I hope you’ve enjoyed your time here enough to return. And I wish you peace, happiness, and lots of love! ❤️

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© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase your
copy through Amazon.
 💜

Baseballs

One day the sun guides you
with its glorious rays,
the world spins
in its usual manner,
then out of thin air,
in the blink of an eye,
the cliché is yours,
under a sullen sky,
plans become fractured.
Life is altered
in a skipped heartbeat
that was slow to join
the rhythm of the others.
My emotions
feel awkward.
They seem wilder,
body feels heavy
as though pewter
crowds my veins,
but I don’t walk
in their shoes.
Meeting challenges head-on
distracts heart and mind,
but in the hush of turmoil,
I imagine their emotions
will morph into wild too.
Until then,
questions soar like baseballs
out of a batting machine.
Some answers remain elusive.
Others may be clear
as morning dew
but tricky to swallow –
digesting turns into a test
of the human spirit.
What comes next?
Only uncertainty is for certain.

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© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase your
copy through Amazon.
 💜

Bay Beauty, Blooms, & Bunnies

It was just the two of us for Easter, and we were running on spontaneity, but the day turned out to be lovely in so many ways. It began with an hour bike ride in the morning around the neighborhood and back to our kids’ elementary school. We have a lot of hills near our house, so we head for the flats! Although, we attempted more hills in the midst of the flats, executing them perfectly! We’re a little out of shape because of knee and back issues, but cycling is good for both, so we’re taking baby steps. But yesterday was a work out and it felt great! And we love this cool bench that sends a vital message for children…

After the ride, we headed south, enjoying a scenic drive along the San Francisco Bay. A seafood lunch called us, so we accepted the invitation. Afterwards, we walked around town, and for Easter, it was surprising to see all the shops open and the town hopping! (no pun intended) Spring flowers smiled at us around each corner, the sun was shining, but the temp wasn’t hot, even a bit cool with the breeze at times. It was sweet to see little children dressed up in their adorable Easter outfits. We saw a cute little girl in the restaurant randomly wish a stranger a Happy Easter. She had the biggest smile on her face. Precious!
A beautiful day on the bay! And, we saw the Easter Bunny! How lucky, right? 😁

Redwoods on campus
View from our table on the patio for lunch
Ferry ride, anyone?
The fountain and sculpture in Tiburon’s Main Street plaza
is called “Coming About“. 
It’s a kinetic sculpture with a nautical theme, featuring five abstract forms
that move over an infinity-edged fountain. Tiburon in Spanish means
shark, so these fins are representative of the town.
A sight for smiles! 😂
Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase your
copy through Amazon.
 💜

Early Easter Wishes!

This photo evokes many great Easter memories, even though our son doesn’t look too happy! Looking back, I’m not sure how thrilling it was for our children to visit The Easter Bunny or Santa Claus. But at the time, it’s what we did for that iconic photo! Do you remember those times? I think when they were younger like our son’s age in this photo, they were more agreeable with Santa Claus!

Easter is a Christian holiday that marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. Whether you believe in Jesus, or even if you’re concerned about the current political climate, Easter is also a fun day for children as they go on their Easter egg hunts. I always hope the rain will be kind to the children, letting the sun steal the show. I found the meaning of the Easter egg online: symbolizes the empty tomb from which Jesus resurrected, representing new life and rebirth.

Easter for Matt and I is quieter each year with our son and daughter living out of state, and our parents have both passed. My sisters are in Southern California and have their own families. We had always attended church, but we stepped away a few years ago when some members soured our experience. This had been ongoing, but we finally reached a point of making a decision. Then going to church changed to getting outdoors, spending time with nature…hiking on a trail, picnicking, walking on the beach, taking in all the beauty surrounding us and the blessings in our life.

Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels.com

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase your
copy through Amazon.
 💜

Pedals in Rotation

My bicycle had met its fate a while ago, so we bought a new cruiser for me. Cycling is better for my back, and in addition to using the stationary bike in the house, we now have an outdoor option. We went riding Saturday and Sunday morning in cool, perfect temps beneath cheerful sunshine. Wind in our face felt so freeing! The same feeling my husband gets when riding his motorcycles. Heading to the kids’ old elementary and high school stomping grounds was our plan. Oh, the memories! I hope you enjoy the ride, and of course, the poem I had fun writing.
Cheers to riding and writing!

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Happy Monday! ❤️

“Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving!”
~ Albert Einstein

Simply click on the image to purchase
your copy! Enjoy an uplifting story
and message for all ages.

The Middle

It doesn’t matter if we’re celebrating
the best thing that ever happened,
or staring at our heart lying on the floor
in millions of tiny pieces.
Time moves ahead (seemingly)
as if we pushed the fast forward button.
Those hands on the analog clock
have a mind of their own,
turning and turning, making our heads spin,
wondering where the hours have gone.
Where have the hours gone?
How does a decade ago feel like yesterday?
Why does my mind tell me I’m forty
when my driver’s license tells me I’m wrong?
Just yesterday, my daughter and son
played with Lego and Barbies.
Today they’re adulting, living with
bills that show up in the mailbox
on a monthly basis. Always prompt.
Just yesterday, I took my last photo
of our senior pup, not knowing
it would be the last photo
I would take of him.
Right now, a man in his seventies
is undergoing bypass surgery.
Just yesterday, he and his wife
were walking on one of their
routine five-mile daily walks.
Time is precious. Do we need reminding?
We’ve heard it before,
but have we ruminated on the concept,
held it in the palm of our hand,
massaged it, comprehending?
This is the question
as the conveyor belt of life
carries us from here to there, wind in our face.
But do we notice what’s in the middle?
Because in the middle is what we shouldn’t miss.

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© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Click on the image to purchase your copy.
Thank you! 
🙏

Cruising country roads…

We needed the getaway a couple of weeks ago, so I’m sharing some highlights. Luckily, our destination wasn’t too far, and driving the back country roads at this time of year was truly magical with the rolling green hills dotted with black and white dairy cows, not to mention, the umbrella of blue sky and downy clouds.

A curious guy!

The town was small but charming with just the right amount
of excellent restaurants and quaint, quirky shops.

Cheers!
The best ever gingerbread latte!

Saturday morning, we walked through the old growth redwood grove,
and as you can imagine,
it was another enchanting experience.

“Preserve the trees, for they are the finest art.”

Then we were ready for some wine tasting, and the winery we chose gave us the best experience so far – Char Vale Vineyards and Winery. We lucked out with the weather on Friday and Saturday because Ms. Rain held the raindrops until Sunday. Her thoughtfulness allowed us some outdoor exploring on the main two days without messy conditions. Our palates enjoyed the elegant, fruity, and velvety notes, and the delicious adventure lasted about 2 1/2 hours, gracing us with a bright blue sky and cool but comfortable temps. We also had a good chat with the owners, a husband and wife team, who have been in the business for decades.
Our knowledge about making wine expanded on this day, but don’t quiz me!

Lastly, we reflected a lot about our beloved Copper.

He enjoyed the season of autumn.

April 3rd marked one month since his passing,
and one of my photos just happened to prompt a poem.
It’s still in draft mode, but I’m sharing anyway…

March to March

Reminiscent of Elton’s circle of life,
from March to March
he arrived with youthful spirit
and left with angel wings –
our family for thirteen years,

now glowing memories
in the spaces
and around each corner.
We celebrate his life –
those soul-searching eyes
that connected to us –
we were links in a golden chain,
now one link is missing,
our golden boy –
tears still follow
like a shadow –

the shadow he was,
but smiles gently find their place
because he is in our hearts,
because joy needs room to simmer.

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Thank you for popping in, and I hope you enjoyed the photos and poem.
Have a wonderful week ahead. ❤️

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Click on the image to purchase your copy.
Thank you! 
🙏

“In Darkness there is Light” published on Gobblers at Masticadores!

Hello Everyone, we had a wonderful weekend away and I’ll share some photos later. But today, I want to thank Manuela Timofte, Editor of Gobblers at Masticadores, for publishing my poem “In Darkness there is Light.” A wonderful surprise on this first day of April. ❤️

Nighttime falls inside the doors of the beautiful hotel
an experience to tuck away in my memory box
Many sprint here and there following their agendas
in the midst of mild chaos –
some scrambling from point A to point B
wondering what happens next
or maybe they’ll discover a cozy spot like mine
with a small, round table and chair

in my private slice of darkness

An unexpected power outage doesn’t stop me
Who doesn’t wish for a little light,
but functioning without it…
bring on the adventure!

As I look around in blackness and listen,
words flutter nearby
…

You can read the full poem by clicking on the link below:

I hope you’ll consider following Gobblers at Masticadores to immerse yourself into evocative worlds of poetry. And if you missed my original post of this poem, you can read it here.


Thanks for stopping by, and I wish you a great day and joyful new month!
💖

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.
This poem was written during a power outage
at the writers conference in February.

Click on the image to purchase your copy.
Thank you! 
🙏