Moods that can’t seem to find
the light through the darkest shadows
can be lifted with blooms of bright yellow
like a smile sprinkling cheer
into a day washed out in beige.
© Lauren Scott
© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.
If your mood needs a lift, I hope my words provide that light.
Thanks always for your visit,
and have a wonderful Friday and weekend! ❤️🌻
I finally finished the last 5-star reviews of two incredible books. I hope you enjoy!
Whenever I immerse myself in a book by Diana Peach, I always fall deeply into the exciting worlds and believable characters. She is the author who converted me years ago into reading fantasy. Her beautiful prose parallels with diving into a C. S. Lewis classic. Tale of the Seasons’ Weaver is an enchanting and spellbinding story full of remarkable imagination. I was easily drawn into the extraordinary imagery from the first chapter. One sample of Peach’s magical writing is, “The sky joined into a conspiracy with the wind and thickened with charcoal clouds that piled on each other’s back.”
Erith, the protagonist, resides between two worlds. She is half mortal human and half possessing charmed blood. Because of these qualities, she feels as if she doesn’t belong in either world. But the complication lies with her mother bestowing her the title of seasons’ weaver. Erith must weave her first tapestry ode to spring. However, self-doubt clings to her like static electricity, and she remains hesitant to use her magical powers. Not to mention, she faces a multitude of obstacles. A massive hindrance being the Winter King who takes revenge on the human race. He suppresses the season of spring because of human hunters who harmed the enchanted forest.
The reader joins Erith on her quest, meeting a variety of magical creatures, some better to avoid such as water demons in the night, while others that fascinate like galiwhigs. Many entertaining characters, both good and evil, play a significant role in her growth, and Peach even adds a touch of romance to entice.
Will Erith be able to push aside her self-doubt in order to prevent the demise of all humans? Will the four seasons remain everlasting? I encourage you to discover the answers by reading this tale that I highly recommend!
Reading The Garden of Love by Manuela Timofte is like sitting by a waterfall, allowing its ballad to calm your mind. My initial thought after the first few pages was, I need this now. The U.S. is spinning out of control in a myriad of ways. The world is doing the same. So, reading Timofte’s book was like enjoying one spectacular exhale, releasing all stress.
In the foreword she writes, “In our real garden, we may prefer certain flowers and try to eradicate certain weeds, but the flowers and weeds inside us define us as people and the life we lead.” Her hope with this book is that “we find the flowers we like, and the lines that resonate with us, and that they give us color, fragrance, understanding, and lots of love.” I discovered the flowers, the lines, I saw the color, inhaled the fragrance, realized understanding, and felt the love.
Timofte reminds us that we are all diverse, not only physically, but also in thoughts, emotions, and experiences. And no matter what, “we are brought here on earth to learn the lessons of love…true happiness does not lie in a job, money, religion, or political placards. It was and is all the time within us.”
There is so much of what she writes that I know in mind and heart but let slip aside as I trudge through my own agenda. It takes little effort to forget about love, and that we can’t take money and possessions with us when we leave this beautiful planet. I, too, am reminded that while some of these make life more exciting and comfortable, the bottom line is to live life knowing that our stay here on earth is temporary, but to leave without regrets – a mission that can be difficult to implement. So, I encourage you to grab a copy and a cup of tea or your preferred beverage and allow yourself that one spectacular exhale as you turn the pages. Highly recommended!
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I’m also sharing a poem for you to ponder when you leave here:
Your Link
The link you grasp may be small
But still, you will not fall
With the firmest grip, hold on tight
It’s not about fight or flight
Just seizing the chain is vital
No one is above you or entitled
Whether the link is large or small
Hold your head up high; stand tall!
We all matter, the bottom line
Our beliefs, emotions, goals in life
We all matter of equal degree
This is truth…not hyperbole!
© Lauren Scott
© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.
Thanks so much for your visit!
I hope you’re leaving with nothing less than self-love,
while eager to dive into compelling reading! ❤️
Tightrope
Let us gently walk
on this tightrope called life,
trying to keep our bodies still,
our minds calm
which easily slip into
the grip of worry,
because prying the ‘worry fingers’
away from worn-out brains
nearly takes the jaws of life.
Make each step gentle
to avoid tumbling
into a rabbit hole of anxiety,
sliding deeper
into shadows that frighten,
and softer steps
are healthier
than getting stuck
in the muck of negativity
that will weigh us down
like an overloaded backpack.
The tightrope may fray though.
It could snap with one wrong footprint.
So, our light steps are obligated
to keep us balanced.
Our gentle steps will steady
the wind in our wings.
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© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.
Do my words resonate? Is something weighing you down in life?
Does my poem provide comfort? I hope so…
Thank you for your presence today. I am truly grateful,
and I wish you a wonderful week ahead. ❤️
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! ❤️
Today sparks many thoughts, mostly happy and loving, but for me, there is more to this day than chocolate and roses. So, I’m combining two posts from the past, and if you remember these, I hope they resonate again…❤️
Valentine’s Day 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. But we need to keep in mind that 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. 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…
Unseen Hearts
Candy hearts say Be Mine
Red roses represent forever
Fancy dinners for two in love
A lifetime of together…
Ahh, the joy…
but my thoughts drift to the old man on Anderson Drive
who wears his gray hair long,
surrounded by treasures divine,
and sits outside his raggedy, faded blue tent
that balances on damaged poles,
an office of esteem used to house the chair
that wobbles beneath his body of bones
and I wonder about the young woman
on Lincoln Avenue
who burrows into a weathered, pea-green bag
on the old bus stop bench –
the scratched enclosure keeps her dry
when raindrops fall on cue,
buses pass by, heading to their next hub
by the curb lies an old shoe
and the poor mutt curled up beside his master,
ribs defined – who doesn’t know
why he only gets crumbs to lick up
from the unwashed hand,
but no leash keeps him bound –
he knows not of despair, but loyalty he comprehends
So, I browse over the valleys of my pondering and wonder,
do your thoughts also drift to defeated souls
where hopelessness betrays faith, where life has taken a toll?
Where is their place on this Valentine’s Day?
© Lauren Scott
And now for a mixture of love poems from the past…
In Technicolor
A distant memory
in technicolor…
I want to rip the page
from my mind’s
photo album
because my heart
was foolish
to fall for that man,
our skies different
our dreams astray,
but the heart’s pulse
beats to a tune
of its own choosing,
logic holds no leverage.
Though this man
wasn’t a cockroach,
I never wished
to stomp on him.
And so, I’m grateful,
for without that page
I wouldn’t have
stumbled
upon the path
that lead me
to my love at last.
If the Universe Would Share
I whisper to him,
“Do you see that blue
luminous star?
I choose it for you.”
If the universe would share,
I’d pull the gleaming beauty
from the constellations
and place it in the palm
of his hands.
We would sit upon
a slow-moving cloud
and dangle our legs
into freedom.
I’d touch my lips
to his, tenderly,
then hunger would
reel through our veins,
tumbling us into a
pleasant intoxication,
watching moonbeams
pierce our private night sky.
Belonging
Do you trust me? Will you
take my hand and let me
lead the way to a place
transcending boundaries
of our reality? Let us get
lost in tranquility –
dancing to the majesty of
the surroundings, feeling
rhythm vibrate through our
bones. For as long as our
hearts desire, this is our
destination. Time is but
a memory. Its existence
leaves no trace on the path
where we tread.
There is only you, me,
and the intensity
of our belonging to each other.
© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.
Do you feel the same as I do? Which poem resonates the most?
From my heart to yours, I wish you joy and love every day!
Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️
Dear Friends,
I had a blast at the San Francisco Writers Conference! For my first time attending and on a scale from 1-10, my experience was a 15! I came home with an abundance of information to digest, organize, and implement, and I made some great friends! The conference was held at The Hyatt Regency, which is a beautiful hotel with incredible architecture, right across from the Ferry Building.
What’s funny is I thought I’d have time to read in my room and write in my journal. But the book and journal remained in my suitcase fully ignored, yet unintentionally. Along with attending self-publishing, poetry, and business tracks, I was in the company of amazing women authors either lunching, wine-ing, or enjoying good conversation and laughter over a delicious dinner. I made 3 consultation appointments for pitching another children’s book to meet with an agent, editor, and publisher, and received valuable feedback. Once I do final editing, I was asked to send my manuscript in, which was a boost of encouragement!
By the time I returned to my room each evening, I was exhausted, falling into my comfy king bed and sliding immediately into a much-needed slumber.
I was also thrilled to have my books, Ever So Gently and Cora’s Quest, on display in the onsite bookstore, and to sell a copy of each! By the way, how could I pass up more books to buy? I came home with six! Obviously, I’ll have to interrupt life to read, read, read! 😁
Below are more photos that I hope you enjoy…
If the planets align, I plan to attend next year! Such a rich experience!
I hope you are well, and I look forward to reading your posts again! ❤️
© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.
I’m thrilled that my poem, “One Decision that is Yours Alone” is published on Gobblers by Masticadores today! A Huge Thanks to Manuela Timofte for sharing my work each month. I’m honored to be among so many talented writers.
One Decision that is Yours Alone
I see the tears rolling, slowly,
but with purpose.
Will you let me dry them?
Your invisible scars are as visible
as words of anguish in your eyes.
But there is no room for shame
even though time swiftly moves
while memories remain.
No, you don’t know me well,
and I can’t relate to the nightmare
that stole your self-worth,
and we haven’t exchanged
a friendly conversation over tea,
but you can trust me.
I only wish you kindness
in your unfair moments of nothingness.
Please click here or on the link below to read the full poem and to support this wonderful literary site.
Thank you! 🙏
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Thank you for stopping by and I wish you a wonderful week! ❤️
© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
Back in December
There I sat, sipping Chardonnay, reading Celebrating Poetry by Cindy Georgakas, background noise was college football on the tube. I heard my husband cheering for his team. We sat together for an hour, talking about our days and the Christmas holiday to come. Couldn’t wait to see the kids. Then I wanted to get back to the book, and football was calling his name loud and clear.
I sat there as my dog snored, curled up on his gray, plush bed, the heat purred, keeping us warm, and the multi-colored lights on the Christmas tree glistened, occasionally winking at me.
A peaceful night – some would say unexciting. Ahh, but it’s the simple pleasures that become the biggest blessings…
After a January that brought shocking tragedy, the simple things become true gifts. For on that night in December, I had a loving husband to share an evening of wine and conversation, another holiday to celebrate, my senior puppy, heat to keep us warm, a roof over our head, a live Christmas tree to enchant us, music on our retro stereo, a great book to get lost in, a TV for entertainment at our fingertips, and homemade lasagna in the oven…
And so, as a new month begins, we continue to take one day at a time, to keep the victims of those tragedies in our hearts, to not let hope get lost in the shuffle of chaos, and to remember that we are fortunate to have these huge blessings.
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I shared my 5-star review of Cindy’s beautiful book in a prior post, so please check it out if you missed it.
Recently, Cindy was kind enough to surprise me with her wonderful review of my book, Cora’s Quest. So, please allow me to relish in her delightful words:
First of all, the cover is endearing and the story of Cora will surely delight every child that sits on your lap with wide open eyes, begging you to read it again and again. The best news is you will enjoy reading it to them when they say, “again” after the 10th time. Lol. I have 2 grandchildren 17 months old and both of them love “reading this book” (moreover, pointing at the different critters in the book). These are cherished moments when they are soaking in the world around them in these precious and formulating years and what better way than to introduce them to adventure and the trials and tribulations of life when veering off the path. Although they don’t understand this concept yet, they love turning the pages and haven’t ripped one yet. That is truly a win. In the meantime, the illustrations are beautiful and captivating as they are learning to talk and say “deer”. My hats off to you Lauren on a new genre which is near and “deer” (pun intended) to our hearts! I highly recommend stocking up on them for birthday parties etc.
~Cindy Georgakas
Thank you again, Cindy, for this wonderful review! I am thrilled that not only your grandchildren loved ‘reading’ about Cora, but that you loved the story and illustrations too! 🙏
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Subject change…Do you have an event coming up that you’re looking forward to? Let me know in the comments because I do! Four months ago, I registered for a writer’s conference, and it seemed like years away. All of a sudden, it’s next week, Thursday through Sunday, and I’ll be staying at the hotel for the entire conference. I can’t wait to soak up information and gain more knowledge from the workshops I’ll be attending. This is my first writer’s conference, so I’ll finally be able to check it off my bucket list. I’m sure I’ll share with you some great takeaways later this month! ✍🏻
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Changing the subject again…When each month ends, do you sing the same old tune like I do? “I can’t believe another month has passed by!” And here we are, Welcome February – the month of hearts and love, but not only for the romantic soul, but love for families, friends, and for all people! I’ve always loved hearts and all kinds of jewelry: silver, gold, a variety of gem stones, etc., so here are a few hearts that I wear…
As you move on from here, I hope love resides in your heart, joy blossoms, and challenging times lessen. I know it’s tough to keep up while reading all the amazing blog posts in this warm community, so please know that I appreciate you stopping by my corner of blogland in your busy schedule!
Enjoy your weekend and stay safe in all you do!
~ Lauren ❤️
© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
Dear Friends,
How are you??? I can’t believe a month has passed by since I began my blog break! The holidays were magical, and I read a lot! I had so many books lined up from my friends here in blogland, so I took the opportunity to dive in! One by one, I was enchanted by evocative poetry, hooked by compelling fiction and fantasy, and moved by an inspirational memoir. In my next post, I will share those wonderful books. I also wrote reviews and posted them on Amazon and Goodreads, which felt good to help my fellow authors. Anyway, the photo above was from watching (from the comfort of our sofa) the Rose Parade in Pasadena on New Year’s Day. And the poem that I’m sharing below was written in December prior to the fire devastation in Los Angeles that began early January.
December Musings
I didn’t need mistletoe
on New Year’s Eve
to touch my lips to his
nor an array of gifts
resting beneath
the Christmas tree
I have a roof that shelters
from winter’s rage
and cools from summer’s
hot embrace
The stars dance each evening
in the vast sky above
They shimmer and shine
for all eyes to see –
fathers and mothers
sons and daughters
aunts and uncles
sisters and brothers –
for you and for me.
A new year has arrived,
the calendar tells us so
I wish the holiday spirit
would continue through the seasons
Let it flow! Let it flow!
How lovely for children’s laughter
to be music filling our days
and love for All people
to be the purpose of our ways…
My words still ring true, but our hearts ache for those lives that have literally been turned upside down because of the fires. The devastation looks unreal, but to everyone affected, it’s a living hell. For lives lost, for homes burned to the ground. The victims remain in our hearts. We have donated, and I hope everyone helps in any way possible. ❤️
While watching the news and staying informed with heavy hearts, we also celebrated this week…Cheers to 36 years of ‘happily ever after’ for my husband and I – 37 years together! And to think a refrigerator linked our paths! 😊 Life has presented us with an abundance to celebrate, but also hurdles to jump when things happened out of our control. Matt and I would jump those hurdles all over again hand in hand. Happy 36th to us, and to many more anniversaries to come! ❤️🎉🥂
A random thought…I pass by a mural often, reminding myself that someday I should stop and get a picture. Well, that ‘someday’ came. I took this in such a hurry though that I forgot to get the artist’s name. But I love the joy of nature this artwork displays. Does this mural make you wish for spring? 🌻
And lastly, if you recall from last month, I was dealing with a big hiccup regarding my paperback of Cora’s Quest. It was ‘out of stock’ and ‘on hold’ with the company I published it through, and because this occurred during the holidays, it was beyond frustrating. Well, it’s fixed! The image pages needed to be upgraded to a premium color level at no additional cost to me, so it’s all good, even though the wait was infuriating. Cora’s Quest is back in business, available in paperback (recommended for the full magical experience) and in e-book version.
For those of you who ordered the paperback and had to wait, have you received your copies? Thank you for your patience! And to those of you who have read, loved Cora’s adventure, and shared your 5-star reviews, Thank You, Thank You!!! Please consider sharing a review if you loved the book. Reviews are like hugs to Indie Authors! If you haven’t read about Cora yet, her story isn’t just for little ones; all ages will appreciate the important message found in the midst of Cora’s lively forest.
“A wonderfully uplifting story of lessons learned and the power of love. I recommend it for children and adults of all ages!” Award-winning Jan Sikes
Thank you for taking the time to pop in, and I look forward to reading your posts again!
Happy New Year,
Lauren 💖
© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
