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.
Click on the link to purchase your copy. xo
“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!
This will be my last post for the year, then I’ll be going offline until January. It’s been a great 12 months with my health improving, many adventures throughout, and concluding with the publication of Cora’s Quest(even with the current snafu). I love spending time with all of you on your blogs, reading your beautiful poetry and stories, oohing and ahhing at your stunning photos, and traveling vicariously through your virtual itineraries. The support I receive for my writing and books is so appreciated, even I can’t find the words!
I searched high and low for my muse, but she has already departed on holiday vacation, so I didn’t write anything new for today. I’m sharing instead a poem that seems to circle back now and then. I hope you enjoy again, or for the first time. I included an audio as wellfor your listening pleasure. 🥰
An older photo of Copper enjoying the warmth.
A Christmas Soliloquy
The noble fir smells heavenly Pervading throughout the room Lights twinkle in red and green Adding to its festive costume.
Stockings embellish the mantel Eager to be filled with treats Garland graces letters in gold Spelling out P.E.A.C.E.
Dangling to model icicles, White lights sparkle on eaves Ornaments shimmer on branches All this, the stuff of dreams.
But can dreams still come true When years become displeasing? Amidst the tears and heartache, Is there room for believing?
I have faith that joy weaves Its way through the pain Angels keep watch while Love Is the magic that remains.
I don’t know your story The details are yours alone But I do wish you Happiness That you may seize and truly own…
As we listen to the marching rhythm Of the exultant Christmas drum For these holidays upon us And for the New Year to come.
I also hope you’ll forgive another (subtle) plug for my book, Cora’s Quest…the good thing is it’s not a Christmas story, so children (and adults) can enjoy reading about Cora anytime of the year! The paperback is still out of stock (hopefully, not for much longer), but the e-book is available. So, you can wait for the paperback or you can purchase the e-book and read about Cora immediately. If you choose to add my first children’s book to your home library, thank you in advance! 🙏
“I thought your message to children through Cora was outstanding, a lesson that even adults wrestle with. Get out of of our comfort zone because overcoming our fears is one of the most overpowering feelings in life.” ~ Pete Springerfrom petespringerauthor.wordpress.com
A Huge Thank You for visiting my cozy corner in WordPress, and I wish you all a peaceful holiday filled with nothing but joy. The holidays aren’t always happy for everyone though, so if you’re struggling in some way, I hope you have support to help you find even a tiny ray of light. I want nothing but harmony and magic to fill your days during this month of December and in each day to come. Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa to those who celebrate as well! I’ll respond to comments if you’re kind enough to leave one. Sending virtual hugs! ❤️🎄🙏
I hope you enjoy my series of tanka poems for this holiday season, and I might have veered away from the rules a few times. So, good thing I’m not being graded. 😁 Enjoy ,and I wish you all a peaceful and happy holiday season!
1.
This jingle jolly season delights young hearts as they bake cookies for the white-bearded man in red joy through the eyes of children
2.
Christmas carols play on the old record player while snowflakes fall in slow motion and candles sway to the festive melodies
3.
Hustle and bustle begins after Thanksgiving for shopping galore but commercialism slays the magic, so stay focused
4.
I grew up learning about a baby boy born on this Christmas day who would become a teacher of unconditional love
5.
‘Tis the season to be with family and friends bringing joy to hearts for their company is the best gift of all to receive
6.
Lights twinkle on homes when evening accommodates all aglow in their shimmering reds, greens, and golds uplifting somber spirits
7.
flour on faces enjoyment in the blending snowmen, bells, Christmas trees frosted and sprinkled with love sweetens gift of giving
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Do you have a favoritetanka? Do any resonate with you?
Do you feel like the world is out of control? Do you need a smile? I found an old poem that might just cheer you up…
Bananas
Swinging from the chandelier I’m overwhelmed from toes to ear I know it’s time to walk the frog Can’t just sit, type, and blog I’d love to dye my hair bright red I’d love to go right back to bed Reaching for the coffee cup Time to fill and pet the pup In the wind, I feel so free Would you like a cup of tea? I’d love to swim and read a book It’s five o’clock, what shall I cook? Staring at the vacuum cleaner I wonder why the fish are meaner Planets aren’t aligned at all Let’s go shopping at the mall Don’t be bothered by the styles I could talk and talk for miles!
Along with smiles and laughter, we need to remember that each day is a gift and worth celebrating. I was recently reminded of this when I visited Steve’s blog, Song of the Day, where he shares a new song each day, writes about its history, then shares his thoughts on the meaning of the lyrics. On a recent post, he reshared the 1971 hit song, “I Just Want to Celebrate,” by the American rock band Rare Earth. Steve asked, “Every day is a good day to celebrate something, right?” When you listen to the song, you’ll definitely feel like getting outa your chair and groovin’ to the movin’ and celebrating! By the way, if you haven’t met Steve, pay him a visit. Not only is he a nice guy, but if you’re a music lover, you’ll enjoy learning about songs and bands you’ve never heard of or listening to your favorites again!
I mentioned a lot going on, and there is! Yes, it’s me again, promoting the release of Cora’s Quest , and celebrating the wonderful reviews rapidly coming in!
I can’t begin to thank enough the friends who have helped spread the word about my first children’s book – a collaboration with my amazing nephew, Chris, who created the enchanting, vibrant illustrations. So, this is where ‘a lot going on’ comes into play…below are several more examples of the awesome support I’ve received:
Carol Anne at therapybits.com blogs about her life, focusing on therapy and the process of going through psychotherapy. She is also a wonderful writer of poetry that touches the heart, and she was gracious to post about my book here to help with the promotion.
Denise from dlfinn.com is the author of Miracles and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection which I highly recommend! A collection of short stories perfect for the holiday season. She included Cora’s Quest in her post: Books that Changed Me: 2024 Winter Edition where she highlights a fraction of the books that she enjoyed by sharing her beautiful reviews. The other fabulous authors spotlighted are Joan Hall, Staci Troilo, Jan Sikes, and Linda Broday.
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ D. L. Finn
Cora’s Quest is a sweet story about a deer’s family outing. Cora is enjoying the forest until things change quickly, and now she needs to find her courage. A fantastic story to read to your little ones or for young readers to enjoy. The illustrations are beautiful and full of color, and the story is woven into a lesson that will resonate with children and their families. Here is an engaging passage: “An owl hoots/from its lofty perch./ The wind howls,/swirling around Cora./Grunts and growls/in the distance/steal her courage!/ They act like thieves!” I can easily recommend this story for young readers and those who read to them.
Cindy at uniquelyfitblog.com is the author of Celebrating Poetry, a companion guide to her book, Re-Create and Celebrate. I read her first book and highly recommend it, and I have her second book on my bookcase waiting to be read very soon. I already know that I’ll enjoy it as much as the first. She has a generous heart when it comes to helping fellow authors, so she shared an amazing group of book releases here in her blog post, while celebrating the success of Celebrating Poetry. The other fabulous authors featured are an anthology by Aspiring Blog , Dawn Pisturino, Pamela S. Wight & Neville N. Hill.
Darlene at darlenefoster.wordpress.com is the author of the delightful Amanda Travel Series, and her recent book is Amanda in Scotland. I am almost finished and have truly enjoyed traveling to Scotland with Amanda. I’ve read a few of the other Amanda adventures, so I can highly recommend this series. She posted her 5-star review for Cora’s Quest on Amazon and Goodreads while celebrating the success of Amanda in Scotland.
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Darlene Foster
An adorable book about a young deer who questions her courage. The illustrations are delightful and the story has a lovely message. A perfect gift for a little one in your life, one that would be fun to read together too. I can see a child wanting to read this story over and over.
Dr. Vicki at victoriaponders.com is the author of Surviving Sue: An inspirational survivor’s story about a daughter and her life with a mother who was riddled with alcoholism, Alzheimer’s, anxiety, depression, and Munchausen’s. I have the paperback and look forward to reading this powerful and emotional story. I love Vicki’s writing and the way she thinks just by reading her blog posts, so I know her story will go straight to my heart. She recently wrote an inspirational blog post that is a balm to the soul.She wove her inspiring message into children’s literature in whichshe included my book, Cora’s Quest, and Goldie A. Poligee & the Three Bears by Joanie Becker Goldberg. Check out her blog post here!
Dawn Pisturino at dawnpisturino.wordpress.com is the author of Sun Haiku: 365 Days of Sunshine, which I will begin to read soon. I’ve read several of Dawn’s books and love them all! Her evocative poetry draws her readers in deeply. She shared her beautiful review of Cora’s Quest here, so check it out, and you’ll also find out more about Dawn’s books!
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dawn Pisturino
This charming new children’s book by poet Lauren Scott tells the story of a little fawn who gets lost in the woods, finds herself vulnerable and alone, and discovers her inner strength and courage. Written for children ages 2 – 5 years old, this story teaches children the importance of remaining calm and focused when faced with uncertainty. The illustrations by Chris Mendez will delight any child. If your child or grandchild likes Bambi, he or she will adore this book.
I mentioned Diana Wallace Peach at mythsofthemirror.com in this blog post because she read my book the day it was released and reviewed it right away, gifting Cora with a 5-star review! But I want to announce that she has a new book on preorder now which will go live on January 2nd: Tale of the Season’s Weaver.Diana writes incredible fantasy books, and she is the fantasy writer who converted me!
All of the authors mentioned in this post are talented, beautiful, and amazing writers! They know how to weave words that appeal to all senses. I am honored to be included in the mix and to receive such warm support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! ❤️
I know this post is longer than usual, so if you’ve read from beginning to end, I appreciate you taking the time. I also encourage you to visit the posts I highlighted and peruse around the blogs I shared!
All of the blog links and anywhere you see ‘here’ are clickable. WP was acting snarky, but they all work. I conclude with a poem from my latest poetry collection, Ever So Gently, that ties in with gratitude:
7 am
The sun slowly opens its sleepy eyes The neighborhood still breathes soft breaths
Not a soul Not a sound
We own this morning this moment is ours
Tranquility flows through our veins We exhale gratitude Another miracle reveals itself in the creation of a new dawn.
And don’t forget to add books to your shopping list! You can click on all images to purchase your copy! Poetry, Fiction, Adventure, Travel, Fantasy, Memoir, and Children’s Literature! It’s all here! 💝
I look forward to some quiet time with a cup of tea or coffee and diving into the wonderful books waiting to be read. What a great problem to have, too many books! 💖
Thank you for spending time with me, and I wish you a wonderful weekend and a peaceful holiday season! 💞
As the year slowly or rapidly (depending on perspective) comes to a close, I thought to share this poem again. A poem reminding us that each day is a gift, and those who love us and Nature herself are precious gifts. I hope you enjoy for a second time around if you’ve already read it earlier in the year.
For All That Was Lost Has Been Found
When the sun descends behind emerald, rolling hills and evening offers all that it owns, my husband falls into a serious slumber in a matter of seconds – I am envious. It takes more than seconds for my mind to shut down, for thoughts to pause for an evening’s repose.
The flowers in our garden turn in for the night, and the smiles in their blooms wait for dawn’s greeting. Critters burrow in their homes, although darkness calls some to come out and play and we miss the show. Our dreams carry us through minutes and hours until night bids farewell, the cue for morning to slide into her spotlight.
And when she does, we witness again the glorious sun rising over those rolling hills, one more sky where clouds stay hidden, one more kiss from each other, the one who accelerates our heartbeats… when our children are home, they gift us with another hug, age is irrelevant…from babies to adults, their hugs are priceless like the moment we draw a new breath.
And don’t forget how nature delights with her offerings… our feathered friends sing their wake-up chorus of joy, bushy-tailed squirrels skitter along redwood fence tops. How do their tiny feet not miss a step, tumbling their little bodies to the ground?
So, we wipe the sleep from our eyes, gratitude flows through our veins, for all that was lost in the darkness has been found on this fresh, magnificent day.
On another note, I was honored to be included in Diana’s November book reviews. Diana shares excellent monthly reviews on her blog, Myths of the Mirror. She read Cora’s Quest the first day and gave Cora 5 glowing stars. You can visit her here to read her wonderful review and those of several other great books perfect for shopping for the holiday season. Thanks again, Diana! 🙏
Today, I’m honored to be included in Sally’s roundup post which you can find here. Sally at Smorgasbord Blog Magazine is so kind and generous by helping other authors promote their new books. So, I am truly grateful, and as I told her, the happy dance continues, and in Cora’s case, it’s a happy deer dance! 😁
I’m sure most indie authors would agree that promoting books isn’t fun. But we only have ourselves, and family and friends who offer to help out. So, thank you for reading, and if you’ve bought a copy of Cora’s Quest, Chris and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 💞
Wishing you all a lovely day and week ahead, Lauren ❤️
The vast space of emptiness will never feel right Communication sustains but the heart feels short-lived relief no room for logic the heart carries a stubborn streak
Moments missed Hours missed Days missed fleeting of time The miles from here to there, like a ball of yarn unraveling over hills, through valleys getting snagged on jagged edges along the way
In a daze, I’m slowly slipping down a rabbit hole about to surrender the very best of my soul where darkness cloaks itself around me Air, no longer reality
Sadness befalls the world outside as sky-falling tears slam the earth I’m tumbling with them in a frenzy The first teardrop rolls down my face leaving a chill in its wake before disappearing beneath my jaw My back slides down the wall I’m drenched in sobs
Then reason meets my reflection I challenge my emotions because pain trails closely behind – I’m inviting stress, and I can’t handle one more ache Does this make me selfish?
Humans are complicated Emotions are complicated
Some days, the golden sphere dazzles me into dancing Some days, the shadowy sky lures me into that daze I can feel my heart breaking I can feel each piece tear away I won’t have strength to sweep up the mess…
but this love is stronger than I ever thought I could feel a love in my heart that will need to be the glue… it is what it is ‘till it isn’t anymore maybe someday… until then, the vast space and I will need to reach a truce.
I’m feeling a bit nostalgic, reminiscing to when I was a little girl – how I stayed entertained in the sixties. This is when the memory box in my brain comes in handy…
My friends and I used to play school outside on the sidewalk in front of our corner house with three birch trees standing proud on the lush lawn. A big chalkboard took up a fair amount of sidewalk and they elected me to be the teacher. And when school became boring and brains tired out, we’d make a splash in my kidney-shaped pool pretending to be mermaids. How fun it was to dive deep and touch the drain or jump off of the diving board! Then we’d dry off on the grass while playing ‘Operation’ and eating tangerines from our tree. Nothing like trying to manage those surgical tweezers with sticky fingers to avoid the buzz!
When my son and daughter were little, they had a blast playing hide and seek with other kids on our quiet block. They loved riding their cool bikes and scooters. My husband and I also took them roller skating where we all tried our best to ‘roller dance’ to the upbeat tunes. Fun times had by children and parents!
Innovation is meant to bring convenience for the human race. I appreciate convenience, but with the good also comes the bad. Unfortunately, there’s an abundance of negative aspects to technology, such as with social media – not only for youth, but also for adults.
So, I miss the old times. When I wanted to talk to loved ones or friends, I picked up the phone and dialed. Remember rotary dialing? Then came push buttons. And what about those cords that coiled up like angry snakes? When cordless phones were invented, they brought freedom. I could walk and talk on the phone without worrying about the annoying cord dictating my whereabouts!
Families gathered at dining tables and chatted about their days, sharing highs and lows. My family participated in this routine every night for dinner when the kids were young. Even as they grew older (when their extra curricular schedules allowed) the tradition continued because Matt and I wanted them to feel like they could talk to us about anything. I’m thankful that communication has never been an issue with the four of us. In fact, many times we’re talking over each other because we all have something to say!
In those simpler times, friends used to hang out, talking and laughing. They didn’t congregate on sofas or around tables with heads down and eyes glued to screens, fingers tapping away. Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok didn’t steal their loyalty. They actually paid attention to each other.
Children’s laughter used to echo down the street, swirling around the trees. Well, that laughter no longer flows in through the windows of my home like a joyful melody.
Where are the children? Are they tucked inside their homes, scrolling on social media? Could be.
This being said, I enjoy the screen as much as anyone. I’m sure you can assume that while I work on this post, a screen stares back at me. However, I think those simpler times were the best of times. Living without the option to blog and form the wonderful connections with you all would be missed, but I could easily live without social media. I’m grateful that my daughter and son didn’t grow up with cell phones until later in high school. Even those were flip phones, offering zero access to the internet. Besides phone calls, good old fashioned letter writing was the glue for staying connected. I still love sending cards and an occasional letter via snail mail.
I can only imagine how difficult it is to find that magical balance of letting your kids enjoy technology in their generation while also maintaining some semblance of control for their safety.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com – finding that perfect balance
Do you find technology challenging while raising your children? Do you remember the old days? Do you miss them?
Below is a poem from my book, Ever So Gently, which ties into this topic:
Giggles
I can still elicit memories of when our block teemed with giggles echoing in the distance, the tapping of shoes on asphalt. Remember hide and seek? They’d take cover behind bushes, parked cars, corner fences. But where are they now? Where have all the children gone? Giggles and footsteps are silent, and yet, not one for sale sign sits in a front yard. Perhaps, sneaky screens stole that amusement, those precious moments spent outdoors under the clear sky, even in rain’s gentlest sprinkling, but weather, irrelevant, the friendships mattered.
I had just woken up and walked into the living room, grabbing my laptop on the way to catch up in the online world. And when I opened my blog, I was pleasantly surprised with a comment by Adam Fenner, letting me know that he chose my poem, “Things I Know, Believe, and Imagine” to analyze on his blog. What an honor and a nice surprise for this Saturday morning!
Things I Know, Believe, and Imagine
I know hearts can shatter if beaten down, and souls can be crushed if pounded, and those judging others appear to be close-minded. I believe people should live the life they were intended.
I believe differences afford knowledge. Why is violence the chosen solution for those who loathe a culture or religion?
I imagine everyone opening their hearts and minds… Can you envision this landscape, like spring blooming every day, budding across borders and state lines? A glorious bridge connecting us all… if only.
I know the ideals of respecting and accepting will stay models to be repeated until the narratives mend, and I hope they do, because no one deserves to exist beneath a cloud of pretense. I believe all people should have the freedom to live within the arms of truth.
I can imagine how invisible scars create hell for the heart.
I believe Love should remain the center of all humankind, but since hate continues to linger on the streets, here’s a question to ponder… what should we do differently?
In “Things I Know, Believe, and Imagine,” the speaker presents a raw exploration of the painful divide between violence and love, offering a blend of personal convictions, reflections on the state of the world, and hopeful imaginings for a better future. The poem starts by acknowledging the harsh realities of human suffering, particularly the emotional and physical toll of violence. The speaker knows firsthand how hearts can shatter and souls can be crushed, painting a stark picture of the damage caused by judgment, hate, and fear. This sense of disillusionment sets the stage for the speaker’s deeper reflections on what could be—a world grounded in empathy, understanding, and love.
The structure of the poem mirrors the speaker’s thought process, alternating between declarative statements of certainty (“I know” and “I believe”) and more speculative, hopeful musings (“I imagine”). This shift is significant because it allows the reader to see both the speaker’s grounded understanding of the world and their desire to move beyond the pain they see. The first part of the poem starts with what the speaker knows, followed by what they believe, which provides a glimmer of hope amidst the violence. For instance, the speaker believes that people should live the life they were intended to, free from hate and misunderstanding. This idea of living authentically is an invitation to reflect on the deeper, more compassionate life that could be if only humanity embraced empathy and acceptance…
To read Adam’s full excellent review of my poem, please click the link below:
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 