One December Evening

After more than three decades, my husband and I still recall and celebrate the events leading up to the “I do’s” that we said in Southern California on January 21, 1989. Today is one of those events…our first date 36 years ago. We were 26 & 27, and while some fine details have faded with the years…many stay rooted as little nuggets of ‘the start of us’. The amazing restaurant for dinner, Sycamore Inn, then driving up the mountain to The Lodge for dancing.

If you’ve followed me for awhile, you know I’m a romantic, and this night was pure magic. There was an aura of romance embracing us throughout the evening: over light conversation at the restaurant, on the slow drive up the mountain to the lodge, sipping delicious “Michelle’s Climactic Adventures.” Well, let’s face it, anything with Baileys Irish Cream is sinful and delectable! Then the dancing…we ‘rocked out’ when the beat demanded and held each other close (as if never to let go) when the tune slowed. We danced all night, taking a few breathers, stepping out onto the large balcony. The chill in the air felt good on our hot skin, and the view of the surrounding snow-capped mountains pulled us deeper into the enchantment.

December 5, 1987 turned out to be ‘our beginning’ because six months following, Matt drove me back to the lodge on a sunny June afternoon, and after riding the ski lift to the top of that mountain, he popped the question. Then six months after that romantic proposal, I walked down the aisle wearing satin and lace as he stood waiting for me, looking handsome as ever.
And here we are nearing the end of 2023…grateful to still have each other and our two amazing children, who are now 32 & 28 years old.

And of course, inspiration over the years found its niche:

Simple Existence

I stare at this page,
milk white as the
blanketed ground
in winter’s staging.

Where are the syllables
to create a mixture of magic?


I fear they have flown
to faraway places,
across desert dunes
and boundless oceans
and might not return
so that I may tell him
(again)
how irreplaceable he is.

Instead,
I’ll touch his lips
with mine
and steady myself
in the arms of a man
satisfied with my
simple existence.

Love Note
across a backdrop
one star-studded evening
a love note lingers

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.
Photos of Sycamore Inn and The Mt. Baldy Lodge pulled from their websites.

Click on the image to purchase your copy. 💚

Thanks for stopping by today, and let’s continue to celebrate the dates
and events that remain joyful and significant in our personal stories!
~ Lauren 
❤️

Privy

I hold my breath
2 seconds, maybe 3
electric jolt
fleeting
it came
it went
but my thoughts…

trapped in the
grip of those seconds.

Have you ever had
a heart to heart
with your mind?

Who wins in the end?

Have you ever dipped
into contemplation
about all the ‘whys’
floating in the ether,
looking for a companion
to make them complete
like two intended lovers?

Next time the sun sets
for another night’s repose,
let your eyes turn to
the blanket of stars,
twinkling in their elegance.

Are they privy to some vital
piece of knowledge
that has not been proffered to us?

It seems those seconds necessitated
another heart to heart.

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Photo by Felix Mittermeier on Pexels.com

Click on the image to purchase your copy. 💚

Thank you for your visit!
~ Lauren
❤️

Giving Thanks, Jingle Bells, & Lots of Nostalgia

With the holidays upon us, my memory can’t help but reel back a few decades. Our parents were still alive, all of their grandkids were young, and those big, noisy family gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas were anticipated with excitement. Sure, giving and receiving gifts at Christmas time is rewarding and fun (in that order), but what I truly miss is ‘the noise, the laughter, the chaos, the loved ones’ (section 2 of my book). And I remember when our daughter and son were precious little bundles of joy. The elation my husband and I felt when our family became 3 then 4, and then complete. Don’t misunderstand though – returning to the past isn’t my wish, I’m simply reminiscing. So, I’ve shared this poem before that you’ll find in the same section of my book. But because these images have come to life once again, I’d like to share it one more time. I hope you don’t mind, and perhaps, you’ll relate to my nostalgic frame of mind…

First Breath

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.

Through innocent eyes and curious touch
each new discovery you shared,
your smile grew bigger than the sun,
your heart’s elation declared.

You stowed dreams in the clouds,
imaginings rose higher than the heavens.
Cuddling you in that first euphoric light
made me fall in love with you in seconds.

Life has blossomed into delight and wonder
in every part of its glowing greatness,
and with each ounce of my being,
my enduring love for you is ageless.

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
The first 3 photos of our daughter, Stephanie, and the last 3 of our son, Michael.

Click on the image to purchase your copy. 💚

Our babies are now 32 & 28, so they’re not babies anymore,
but I suppose they will always be our babies no matter their age.
❤️

I appreciate your visit today and wish you a wonderful week!
~ Lauren 🩷🙏

5 Quills from Kaye!

Hello All!

I am thrilled to share another glowing review for my book, Ever So Gently, from Kaye Lynne Booth at writingtoberead.com. But first, here’s a little bit about Kaye:

She has been writing content on Writing to be Read since 2010, including book reviews, author interviews and reflections on writing. Her first novel, Delilah, was published by Dusty Saddles Publishing in 2016. (Recently re-released as a part of her Women in the West Adventure Series.)

In 2019, she founded WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press and now publishes her own books and anthologies, as well as the work of others, and recently merged her website here. Kaye Lynne publishes wide through Draft2Digital, and her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets are all available from your favorite book distributor through Books2Read.

To learn more about Kaye and to read her entire blog post, please click on the link below that follows her wonderful review:

Kaye’s Review:

For me, poetry is best enjoyed in print, where I can hold the book in my hands and leaf through the pages, taking in each poem in small doses, and revisting those poems which have sparked further thought in my mind. So, I was tickled to receive a print copy of Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry from author Lauren Scott. In this delightful collection, we hear the author’s confident approach to life, feel her inner appreciation of the natural world around her, and gain insight into value of connection with the people she loves and cares about.

Poetry is so personal, offering a window into the author’s soul, and Ever So Gently does this beautifully. Many of the poems contained within resonated with me on a personal level. As a both nature and animal lover, the vivid images of the cautiously flitting hummingbird, a garden renewed, and beloved pets helped me to feel the moments described within each, as if witnessing or experiencing them.

Messages from the Sea

listen intently
inhale, exhale, feel the calm
your soul will thank you

secrets ride the waves
ebbing, flowing in turquoise
we are not privy

whispers in the surf
ambiguous to discern
relish in their song

_________________________

For Lauren Scott, nature is soothing, healing. I can relate with that as nature is also where I go for solace.

Chilling Embrace

I have been embraced
by the chilling presence
of loneliness.
I have wondered where the niche
designed for me exists in this world
in which my breaths originate.
I have waited for the glow
to emerge behind the shadows.
But when I take that soft step
into the splendor of nature,
listen to the trees whisper their sagacity,
feel the flowing rivers move my pain,
creating vast distance between it and me,
I have been revived by the compassion
that nature offers so unselfishly.

_____________________________

But my very favorites were the poems in which she expressed her love of the written word, a love that I share, so can relate well with.

Books

Stories, poetry
Compelling, transporting, entertaining
Turning pages is exciting
Paperbacks

______________________________

But my true favorite is the poem that shares the title the book is so aptly named for. In it I see clearly the author’s positive, grounded attitude toward life. A wonderful outlook, to be sure.

Ever So Gently

Sometimes we get lost
in our thoughts…
losing focus of the stars
lighting up the night sky.
We tumble too deeply
into the frontal lobe,
allowing negative thoughts
to awaken, to throw a tantrum.


Remember, the breeze carries
burdens down rivers
and across oceans,
majestic trees sway with joy,
sheltering from shadows,
and the light shines even if only
a slight glimmer slips through.

Its glow will grow ever so gently
into a bright beacon of hope
rising with the golden sun
bringing clarity to our vision.

____________________________

With her uplifting poetic verse Lauren Scott basks in the earth’s beauty, cherishes loved ones, ponders life’s mysteries. Highly recommended. I give Ever So Gently five quills.

************************************************************************

Thanks again to Kaye for this beautiful review! I am delighted that she enjoyed my poetry collection because that is the ultimate wish…for the reader to find poems that resonate “as if witnessing or experiencing them” – Kaye’s words. My heart is full!
And thanks to you who chose to visit my corner of blogville in the midst of your busy day. ❤️

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

Click on the image to purchase your copy. 💚

Language

I’ve analyzed over and over,
but everything is a circle,
spinning round and round,
a kaleidoscope of confusion,
nothing makes sense.
Will it ever again?

Perhaps, it’s time for a stroll
into the forest,
time for allowing the breeze
to embrace me like the
caressing of a silk scarf,
for the fragrance of the woods
to fill me with reassurance.


I want to be touched by serenity,
to walk among nature’s offerings
and be immersed into the language
of the trees, for the standing giants
have a keen sense of awareness
.

So I will consult them.
I will bring into the open my unease
because they will unselfishly impart
the depth of their logic.

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Photo: from one of our redwood forest visits.

Click on the image to
purchase your copy.
 💚

I am touched by those who enjoyed my book
and who have written beautiful reviews. 🩵

I am also grateful for your visit today. Have a lovely weekend.
~ Lauren ❤️

November

A tall cedar pitches its pods
onto the smooth driveway,
footsteps crunch on fallen foliage

a broom sweeps, piles grow
for hoisting into the bin

but the tall cedar pitches again
oh, this lovely season!

the air turns crisp for layering,
wiping sweat away
from summer’s fever,
raindrops soothe flaccid petals

early evenings surrender
to nightfall,
but set out the candles!
Play Sinatra on vinyl
and sink into coziness
…

Will you remember
this sweet November?

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Photo by Tucu0103 Bianca on Pexels.com

Click on the image to
purchase your copy.
 💚

I am touched by those who enjoyed my book
and who have written beautiful reviews. 🩵

Hope Stays Strong

bloodshed abundant
unfathomable for hearts
we all bow our heads

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Photo: Abutilon in our backyard.

Click on the image to
purchase your copy.
 💚

I am touched by those who enjoyed my book
and who have written beautiful reviews. 🩵
And a friendly nudge… if you enjoyed my book,
please consider sharing a review on Amazon

and Goodreads. The best gift for authors! 🙏🏻

Real and Raw…

My name is Carol anne.  I am part of a did system. Did stands for dissociative identity disorder.  I also have PTSD posttraumatic stress disorder. I was diagnosed with did in December 2010. I have been blind since birth. I am 35 years old. This is a blog about my life, it will mainly focus on therapy and the process of going through psychotherapy, but I will also post some stuff about my life. I am in college studying IT.  It has its challenges but overall I love it.

To read Carol Anne’s review, simply click on the link below. ⬇️

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Photo by George Dolgikh on Pexels.com

Click on the image to
purchase your copy.
 💚

I am touched by those who enjoyed my book
and who have written beautiful reviews. 🩵
And a friendly nudge… if you enjoyed my book,
please consider sharing a review on Amazon

and Goodreads. The best gift for authors! 🙏🏻

Thanks so much for visiting today, and I wish
you a wonderful Friday and weekend ahead.
~Lauren
🧡🍁