Category: Poetry

Finding Joy, if you take the time

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Poetry35 Comments

SUNFLOWERS (5)

This is one of several sunflowers we have planted around the yard and the only one that is potted. Because these seeds are in a pot, they’re probably at their true height right now. Last night, we even saw a new bud! Can’t wait to see that inspiring bright yellow flower!

It’s the little things in life that bring true joy, isn’t it? If we stop what we’re doing, if we slow down instead of frantically moving about, the little things will stand out more so not to be missed. As you know from prior posts, I’ve never been into gardening, but something sparked my interest this year. I’ve learned to appreciate taking care of flowers and plants, and then watching them grow and bloom. A special kind of beauty. We have a regular routine, but if they look dry at any time in-between, it’s as though my heart breaks before getting out the hose and giving them their much needed drink of water.

So, to end the week, I’m sharing some sunflower joy, and to encourage you all (myself included) to continue enjoying the little things in your lives. They are what matter most. They are what bring true joy within. I’ll end with a few inspiring quotes…

“You need to let the little things that would ordinarily bore you suddenly thrill you.” 
~ Andy Warhol

“The small things of life were often so much bigger than the great things . . . the trivial pleasure like cooking, one’s home, little poems especially sad ones, solitary walks, funny things seen and overheard.”
~Barbara Pym

“I live to enjoy life by the littlest things, feeling the grass between my toes, breathing fresh air, watching the wind sway the trees, enjoying the company of loved ones, a deep conversation, getting lost in a good book, going for a walk in nature, watching my kids grow up. Just the feeling itself of being alive, the absolute amazing fact that we are here right now, breathing, thinking, doing.” 
~Marigold Wellington

HAPPY FRIDAY AND HAPPY WEEKEND AHEAD. GO OUT AND ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS, AND BE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY!

LOTS OF LOVE, LAUREN ❤🌼🌷🌻😊

 

Accomplishments

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Poetry53 Comments

This past Saturday was our son’s college graduation from UC Davis. He majored in Political Science and minored in Communications. We’re so proud of his accomplishments and can’t wait to see where his next adventure takes him. My husband and I are now proud parents of two UC Davis grads, and the college days have ended. 🙂

This leads me into sharing some wise quotes on chasing dreams and being true to yourself at the same time:

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” 
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Always believe in yourself and always stretch yourself beyond your limits. Your life is worth a lot more than you think because you are capable of accomplishing more than you know. You have more potential than you think, but you will never know your full potential unless you keep challenging yourself and pushing beyond your own self imposed limits.” 
~ Roy T. Bennett

“Dreams become regrets when left in the mind, never planted in the soil of action.” 
~ Auliq-Ice

“The point of dreams was never to be the affordable option, it was the one everyone else saw as a mistake and every creative person saw as an opportunity.” 
~ Anastasia Bolinder

“Remember your dreams and fight for them. You must know what you want from life. There is just one thing that makes your dream become impossible: the fear of failure.”
~ Paulo Coelho

SO, CHEERS TO REACHING FOR THE STARS AND TOUCHING THAT FINISH LINE. BUT…CHEERS TO ALSO TRYING YOUR HARDEST, MAYBE FAILING, THEN HAVING THE COURAGE AND PERSEVERANCE TO GET BACK UP AGAIN! 🎉🎉🎉

 

Buttercream Frosting

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry35 Comments

When he looks at me, I still see the love
felt in the beginning. There was no doubt
our union would navigate its way to this
very moment. The breath of a gentle summer
breeze carried us this far over hills that seemed
too huge to bear. With fingers laced, we watched
stunning, good-night hues paint the evenings,
and warm, golden shades offer morning greetings.
Our connection, deeper than that first kiss in
December, remains solid and beautiful as a silver
rock kissed by the sun, sparkling on the shoreline.
This emotion toggling between the two of us feels
like the taste of buttercream frosting. Unbelievably
wonderful to savor endlessly. And so, our dance
continues, for it is written in the clouds, over the
horizon, within the glorious colors of the future.

Lauren Scott © 2018

A Charming Corner

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry37 Comments

The rockers, unselfish with their soothing rhythm,
join the sun’s rays in massaging into deep relaxation

It is only us who breathe in the simplicity of this place,
except for an occasional visit from stunning, fluttering wings

This moment, where a whispering breeze glides in-between us,
is where we talk and listen – but most of all, we take it all in

Lauren Scott © 2018

Houseguests

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Photos, Poetry40 Comments

finch nest on gazebo

Finding the perfect spot,
rent-free, it’s quite a
delight to watch their
construction take shape

They flit and flutter,
occasionally carrying
out a balancing act
on a wire even higher
than their home

He looks dashing in
his red-vested tux,
and she glows in her
mother-to-be way

With their private little
home, only tiny heads
can be seen – one, then
two, but soon there will
be a complete family

Lauren Scott © 2018

This post ties into the one prior, Sweet & Cute Factor, from yesterday (June 2nd). If you haven’t already seen it, please check it out. I think you’ll enjoy. In this photo is the finch nest that ‘our’ adorable little pair created on the gazebo, tucked in and too high for us to take a peek, though. 

And just a few moments ago, to our delight, the daddy eyed the bowl of water we placed on the bar. He sat on the back of the bar chair, contemplating his next move. Surprisingly, he hopped onto the side of the bowl, perched himself comfortably, and indulged in a cool sip. I’m sure it felt heavenly, since the temperature today is in the low nineties. Sadly, the photo I took didn’t turn out, so you’ll have to use your imaginations. 🙂

Hope you enjoyed this addition to the finch tale, and to be continued…

 

Depth of Consciences

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry, Tragedies42 Comments

I childishly cover
my ears with
icy hands while
imagining this to be
only a frightening
nightmare, not a
recurring tragedy
becoming the norm
The answer lies
within the depth
of consciences,
but when will we
be enlightened?
Must we continue
to quantify these
senseless losses?
Kind sentiments
are appreciated,
but they haven’t
been enough to
stop the rounds
So, please…

Lauren Scott © 2018

Numbers based on preliminary reports and may change.
Last updated: May 18, 2018 – Source: CNN
We’re only 20 weeks into 2018, and there have already been 22 school shootings where someone was hurt or killed. That averages out to more than 1 shooting a week.

The parameters CNN followed in this count are:
  • A shooting that involved at least one person being shot (not including the shooter)
  • A shooting that occurred on school grounds
  • We included grades K through college/university level
  • We included gang violence, fights and domestic violence
  • We included accidental discharge of a firearm as long as the first two parameters are met


(Honoring those lives affected by Friday’s
shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas,
and all mass shootings prior to this tragic event.)
💔

 

Five O’clock

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry25 Comments

The table was always
beautifully adorned
with pretty linen and
mouthwatering aromas

three sets of pigtails
never starved
for love and care

ashtrays were fixtures,
but laps in the pool
would offset inhaling –
years later, those clear-
colored decorations
would disappear

they loved and laughed
into their ninth decade,
but the secret remained
a mystery, until…

with a wink and a smile,
it was said to be
the olive in the martini

Lauren Scott © 2018

The 3-Day Quote Challenge #3

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Birthdays, Blogging, Discussion, Poetry31 Comments

Welcome to the 3rd and final day of my 3-Day Quote Challenge, which I was happy to have been nominated by Annika at annikaperry.com. Thanks again, Annika! This has been fun, but it’s also lead me to some great new quotes. Please visit Annika’s blog if you haven’t already. She’s a fabulous writer of fiction – an amazing story teller!

To the challenge…The rules are as follows:

Thank the person who nominated you.
Post a quote on 3 consecutive days.
Share why this quote appeals so much to you.
Nominate 3 different bloggers for each day.

I found my quote online, which ties into this very special day, my son’s 23rd birthday…

birthday quote

Our son came into our world on 5/9/95, at 3:38 pm. We had our little girl so were elated to have a son. Before our children were born, though, we chose not to learn the gender. We loved the element of surprise and would simply be thrilled with healthy babies. With these thoughts going in, I experienced the same “high” I felt after giving birth to my daughter – a wonderful feeling unlike no other.

As to my son’s purpose, he’ll be graduating from college next month and is still working on his path in life. Many have been blessed to have realized their purpose, and for others, the search continues. This is perfectly okay because there is no time limit, although remember to enjoy the journey, also! 

Regarding birthdays, some choose to skip theirs for fear of aging. This is one aspect of life out of our control, so as I conveyed in my prior post, let’s live life to its fullest and celebrate our special days. Each birthday is another year of life, and getting to blow out candles on a festive birthday cake is not a guarantee. It’s a privilege that many people don’t experience because their lives end sooner than expected.

So, I wish my son a very Happy 23rd Birthday and am so proud of the young man he’s become. I love him and my daughter to the moon and back! And his family is beyond excited to see where his path leads him post graduation.

michael in tokyo 2017
(Photo taken in Tokyo 2017)

I hope you are inspired now to celebrate your special days, to not worry about aging, but instead, to enjoy the possibilities and gifts that each day brings…and if you haven’t figured out your purpose, yet, then keep searching…You may learn something wonderful about yourself along the way…

I’ll leave it up to anyone who would like to take on this quote challenge, instead of nominating individuals. Hope you enjoyed! Lauren ❤