The Stars Align…

On October 25, 2023October 26, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Promotions, Book Reviews, Poetry68 Comments

While I was away from blogging, three more 5-star reviews gently flowed in for my book, Ever So Gently. These beautiful reviews added light to the initial reason for my break. And the true reward is learning how my poems resonate with others.
So for me, the stars align. ⭐️
Thank you again to Colleen, Robbie, and Miriam. I appreciate you all! ❤️🙏🏻

Another tidbit to share is that my son was recently visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, relaxing by Bear Lake at 9,500 feet elevation after a good hike while reading my book. You may remember that he painted the cover for me on canvas and also helped in the tedious formatting process. But he hadn’t read the poems. And my family is honest, so if there’s something they don’t like, they’ll tell me without hesitation (lovingly, of course). 🙂
Well, he absolutely loved the nature poems, and is currently reading the rest of the book. Fingers crossed, he feels the same way about part 2 and 3. Anyway, I love this photo he sent me and am grateful that my 28-year-old son is taking the time to read ‘his mom’s’ book. ❤️

And now for the wonderful reviews…

From Robbie:

Ever So Gently: A collection of poems is a beautiful memoir of the poet’s life and experiences, mellowed by experience and understanding, and told through carefully selected words. The poems are a mixture of freestyle and syllabic and share some vivid and delightful imagery that celebrates important moments in the poet’s life.

For me, the emphasis with this collection is on the softening of the poet’s attitude towards, and views, on life gained through experience and living. This message, reflected in the title “Ever So Gently” and the beautiful and peaceful cover, is wonderful and absorbing. Its subtle repetition throughout this book is like slipping into a warm bubble bath. It evokes the same delightful sense of peace and calm. My words must not be misunderstood to mean that none of the poems demonstrate moments of anguish and angst, as that is not the case. Those moments, that are so catastrophic and devastating to the poet at the time of occurrence are there, but their harshness is lessened through acceptance and understanding gained over the passage of time.

A few verses that I particularly enjoyed:

“A lone sailboat glides by
pausing for the unfolding.
With hair the color of an egret,
an older man leans against a stump.”
From The Sun Knows

“raindrops vacillate
layers hold their own secrets
delicate delight”
From The Peach Rose

“Each purl stitch was interwoven with love
from her gentle touch.
She, the teacher, me, the student,
as our bodies sank into the sofa
checkered in a 70’s palette.
From The Old Afghan

The two poems that I related to the most were The Mess and Young Campers, both about the poets children. This book is a celebration of life, the good and the less good.

From Colleen:

“Ever So Gently” asks us to accompany the author on a profound journey into the human condition seen through her own experiences. Scott has a way of making the mundane things in life a positive poetic event. That upbeat theme lasts throughout the book.

She split the book into three sections: The Wisdom of Nature; The Noise, the Laughter, the Chaos, the Loved Ones; and Lost in Thought. The author explores nature and how she relates to those quiet times when nature calls her name. The next section deals with the love in her life. The last section deals with the author’s deeper nature as she explores her feelings in greater detail.

I was surprised to see an excellent collection of haiku and other forms of syllabic poetry in the book. It was easy to connect with the variety of poems and themes. I enjoyed all of them!

I had two favorite poems. One was called “The Sign” and the other, “Ever So Gently.” Both poems are contemplative in nature, but filled with hope for the good things in life to enrich our lives.

From Miriam:

Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poems by Lauren Scott is a cozy and delightful read. I love the pastel color scheme of the cover. It conveys a soft feeling like the fluffy feathers caressing my skin. Her son Michael painted the cover on canvas. The title and the cover join in a beautiful harmony.

Even though this was an autumn evening, I snuggled in front of my fireplace, let the flames warm my face, and let Scott’s words warm my heart. By looking at the content, I knew gems were waiting to be found. This collection is divided into three parts. The first part touches on nature, the second part on relationships and loved ones, and the third part on thoughts in life.

Scott painted nature with her soft strokes. “Cottony clouds drift by. We want to move into them, feel their softness enfold us.” “Tiny threads of peace weave into the marrow of our souls mending any fretting that stirred.” “I wonder if pine needles wiggle in delight until they float to the earth…” The vivid imagery invited my presence in her natural world with the hummingbird, the sunflower, the peach rose, the lantana, the rocks, and the shiny shells.

Scott shared her joyous moments of meeting her husband and their newfound love. “Life has blossomed into delight and wonder in every part of its glowing greatness.” She missed her son and daughter, who were grown and gone. She would leave her son’s room messy to remind her of his presence. The days when the children were little were greatly missed. She reminisced about the younger days when her parents moved from place to place and she missed old friends. The old Afghan reminded her of the memory and wisdom of her mom. One Sunday afternoon, she had the last conversation with her dad. “His voice offers no response, silent for eternity, his body, a shell.” Scott’s memorable moments reminded me of my own with my husband, my daughter, and my parents.

The poem “Things I Know, Believe and Imagine” posted a valuable question. “I believe Love should remain the center of all humankind, but since hate continues to linger on the street, here’s a question to ponder… what should we do differently?” A Two-Wheel Getaway told a cheerful story of meeting biking strangers who became instant friends. The star poem Ever So Gently conveyed the message of hope.

“Its [star’s] glow will grow ever so gently
Into a bright beacon of hope
Rising with the golden sun
Bringing clarity to our vision.”

Thank you for visiting today, and I hope these touching reviews entice you into reading my collection.

To purchase your copy, simply click on the image above
or on this link: https://tinyurl.com/3ds4839u

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday! 💙🩵💚

Cindy at Unique Times Reviews Ever So Gently

On September 30, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Promotions, Book Reviews, Poetry64 Comments

Lately, my days are spent ‘over the moon’ because of the incredible reviews coming in for my book, Ever So Gently. Cindy at Unique Times shared her lovely review of my book, and once you read it, you’ll know why I love that moon!

Cindy is a wonderful friend in this community. She is generous, funny, kind, uplifting, and real. She also recently published her debut book,
Re-Create & Celebrate: 7 Steps To Turn Your Dreams Into Reality that can be purchased here.
“Through her transformational techniques and practices, which she has gained from decades of experience in the field of life coaching, she provides a teaching memoir and workbook containing the tools to build a blueprint to a life of fulfillment, inner peace and happiness.”
Check out the 5-star reviews on Amazon where you’ll also find mine, and if you don’t already have Cindy’s book sitting on your coffee table, get your copy now!

And now for Cindy’s awesome review of Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poems:

Ever So Gently is A Collection of Poems by author, Lauren Scott, who walks us through her day with the first encounter of morning light “Ever So Gently” to start our day. I’m absolutely delighted to share her latest book with you and share some of my favorite poems from her wonderful new book.

If you haven’t met Lauren yet, you’re in for a treat. Lauren lights up our blogging world in the most supportive of ways with her comments and support of other writers. I am always inspired by how much she is able to do working, caring for her FIL, children, husband and writing reviews.

Her book is divided into 3 segments to set the tone and is an entree into all of the flavors of her writing which is beautiful, sometimes whimsical, inspiring, and always insightful.

~ The Wisdom of Nature takes you on a journey of her daily encounters with the great outdoors.

~ The Noise, The Laughter, The Chaos, The Loved Ones represents all of characters in her life that are so endearing to her.

~ Lost In Thought is an inner journey of her insights, questions and joy through her observations.

Each transports you into her inner world of reflection that give her life meaning and richness.

In her first section you can feel her words float through the winds by her well articulated choice of words which beacon you to sit and take in the horizon or get up close and personal to the hummer and ponder questions as you bask in the moment.

She starts off with a poignant poem to give you a glimmer into her mornings with her beloved at her side to share it with. You can almost feel the respite of their lovely setting in their Marin home in a gentle tranquil setting with their dog, Copper, underfoot.

When we stroll among the redwood trees,
our steps slow down, we are in good company.
There is no reason to rush and we won’t hesitate
to hug them with open arms, because why not?
They deserve reverence for their generosity.
In their company, fine fibers of peace
flow through our hearts and souls,
centering us. Any worries burdening our minds
fall to the earth to be walked upon and buried.
We listen as the leaves whisper in the breeze,
Be filled with joy and do not fret,
for their is no time for that nonsense.

Her words are a journey much like the ones we are all on but unique to her personal insights, experience and family.

Lauren’s love of connection with nature and people ring through on every page paying homage to each one that has touched her heart in a most powerful and profound way. Her poems epitomize the sacred time with family and friends.

She knows loss and shares that in many of her poems but the one that shines through to me the most is the one about her mom who is near and dear to her heart.

Mom’s Plea

I remember our conversation….
the effort it took
to calm my emotions,
phone glued to my ear
like a natural extension.
Days later Mom asked Dad,
“When will this be over?”
He could be gentle or
travel the path of honesty.
I don’t know the words
he pulled from
a seventy-year love….
how he tenderly tiptoed
through the syllables,
since his heart
was shattering
into millions
of tiny fragments.
Her time was close.
Our awareness vigilant.
Each day,
another breath held
until the hands of time
would pause.
Then as quickly
as a gray sky opens
on a winter day,
she had ascended.
Memories of her
loving spirit
followed in the
years to come.
But not one day passes
without her gracing our
thoughts.
Not one day slips by
without her knowing
our lives are changed
forever.

She captures the essence of the moment with her poetic charm and style, leaving you able to ponder your thoughts.

This is Scott’s 4th book that impresses upon the reader just how special and sacred each day is.

In the lost in thought she explores a range of emotions which beg for answers and an invitation to explore your inner world. I loved her poem in this segment,

Maybe

When you sit by the window,
evading life’s demands
watching hummingbirds
flit about, do you wonder
if our existence is the only
breathing form?
Who’s to assume we’re alone
with stars millions of miles
away glistening in the night?
Maybe other beings wonder
if they are simply
a tiny atom or molecule
floating in the larger picture.
Maybe we’re just a raindrop
in someone else’s universe.

Each word is peppered with her love and memory of her parents, her soulmate, Matt, whom every moment is one of wonderment and joy, her children and the love they share. A delightful read with your morning Coffee or tea or sitting in your garden for an afternoon pick me up.
~Cindy at Unique Times

**If you don’t also have this collection sitting on**
**your coffee table** **, click on the image to purchase**. 💚

I can’t thank you enough, Cindy! Just knowing your takeaways from my book are rewarding, and then your amazing review is the icing on the cake. And thanks to everyone who has bought my book and shared their wonderful reviews! 🙏🏻

My wish for you after reading this poetry collection is that you’ll discover a few poems that evoke a special memory or act as a reminder that you are not alone in living with your emotions. Maybe you’ll get a good laugh or experience an ‘aha’ moment. Above all, when you turn the last page, may you discover the reward of living ever so gently. 🩵

Thank you so much for stopping by today! ❤️

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

Ongoing 5-star love for Ever So Gently 🩵

On September 20, 2023September 20, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Reviews, Poetry77 Comments

Dear Friends,

More beautiful reviews have arrived for my latest book, Ever So Gently, and I couldn’t be happier! How can I not enjoy the view from Cloud 9 or dance like no one is watching! Or dance when anyone is watching! So, a Huge Thank you to my wonderful author friends, Smitha, Carol, and Abbie, for their lovely reviews. But most importantly, I feel gratitude in my heart because they truly enjoyed my new poetry collection. And now for the reviews:

I have longed to read this book of poems ever since I saw the cover and the book’s name, but mostly because I had read ‘More than Coffee’ by Lauren Scott and loved it.
I was surprised to learn that the cover of this book, which is a beautiful shade of blue-green, had been painted by the poet’s son. It perfectly goes with the book title and the theme of the poems in the book. It also represents the poet’s kind and loving nature, which comes across repeatedly in all her writing.
Lauren Scott’s poetry will help you find your bearings again if you’re in a quandary or feel lost. The poems are like a breath of fresh air. They will make you see things differently and appreciate things you have been taking for granted.
Ever so gently comes with a relevant message- ‘To be gentle’ at all times in your actions and responses to situations and to those around you. Lauren Scott does a lovely job of packaging this message with beautiful imagery that will touch the heart.
In Lauren’s words, “Ever So Gently expresses the gentle demeanor in which I welcome nature’s offerings. The gentle way in which I should react to life’s challenges.” She adds, “succeeding in ‘gentle’ may not happen around the clock, so if I slip up, I will try again.”
Although the poems are autobiographical in nature, it is bound to strike a chord because Lauren Scott talks of experiences that all of us have experienced or will experience at some point in our lives- memories of childhood, growing up, finding love, death of parents, parenthood, sibling love, feelings of becoming an empty-nester, nature, love of and for a pet.
There are around seventy-five odd poems of varying structures in the book that take you on a journey of the poet’s life and experiences and will leave you thinking of your own.
The book is for everyone who wants to reboot and a great reminder to live better lives. I highly recommend this book.

~Smitha Vishwanath

I needed time to linger over and savor Lauren Scott’s poetry. This accessible collection of poems is divided into three parts: The Wisdom of Nature; The Noise, The Laughter, The Chaos, The Loved Ones; and Lost in Thought all evoking a wide spectrum of observations and memories. This is definitely a collection to be read and reread for its uplifting and thought-provoking ideas.

In this world where there is so much violence it is refreshing to read about the beauty of Nature and everyday experiences, as simple as it may be to wanting a new sofa. She uses her poetry to remind us to start our day smiling and to appreciate our aging bodies.

Pay Attention!

Much of her poetry is about recording her observations:

Can the sun slipping behind downy clouds be more spectacular?

Lauren Scott shows that she is fearless in exposing her love, her joys, her sorrows and her dreams.

~ Carol Balawyder

After reading More Than Coffee, I wanted to read more by this author. Ever So Gently didn’t disappoint me.

I like the variety of subject matter in this collection. Some poems are about nature while others are about humans. Some are light while others cover more serious topics.

Because I’m an animal lover, my favorite was “I Was Adopted,” which is written from the point of view of the author’s Labrador. “Lost Conversation with Dad” reminded me of losing my own father. I could relate to “When Life Throws Us Curveballs” and “We Find an Escape” and like the way she ends the collection on a hopeful note with the title poem, “Ever So Gently.”

The editor’s introduction at the beginning and the author’s acknowledgements at the end add a nice touch. Although this collection is short, the poems are meant to be read more than once and savored.

~ Author Abbie Johnson Taylor

Gratitude fills my heart
Radiant, energetic
All aglow, and my feet
Tap to the beat of joy,
Inhaling excitement
That resumes because of
Unconditional support
Dazzling from friends
Ever So Gently!
~Lauren Scott 💜

My book is available on Amazon by clicking on the image. Thanks to you who have bought a copy! I hope you have enjoyed or are enjoying this personal collection. And if so, I hope you’ll consider leaving a review on Amazon – your thoughts can be elaborate or they can be short and sweet. I appreciate all!
I can’t thank Smitha, Carol, and Abbie enough, and everyone who has reviewed my book on Amazon and Goodreads!

Thanks always for stopping by! ❤️