and this sunny, Monday morning, I’m sharing a poem from my book, Ever So Gently. If you’ve already read it, I hope you don’t mind a repeat. 🙂 This poem was inspired from one of our lake trips in the Sierra Mountains…
The First Morning
Our eyes open to chirps from high in the fir trees, and we hear the rustle of a skittering squirrel. The evening before, every creature became silent as darkness sank into the evening. But this morning, with sunlight caressing the lake, we walk the few steps to calm water, nestle into our chairs and slowly sip our coffee. We listen. Peace. Cottony clouds drift by. We want to move into them, feel their softness enfold us. They shift with the grace of a swan. Ripples shimmer above sand. Art in clear water. And this is when we watch morning happen…
It’s time for me to focus on some things in my personal life, which means a little break from blogging. I’d like to say I’ll be sipping coffee again with hubby in the mountains, but that’s not the case. When life pulls with a firm grip, we get the message.I’m not sure how long this break will last, maybe a week, maybe more. But until I see you again…
Take good care. Keep an open mind, and try to find joy even in tough times. And thank you for spending time in my corner of blogland.
Yesterday was going to be a hot one, so hubby suggested we drive into Sausalito and visit this cute little beach. The weather was cooler by the bay, and the sky was the bluest it’s ever been. We walked around, enjoying the sights, and of course, our coffee. Then some thoughts came to mind and landed in the form of Shadorma poems…
Escaping hot temperatures we find a quiet beach sights offer tranquility breathing in salt air
Boats on the bay, stoic in their beauty a lifestyle inviting surrounded by calm water waiting to take sail
Sitting on the sand, toes buried we people watch, little boy giggles from water joy paddle boarders learn
Owning this moment of stillness together he and I new memory to create over and over
Cheers! Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed. Have a lovely week ahead! 💦💙🩵☕️
Are you a collector of mugs like I am? Every so often, I have to let go of a few so I can buy more! I always find another mug on a trip that I can’t pass up. My latest additions are from my talented and lovely friend, Marina. She is a fantastic photographer, artist, and musician. In fact, she and her husband, Oannes, have a band MK-O [the music of Marina Kanavaki & Oannes].I think it’s easy to say Marina is definitely multi-talented! But she is also one of the kindest people I’ve ever met (even though it’s only through blogging). Please visit her blog if you haven’t had the pleasure yet. You’ll love her incredible talent but also her gentle nature.
The mugs below are my new additions with artwork by Marina, and I think they are just gorgeous! For some reason, I couldn’t get my act together to take a photo with coffee in them.😁 But I believe you can imagine. They are perfect for a hot, soothing cuppa! Don’t you love the colors and the cheer? We’ve had June gloom weather, so these delightful designs and colors brighten the mood. So, why don’t you pour yourself a cup and enjoy!
If you’re in the mood to shop, check out Marina’s page where you’ll find a whole host of her amazing designs and products.I hope you’ll do some shopping!
Thank you, Marina, for being YOU! I look forward to perusing more of your gorgeous art! ❤️
And now I don’t mean to overwhelm with more about coffee, but yesterday I saw the link come through fromSelma’s blog.She wrote a review for my latest book, More than Coffee, that couldn’t help but put me in the mood to dance! I haven’t known Selma for long in this warm blogging community, but in a short time, I know she is a lovely and compassionate individual, not to mention, a beautiful poet. And I already consider her a dear friend. If you haven’t had the chance to meet Selma, I encourage you to pay her a visit. She will welcome you with open armswhere you can immerse yourself in her incredible writing. Below is her stunning review. I am over the moon again!
Ah, life! It doesn’t come with a manual on how to live it, but if you’re looking for a role model to live authentically to radiate happiness from within, I invite you to look no further than More Than Coffee—Memories in Verse and Prose by Lauren Scott. What a lovely book. It’s loaded with personal stories sprinkled with heartfelt poetry that enhances each phase reached in the Author’s narrative. Her resonant heart and calming voice befriended me from the get-go.
From the preface and the first story, entitled Silver Heirlooms, that opens with the Author telling us about an old set of silverware she inherited from her mother. To the last one, Magic, a poem, she had me glowing with gratitude, as was her hope for me in the preface. Mission accomplished. I’m all lit up.
This Author doesn’t overuse language, and in More Than Coffee, she writes about her life with reverence. The cadence of her voice reached under my skin, and I found myself nodding to her words.
This 63-page paperback compilation of memories in verse and prose is estimated to be a 100-minute read. It is if you want to breeze through it. But slow reader that I am, a sentimental romantic, who loves her family just as much as this Author loves hers, I went slow—savoring her beautiful words. And glad I did—I had many epiphanies and pauses that helped to uplift me for knowing people with beautiful hearts like Author Lauren Scott exist.
In this modern age of AI, fake and negative news in the media, and varied lifestyles, in the middle of just such a life, there exists room for more happiness—this book will get you one step closer.
Because happiness does that—seeing someone happy gets us all closer.
I’m glad I read More Than Coffee—Memories in Verse and Prose by Lauren Scott and want to recommend it to everyone—a resounding 5-star rating.
…Because even second-hand happiness makes us all happy.
Thank you again, Selma! My heart is bursting with gratitude! ❤️
Selma’s original post can be foundhere, and you’ll be able to read her wonderful review for It Ain’t Winning If Without You by Michelle Ayon Navajas, another book added to my TBR.
Thanks so much for dropping in, and I wish you a wonderful week! ❤️❤️
Spillwords Press has published my second poem today , “Toots and Circles” and I am honored to have my writing featured on their site again!
This poem evolved one morning when a friend in nature woke us up with its morning greeting just before our alarm sounded off…
Toots and Circles
Perhaps he was a Western Screech Owl that I heard outside our bedroom window in the early darkness before the sun fashioned its glorious arrival. I cannot say with conviction, but it is certain he proclaimed his presence with his high-pitched toots.
And I”ll be grateful if you head over to Spillwords and click on the heart to “like” the poem. 😁 I’d even do a happy dance if you’d leave a comment, but of course, you’ll need to create an account and log in. I won’t ask you to do this since we are all inundated with user names and passwords. One can hope though! Please know your time and support is greatly appreciated if you choose one of these options.❤️
Thank you again to Dagmara K. and her team for accepting my submission. I am thrilled to the moon and truly gratified!
I hope you enjoyed my poem, and I wish you many miracles in nature! ❤️
I am honored and delighted to be featured on Priorhouse blog today. It was fun to be interviewed by Yvette while we talked about my latest book, More than Coffee. Of course, we talked about coffee, and even tea poured into the conversation, but there is also more to enjoy and learn. And if you aren’t familiar with Priorhouse blog, visit Yvette here . She runs a regular interview series with other authors, participates in photo and writing challenges, and really shares a little bit of everything. And now Yvette will take it from here…
One of the main reasons for this interview is to share about Lauren Scott’s book, More than Coffee: Memories in Verse and Prose.
My review of the book is on Good Reads (here) and the book is briefly explored in this post.
Also, if you drink coffee and/or tea, you might enjoy our brief chat about different types of mugs.
PRIOR: Lauren, thank you so much for making the time for this interview. Can you share a little about yourself?
LAUREN: Since my teen years, I’ve always had journals to jot down my random thoughts or emotions, but I began sharing on my blog, baydreamerwrites.com, over a decade ago. Writing poetry has been a joyful experience but also cathartic during difficult times. I also enjoy writing memoir and have dabbled in fiction short stories. Recently, I developed an interest in attempting children’s stories, when inspiration came at full speed, so I have completed two children’s books that have not yet been published. But I have finished the manuscript for one of them, so I have passed it along to my illustrator, and I’m excited for this new adventure and can’t wait to see the finished book.
My husband, Matt, and I have been married for thirty-four years, together for thirty-five years.
LAUREN: I have authored two collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013) and Finding a Balance (2015), and my latest book, More than Coffee: Memories in Verse and Prose was published in 2021. My poetry has been included in several anthologies, and I am a published author atSpillwords.com. Currently, another poetry collection is in progress that will hopefully be released in June 2023.
PRIOR: Best wishes with that book release.
LAUREN: Thanks,Yvette. Recent backpacking trips with my husband, along the California coast and Sierra Nevada mountains, have stirred up thoughts to pen about fear, loss of friendship, overcoming challenges, nature, of course, and the possibility that anything can happen.
These wilderness adventures provided a myriad of writing inspiration for the book More than Coffee, as well as for my upcoming book.
Speaking of my upcoming book, the title is Ever So Gently, and will be a larger compilation of poetry, mostly freeverse, but with a modicum of syllabic poems in forms such as Haiku, Tanka, Shadorma, Oddquain, and Etheree. There are three different themes that will be woven from the first page to the last: my love of nature; Love in a romantic form, a deep love after 35 years together, and love for family; and lastly, poems about the many pieces in the puzzle of life, along with the beautiful brush strokes of life’s painting that begins as a blank canvas…joy discovered in many facets, dealing with loss and heartache, the effects of climate change, and a hint of personification.
My writing projects are sometimes serious – drawn from painful subjects and raw emotions – or they spotlight my silly side – pulled from humorous moments.
As you can discern, I am inspired to write about family, love, loss, and nature – the marvelous wild world, the smell of the woods, the sound of a babbling brook, and the chorus of birds singing.
PRIOR: That is another thing your writing brings to the world – you let us feel nature with you.
LAUREN: Nature has so much to offer if we simply open our eyes. Hikes along a local creek remind me that life is fragile. From seeing trout hatchlings to swallowtail butterflies, I marvel at how the world is interconnected and every living thing matters.
Yvette, my honest wish is that my readers will find a little nugget of delight, comfort, or understanding in my poetry and stories – I hope every reader will find some detail that resonates with them beyond my words.
PRIOR: Well that is what I took away from More than Coffee when I read it – I felt the “little delights and comforts”. That book is what led to this interview. I bought a softcover copy from Amazon and enjoyed reading a few selections each day for an entire month. I found that your very personal selections were also universal and written in a way that lets us experience many of the memories and reflections with you.
From the back cover of the book:
“More than Coffee is a memoir that paints a picture of young dreams and fears through short stories and poetry. But in adulthood, these dreams and fears transform. This collection touches on love and loss, nature and endurance, marriage and parenting. Humor diffuses fear, and taking risks proves to be a powerful method in boosting self-confidence. Through it all, whether in the wilderness near a sparkling lake or in the comfort of home, there’s nothing like a good cup of coffee. This book is a reflective collection of verse and prose best enjoyed sipping your favorite coffee roast, or your preferred beverage.”
PRIOR: It really is a great book to go in and out of. While the Kindle e-version might be ideal for some folks – other readers might want to consider the soft cover of More than Coffee because the experience of reading will be different. It makes a great coffee table book. Here are the links:
I liked all the entries in More than Coffee and one that stood out was the short poem called Wealth:
Wealth
It’s a postage-stamp dwelling with a few chips and dents, but within the walls lie giggles and imaginations. Love enfolds itself into every crevice… a wealth much greater.
LAUREN: That poem has a personal connection, so I’m glad you liked it too.
PRIOR: I also liked the selection 1989.
LAUREN: 1989 is one of my favorites, a story that tells the funny tale of how I met my husband, and how I’m so grateful now, that after 34 years of being happily married to each other, 35 years together, he is my best friend and I am his. We complement each other. Communication is key in any relationship, so it has been a constant in ours. We talk about everything and have held each other up in times of sorrow. Our life has also given us much to celebrate, and he is the subject of many of my poems.
Another favorite is the story, The Way It Was, which is about my childhood dream as a nine-year-old. I wanted to sing professionally and that dream wound its way into high school where I shared how an amazing teacher encouraged me to step out of the box I had trapped myself in regarding the types of songs I sang. I learned something new and great about myself. Moments in the spotlight were not only fun, they were beyond thrilling.
However, that story, The Way It Was, also touches on the transformation of dreams and that it is okay to have more than one dream. We are in control of our own choices, so if we decide to slide into a new lane, it’s alright. Dreams are allowed to change shapes as we grow, without regrets, but with many special memories. Gratitude is also key in this story.
PRIOR: That might be one of my favorite quotes from you:
“Dreams are allowed to change shapes as we grow, without regrets…”
It is wise – encouraging – and something many of us need to embrace. I also like your resilient outlook and I think the wellness messages layered in your book can edify and model wellness ideas.
LAUREN: I love that you have discovered the many layers of messages in my memories. More than Coffee isn’t just about sharing my experiences or even drinking coffee. It’s about the subtle life messages that I’ve sprinkled throughout the book, hoping they’ll enlighten or resonate with my readers, and this book spotlights the people and places that have enriched my life.
PRIOR: Speaking of coffee in the title of your book, what is your favorite brand of coffee?
LAUREN: My favorite coffee is Peet’s dark roast blend called Major Dickenson’s. Peet’s is a popular local coffee shop downtown, a five-minute drive, or a lovely twenty-minute walk.
PRIOR: Do you have a favorite mug?
LAUREN: As to a favorite mug, you wouldn’t think this would be difficult to answer, but I love mugs! I collect them like kids used to collect baseball cards. I can’t choose just one, so I’ll name a few: my daughter and I used to watch “Friends” so I love the “Friends” mug she gave me. My son gave me a pretty blue mug with Rise and Shine on the front, another favorite.
Both of these mugs are big enough so that I can use my milk frother for a foamy touch similar to a latte. And then I have several matching sets that my husband and I have bought on trips we’ve taken – all sentimental.
LAUREN: I have to say that every mug that sits on the shelf in the cupboard holds some kind of significance.
PRIOR: Oh how fun that you enjoy a variety of cups/mugs. I do not collect coffee mugs, but sometimes my husband will tease me when I go shopping and he will say, “No more mugs…” ha – and he might say, “no more bags, pillows, or places to sit” – 🙂
LAUREN: I know what you mean…my husband will say the same about no more mugs!
PRIOR: Well we both know that the mug we use depends on the beverage. Black coffee? Any small mug will do. And for tea? Depends on the kind of tea I am using. I used to make loose leaf tea but I have found what I like in bags. I know some folks will cringe to read that (like maybe Janet– ha – and FYI – here is her interesting post about Irish Breakfast Tea).
LAUREN: One kind of hot tea that I enjoy is Yogi Mango Ginger. Once in a while on a winter evening, a hot cup of tea hits the spot and both of those flavors are favorites. When winter arrives, an occasional hot chocolate hits the spot. Who would’ve thought marshmallows could be so entertaining! Hot chocolate used to be more of a staple years ago when our children were little. Now though, the kids and my husband and I don’t eat marshmallows (after learning the ingredients, reading labels of the foods we eat began years ago) 🙂 . Iced tea is my go-to drink when the sun bears down with all its might in the summer months.
PRIOR: I am glad you mentioned the seasons because I actually drink less coffee/tea in summer months. Do you have a favorite season?
LAUREN: I love the renewal of spring, the colorful blooms poking up through the soil, inviting inspiration and hope. Warm tones of autumn and cooler temperatures bring a sense of relief following the heat of summer. But there is something also relaxing about sitting on our patio on a calm summer evening, feeling a balmy breeze pirouette around us. I also love the coziness that winter brings. We enjoy fires crackling in the fireplace, lighting candles and reveling in their soothing ambience, and feeling grateful that we are tucked inside our cozy home when the rain falls in droves, the wind blows aggressively, while the temperature plummets.
It’s really hard to narrow down all the wonderful past memories into one favorite season. Many seasons brought joy and some brought buckets of tears. The summer and fall months from 2017 to last year when my husband began taking me backpacking will always be special. By this time, I was in my mid-fifties, had some reservations, but I also felt determined, wanting to get that pack on my back and my boots on the trail. I write about my journey in one of the stories, “Ascent.” I express my joy of accomplishment while also grieving the passing of my father. At this time, both of my parents had passed. A chapter in my life I had to slowly process.
All the summers of taking our young children camping and showing them the beauty of the great outdoors, another favorite “season.”
My favorite season, though, isn’t about weather, but rather, about family in a more simple, yet profound manner. My husband and I entered into the empty nest “season” two years ago. Our daughter and son both now live across the country. They are chasing their dreams and we are proud of them. And as much as we talk, text, and visit as often as possible, it’s not enough “in person” time for me. So, my favorite season of all is when our grown children are home to visit and we are all together.
PRIOR: I enjoyed what you shared about seasons. The weather seasons – and then the seasonal changes we experience with family and life’s milestones. It was so well said and it has been a highlight of this interview for me.
LAUREN: It has been fun to share today. Thanks again, Yvette, for this wonderful opportunity to talk about my book, and I’m so thrilled that you enjoyed it.
PRIOR: I enjoyed it for an entire month and I look forward to your release of Ever So Gently. Another highlight of this interview was the brief chat about mugs and coffee/tea.
It’s that time again when most of us wonder where the past year went and how fast it zipped by. In just a few weeks, we’ll be drinking champagne and kissing at midnight, ringing in a new year, 2023. Decades ago, these numbers sounded straight out of The Jetson’s! But before the bubbly and the kiss comes Christmas, a Christian holiday for those of you who celebrate the birth of Jesus. But another jolly soul arrives, too, Santa, so you know what we need to do…shop!!
And if you’re looking for a gift, specifically, a lovely book that can be read in one sitting or savored by reading one poem or story at a time, look no further, my book, More than Coffee, may just be the perfect choice!
To give you a little peek inside the pages, here are some wonderful reviews:
This is a delightful collection of prose and poetry reflecting on a life tinged with sadness but also a great deal of love and humour. The author celebrates moments from her early life and marriage of over thirty years with stories that will entertain and also bring the reader’s own experiences to mind.
Sometimes it is the simplest things that evoke the warmest memories, such as a silver cutlery set, a toy frog called Sam, a yellowed kitchen chopper and the first time baking a traditional family birthday cake.
We are invited to concerts as a teenager overcomes self-doubt to solo in front of an audience of 2000 and fulfil a dream inspired by her idol Barbra Streisand. There are moments with spiders that might have you looking around your immediate surroundings, but you will also find yourself in some wonderful wilderness areas offering moments of reflection and a dip in a mountain pool.
Love is a central theme beginning with her mother and father’s love story that endured for nearly 70 years having begun in WWII with all its uncertainty and lengthy periods apart, and the author’s own fateful meeting with her husband, involving a kitchen appliance!
The loss of parents, even after a long and wonderful life, leaves a hole in our hearts. Their stories and poetry dedicated to them in this collection are heart-warming and reinforce the extent of their loving influence on the generations that followed.
The final part of the collection reflects on the changes that come when children leave the nest, and whilst this is obviously a time of sadness, there is also pride and delight as new lives are forged with future adventures to look forward to.
I enjoyed all the stories and poems in the collection and I am hard pushed to pick just one favourite but this one touched my heart.
Simple Existence
I stare at this page, milk white as the blanketed ground in winter’s staging where are the syllables?
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 who is satisfied with my simple existence.
I can highly recommend this collection to read in one sitting or to dip into when you are in need of gentle and uplifting moments.
I loved every word in this book. Scott’s style and loving expression took me into the heart of life and to what truly matters. Her thoughts of Wil, her father-in-law, are compassionate and delightful in equal measure. Scott’s love for her family and the life she and Matt have built for their children shine through. Belonging and Riding With The Wind are two of my favourite poems.
More Than Coffee is a delight from start to finish and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a dip into the magic of life.
This lovely book is a mix of a memoir about the author/poet’s life with some beautiful freestyle poems included after each prose section to enhance the emotion and moments shared. The memoirs are relatable and cover delightful memories of family brought back through inherited items and stories shared by family members as well as the author’s own life experiences including achievements, romance, parental love, and overcoming fears. The author’s personality and humour comes through strongly in her writing and poetry, as well as her joy and pleasure in the simple things in life.
My favourite poem in this collection and the one that summarised for me the spirit and essence of this book is Fulfilled.
Fulfilled
Let me drink from the gaze in your eyes Eyes that have me wildly mesmerized Mesmerized under their vivid piercing spell Spell which only you many cast over me Me, with a heart madly in love Love, a whirlwind of euphoric emotions so true True in not only our hearts, but in our minds Minds, fully aware of their endless thoughts Thoughts so amorous of us entwined
Now, if after reading these beautiful reviews, you find your interest is piqued, simply click on the Amazon link above, and Magic! Your copy (or copies) will be on its way! 🙂
So, I will end by saying that through the poems and stories in my book, I hope to inspire you to see the beauty around, to feel gratitude, to face challenges with verve, and to trek through that fear knowing you will find the light. I invite you to pour a cup of your favorite roast, or your preferred beverage, sink into your favorite chair, and enjoy the the rich taste while turning the pages.My wish is that you’ll find even a little nugget that resonates.
Thank you for reading, and I offer my utmost appreciation to you who have enjoyed my memories, and to those of you who have written reviews.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND HAPPY READING! ❤️🎄❤️
I just found this latest, wonderful review for my book, More than Coffee: Memories in Verse and Prose, and of course, I have to share! I’ve heard that book reviews are like hugs for indie authors, sohug away!!Trish’s review may be short, but it’s very sweet, packed with all good things to say!
MacTrish gives More than Coffee 5 stars:
Touching, funny, and reflective:
This volume is a delightful collection of observations about life and of the small, ordinary things viewed through fresh eyes. Some of the stories and poems made me chuckle, others were reflective and some were poignant and moving. This is one of those selections that is perfect for dipping into when the mood takes you. (If you’re an arachnophobe, you’ll enjoy Laughing Spiders!)
I am thrilled that another reader enjoyed my memories and the messages they conveyed. So, again, a Big Thanks to all of you who have bought a copy and indulged in a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage) while dipping into my memories, some funny, and others reflective and moving like Trish mentioned). And if you haven’t written a review, there is always time (but please, no pressure from me.) 🥰
One of the poems from my book:
Red Lipstick
With childlike fascination, I leaned against the door frame watching her apply a little powder to her nose, a touch of red to her lips. No more, no less. She was flawless. Then our eyes locked – an unspoken connection. Questions never-ending, I gently tucked her wisdom in a safe space where I could draw from it easily. I’d love to share tales of life she’s missing. Perhaps, again someday.
Extract from Laughing Spiders:
Mornings began to fuel unfamiliar anxiety as spider social calls manifested soon after the crack of dawn. The sun brightened the sky and another high school day was on the horizon. I grabbed a towel to dry off after showering when I felt something unnatural. Looking down, I watched in horror as a brown spider scuttled across my chest. I jumped, avoiding a nasty fall in the tub, and brushed the spider off not caring where it landed. I just wanted it off my skin.
These creepy-crawlies seemingly watched for me so they could plan their next prank. During another shower with my head full of shampoo suds, I spotted a black spider near my feet. The dance I did wasn’t a happy one. With a swish here and there, my foot managed to nudge the scary intruder down the drain with ripples of water, as I imagined it whirling into the dark depth of the water system. I quickly rinsed the suds out. Just as I felt calm run through my body, I looked down and saw that damn spider climbing out of the drain. This could only happen to me.
Extract from Ascent:
When we reached the top and I looked down that sleek granite dome, I was amazed at what I had achieved. Never underestimate our abilities. On the other side of the dome, Shealor Lake was in full view. We gave our legs a short rest, drank some water, then headed downhill with the enticing pull of the lake’s beauty. As we neared the bottom, my emotions ran wild. I was relieved that we finally made it, but a sudden wave of grief washed over me. We removed our packs and sat on a log for a time-out. I was so overwhelmed that the tears found freedom. I didn’t fight them. I cried for the loss of Dad. I cried for having completed this hike that I didn’t think I was capable of. I would’ve backed out graciously had I known the details.
After a few minutes, I composed myself and looked to the lake. The water, a jeweled phenomenon. It sparkled, inviting us for a swim. While we set up our back-country camp, the orange-hot sun blazed down on us as if we had drastically turned up the thermostat, so the cool lake water soothed our sun-kissed skin. The fact that we were all alone in this canyon full of forest and smooth granite was beyond welcoming. The tranquility offered me the chance to reminisce about Dad and my parents together. The solitude afforded a perfect destination to grieve, think, remember, and cry. Mourning the loss of one parent was difficult enough but losing both felt surreal – a new stage of life had begun.
If you’d like to purchase a copy, just click on “Buy on Amazon” below, and by the way, the holidays just happen to be around the corner in case you know of someone who may just want or need a gentle read.💜
Thanks for stopping by,and whenever you do, I hope you find something significant to take away. ❤️
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author 