Saturday Smiles & A Lot Going On!

On December 14, 2024December 14, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Promotions, Book Reviews, Celebrations, Poetry84 Comments

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!

Are you smiling? I hope so!

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.

Cindy’s book is on sale for the holidays:

Links For Purchase:

Ebooks are now only 2.99 on Amazon

Paperback is 9.99 available on Amazon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 which she 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! 💞

New Release! Click on the image to purchase
your copy! ❤️🙏

100 Things I Love & Are Grateful For!

On December 10, 2024December 10, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Life160 Comments

When I read Brian’s post at WritingfromtheheartofBrian where he shared a list of 100 things he loves, it really touched me. Brian’s posts and the essays he writes are always moving, humorous, and authentic. Please pay him a visit if you haven’t met him yet. Anyway, I picked up my loyal journal from where it rests on the coffee table, and began making a list. I seamlessly wove together things I love and things I’m thankful for. Perfect timing because here we are with Christmas just around the corner. The spirit of the season seeps into our hearts. For the sake of time, I tried to narrow my list down to 50, but I couldn’t. Now this says it all! And I went a few over! 🙂 These are in no particular order.

Family time.
Sharing life’s adventures with my best friend, my husband, for almost 36 years (37 since we met).

3. My dog, Copper. He’s 14 years old and doesn’t go fast and far anymore, but he’s doing well.
4. Good health – this is no laughing matter, as my dad used to say. I don’t think I grasped the profound meaning when I was young, but now I get it.
5. Baking – carrying on my mom’s tradition.
6. Singing – my passion since I was 9 years old.
7. Barbara Streisand – my vocal idol who I was fortunate to see in concert – the most magical evening!
8. Elvis Presley – I was only a teenager, but his voice was incredible and he was so handsome. 🙂 I was lucky to see him in concert with my family two years before he passed away so young.
9. Redwoods – I feel a sense of peace and reverence whenever I’m in their company.

10. My childhood cabin – memories of Yahtzee nights and Mom’s lasagna!
11. Chocolate chip cookies made from scratch right out of the oven!
12. Sunsets, especially at our favorite lake.

13. Writing! Poetry, Fiction, a children’s book – trying new genres for a challenge.
14. Reading – getting lost in poetry that resonates or in the pages of a compelling book!
15. Poetry of Mary Oliver – I feel deeply moved by her poems.
16. Beautiful gardens – the colors, the life, the connections, the honey bees!
17. Addictive Netflix shows – Virgin River, Schitz Creek, Grey’s Anatomy, Gilmore Girls, & New Amsterdam.
18. Long phone chats with my daughter in TN.
19. Long phone chats with my son in CO.
20. Chardonnay on a Friday night after another work week has come to an end.
21. Going to the movies – the whole experience of relaxing in the recliner chairs and munching on popcorn.
22. Music – singing, dancing, listening, going to concerts.
23. A quiet drive on country roads.
24. Wine country in the spring and fall.
25. All animals, esp. dogs, and elephants – After I read two non-fiction books about elephants, I fell in love with the magnificent creatures.
26. Chocolate!

27. Hawaii.
28. Camping in a tent – I don’t mind roughing it and getting a little dirty.
29. Campfires in the wilderness.

30. The color blue like the clearest sky, a tropical ocean, and my husband’s eyes.
31. Musicals – The Sound of Music with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plumber top the list.
32. Small, charming towns.
33. Reminiscing through old photo albums. The memories…
34. Moving furniture around in the house.
35. RomComs: Pretty Woman, While You Were Sleeping, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, The Proposal, When Harry Met Sally

36. A hot shower after tent camping for a week.
37. Air conditioning on a 100 degree summer day.
38. A fun day at the county fair. I have great memories of going as a family, checking out the art exhibits, the pig races and petting zoo, riding the ferris wheel, and eating fun fair food: gyros and chocolate mint ice cream.
39. Noisy holiday gatherings with children’s laughter that evoke wonderful family memories of when my parents were still with us.
40. Christmas decorations inside and outside.
41. Coffee with hubby no matter where we are.

42. Typing.
43. A great sense of humor 😂
44. Kind people.
45. Ethical politicians.
46. Tacos and a margarita.
47. Jeans and t-shirts.
48. Hokas – my saving grace to mitigate foot nerve pain.
49. Jewelry – Silver, gold, beaded, all kinds. Necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets. I love to accessorize!
50. Blogging and the wonderful friends I’ve made!
51. My Apple watch – changing the photo & using for exercise. It’s simply fun.
52. The moon!
53. Visiting my daughter in TN.
54. Visiting my son in CO.
55. Technology when it works! LOL
56. My white Mazda CX-5.
57. Disneyland – Childhood memories of having Disneyland in my backyard. I love Disney!
58. Compassionate and trustworthy doctors – I am grateful for the care and treatment my family has received at Kaiser over the years.
59. Purses.
60. Backpacking with my husband! The tranquility, carrying all we need on our backs, the photos, the memories!

61. Hiking.
62. Holding a book in my hands. There’s something special about the feel of the cover and pages.
63. When Paxlovid kicked in during Covid, even though the metallic taste in my mouth was unpleasant for a week.
64. Organization.
65. Playing in the snow: sledding, snow shoeing, tobogganing, tubing.
66. A lush, green lawn.
67. Carrot cake. Did you know it counts as a vegetable? 🙂

***Made by my son for my birthday a few years ago.***

68. Sitting on our patio on a summer evening, watching the hummingbirds.
69. Stinson Beach.
70. Heat in the house on a cold winter’s morning.
71. A live Christmas tree adorned with ornaments the kids made and ornaments that were given to us.

72. A new roof that cost too much but that keeps us dry.
73. A house we call home.
74. The feeling of euphoria I had after giving birth to my daughter and son.
75. Walking hand in hand with my husband.
76. Paying someone a compliment.
77. Waking up early in the morning and enjoying quiet time to read, write, or blog.
78. Reveling in the joy when my husband gets home from an awesome motorcycle ride.
79. A simple walk around the neighborhood. Each time, it’s a different experience.
80. When my kids tell me they love me.
81. Receiving Christmas cards.
82. Getting together with friends.
83. Motorcycle rides with my husband.
84. Lucille Ball. The laughter never ends!
85. Enjoying a day at the beach.
86. Attempting a new creative endeavor and succeeding.
87. Reading the blogs I follow.
88. Listening to the rain from inside my cozy home.
89. How comfy my bed feels at night when I’m tired.
90. Any body of water.

91. The excitement of a new year’s possibilities.
92. Riding bikes in Lake Tahoe.
93. Weekend getaways.
94. Having something to look forward to.
95. When my children graduated from UC Davis.
96. Self-publishing a new book.
97. My poetry and stories getting published in literary magazines.
98. Opening all windows in the house on a beautiful spring day.
99. Emojis ❤️🥰🎉🤗🙏 What can I say? They’re fun! 😍
100. Bodega Bay.
101. Pain-free days and nights.
102. Samuel P. Taylor Park.
103. Point Reyes.
104. West Marin.
105. The Cheese Factory.

Could any of these land on your list? I’m sure some from Brian’s are the same for mine. And that’s okay. Like- minded individuals!
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Thanks for taking the time, and for stopping by today!
I appreciate you all for visiting my little corner of blogland. ❤️

New Release! Click on the image if you’d like
to purchase a copy! ❤️🙏

For All That Was Lost Has Been Found & More Exciting News that brings Gratitude!

On December 8, 2024December 8, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Promotions, Poetry69 Comments

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.

© Lauren Scott

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! 🙏

Diana Wallace Peach – mythsofthemirror
Author of The Necromancer’s Daughter

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! 😁

Sally Cronin – smorgasbordblogmagazine
Author of Size Always Matters

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 ❤️

New Release! Click on the image if you’d like
to purchase a copy! ❤️🙏

Early Thanksgiving Thoughts and Wishes

On November 26, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Holidays, Photos110 Comments

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, Ever So Gently). 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. These are thoughts from last year’s post.

And so, to those who celebrate Thanksgiving, I wish you a blessed day, and to those who don’t, I wish you a blessed day! Below is a poem I give to you all! ❤️

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Born from history a day we celebrate
blessings in our lives, for each breath we take
but some live in darkness with light, imaginary
living to survive is anything but sanctuary
I hold them in my heart, though trite to some ears
In moments of surrender, I give freedom to the tears

So, I ask not for anything
but one gift I will bring
to the feast laid before me
where all should dance with glee
a piece of me that I impart
is my very grateful heart.

p.s. Cora’s Quest, a children’s book, is coming in December –
I’m working on final approvals.
p.s.s. I’m working on several book reviews, but because of tech issues,
I lost the word doc. Sigh. Maybe a miracle will bring it back.
Otherwise, I have to start over. These will come in December also,
but I had hoped by end of this month.
Sometimes, all we can do is go with the flow! 🥰

I appreciate you all,
Hugs, Lauren 🩷🍁❤️

***Photo courtesy of my daughter, Cheekwood Estate, Tennessee***

Gobblers by Masticadores Publishes “Who says miracles don’t happen?”

On November 3, 2024November 3, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Gobblers by Masticadores, Poetry

Thank you to Manuela Timofte for publishing this post about rainbows and miracles. Some of you may remember it from a few weeks ago. This week I’m praying for a miracle, so I’m grateful for the perfect timing! I’m closing comments because I invite you to visit Gobblers to offer Manuela support at her wonderful literary site. And after viewing the photos and reading my poem, “Darker than the Deepest Sea” I hope you’ll be inclined to leave a ‘like’ and maybe even a comment…🤗🌈

Who says miracles don’t happen?

As always, thanks SO much for visiting my corner of the blogging world.

I wish you a fabulous day and week ahead,
Lauren ❤️🤗

Website: baydreamerwrites.com
Author Of The Month, May 2023 Spillwords Press
Publication of the Month,
October 2024 “Treats only, Please!” Spillwords Press
Monthly Contributor, Gobbers-Masticadores Literary Website
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08NCRH4MK
Author Latest Release Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poems
Author, More than Coffee: Memories in Verse and Prose
Author, Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poems
Author, New Day, New Dreams: A Poetry Collection
Co-Author, Petals of Haiku
Co-Author, This is How We Grow
Co-Author, Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships
Cora’s Quest, A children’s book, coming soon!

***Click*** ***on the image*** ***to purchase your copy.***
***Thank you***! 🧡🍂🍁

Celebrating Spillwords Press October Publication of the Month!

On November 1, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Awards, Poetry78 Comments

Happy Friday and Happy November!

Thanks to your generosity and for taking the time to vote, my poem “Treats only, Please!” won Publication of the Month for October on Spillwords Press!!! 🎉🎉

I am so excited to receive this award among 15 other wonderful nominees! Thank you to Dagmara K. and her team for providing a welcoming literary site for authors to share their emotions through words. I’m honored to be a part of the Spillwords Press community!

I offer my deepest gratitude for your vote and ongoing support, and for visiting Spillwords to read my poem, “Treats only, Please!” I’m delighted that my light-hearted, entertaining take on Halloween resonated with so many! A poem that was inspired by the days when my children were young and had a blast dressing up in their cute costumes to trick-or-treat! I took a stroll down memory lane to find the pics below…

***Harry Potter meets a vampire***, and our Lucky Girl joins
in the fun! ***Lucky Girl was given her wings in 2011.*** ❤️

My poem is displayed on the sidebar of the Series tab at Spillwords.com for the month of November, if you’d like to take a peek!

Have a wonderful day and weekend ahead, and thank you again!

~ Lauren ❤️

Website: baydreamerwrites.com
Author Of The Month, May 2023 Spillwords Press
Monthly Contributor, Gobbers-Masticadores Literary Website
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08NCRH4MK
Author Latest Release Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poems
Author, More than Coffee: Memories in Verse and Prose
Author, Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poems
Author, New Day, New Dreams: A Poetry Collection
Co-Author, Petals of Haiku
Co-Author, This is How We Grow
Co-Author, Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships
Cora’s Quest, A children’s book, coming soon!

Literary Revelations Journal features my poetry!

On October 30, 2024October 30, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry77 Comments

***Photo: credit to Literary Revelations Publishing House***

Dear Family and Friends!

I have more exciting news to share! I am grateful to Gabriela Marie Milton for the opportunity of being featured on her literary journal today – Literary Revelations! She has published two of my poems: “I Know This” and “Wild Emotions.” I am always in awe of her beautiful, evocative poetry and of the poetry she features of other talented writers. So, thank you, once again, Gabriela! I am on Cloud 9!! ❤️

Literary Revelations has published a myriad of beautiful books. The most recent are Full Moon Confessions by Tracey Anne and Petals of Haiku: An Anthology, in which the art on the cover is by award-winning painter Hikari. I am honored to be a part of this amazing anthology with over 160 poets.

For some reason, WordPress won’t allow me to add book images in the body of the post, so please visit Gabriela’s site here to peruse her wonderful books.

And now I offer you snippets of my poems:

I Know This

We do not live forever,
I know this,
just as sunlight and moonbeams
cannot shine simultaneously.
But sometimes I feel
he and I
will transcend the inevitable.
Imagining the opposite
is unimaginable…

Wild Emotions

No one listens, no one understands the version of me…
My spirit sinks to the bottom of the ocean floor.
My sky holds gray clouds with no sign of cerulean.
My body suffers heaviness as the hand of death.
My mind resides in a muddle of negativity
Like a dirge repeating loop after loop…
A shadowy corner in my room invites me for an extended stay.
Sun rays no longer peek through my curtains
Because even my sunken spirit has the sun feeling uncertain…

I hope you’ll visit Gabriela’s post to read the poems in their entirety. My heart would be full of gratitude! You can also click on the link below.

Thank you SO much for stopping by and for your continued support. Words can’t express how thankful I am for you! And I wish you a fabulous day, and a fun Halloween!🙏❤️

Featuring Lauren Scott’s beautiful poetry

Words to ponder & Spillwords Voting ends tomorrow on October 30th for “Treats only, Please!”

On October 29, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Nominations & Awards, Poetry48 Comments

*Photo courtesy of my daughter in Tennessee.*

As I shared on October 26th, my poem “Treats only, Please!” has been nominated for Publication of the Month by Spillwords Press! This recognition has been thrilling and unexpected. As you already know, I’m not into scary anything! This is why when I decided to write a Halloween poem, I reminisced to the days when my children were young and couldn’t wait to trick-or-treat. My thoughts were more in line with fun and entertaining. So, being nominated is a true honor, especially to be in the company of many amazing writers. Thank you again to Dagmara, her team at Spillwords, and to the readers who offer wonderful support!

If you haven’t yet, I humbly ask for your vote, and it’s not easy to ask. But it is suggested that we spread the news, so please forgive me for asking again. 🤗 If you choose to support me, simply visit Spillwords here: https://spillwords.com/vote/ and you will need to register and/or log in. Your support means the world to me ! ❤️

**Last day to vote is tomorrow, October 30th!**

Treats only, Please!

Creepy cackles from tall, looming trees
startle their jumpy heartbeats as they walk.
Shadows discreetly follow the echoes
while they timidly proceed down the block.

Young voices repeat with conviction,
“It’s just a night for entertainment.”
There’s no need for goosebumps and fear
as their eyes focus on the cracked pavement.

Undeniably sensing they’re not alone,
many follow in their hesitant footsteps,
eager to reach doors and push doorbells
but afraid of frightening special effects.

Broomstick witches in purple velvet capes,
eerie fog rolling in with white-gown ghosts,
superheroes from blockbuster movies,
owls hooting from high in their posts.

Some faces look like long lost relatives,
wrinkly and aged like dear old granny.
Ignoring the screeches, they focus only
on filling pillowcases with loads of candy!

You can read the poem on Spillwords here!❤️🙏

I offer a Huge Thanks to you who have already voted for my poem. 🙏💞

And as you depart today, I leave you with words to ponder…

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.
(From Ever So Gently)