This will be short, but first of all, thank you for your continued support to my little corner in the land of blogging. It’s been over ten years and I’m still truckin’ along, loving the journey and wonderful connections this community offers. Not to mention, the online classroom, so many forms of poetry and writing tips shared.
More gratitude for those who have offered tremendous support in any way for my latest book, More than Coffee. You are greatly and graciously appreciated. I apologize for the sappy component. Then again, it’s intentional. 🙂
And in closing, I’ll be taking a little time off from blogland to focus on family. So, I regret to miss your posts, but we all know the feeling that whirls around us when a break is needed. And perhaps, life nudges us with clues as well. Comments are also closed. But I look forward to seeing you all in the beginning of May.
Take care. Stay well. Be happy. Hugs of gratitude coming your way…
Don’t forget to enjoy the sweetnesslife offers!And the beauty! So much beauty! ❤️
While I work on my upcoming poetry collection entitled,Ever So Gently, I am delighted to still watch beautiful reviews for More than Coffee continue to trickle in. As I mention in the preface, “Whatever roast I sip, it’s the people, places, experiences, and memories that matter most to me-coffee just happens to be a bonus.” And this is exactly what compiling these memories was all about in the first place. Of course, you can sip any drink you enjoy while (I hope) relishing my stories and poems. But I’ll add that the cover of the book is a photo that was taken at Spider Lake in The Sierra, a favorite backpacking spot of mine and my husband’s. And there’s nothing like a hot cup of coffee in the mountains in the early morning hours when the sun is just waking up.
A big thanks to Michele, Debby, Darlene, and Alex (Trish) who are fabulous writers in our amazing online community! ❤️
Reading the poems and stories found in More than Coffee, by Lauren Scott, felt like being served a combination of delicious home-cooked food, with hot coffee of course, engaging in conversation with a friend, and strolling through family photo albums. If you are in the mood for a wholesome read about family, written by a writer who comes across as grateful, sentimental, and compassionate, then I recommend Scott’s charming memories in verse and prose.
A beautiful book of short slices of poignant moments of life in the author’s life, enhanced with poetic snapshots of life.
Scott invites us into her gratitude, loving memories and pieces of time that were stepping stones to her growth in life and relationships. I could relate to her stories, even though they were her stories. How legend Barbra Streisand was her idol and spurred on her love for music and singing into her hair brush microphone, how in a moment she knew her husband would become the love of her life and how time played out until their meeting was ripe.
Memories in verse and prose of personal times and achievements in romance, love growth, like when the nest became empty, love and loss with her father in law, pushing limits to go backpacking in later years. Written in a personal telling as though the author opened up her heart and shared memories, inviting us into her slices of life that many of us will find relatable in our own lives. This book is a love letter of gratitude of a life well lived and felt.
I enjoy the natural, easy-to-relate-to, style of Lauren Scott’s writing. In the preface, she mentions that – “Whatever roast I sip, it’s the people, places, experiences, and memories that matter most to me-coffee just happens to be a bonus.” I’m sure I will be forgiven for relaxing with a cup of tea as I relaxed and devoured her collection of short vignettes and poems inspired by her life, past and present. Some of my favourite pieces include “Silver Heirlooms”; memories of parents no longer with us. “Red Lipstick” which made me recall watching my own mother put on her make-up. “Belong” is a perfect poem for couples in love; perfect for Valentine’s Day. “97 Years” is a wonderful legacy of a man of substance and made me think of my dear mom and how she had to deal with the loneliness of the pandemic. “The Phone Call” reminded me of my daughter and our lengthy phone calls discussing everything and bringing us closer in spite of an ocean between us. There is something for everyone in this well-written collection which is definitely more than coffee.
By Alex Craigie
This collection of poetry and short stories is described by Lauren Scott as ‘memories in verse and prose’. She has captured the mood and experiences so well, they resonated and reminded me of my own. The author writes about simple, everyday moments. In The Right Time her poem about letting go of things contains a familiar note of caution – “some things do need to be held onto. To let go of everything/would be like watching a balloon/ escaping into the big blue sky/ slowly fading away.” These short pieces delight, comfort, amuse, and paint grief and longing as effectively as a full-length novel. Laughing Spiders made me chuckle with recognition (as an arachnophobe) whereas The Phone Call is a poignant piece about empty nesters. 1989 tells of falling in love but carries a warning: “Don’t ever think you can change someone. Accept them for who they are or move on.” This advice could save many a relationship! The selection is personal but the truths captured within them speak to everyone. There are references to family life and the grief of losing parents, but also to well-observed moments including backpacking and camping trips, singing in concert halls and falling in love. Two of my favourite pieces are Simple Existence and The Gift – both are syllabic poems and the writing is exquisite. These are poems that made me stop and take stock. They gave me goosebumps.
Below are two favorites mentioned in these reviews:
The Gift
Tranquility embraces – the sun’s exit advances. Listening to whispers among the trees, our time here is a gift, and when we depart, the gift will belong to someone else.
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.
And another favorite of other’s for this new season of spring. One daffodil in the sunshine provided inspiration…
The Teacher
Its canary boldness rises up to the sun alone, yet not lonely, hearing nothing, but wearing bravery on each petal – standing tall with spirit in lean green attire, as if soaking up the day’s endless possibilities.
I am grateful for these lovely reviews and for all that my book has received. And Thank You in advance to those who may decide to sink into my memories in the future. And as I’ve read here in the land of blogging, reviews are like hugs, so if you enjoy my book, well, I won’t ask...🤗
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.
I hope you will…You can show your love by clicking on the heart to “like” the poem, or to leave a comment, you’ll need to create an account and log in. I offer my heartfelt thanks in advance if you choose one of these options. ❤️
Thank you so much to Dagmara K. and her team for this wonderful opportunity of becoming a part of Spillwords Press.
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 what I’d like to know…
was he aware that just before he sang his series of notes our alarm would, in a matter of minutes, sound off in its circle’s ringtone?
And did he realize at this time when most homes on the street have not awakened, we make our preferred dark roast from old faithful Mr. Coffee, then sit together in harmony for soft conversation?
That this routine, though understated for some, would not be the same,
would not provide the equivalent comforting experience if one of us was not present?
Have you ever sensed the tingling of a feeling arriving without a label? It stirs through your reflections, your layers, and you find yourself walking around in a daze where reality offers no place of comfort. So, the sun sets for the moon, but what does this clarify? One thing is certain – within the constellations, among the celestial stars, this emotion finds balance, graciously treasuring the safety it has stumbled upon.
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 