We live for the weekends! Last Saturday our jobs weren’t calling. Our schedule was ours to create. So, our day began with an early morning walk where the temperature was below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold and clear. Donned with beanies, warm coats, and gloves, we walked around the neighborhood, enjoying the show of the sky changing colors. And then the words below came to mind…
The sun slowly opens
its sleepy eyes
The neighborhood still breathes
soft breaths
Not a soul
Not a sound
We own this moment
This moment is ours
Tranquility flows through our veins
We exhale gratitude
Another miracle reveals itself
in the creation
of a new dawn
Next, we drove to a local ecological sanctuary filled with numerous trails, so hand in hand, we followed them, enjoying nature’s fabulous entertainment and taking pics along the way. The day was beautiful, sunny and cold, but absolutely glorious!
The rest of the day was filled with relaxation, motorcycle rides, 5:00 o’clock wine-ing, then Saturday night at the movies. Retirement is nearing, but until then, we welcome the welcoming weekends!
Hope you enjoyed and I wish you a great week and weekend ahead! ❤️
I am thrilled that my book, More than Coffee, released in fall of 2021, is still receiving beautiful reviews. Mark Bierman wrote a fabulous review in December as we headed into the holiday season. So, I’m delighted to shareas we move forward in this new yearfull of possibilities. But before I do, if you haven’t met Mark and experienced his compelling story telling and fantastic sense of humor, you haven’t been fully living! His book, Vanished, is a riveting novel, and here is the link to my review: https://baydreamerwrites.com/2022/04/18/book-review-vanished/.You can also find Mark at his blog: https://markbierman.wordpress.com/. And now I will share his commentary that made me do yet another happy dance…
It’s pretty green outside these days, every flake of the white stuff has melted back into H20. But no matter what Nature’s decided, we’ve been coasting into the Holiday Spirit here.
The tree’s up, it’s branches adorned with bulbs and baubles for the exclusive swatting pleasure of our two felines. Outside, soft white lights are strung across the lilac bush and a spotlight highlights the Nativity.
But I’m not here to discuss Christmas, well, unless you’re looking for the perfect gift for that book lover.
So, without further ado, let’s raise a glass and toast a great read!
What’s it about?
From the early woes of childhood and teen years, this collection of stories and poems paints a picture of young dreams and fears. But as adulthood sets in, these dreams and fears change. More than Coffee touches on love and loss, nature and endurance, marriage, and parenting. In these memories, 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. A poignant and reflective collection of verse and prose that is best enjoyed sipping your favorite coffee roast.
My Thoughts:
The title gets it right. This book is about far more than coffee, more than a journal; it’s a love letter to Life. An exquisite and heartfelt testament to a life well lived.
Every anecdote and poem is a window to a different season that is relatable to anyone who’s been on this journey for more than a decade. The stories and poems are thoughtfully crafted and wonderfully penned. They complement each other nicely and capture the intense emotions of those moments and milestones.
I smiled at the tales about her bouts with arachnophobia, but not because I’d wish that on anyone. It reminds me of my own, ‘tour of duty’ in the defense against spiders when I had to “save” my youngest daughter. Then again, I feel the same way about snakes.
I highly recommend this book for those who savor each day!
Meet Lauren and grab your copy in time for Christmas!(or an upcoming birthday or Mother’s Day!)
Lauren writes poetry, memoir, and fiction short stories who lives in California with her husband of thirty-four years and their chocolate lab; they have two grown children. She has authored two collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013) and Finding a Balance (2015). Her latest book, More than Coffee: Memories in Verse and Prose was published in 2021. And in 2022, she contributed four poems to the anthology: Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships. Lauren writes about family, experiencing loss, finding joy in the smallest things, and nature from her many backpacking and camping adventures.
Parallel to her passion for writing is her love for reading. Whether it is a gripping thriller or a heartwarming romance, she enjoys exploring different worlds and meeting diverse characters, drawing similarities to reality that translate into her own writing. Her writing projects are sometimes serious – drawn from painful subjects and raw emotions – or they spotlight her silly side – pulled from humorous moments captured in photographs.
Lauren is inspired to write from her love of nature and the marvelous wild world that surrounds her: the smell of the woods, the sound of a babbling brook, and the chorus of birds singing. Recent backpacking trips with her husband along the California coast and Sierra Nevada mountains have stirred up thoughts to pen about love, lost friendship, family, and the possibility that anything can happen. Hikes along the Paper Mill Creek remind her that life is fragile. From trout hatchlings to swallowtail butterflies, Lauren marvels at how the world is interconnected and that every living thing matters. She hopes her readers will find a little nugget of delight, comfort, or understanding in her poetry and stories – some detail that resonates with them beyond her words.
We hold our breath, sitting as still as a freeway during morning commute. Its wings flutter at a possible eighty times per second, so we’ve read.
It closes the distance between us, and we know it eyes the dangling rosy petals. But below those blossoms lies the sleeping dog. He wouldn’t be the least bit interested in the winged creature, but the winged creature doesn’t know this to be true.
And so, we watch our tiny friend flit to within a few feet of the blooms, then disappointment lands in our thoughts as it retreats to the maple, camouflaged to the naked eye.
If only it could be brave. If only it knew there was no threat below from the sleeping beast. In fact, the beast quietly snores, and we are confident he is dreaming of squirrels.
I look across the backyard with a heavy sigh, just a few weeks ago, the broom had done its job, the garden gloves lie in the shed, caked with flakes of dirt, exhausted from pulling weeds that had the nerve to sprout abundantly, as though they are admired as much as the glorious lavender hydrangeas.
Now, crunchy yellow leaves inundate the grass, as if Mother Nature gently laid down a blanket of gold. The wardrobe changes of the leaves, pirouetting to the ground, lead to the season when Gratitude is placed on a pedestal, paying homage more than any given day, which leads us to the turkey brining in a citrusy concoction. The carving knife and gravy ladle eager to present their annual performance. The formal dinnerware excited to display its shiny patina. The gathering.
And on this special day, the sky and sun will collaborate to create a bright blue backdrop, no clouds invited to this celebration, not even a breath of wind will drift through, or one tiny raindrop will fall on this event, just a high temperature cool enough to welcome a sweater, the kind of weather that would delight them both.
He would ask for a beverage before sitting down, and then even after sinking into the soft sofa, his hand would caress the glass for minutes. He would pause before taking a sip.
Because before partaking in the festivities, he, who lived through the second world war, would slowly absorb the noise, the laughter, the chaos, the loved ones…
Whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving, I wish you the feeling of Gratitude in your hearts that will last a lifetime. Sending wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving! 🧡🍁🍂
A few days ago, I was inspired byMarina’s post:https://marinakanavaki.com/2022/11/03/the-clouds-sometimes/. She is a dear, dear friend and a fabulous painter, photographer, and musician. And we share the same love of clouds, or truthfully, any artwork the sky chooses to display. So much that we agree we can never have too many photos! If you don’t know Marina, I hope you’ll pay her beautiful site a visit. So, no poetry or story today, just photos from a morning walk – a sky that took my breath away…
Hope you enjoyed and I wish you a marvelous Monday!
When we stroll through a redwood grove, our steps become gradual, knowing we are in good company. We don’t want to rush the experience, and we won’t hesitate to hug them with wide open arms, because, why not? They deserve reverence for their generosity. You see, in their company, we feel silk threads of peace flowing through our hearts and souls, centering us. Any worries burdening our minds before fall to the earth to be walked upon and buried. And we listen as their leaves whisper to us in the breeze, “Be filled with joy and do not fret, for there is no time for that nonsense.”
Lauren Scott, baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Fresh raindrops gently landed on their wilted spirits, and I witnessed them lifting with a sigh of relief. Oh, how grateful I feel to absorb the rhythm of the pitter-patter.
Lauren Scott, baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved
For inspiration to notice surrounding beauty, to feel gratitude, to face challenges and fears while sipping your favorite coffee roast or a beverage of your choice, check out my latest book: More than Coffee.
Baydreamer ~ Lauren Scott 