Last Friday, I took myself for a leisurely drive on the country roads to one of our favorite, charming towns, Pt. Reyes Station – about a 45-minute drive. At this time of year, the hills are velvety green, the sky a vivid bright blue, and the clouds looked soft and cottony – a gorgeous day! Upon arrival early enough for ample parking, I found a spot close to Toby’s Coffee Cart that called out to me when I got out of my car! I had to get a chai tea latte, and then I sat at a cute orange table and enjoyed the sweet and spicy drink. While I watched people pass by, listening to the sounds – chatter, laughter, dogs barking, and birds singing – a poem was brewing. Are you surprised? π
Shopping was inevitable – I found a white beaded bracelet signifying tranquility and a new book. I don’t need more books! But I can’t walk by a book store and not peruse its treasures, let alone, find a treasure that I have to read! Why We Swim by Bonnie Tsui caught my eye because I’ve always loved swimming, and growing up, we had a pool in our backyard. Diving to touch the drain, pretending to be a mermaid, swimming laps, and playing Marco Polo with family and friends are some of the great memories!
At the end of my Pt. Reyes visit,taking photos was on the agenda. How could it not be? I hope you enjoy the beautiful scenery and the fun poem!
Blues and Greens just for Me
A day for me and me alone With my thoughts we will roam Lovely country roads weβll drive Lined with yellow blooms to thrive Rolling hills in emerald bright Velvet touch, a stunning sight Shops to wander, trinkets entice Sipping chai, a relaxing sigh Flora and fauna all around Camera in hand, photos abound Memories made for me alone A day for me to freely roam
Just like sunrises and sunsets, there is no such thing as ‘too many sky photos!’Old barns captivate me! An inviting Zen garden.I’ve never mastered selfies!
Thank you for stopping by, and know that I appreciate you! β€οΈ
My latest collection of poetry, touching on nature, love, and the mysteries of life that would make a great for any holiday! Click on the image for your copy. Thank you! π
It’s time for another happy dance! I’m thrilled to read Dawn’s beautiful review of my book this morning. Below is a little peek…
Poetry Book Review: βEver So Gentlyβ
BY DAWN PISTURINO ON APRIL 28, 2024
Ever So Gentlyby Lauren Scott (2023). Available on Amazon.com at https://a.co/d/6VKTDPu.
Lauren Scottβs latest poetry collection reflects the inner life of the poet as she seeks to bring serenity and harmony into her world.
In βMessages from the Sea,β her verses paint a vivid portrait of nature, using keen observations and sensitive emotional reactions:
βlisten intently inhale, exhale, feel the calm your soul will thank youβ
Her signature poem, βEver So Gently,β reminds us to leave our negative thoughts behind and enjoy the positive things around us:
βRemember, the breeze carries burdens down rivers and across oceans, majestic trees sway with joy, sheltering from shadows, and the light shines even if only a slight glimmer slips throughβ
Please visit Dawn’s post to read her full review, and if you haven’t met Dawn yet, spend some time at her site to immerse yourself in her evocative and lovely poetry.
Thanks again, Dawn! I’m delighted with your wonderful review! But most importantly, I’m grateful that you enjoyed my poetry and found poems that touched you. β€οΈ
Thank you for stopping by, and I wish you a wonderful week ahead! β€οΈ
My latest collection of poetry, touching on nature, love, and the mysteries of life that would make a great for any holiday! Click on the image for your copy. Thank you! π
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. π 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 happenβ¦
We’ve had a lot of rain this winter, but then it felt like spring had arrived last week with several sunny and warmer days. It was wonderful! But now showers are due to return this afternoon through tomorrow, and then again, later next week. Well, it does no good to argue with Mother Nature, so we’ll roll with the rain! But I was in the mood for spring, so I’m bringing it on!
One of my poems from my book, Ever So Gently, makes me wish we were back at the lake (hence, my blog header), keeping company with nature and enjoying those magnificent sunrises and sunsets…
The Sun Knows
Evening advances. The shore wears nothing but a few rocks scattered on its sand. In their quiet space, a father and son hold fishing lines hoping their luck will lift. A lone sailboat glides by pausing for the unfolding. With hair the color of an egret, an older man leans against a stump.
Clouds understand why we wait. A fine yellow highlighter has delicately outlined their smooth edges. Occasionally, trout jump out of the still water, only a few ripples show their excitement.
Then suddenly the sky explodes in tangerines, salmons, canary yellows β brighter with every second. Itβs as though a painter swished her brush back and forth on the immense backdrop, to the left, to the right, repeating with the grace of an orchestra leader. Can the sun slipping behind downy clouds be more spectacular?
Happy Friday! Happy Spring! And if rain is heading your way, revel in its melody and do some dancing!β€οΈ πΆ
A collection of poems that speaks of natureβs healing touch, howlove shapes our lives, and the mysteries of life. Click on the image to purchase your copy. Thank you! π
For those of you who have asked, I’m feeling better since that post a couple of weeks ago. But I’m still working through two health conditions that began last year – a double whammy. Changes are constant, but when those changes are permanent and challenging, it takes time to figure out how to live them. As with anything, time will tell and help me decide what do to next. But I’m thankful to feel a little better with no brain fog. Anyway, enough of that, and now on with my exciting news!
I was surprised to find this beautiful review of my book from Michelle Ayon Navajas on this Monday morning. And I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start my week. Her wonderful words truly touched me, so, I had to share her full review:
βThe sky is the limitβ they say, but I think not even the sky has the power to limit the endless possibilities of how our minds work.
I was struggling with Reenaβs prompt this week. Not for anything else but simply because I wanted it to be a motivational piece, and maybe I suck at writing motivational pieces so I had to put this prompt aside and went to write my long overdue review of Lauren Scottβs book βEver So Gentlyβ.
I was down with the last pages of the book, when an epiphany happened. This book is about the quote prompt of Reena; βI think if you are curious, you create opportunities, and then if you open the doors, you create possibilities.β β Mario Testino
βEver So Gentlyβ is a collection of soul-soothing journey pieces of poetry packed up with calming scenes of early morning communion with nature. It is with our interaction with nature that we discover the endless possibilities about life and living it to the fullest. βThe sky is the limitβ they say, but I think even the sky would be jealous at how beautiful Lauren wrote her collection.
βIn Good Companyβ begins: βWe stroll among redwood trees, our steps slow down, we are in good company.β
I could almost feel the magical power in my hands through Laurenβs lyrical prose, and we know that when one believes in magic (magic happens).
βClouds understand why we wait.β This is one of my adored lines from the book. Clouds may have a βnot so good reputationβ for bringing in heavy rains or for signaling the coming of a storm (could be both literal and metaphorical), but in her book, Lauren had me stopped and pondered. Clouds, after all arenβt that bad. It can be a sign of something good or better. It can be a friend who gives us a signal or warning that a rain is coming, we must be ready. So, clouds do give us the chance to prepare and be ready for the challenges we may encounter as the rain pours.
βFirst Breathβ, is my favorite. It is about a motherβs love, the reason being my favorite is obvious. I am mother and anything that speaks highly of a motherβs love is grately admired by me.
βWith every new miracle of life answers arenβt scripted in the stars, but I knew since your very first breath my life would become yours.β
Every child is a blessing and Lauren said it so beautifully in this poem. It also brought me to tears and reminded me of my own journey as a mother to four beautiful daughters.
Laurenβs book is not only about creating and opening doors of possibilities but also of celebrating wonderful memories.
Her communion with nature brings forth wisdom of mother earth that unfolds through her stunning imagery like: βhear the rustle of a skittering squirrel,β βpetals of velvet invite raindrops to bask in their peach enchantment,β and βbreeze carries burdens down rivers.β
This book will surely uplift your spirit, and make you fall in love with love, create more memories with your loved ones, and appreciate nature even more. If you are not the type who loves to taka quiet walk in the morning or early in the evening, this book will make you wanna grab your walking or running and go for a short easy- breezy walk. As for me who used to run in around my neighborhood, it made me miss those moments. I said βused toβ because I no longer do it as often as I do it before pandemic.
Here are some of Laurenβs memorable imagery:
βThe sky explodes in tangerines, salmons, canary yellows β brighter with every second. Itβs as though a painter swished her brush back and forthβ¦β
βAnd water hasnt caressed the hills The earth, parched like Chileβs Atacama.β
βSilk-thread drizzles dusted rooftops and parched hills.β
Lauren wrote in various poetic styles and forms from free versse to syllabic poetry like haiku, tanka, etheree, shadorma β this collection will not bore you. She made these forms looked so easy to write.
Lauren emphasizes how mysterious life is. She also made me ponder deeper into the essence of my own existence while reflecting upon my journey in life, and that at the end of it all no matter how difficult life is, we must not forget to love and live life ever so gently.
This book is best read with a hot chocolate or a coffee as you curl up and savor each poem.
Visit Laurenβs blog to read more of her brilliant poetry:
A collection of poems that speaks of natureβs healing touch, howlove shapes our lives, and the mysteries of life. Click on the image to purchase your copy. Thank you! π
I realized this moment would come I knew the time would arrive, those hands on the clock theyβre always on the move – when I had dreamed of so much more for this special minute, I have no poemβ¦
even as I reflect while observing the hanging petunia, appealing in purple, swinging gently in the breeze or as I listen to my lab snoring softly, lying inches away, no poem has settled beside meβ¦
even as I watch the geranium reach in its rich wine-red wardrobe for the infinite wild blue and the lemon-yellow daffodil looking dapper in its shamrock finery, no poem has greeted me with a tender embrace.
I fear that as this moment journeys into the next, and the sun bids farewell, allowing the moon to play her part, and those dedicated hands continue to circle and mystify, my pen will lie dry as a desert riverbed, my paper bare as a wall without photos.
Still, I will remain empty handed without poetry to enrich my soul, but tomorrow when the sun ascends and the sky unfolds to new possibilities, it will be then when I shall try again.
A collection of poems that speaks of nature’s healing touch, howlove shapes our lives, and the mysteries of life. Click on the image to purchase your copy. Thank you! π
I normally don’t post back-to-back, but since I was on holiday break and upon my return, I have been unexpectedly surprised with more praise for my book, Ever So Gently. I apologize if these posts are getting a bit old, but how can I not share? From Brian’s fabulous post to Kym’s, along with 4 amazing reviews fromKimber, Darlene, Gwendolyn, and Yvette. You can find reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
Okay, nowit’s time for some happy dancing on Cloud 9! Join me if you’d like! πππΆ
A peek at Kym’s lovely words:
“Laurenβs latest book of poetry is an intimate tapestry of love, wonder, gratitude, and an impeccable scale of observation stroking the tender senses of family, the sherbet-colored skies and sounds of nature, the celebration of life and unconditional love, along with a sense of being. Laurenβs poignant reflections make us wonder about the larger picture of life, connecting to us intimately and passionately.“
Please click on the link below to read the rest of Kym’s lovely review.And if you’d like to order a copy of Ever So Gently, just click on my book image at the bottom of this post.
Thanks again, Kym! You gave me more reason to dance! Big hugs to you! ππβ€οΈ
And another thanks to you all who have read my book and written amazing reviews! I am beyond grateful! β€οΈπ