Marsha Ingrao at Story Chat Digest publishes my poem “Sepia”

On August 26, 2025August 26, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry

I’m thrilled to have my poem “Sepia” published on Marsha Ingrao’s site, Always Write, for her Story Chat Digest! Marsha is so generous to publish the work of fellow authors for the readers to analyze, both poetry and stories. Her blog is informational and entertaining. By the way, submissions can not be published anywhere in the past. So my poem is brand new. I’m also honored to celebrate beside my dear friend, Maggie Watson, and Doug Jacquier, who I’m happy to meet through Marsha – another benefit, meeting like-minded bloggers.
Thanks so much, Marsha! ❤️

Sepia

by  Lauren Scott

I walk around the neighborhood at a good clip.
Blood flows in every vein like a river to an ocean.
Familiarity around each corner feels like a needed hug.
My legs love the stretch of the stride.
Pausing for a moment, I close my eyes, breathing in fragrances…
tall pines, jasmine, and how lucky to have the sun's company.
Its warmth is welcomed.
When his presence is gentle, it’s a summer I remember.

A canine friend trots beside me, but only in my mind’s album
since time has faded like a few friendships.
The more calendar pages I flip, full of ink and pencil,
the more memories turn into sepia...

Comments are turned off, so please visit Marsha's beautiful site to read the rest of my poem, and Maggie and Doug's, and share your thoughts! And while you're there, I hope you take some time to peruse around. 💖

Story Chat Digest: August Poetry

***Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com***

Thank you for popping in when I know you have a million blogs to visit. I appreciate you! ❤️

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***Click on the image to order your copy!*** 🧡

An Avoidable Tizzy

On August 24, 2025August 24, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry106 Comments

*Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com*

Dr. Google isn’t credible, which leads me to the quote, “Don’t believe what you read on the internet.” I didn’t heed the advice. I mimicked the drowning man in the parable, “Two Boats and a Helicopter.” Do you recall this man who passed up several rescue attempts while facing raging floodwaters because he knew that God would save him? How we miss the signs…Instead, I dove into the words, ignorant of their harm like a fly into a web – each syllable engrained into my psyche, tossing me into a tizzy as Dad would say. I couldn’t get out of my head. It was a night of sheet thrashing. Poor sheets thinking, “What have we done?”

I held my breath, hoping for daylight to peek through the curtains, watching the red digits on the loyal clock seemingly remain in place. So, when light glimmered through the white fabric, it felt like a lighthouse’s beacon. I let go of an exhale, another day – enough of those words! They can’t hurt me anymore (sticks and stones), for darkness is no longer their ally. A step forward into a new mindset that will comfort and encourage.

browsing online can
provoke unhealthy thinking
fact check for trueness

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Thanks for popping in! I hope you’ve had a good weekend so far and wish you a lovely Sunday. ❤️

Nature’s TV – Friday’s Poetry

On August 22, 2025August 22, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Photos, Poetry98 Comments

These are photos from past lake camping & backpacking trips. Beauty at its best, don’t you agree? We plan to get back to the lake next summer, but we had to pass this year because our favorite campground is being renovated. Poetic thoughts spill out from things I see, emotions, events, family, and nature. Nature always inspires.
So, won’t you join me at the lake? Have a seat, sip something cold, and simply ‘be.’

Nature’s TV

A moment to reflect
lake glimmers
in sunshine’s embrace
ripples shimmy across surface
dragonflies soar like mini gliders
feathered friends paddle away
after a brief “hello”
muscles and mind feel gratitude
no screen of any size
only Nature’s TV

I hope you enjoyed your time at the lake. Thank you for joining me!
Happy Friday, and I wish you a tranquil weekend. 💚

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One More Time…

On August 19, 2025August 19, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Books, Poetry76 Comments

It looks like Copper accompanied my son and daughter
on wonderful hikes in their respective states, CO and TN.

♥️🤎♥️🤎♥️

Dear Family and Friends,

The King Copper blog tour has come to an end. Maggie kicked it off with fireworks on August 4th, and Marsha created a grand finale yesterday on August 18th. I can’t express how thankful I am for those who helped spread the word about Copper. Many fell in love with him through the poems and photos shared. This feels like a warm hug. And the 5-star reviews that are flowing in are all touching my heart like the collection is touching the hearts of readers. Offering more gratitude is definitely justified to the wonderful blog tour train drivers:

Maggie at Ephemeral Encounters
Mike at Silent Pariah
Jacqui at https://worddreams.wordpress.com/
Ernie at dawgdaddyresponds
Sally at smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com
Dawn at dawnpisturino.wordpress.com
Marsha at alwayswrite.blog
Brian at writingfromtheheartofbrian hopped on the train unexpectedly,
which was a wonderful surprise!

I also want to repeat how much I loved
everyone’s personal touch in their posts.
How the poems affected them,
and how they felt other dog or pet parents
would appreciate the collection.

And to those who have bought the book or plan to,
and who have already posted reviews, Thanks so much!
A side note, selling my books isn’t about making money.
Believe me, I spend more than what comes in.
For me, my hope is to touch hearts
in whatever way that is fitting for each individual.
My books also become legacy for my family,
so compensation isn’t always the only reward.
Watch for it, here it comes…

One More Thank You

If repeated often
words can sound trite
though intentions are true
as stars shine bright.
A heart that grows full
from abundant kindness
unselfishness feels
like a heartfelt caress.
So don’t feel weary
from hearing a ‘thank you’
because the sentiments
like a sunrise are oh, so true!
~ LS

I appreciate your presence here and wish you the best day and week ever! ❤️

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Carol Anne shares her review of King Copper!

On August 17, 2025August 17, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Promotions, Book Reviews, Books

Copper came into our family a month after Mom passed.
But Dad was able to meet him, and they loved each other.

Another wonderful surprise was finding Carol Anne’s stunning review of King Copper on her blog. Carol Anne writes brilliant poetry, so if you haven’t met her yet, please take the time to get to know her. She’s a beautiful soul, very kind and supportive. Enjoy this peek into her review:

Here’s the touching cover of King Copper: Our Dog’s Life in Poetry by Lauren Scott—a poignant tribute rendered in rich, chocolatey tones that mirror the gentle, soulful nature of Copper the Labrador. Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author+1.

King Copper: Our Dog’s Life in Poetry is a heartfelt poetry collection published on August 6, 2025, by Baydreamer Writes. The collection is a loving homage to Copper, the author’s cherished chocolate Labrador-mix. Part memoir in verse, part exploration of grief and healing, it captures the bond between a family and their beloved canine companion.

Spanning 66 pages, the book offers both paperback ($14.99) and e-book ($5.99) editions, with the e-book available for pre-order across platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.

What sets this collection apart is its variety of poetic forms—freestyle, tanka, limericks, micro-poetry, and haiku—all interwoven with color photographs that bring visual warmth to the written words. It begins with light-hearted, joyful verses celebrating Copper’s life and transitions into more reflective, grief-colored poems following his passing.

Short samples from the book carry profound emotional weight:

Tour De Force
A vivid limerick:

“Prancing on the left like a well-bred horse / … His character is a tour de force!” Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author

Showstopper
A playful yet affectionate limerick:

“There once was a dog named Copper … Bit with love comes lots of slobber!” Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author

Comments are again turned off to direct you to Carol Anne’s blog
to read the rest of her insightful and thoughtful review.
I hope you’ll click on the ‘Like’ button
and/or leave a comment to show her some love!
Thanks again, Carol Anne, for your amazing review and support!
My heart is fuller than ever! ❤️🙏

Book review: King copper our dog’s life in poetry, by Lauren Scott

Thank you for stopping by today, and I hope your day is
peaceful, as well as the new week ahead! ❤️

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Maggie shares her review of King Copper!

On August 16, 2025August 17, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Promotions, Book Reviews

***A young Copper loving the beauty that life brings.***

I’m thrilled to be featured at Maggie’s beautiful blog again. If you recall, she kicked off the tour on August 4th. What a wild two weeks it has been! She was also the first to review my book, and she shares her review today. Here’s a peek into her lovely words:

Anyone who has ever owned a pet knows
how heartbreaking it is when we lose them.
As Lauren so correctly says, “loss is loss, hearts still break,
tears fall until there are no more stages of grief”.
I smiled and I cried while reading this beautiful collection of poetry
written in tribute to Lauren’s Labrador, Copper.
I loved all the poems, particularly the ones signed ‘Love Copper’ and ‘Your Copper Boy.’
Lauren also included many lovely photographs of this handsome boy, on his own, and with members of her family...

To read Maggie’s full excellent review, please head over to her beautiful site.
I’ve turned off comments here, so she hopes to see you soon!

Book Review: King Copper by Lauren Scott

Before I close, I want to highlight Maggie’s recent book, Pieces of Me. Below is what Amazon says:

For more than a decade, I lived in a toxic/abusive environment.

I survived by learning when to keep my mouth shut.

Now, I have a voice by writing about my experience through poetry.

This is my story, no longer silenced.

I hope it gives you the courage to do the same!From the ashes, I rise.
Emerging from the dust and ruins
of the carnage you left behind,
wiping away the dirt from the words that
once left me unable to breathe.
As I lay gasping for air, you did not care.
You could have been my downfall, but I refused to die.
Now watch as I climb to the summit of my life,
no longer caught in your riptide.

I highly recommend this evocative poetry collection that I gladly gave 5 stars.

So, now you have two book ideas: Pieces of Me and King Copper. Please visit Maggie to read her full review, and to learn more about the collection of books she has published.

Thank you so much for stopping by!
I wish you a lovely weekend full of laughter,
love, and peace! I appreciate you very much! ❤️🙏

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#BlogTour – I’m at Sally’s today as she continues the tour for King Copper!

On August 12, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Book Promotions, Poetry

Dear Family and Friends,

I’m excited to be at Sally’s today to spread the word about my special tribute to Copper. The tour began with Maggie on August 4th, so it’s been a whirlwind of love and support from this warm community. Sally is a generous soul by sharing fellow author’s books. Here’s a peek into what her site is all about:

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine was the follow on to a physical newsletter that I published every month for two years, on subscription to listeners to my radio show.. I expanded the original format which was mainly health articles, to including book marketing, music, humour, lifestyle, cookery and food and short stories. My aim was to create a watering hole that provided a wide number of topics to chat about….This has now developed further to provide a platform for other authors to share their work. This year the blog celebrates thirteen years, eleven of them as Smorgasbord Blog Magazine.

Thank you so much, Sally, for your generous heart! You, Maggie, Mike, Jacqui, Brian, and Ernie have brought magic into this blog tour. Marketing isn’t fun, but you all have made it fun and exciting, and I’m running out of ways to say “Thank you” from the bottom of my heart! ❤️

Now I invite you to click on the link below to be gently carried over to Sally’s. Each post on the tour offers something different to provide insight about Copper and my need to preserve memories, but to also write through the grief of “saying good-bye.” And take your time to get acquainted with Sally if you haven’t just yet. She is one of many talents! Comments are turned off. 💜

Summer Book Fair, New Book on the Shelves – #Family – King Copper: Our Dog’s Life in Poetry by Lauren Scott

***Photo by George Dolgikh on Pexels.com***

Thank you for stopping by, and thanks to you who have bought a copy, and who have already shared a wonderful review.
I’m feeling beyond grateful these days, difficult to express in words. 💜🙏

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“Fade the Shadow” is published on Gobblers by Masticadores!

On August 11, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Gobblers by Masticadores, Poetry60 Comments

Dear Family and Friends,

I’m excited to share that my poem “Fade the Shadow” is featured on Gobblers by Masticadores! I want to offer a huge thank you, as always, to Editor, Manuela Timofte, for featuring my writing. I am grateful to have my work showcased among so many talented authors. 🙏

Fade the Shadow

The world is beautiful,
proof dances all around…
leaves fluttering in a breeze,
butterflies floating by
with grace, but the world
is more beautiful with him.
Even if the sky unfolds,
and a storm rages,
his presence adds a glow
to fade the shadows
and quiet the fear.
If the universe
has stolen my spirit
and descent
is imminent…

To read the full poem, please visit Gobblers by Masticadores by clicking on the link below. If you’re unfamiliar with this site, take some time to peruse. You’ll discover beautiful and profound pieces of writing from some of your friends and authors you’d like to know.