Trust doesn’t come easily. She can’t be bought like dropping quarters in a gumball machine, and she doesn’t hand out trust as if distributing flyers for an open house. It takes time and discernment, the emotion that comes with falling in love, you just feel it. You know it’s been earned – the intuition, a tattoo on your heart. What happened then? Conversations sharing pure joy, utter anguish spilled like oil in the sea. Suddenly, she’s a spider on a hand that gets brushed off hoping never to be seen again. The drop, nosediving into a state of confusion, the impact shooting pain through every vein and cell. She tosses questions into the universe, they spiral through the perplexity because kindness comes in soft tones, gentle melodies only to be shunned. A decade wiped clean from the wall calendar. A friendship washed up like a soda can on the shore. Rude actions can crush a caring heart at any age. At any age a caring heart can become crushed. She hears chatter of wishing to be young again. She understands the growing-older trials. The aches catch her too, but although good memories stay vivid, she doesn’t miss the games, starting point in youth, and yet, the games continue.
There is so much happening that gives reason for celebrating in the midst of still missing Copper. I don’t normally remember my dreams, but I dreamed about him the other night and it was vivid. Just an ordinary day with him trotting around the house, “nails clicking on the floor.” Anyway, I am so grateful and humbled by the beautiful reviews that are flowing in for King Copper. Thank you to those who have shared your heartwarming thoughts. ❤️
I also want to share the great news that my dear friend, Maggie, at Ephemeral Encounters, has been nominated for Author of the Month by Spillwords! And my good friend, Ernie, at The Dawghouse, has been nominated for Publication of the Month for his poem, “Little Mouse.” Way to go, Maggie and Ernie! 🎉
I encourage you to cast your vote for these two amazing writers at https://spillwords.com/vote/ and voting will conclude on August 29th. 🗳️
On another note,writing reviews seems to be a slow process for me. I should get in the habit of writing the review right after finishing a book. But no…I can’t stop reading, therefore, the books pile up and so do the reviews waiting to be written. That’s currently where I’m at. But having an abundance of books to read is the best problem, right?
And my latest selection include the following 5-star reads:
Gratitude & No Fairy Tale by D.L. Finn Honeysuckle Heat by Michele Lee Sefton A Noble Bargain by Jan Sikes Cade’s Quest by Linda Broday (Jan’s sister) Endangered Species by Jacqui Murray Embracing the Power to Live by Marsha Ingrao
So next month, I’ll share my reviews! In the meantime, I hope you’ll check these fabulous books out!
Let’s keep those TBRs towering! 😂
And let’s not forget my TBR:
I’m currently reading a wonderful book: The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Lowenhohle by Thomas Wikman and in the lineup are: Sam, A Shaggy Dog Story by Sally Cronin The Bush Devil Ate Sam by Curtis Mekemson Rhyming Dreams by Nicole Sara
I’m sure the lineup will grow as fast as I’m typing! 📚
Lastly, I’d like to share an earlier, beautiful review of King Copper by Jan Sikes:
Processing Loss in poetic form Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2025 Verified Purchase
I shed more than a tear or two as I read this beautiful tribute to King Copper, a chocolate lab that gave so much love and joy to the author’s family. The poetry is heartfelt and poignant. Some of the poems speak of the happy times and some of the deep sadness at Copper’s passing. He came to their home in March with youthful spirit and left in March gaining angel wings with 13 years in between. This is a touching story of unconditional love. Here is an example of poems that touched me deeply…
Young Lab
There once was a friendly, young lab With energy delightfully fab He loved belly rubs Hated baths in the tub He gave big, toothy smiles, never sad!
My Shadow
Feeling empty in my bones walking from room to room, where is my shadow?
Those are just two very short examples of the deep heartfelt poetry in this book. The photos of the deeply cherished Copper and his family are an added bonus. If you’ve ever experienced the pain of loss and struggled to find a way to carry on, I recommend this short read to help you process. It touches on the reality of grieving and how hard it can be to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Yet, we do, as the author shows us.
Thanks so much, Jan, and a huge thanks to you who have shared your reviews on your blogs (I’ll reblog soon), and/or on Amazon and Goodreads. I am grateful beyond words! ❤️
This wraps up the highlights, so hugs to you for stopping by! I know you have a million blogs to read and support like I do, so your time here is appreciated! Have a spectacular day! 💖
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. 💖
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
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. 💚
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:
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! ❤️
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:
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 commentto show her some love! Thanks again, Carol Anne, for your amazing review and support! My heart is fuller than ever! ❤️🙏
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!
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! ❤️🙏
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 