News about Cora and King Copper!

Photo by CC

I woke up this morning to a message from Carol Anne that her review for Cora’s Quest is live. What a surprise and an exciting way to begin my Sunday. Her review is amazing and so in depth that has me over the moon (again)! Please click on the link below to read the full review. Carol Anne is a fabulous writer at Therapy Bits, so I hope you take the time to get to know her if you haven’t already had the pleasure. I am thrilled with the positive feedback I’ve received about Cora’s Quest, especially since this story about a sweet fawn was my first children’s book. ๐Ÿ™

Photo by George Dolgikh on Pexels.com

A Huge Thanks to Carol Anne! โค๏ธ

And now a little heads up about King Copper: a blog tour is rapidly unfolding, and I am so grateful to my friends who have offered to host my new special poetry collection. Below is a rough schedule subject to changes. So, I’ll reblog their posts with my comments turned off (hopefully, I’ll remember to do this), so that you’ll softly be nudged to visit their blogs.

Maggie at https://poetrybymaggiewatson.uk/ – Monday, August 4th
Mike at silentpariah.com Tuesday, August 5th
Me on Wednesday, August 6th – official day for book release
Jacqui at https://worddreams.wordpress.com/ – Friday, August 8th
Ernie at dawgdaddyresponds – Sunday, August 10th
Sally at smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com – Tuesday, August 12th
Dawn at dawnpisturino.wordpress.com Thursday, August 14th
Marsha at alwayswrite.blog Monday, August 18th

I apologize in advance if these repeated blog posts become redundant, but unfortunately, marketing our own books is the nature of the game for Indie Authors. However, each blog post will include different poems to (hopefully) hold your interest. ๐Ÿฅฐ

Anyway, thank you for your support and time spent here in my world. And if you read about Cora and/or Copper, I hope you take away Cora’s vital message about ‘discovering your courage’, and that you find comfort reading about Copper if you’re a dog or furry pet parent. I wish you a wonderful week ahead. โค๏ธ

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ยฉ Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Wednesday, August 6th is the official
release day, but click on the image
to pre-order your copy!
๐Ÿงก







Protective Gear

At first, I was uncertain. How would I live with my own personal white noise tailing me like a spy? I couldn’t make a James Bond escape. A daunting shadow stalked me for days because the constant hiss felt claustrophobic though Iโ€™ve never beenโ€ฆbut then time doesn’t concern itself with rest, and I learned to tune it out (the irony). So, to you who reassured me that life goes on despite the hiss, I offer my deepest gratitude. And then I rotated my thoughts, tumbling them in the frontal lobe like clothes in a Kenmore dryer, until my attitude experienced a transformation. My personal noise became protective gear, shielding me from unwanted hubbub in the world, carrying a more soothing cause than threatening.

We deal with the hands weโ€™re dealt, but some take more grit than others to navigate. This should be acknowledged, so navigation time is subject to personal situations. Yet, in doing so, we create our own rules, bringing a whisper of warmth settling over us like being wrapped in the comfort of a cashmere blanket.

try inviting in
a positive perspective
to alleviate

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ยฉ Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

This post is a follow-up to my original “Hiss”
in case you missed it.

Photo by SlipcoverKAS .COM on Pexels.com 
Happy Monday, and I wish you a wonderful week! โค๏ธ

Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase
your copy through Amazon.
๐Ÿ’œ

Diddly-squat

it could be a lunch at our favorite cafรฉ
it could be a chat, laughter,
and stroll through the mall
it could be sharing a morning coffee
with a stunning sunrise
it could be gossip on the patio
it could be a Sunday dinner
it could be a weekend away
for mom and daughter…

but it canโ€™t for now
as long as geography gets in our way
as long as circumstances dictate
so Iโ€™ll continue missing her,
comforting my hurting heart
until the next trip in the air.

i thought iโ€™d get used to it
i thought time would heal
well, time has done diddly-squat
so, if i allow the distance
to take up residence in my thoughts,
iโ€™ll just add one more ache
to my medical records.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ยฉ Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

I was in a downer of a mood the other day,
missing my daughter and son. I’ve written
about both of them, so this one is for my
daughter, who has always had a sunflower
personality.
๐Ÿ’œ

Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase
your copy through Amazon.
๐Ÿ’œ

Fade the Shadows

The world is beautiful,
proof dances all aroundโ€ฆ
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,
his arms catch me
before the landing.
He comprises the tones
in my tapestry,
rebirth in my rain,
fire in my winter.
He is everything
around
in between
within
the world I reside.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ยฉ Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Photo taken at Alamo Square Park
in San Francisco.

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope
you have a peaceful week ahead.
๐Ÿ’–

Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase
your copy through Amazon.
๐Ÿ’œ

#CopperBookUpdate โค๏ธ

Dear Friends,

My goal to publish this special book last month obviously didn’t happen. Sometimes, I wonder if the editing will ever end. I’m working on Ingramspark, and this week I will progress to the next step for them to review. Then I’ll have to see what comes next. I toyed around with various title ideas, but then ‘King Copper”‘popped into my mind and it lingered like a warm hug. He was the king in our house, and you can tell in the cover photo below that he wore the crown well and looked so handsome. What a gentle 80-lb giant he was. Sigh.

Anyway, now I’m hoping to publish King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry this month. But we’ll have to see if any glitches jump in the way. I believe the editing is finally done. With this being said, unless we make last-minute changes, this is the final cover. The dark chocolate color scheme ties into Copper’s mixed chocolate lab breed. Other shades of brown just didn’t work. I also like the idea of dark chocolate, a rich beginning into this poetic journey of Copper’s wonderful life. I hope you like the cover too.

More updates will follow regarding the publishing date, and life sure is interesting, isn’t it? You know this book wasn’t planned. But I had already written joyful poems about Copper when he was with us, so when he passed in March, I began writing poetry for therapeutic reasons. He was my 3rd child, and even though he was elderly, his passing was “still too soon.” Reading this collection of poetry will take you on an emotional roller coaster from joy to grief to acceptance. And sharing our life about our beloved senior pup will hopefully provide comfort to everyone who is also grieving the loss of their pet, or has done so in the past.

Will you?

Will you remember us
when you cross the rainbow bridge
where grass stays emerald green
high upon the tallest ridge?

Will you wait for us
when our time for crossing arrives
to be a family once again
filling the hole in our lives?

But before we reunite
be your happy, playful self
run and sniff, no pain, be free
your joy and freedom is our wealth.

โค๏ธ

Sending love, and if you have a furry family member, give them a hug for us. โค๏ธ

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ยฉ Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase
your copy through Amazon.
๐Ÿ’œ

Saturday Serenity

Under the redwoods,
we slide into a zen-like state –
letting the magic flow gently
into our presence
bringing inner peace
to mind, heart, and soul.

“One can never get enough of redwood charm to fill the need for harmony within oneself.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ยฉ Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase your copy

through Amazon.๐Ÿ’œ

Orange Splendor

Overwhelmed jubilantly by your
Radiance relieving uncertainty
Along the path of unknowns
Not once drifting off-course
Giving unselfishly of your essence
Emotions shift in your presence

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh, how you delight with your happy state
Reliable in your everlasting contribution
Awe is a natural reaction
Never taken for granted
Growing from your vibrant message
Effervescent way of spirit-lifting

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Observe soft petals that grin
Raining positivity on passersby
Ambience to daily reside in
Noise silenced so peace becomes the
Glue for a healthy well-being
Elixir from natureโ€™s gift basket of magic

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

__________________________________________________________

ยฉ Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase
your copy through Amazon.
๐Ÿ’œ

A “Bug-tastic” 4th!

This 4th of July carried a less celebratory tone, although freedom isnโ€™t to be taken for granted. Consequently, we continue to honor those who serve in the U.S. military, both in the past and present, in order to protect our freedoms. I don’t normally ‘talk’ politics here, so I’ll leave out the gory details of our emotions. But if you felt the same this weekend, then you’re able to read between the lines. With this being saidโ€ฆ

Fun at the county fair deflected unsettling thoughts as we immersed our minds into the โ€˜bug-tasticโ€™ theme. Ladybugs, bees, butterflies – a terrific trio that does good for the ecosystem โ€“ deserved to be in the spotlight. A beautiful butterfly landed on my husbandโ€™s sleeve, such a remarkable moment that it brought tears of joy. And there are no words to describe what it feels like when one of these graceful insects rests on your finger. One thing for sure though, breathing is paused. Our early arrival meant a short Ferris-wheel line. Pod #1 was our ride in the sky. I held my hat for fear of the sun-protecting accessory flying into the wild blue yonder. My hair blew every which way, but miles of smiles also took flight. The views were spectacular, a painterโ€™s masterpiece of an annual county fair with humans looking like armies of ants. Once on solid ground, the animals called. How could we not feel love? Tiny, cuddly, furry babies to ooh and ahh over. A sheep got a haircut, โ€œbaa-ingโ€ because maybe he didnโ€™t like the experience. But he probably felt relief in the summer sun once that thick layer of wool was removed. Dollars evaporated as we supported cool vendors. Bonsai trees received our admiration – lovely in their miniature forms, especially, two gorgeous bougainvillea. Once a year fair food entices, a savory and sweet indulgence for the palate. We even bought a funnel cake to go so that smaller portions would be possible. Just a taste is all it takes. A summer strawberry sinfully delicious delight! The sun watched over the crowd that would grow later in the day, but the golden orb complied, didn’t smother with intense heat. A little breeze shadowed us from here to there, keeping pleasant company. A margarita and rum punch hit the spot when the sun sat higher. Picnic tables with a sea of umbrellas in lime greens, petunia pinks, and turquoise invited us to sit, enjoy, and people watch. Time mystifies, because hours later, all the desired stops were checked off, so it was time to walk through the exit gate, no hand stamp. We were good for the day.

county fairs welcome
all ages one to beyond
free your inner child

My souvenir, a Henna tattoo. I love
butterflies, so it fit with the theme.
๐Ÿฆ‹

We didn’t stay for the fireworks show, but we have many times in the past. So, the fireworks photo is from a July 4th show on TV. ๐Ÿ˜Š. I hope you enjoyed this haibun/prose, along with the photos from our 4th festivities. And if you live in the USA, I hope you had a fun and safe celebration. ๐ŸŽ† As always, thanks for popping in to my corner of blogland. Have a wonderful week ahead! ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿคโค๏ธ

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ยฉ Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase
your copy through Amazon.
๐Ÿ’œ