The Friends We Meet in Unexpected Places

We spotted him on the still water, appearing to be content resting on the surface smooth as satin, even posing for a few photos as I clicked away. Although I’d say he was a bit camera shy with his backside facing us! Even so, we thanked our quiet, and seemingly, curious friend, watching us intently, turning his neck now and then to get a better look. And while no feathered company was in sight, we didn’t think he was lonely, choosing to be in this stunningly beautiful place for a purpose without distractions. Perhaps he was standing guard, protecting his mate nearby. Or pondering where his journey might take him next. So, by respecting his privacy, we gently stepped away, hiking in the opposite direction. Later in the afternoon, following a dip in the lake, we sat back in our chairs, the calm water mesmerizing us into a wonderful repose. And there he was again, our new friend gliding by but pausing when he saw us – most likely with perfect intention to visit so that he could say goodbye before heading to his next destination.
Isn’t it special, the friends we meet in unexpected places?

Lauren Scott ©

Thank you for stopping by to read this story about the wonders of nature, and by the way, I have ventured into the world of Instagram @baydreamerwrites.

https://www.instagram.com/baydreamerwrites/

and created a new Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BaydreamerWrites.

So, if you would like to connect on these platforms as well, click on the links above. It would be great to see you on these social media networks.

Have a wonderful day!
Lauren
❤️

Sky Canvas

The beginning…
Highlighted
Slipping, slipping, slipping…

Down by the lake, evening emerges with the fragrance of tranquility. The shore wears nothing but a few rocks scattered in its sand. A father and son hold fishing lines in their quiet space, hoping their luck will change. A lone sailboat glides by, pausing for the unfolding. An older man with hair the color of an egret leans against a stump. The clouds understand we wait with enthusiasm. To our naked eyes, their smooth edges have been highlighted as though the sun outlined each of their fluffy shapes with a fine yellow highlighter. Occasionally, trout jump out of the still water, unable to contain their excitement.

Then suddenly the sky displays an explosion of color: tangerine, salmon, canary yellow, brighter, and brighter with every second. We are transported to a dreamlike place where a painter gently swishes her brush back and forth on the immense backdrop, to the left and right, repeating with grace of an orchestra leader. Artwork in the sky. Can a presentation of the sun slipping behind the cottony clouds be so spectacular? The sun knows it is time for the moon to shine.

Lauren Scott ©

Pantoll – A Pleasant Surprise

Fires raged in the Sierra mountains this summer, forcing my husband and I to cancel our long-awaited backpacking trip. So, what did we do instead? We thought “local!” We found Pantoll Campground located on Mt. Tamalpais that seemed like a good alternative for a peaceful getaway. Only a forty-minute drive from home, we felt like we had traveled hundreds of miles, entering into another world. Mt. Tam is a popular tourist attraction, but with packing up all the gear and necessities for camping, we always wanted to drive farther into the mountains. It’s funny how one setback unexpectedly leads to a pleasant surprise. Here’s a glimpse into our weekend…

A visitor quietly joined us in our site.
Our cozy accommodations.
Site #1 presented an open concept of a
raised dining and great room with a
rustic fireplace.
Our backyard, perfectly landscaped.
Hiking nearby with views of San Francisco Bay.
Boiling water in minutes for our freeze-dried
feast.
Our only fire because of the red flag warning
for the following day.
Our first beautiful sunset.
Coffee and a gorgeous sunrise. Ahhh…..
A different perspective.
Our once-a-year bacon splurge, using my mom’s
cast iron skillet
that must be about 100 years old!
We hiked to the outdoor mountain theater –
a wonderful, summertime cultural experience.
After hiking uphill a few miles, our legs were
ready for a break.
Back on the trail, views of the SF bay entertained
us again.
It’s all downhill from here. 🙂
Must be 5 O’Clock. Cheers!
Nature’s architecture.

Did you enjoy the scenery? I hope so! We’re glad to have found a local option now, maybe not for backpacking, but at least for camping and hiking. Here in sunny and drought-ridden California, everyone waits for some precipitation to reduce fire danger.
We hope to slip on those backpacks next year…

Thanks for popping in and stay safe,
Lauren ❤️❤️❤️

Ambience

All-consuming are these
Murky, long winter evenings
Becoming mood changers,
Impeding hours spent in daylight –
Except there is a means to
Navigate through the blackness…
Candles! Let them emerge from hiding;
Entertain their glow and coziness.

Thank you for stopping by
and stay warm!
Lauren
💓💓💓

Book Review: Magical Whispers by Balroop Singh

My 5-star review:

I have been a fan of Balroop Singh’s poetry for many years now. She has a magical way of weaving words together that mesmerize and inspire, which explains the spot-on title for her new poetry collection, Magical Whispers.

This beautiful edition is divided into two segments: Magical Whispers and Whispers of Life. The first segment effortlessly captivates as we read verses that truly convey Singh’s love and connection to Mother Nature. Since I am an avid hiker and backpacker, I resonate fully with each line and image the author paints with her enchanting poetic style. The poems that stand out for me are Stream Whispers, Celestial Lake, Love is Love, and Whispers of Soul.

The second segment touches on various components of life such as: love, dreams, sorrow, fear, and perseverance. Singh’s character holds a strong conviction that although life may be full of shadows, light always seeps through even if in tiny dewdrops. Her poetry expresses the epitome of strength and hope of which life cannot be lived to the fullest without. My favorites are Remember Me, Betrayers, Sentinels, The Magic of Love, and Sublime Sky. And yet, although I list a few poems that move me, Singh’s collection in its totality transports me into tranquility and reflection. Her book graces my home library so that I can sink into the magic of her verses over and over again. I highly recommend adding this lovely poetry book to your home library, as well.

Her book is available at:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KJQ6K5D


US
 UK DE FR ES IT NL JP BR CA MX AU IN

Balroop Singh, a former teacher and an educator always had a passion for writing.  She is a poet, a creative non-fiction writer, a relaxed blogger and a doting grandma. She writes about people, emotions and relationships. Her poetry highlights the fact that happiness is not a destination but a chasm to bury agony, anguish, grief, distress and move on! No sea of solitude is so deep that it can drown us. Sometimes aspirations are trampled upon, the boulders of exploitation and discrimination may block your path but those who tread on undeterred are always successful.

When turbulences hit, when shadows of life darken, when they come like unseen robbers, with muffled exterior, when they threaten to shatter your dreams, it is better to break free rather than get sucked by the vortex of emotions.

Balroop Singh has always lived through her heart. She is a great nature lover; she loves to watch birds flying home. The sunsets allure her with their varied hues that they lend to the sky. She can spend endless hours listening to the rustling leaves and the sound of waterfalls. The moonlight streaming through her garden, the flowers, the meadows, the butterflies cast a spell on her. She lives in San Ramon, California.

I encourage you to visit Balroop at her blog: http://balroop2013.wordpress.com/. While there, you can peruse her full collection of poetry books that she has published and find other ways to connect with her. Take a breath and dive into the magic and beauty of her words.

Thanks for stopping by!
Lauren 💕

Belonging

Do you trust me? Will you
take my hand and let me
lead the way to a place
transcending the boundaries
of our reality? Let us get
lost in the tranquility –
dancing to the majesty of
the surroundings, feeling the
rhythm vibrate through our
bones. For as long as our
hearts desire, this is our
destination. For time is
but a memory. Its existence
leaves no trace on the path
where we tread. There is
only you, me, and the
intensity of our belonging
to each other.

Lauren Scott © 2018

Common Ground

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I think of all the people who were led
to this quiet land by the stories in
their lives. Then I wonder if they had fled
from despair into this place to begin
again, to feel the magic from within
the beauty of the majestic giants
and to sense the calming stir of silence.
I hope their active minds found complete rest
in this shelter of spiritual guidance
and their ongoing journey remained blessed.

Lauren Scott © 2018
Photo: Hendy Woods State Park
(This is my first try at a Dizain poem,
and inspiration came from our recent
Redwood visit.)

 

A Rare Jewel

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We sit on the shore
feeling inconsequential
in its vast presence,
watching it sparkle
like a rare jewel
that has just been discovered

The dragonflies attend
in their tiny-jet manner
The damselflies gracefully flit about
with their delicate bodies,
and blue, iridescent wings

Then we close our eyes
as tiny threads of peace 
weave into our whole beings,
allowing worries to fall
like the cleansing of raindrops

How fortunate are we
to play a part with nature
in this moment of our existence –
for this point of time will soon transform
into a most profound memory

Lauren Scott © 2018
Photo: Loon Lake, El Dorado County, CA