I will be away at the San Francisco Writers Conference beginning tomorrow through Sunday and may or may not have time to get online. If not, I will see you next week! On a side note, if you’re looking for a fun Valentine’s gift for your little ones, my first children’s book, Cora’s Quest, would be a great option. 😍
Click on the image to purchase your copy! Thank you!
Okay, this short update has concluded and I’ve turned comments off. So, have a wonderful rest of your week and weekend ahead!Stay safe! Be happy! 😊 And remember…
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.“ ~ Nelson Mandela
I’m thrilled that my poem, “One Decision that is Yours Alone” is published on Gobblers by Masticadores today! A Huge Thanks to Manuela Timofte for sharing my work each month. I’m honored to be among so many talented writers.
One Decision that is Yours Alone
I see the tears rolling, slowly, but with purpose. Will you let me dry them? Your invisible scars are as visible as words of anguish in your eyes. But there is no room for shame even though time swiftly moves while memories remain.
No, you don’t know me well, and I can’t relate to the nightmare that stole your self-worth, and we haven’t exchanged a friendly conversation over tea, but you can trust me. I only wish you kindness in your unfair moments of nothingness.
Please click here or on the link below to read the full poem and to support this wonderful literary site. Thank you! 🙏
Sally at Smorgasbord Blog Magazine is always generous when she helps to spread the word about new books being released. So I’m honored that she featured my first children’s book. I’ve been trying to reblog and share links of the friends who have shared the news about Cora in the order that corresponds with their posts. But if I’m out of order, please forgive me. My head has been spinning for over a week, but for celebratory reasons! 🥰 My deepest gratitude to you all who have helped me out in the most gracious ways!
Sally is the author of Size Always Matters – a wonderful tool for not only losing weight, but for eating healthy as a lifestyle change. I loved this book and will keep it within reach. We all need some guidance at some point regarding our eating habits. My review of Sally’s book can be found here.
Click on the image to purchase your copy!
So, I invite you to visit Sally’s post by clicking on the link below to check out her beautiful way of announcing the release of Cora’s Quest.Thank you again, Sally! I’m so appreciative of your support, and I’m still doing the happy ‘deer’ dance! :)🙏❤️
As always, thanks so much for your presence, and I appreciate your patience while I promote my book. 🙂 Also, Cora’s Quest would make a wonderful gift for any little ones. It’s a sweet story with a big message for all ages, and the images are magical and vibrant, so the paperback would be lovely for a child to hold in his or her hands. Have a wonderful rest of the week! ❤️
When I read Brian’s post at WritingfromtheheartofBrian where he shared a list of 100 things he loves, it really touched me. Brian’s posts and the essays he writes are always moving, humorous, and authentic. Please pay him a visit if you haven’t met him yet. Anyway, I picked up my loyal journal from where it rests on the coffee table, and began making a list. I seamlessly wove together things I love and things I’m thankful for. Perfect timing because here we are with Christmas just around the corner. The spirit of the season seeps into our hearts. For the sake of time, I tried to narrow my list down to 50, but I couldn’t. Now this says it all! And I went a few over! 🙂 These are in no particular order.
Family time.
Sharing life’s adventures with my best friend, my husband, for almost 36 years (37 since we met).
1989
3. My dog, Copper. He’s 14 years old and doesn’t go fast and far anymore, but he’s doing well. 4. Good health – this is no laughing matter, as my dad used to say. I don’t think I grasped the profound meaning when I was young, but now I get it. 5. Baking – carrying on my mom’s tradition. 6. Singing – my passion since I was 9 years old. 7. Barbara Streisand – my vocal idol who I was fortunate to see in concert – the most magical evening! 8. Elvis Presley – I was only a teenager, but his voice was incredible and he was so handsome. 🙂 I was lucky to see him in concert with my family two years before he passed away so young. 9. Redwoods – I feel a sense of peace and reverence whenever I’m in their company.
10. My childhood cabin – memories of Yahtzee nights and Mom’s lasagna! 11. Chocolate chip cookies made from scratch right out of the oven! 12. Sunsets, especially at our favorite lake.
13. Writing! Poetry, Fiction, a children’s book – trying new genres for a challenge. 14. Reading – getting lost in poetry that resonates or in the pages of a compelling book! 15. Poetry of Mary Oliver – I feel deeply moved by her poems. 16. Beautiful gardens – the colors, the life, the connections, the honey bees! 17. Addictive Netflix shows – Virgin River, Schitz Creek, Grey’s Anatomy, Gilmore Girls, & New Amsterdam. 18. Long phone chats with my daughter in TN. 19. Long phone chats with my son in CO. 20. Chardonnay on a Friday night after another work week has come to an end. 21. Going to the movies – the whole experience of relaxing in the recliner chairs and munching on popcorn. 22. Music – singing, dancing, listening, going to concerts. 23. A quiet drive on country roads. 24. Wine country in the spring and fall. 25. All animals, esp. dogs, and elephants – After I read two non-fiction books about elephants, I fell in love with the magnificent creatures. 26. Chocolate!
27. Hawaii. 28. Camping in a tent – I don’t mind roughing it and getting a little dirty. 29. Campfires in the wilderness.
30. The color blue like the clearest sky, a tropical ocean, and my husband’s eyes. 31. Musicals – The Sound of Music with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plumber top the list. 32. Small, charming towns. 33. Reminiscing through old photo albums. The memories… 34. Moving furniture around in the house. 35. RomComs: Pretty Woman, While You Were Sleeping, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, The Proposal, When Harry Met Sally
36. A hot shower after tent camping for a week. 37. Air conditioning on a 100 degree summer day. 38. A fun day at the county fair. I have great memories of going as a family, checking out the art exhibits, the pig races and petting zoo, riding the ferris wheel, and eating fun fair food: gyros and chocolate mint ice cream. 39. Noisy holiday gatherings with children’s laughter that evoke wonderful family memories of when my parents were still with us. 40. Christmas decorations inside and outside. 41. Coffee with hubby no matter where we are.
42. Typing. 43. A great sense of humor 😂 44. Kind people. 45. Ethical politicians. 46. Tacos and a margarita. 47. Jeans and t-shirts. 48. Hokas – my saving grace to mitigate foot nerve pain. 49. Jewelry – Silver, gold, beaded, all kinds. Necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets. I love to accessorize! 50. Blogging and the wonderful friends I’ve made! 51. My Apple watch – changing the photo & using for exercise. It’s simply fun. 52. The moon! 53. Visiting my daughter in TN. 54. Visiting my son in CO. 55. Technology when it works! LOL 56. My white Mazda CX-5. 57. Disneyland – Childhood memories of having Disneyland in my backyard. I love Disney! 58. Compassionate and trustworthy doctors – I am grateful for the care and treatment my family has received at Kaiser over the years. 59. Purses. 60. Backpacking with my husband! The tranquility, carrying all we need on our backs, the photos, the memories!
61. Hiking. 62. Holding a book in my hands. There’s something special about the feel of the cover and pages. 63. When Paxlovid kicked in during Covid, even though the metallic taste in my mouth was unpleasant for a week. 64. Organization. 65. Playing in the snow: sledding, snow shoeing, tobogganing, tubing. 66. A lush, green lawn. 67. Carrot cake. Did you know it counts as a vegetable? 🙂
Made by my son for my birthday a few years ago.
68. Sitting on our patio on a summer evening, watching the hummingbirds. 69. Stinson Beach. 70. Heat in the house on a cold winter’s morning. 71. A live Christmas tree adorned with ornaments the kids made and ornaments that were given to us.
72. A new roof that cost too much but that keeps us dry. 73. A house we call home. 74. The feeling of euphoria I had after giving birth to my daughter and son. 75. Walking hand in hand with my husband. 76. Paying someone a compliment. 77. Waking up early in the morning and enjoying quiet time to read, write, or blog. 78. Reveling in the joy when my husband gets home from an awesome motorcycle ride. 79. A simple walk around the neighborhood. Each time, it’s a different experience. 80. When my kids tell me they love me. 81. Receiving Christmas cards. 82. Getting together with friends. 83. Motorcycle rides with my husband. 84. Lucille Ball. The laughter never ends! 85. Enjoying a day at the beach. 86. Attempting a new creative endeavor and succeeding. 87. Reading the blogs I follow. 88. Listening to the rain from inside my cozy home. 89. How comfy my bed feels at night when I’m tired. 90. Any body of water.
91. The excitement of a new year’s possibilities. 92. Riding bikes in Lake Tahoe. 93. Weekend getaways. 94. Having something to look forward to. 95. When my children graduated from UC Davis. 96. Self-publishing a new book. 97. My poetry and stories getting published in literary magazines. 98. Opening all windows in the house on a beautiful spring day. 99. Emojis ❤️🥰🎉🤗🙏 What can I say? They’re fun! 😍 100. Bodega Bay. 101. Pain-free days and nights. 102. Samuel P. Taylor Park. 103. Point Reyes. 104. West Marin. 105. The Cheese Factory.
Could any of these land on your list? I’m sure some from Brian’s are the same for mine. And that’s okay. Like- minded individuals! I’d love to hear your thoughts! Thanks for taking the time, and for stopping by today! I appreciate you all for visiting my little corner of blogland. ❤️
I’m honored and thrilled that my new children’s book, Cora’s Quest, has been promoted today on Gobblers by Masticadores! Thank you to Manuela Timofte for publishing this exciting news! 🙏
Dear Family and Friends,
I’m excited to announce the release of my children’s book, Cora’s Quest! My nephew, Chris Mendez, illustrated the book, and it was a magical experience watching Cora come to life in her woodland world through her beautiful artwork.
Full transparency, this is my first children’s book. So, I hope that anyone (adults or children) who gets to know Cora will find her little story to be a charming tale, and will take her big message to heart with them into the future.
Book blurb:
Cora is a curious fawn who loves spending time with her parents. On one beautiful day, they stroll deep into the wilderness. They trot along on the trails, and Cora finds other fascinating animals. They skitter and fly around her with joyful purpose. Every unique sound catches her attention, stirring her curiosity to discover just where that sound came from. But suddenly her delightful family day takes a turn that begins to test the courage inside of her…
Cora’s Quest is available on Amazon (paperback and e-book) Click on the links for more purchase options: Barnes & Noble (paperback and e-book), and Kobo (e-book only).
To read more about my book, please visit Gobblers by clicking on the link below. Thank you for supporting Manuela and her team. ❤️
Resa rocks, enough said, and I’m sharing a bit about her if you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her:
I’m an amateur photographer who has a passion for taking pics of outdoor ephemeral art.
My name is Resa McConaghy, and my site, “Graffit Lux and Murals”, was originally dedicated to showcasing & documenting Graffiti Art and Murals in Toronto and Winnipeg.
However, I now find I am featuring the Street Art of other cities around the globe through travels of mine, and guest contributors.
Taking these pics is a passion and a joy. Each work of graffiti art or mural evokes thoughts in me, and these thoughts are reflected in the titles of my Post.
Resa has posted and reviewed my last two books, Ever So Gently and More than Coffee, and now she’s done it again for Cora’s Quest, my first children’s book illustrated by my nephew, Chris Mendez! She creates stunning masterpieces weaving art and books together seamlessly like needle and thread.
So, I invite you to visit Resa’s post and immerse yourself into the colorful palette of her amazing creativity! Thank you again, Resa, for your invaluable support and friendship! You have enriched my life! ❤️🎉🙏
A Huge Thanks to you who have bought Cora’s Quest, and I’ll share again that in the last few days since Cora was released, it has reached… Top New Release in Baby and Toddler Beginner Reader Books, #1 New Release in Children’s Self-Esteem and Self-Respect, and #1 New Release in Children’s Mammal Books! I’ve never paid attention to Amazon’s Best Seller’s Rankings, but I’ll admit this news is a great boost! 🎉👏🏼 Thank you for stopping by! I appreciate you so much! ❤️ And I hope Cora will find herself on your holiday shopping list. 🥰
Have a wonderful weekend ahead, and I hope to see you at Resa’s!
I’m excited to announce the release of my children’s book, Cora’s Quest! My nephew, Chris Mendez, illustrated the book, and it was a magical experience watching Cora come to life in her woodland world through his beautiful artwork.
Full transparency, this is my first children’s book. So, I hope that anyone (adults or children) who get to know Cora will find her little story to be a charming tale, and will take her big message to heart with them into the future.
Book blurb:
Cora is a curious fawn who loves spending time with her parents. On one beautiful day, they stroll deep into the wilderness. They trot along on the trails, and Cora finds other animals fascinating. They skitter and fly around her with joyful purpose. Every unique sound catches her attention, stirring her curiosity to discover just where that sound came from. But suddenly her delightful family day takes a turn that begins to test the courage inside of her…
I haven’t planned a blog tour, but my good friend, Resa, is just as excited as I am, so she’ll spread this exciting news on her blog as well! If you would like to promote Cora’s Quest on any social media platform, I would be honored and thrilled! If so, please let me know in the comments below, or you can email me at baydreamer25@gmail.com. A Huge Thanks in advance! 🙏
Cora’s Quest is available on Amazon (paperback and e-book) Click on the links below for more purchase options: Barnes & Noble (paperback and e-book), and Kobo (e-book only).
An important sidenote: Due to inadequate performance by the software tools provided by the self publishing company, I am unhappy with the illustration/text alignment in the E-Book. I recommend the print version for the full experience.
Call me old fashioned but I believe a child should hold a book in his/her hands, feeling the excitement of turning the pages, which in turn, creates a more magical reading journey. 💖
To purchase your copy from Amazon, click on the link above. Cora’s Quest would be a delightful addition to your holiday shopping!
Thanks so much for stopping by, and I wish you a peaceful holiday season. Lauren ❤️
I have read that a book can be promoted for any amount of time, not only on the heels of its release. Editor Barbara Leonhard from MasticadoresUSA proves this fact because my poetry collection, Ever So Gently, was released 16 months ago. So, I am honored and thrilled that my book is still being read with positive reviews flowing in after all this time.
Barbara says, “Scott’s poems may enable readers to find answers to their soul’s longings.” To read her beautiful review, a wonderful testimonial from Diana at Myths of the Mirror, and to learn more about my poetry collection, please click on the link below. I hope to see you at Barbara’s place. ❤️
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author 