A Gallery of Art & Words

A few weeks ago, Matt and I were enjoying a lunch at a great Mexican restaurant, Flores, and this beautiful piece of art caught my eye. The artist’s name is in the lower right hand corner. I immediately thought of my good friend, Resa, at graffitiluxandmurals.com because she has an eye for stunning street art that she shares on her blog. I had to get some photos, so I pulled out my cell and took a few. Then I sent them to Resa, and she was thrilled to include them in a post last week. Since I was on a blogging break, I’m sharing her fabulous post today where she not only spotlights this gorgeous painting, but many other faces that will take your breath away.

Please click on over to Resa’s blog for more! She is an amazing seamstress, photographer, artist, and friend who raises the bar when it comes to supporting others. 💖

In addition to Resa’s blog post, if you saw mine from Monday, you’ll know that my haiku “The Reveal” was published on Gobblers by Masticadores. Well, Resa left a comment on Gobblers, and here’s one of her lines: “This Haiku is so pretty, I want it to be a longer poem.” Not only did she inspire me, but she challenged me too. I met the challenge head on, doing my best to create a series of six haiku – #1 is the original.

(1) The Reveal

in the night abyss
shimmering with white diamonds
hope winks with promise

(2)

optimism shines
through each gem pushing aside
sierra-sized ang
st

(3)

mystery flows from
one star to the next for our
steady pondering

(4)

wonder breathes beneath
darkness in its cluster of
bright luminaries

(5)

glimmers emit warmth
fulfilling souls longing for
pure enlightenment

(6)

peace sinks into hearts
entwined with a promise from
one momentous wink

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All available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Click on sidebar image for more info, and to
purchase for your holiday shopping! Thank you! ❤️

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
Author and poet, Lauren Scott, enjoys small-town living in the Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Their adult son and daughter live out of state, and with frequent visits and technology, the family of four remains close. Lauren has published four poetry collections, a memoir, and her first children’s book. Her latest poetry collection is a tribute to her family’s Chocolate Labrador who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in spring 2025. Lauren is a recent Pushcart Nominee and has been a guest on several podcasts. Her writing is featured on Spillwords Press where she was voted Author of the Month and garnered Publication of the Month awards. She is a contributing author in several anthologies, and her work is also shared on Gobblers and Masticadores. Her muse discovers inspiration from her family, spending time outdoors, reveling in simple things, and marveling at the mysteries of life.

Surprises happen when you take a blogging break!

‘Tis the season! Photo taken by my son last year.

Dear Friends,

Happy December! First of all, on the weekend, I tried to activate the snow effect on my blog, but it wasn’t working. Then this morning, it was snowing! A miracle? I don’t know, but I’ll take it as a good sign. ❄️ Now for those who celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope yours was beyond wonderful! We had a lovely time seeing our son and daughter, feeling grateful for everything, but not just on that special Thursday – every day is a day of gratitude. Then we decorated the house for Christmas and it looks beautiful and festive. We played Scrabble, watched movies, went for walks, talked about life, and guess what? Yesterday, I wrote book reviews! Yes, I was behind, so I carved out some time yesterday! I’ll share them this month. Anyway, I missed you all, but I hope you’ve had a great week! And I normally don’t like to add too much to a post simply to keep things simple, but on the day I ‘left’ for a break, I received incredible and unexpected news:

Pushcart Nomination Overview

The Pushcart nomination is a process in which literary magazines and small presses select outstanding works—poetry, essays, or fiction—from their publications for inclusion in the annual Pushcart Prize anthology. Editors submit their chosen pieces to the Pushcart Prize editors, who review all nominations and select the winners for publication.Your letters of nomination will go out before December 1, 2025! Congratulations and good luck!

If you have time (smile), please pay a visit to Gabriela and Manuela. They’ll appreciate your presence, and I’ll appreciate your support. I look forward to reading your posts again, and wish you all a dazzling December! ❄️🩵

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

Thank you for coming by! I’m grateful for you all! ❤️

All available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Click on sidebar image for more info, and to
purchase for your holiday shopping!
Thank you! 🙏

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
Author and poet, Lauren Scott, enjoys small-town living in the Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Their adult son and daughter live out of state, and with frequent visits and technology, the family of four remains close. Lauren has published four poetry collections, a memoir, and her first children’s book. Her latest poetry collection is a tribute to her family’s Chocolate Labrador who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in spring 2025. Lauren is a recent Pushcart Nominee and has been a guest on several podcasts. Her writing is featured on Spillwords Press where she was voted Author of the Month and garnered Publication of the Month awards. She is a contributing author in several anthologies, and her work is shared bimonthly on Gobblers and Masticadores. Her muse discovers inspiration from her family, spending time outdoors, reveling in simple things, and marveling at the mysteries of life.

Gobblers by Masticadores Publishes my short story, “She Sleeps”

Photo by Naga Sumanth L on Pexels.com

Good morning and Happy Thursday! I’m listening to raindrops tap dance on the roof as I type up this post. And I’m delighted to share that Editor, Manuela Timofte at Gobblers by Masticadores is featuring my short story today, “She Sleeps.” I’m always grateful to have my writing published on her esteemed site. So thank you again, Manuela, for your generosity and kindness. ❤️

She Sleeps

An eerie high-pitched note whirls around in young Becky’s mind as she sleeps. The howling is earsplitting, wailing just outside her window, imitating a music score in a horror film. Not that she would know because she isn’t old enough to watch scary movies, but her six-year-old imagination tells her so. The trees fall into a trance like a spell has been cast upon them. Rocking back and forth, their branches bend in unnatural ways, the tips like long, pointed fingernails scratching on the double-paned window. The howling grates on her brain like a fork scraping a plate. Raindrops pound with anger. Becky tosses and turns. She fights to stay asleep. Subconsciously, she remembers Beauty and the Beast on the wall above her headboard, the best musical ever, and how she adores Belle. She’s carried to a happy place, slowing falling back into a deep slumber, but only temporarily…

To read the full story, please click on the link below. And if you’re unfamiliar with Manuela’s site, I hope you’ll take time to peruse the various pieces of wonderful writing.

Thanks so much for your visit, and I wish you a fabulous day! 💖

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

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com

Click on my son’s image to order your copy! 🧡

Lauren Scott
Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry
Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book)
Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry
Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose
Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry
Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry
Co-Author – Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku
Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology
Co-Author – This Is How We Grow
Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships
Bi-Monthly Contributor on Gobblers by Masticadores
Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023
Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024
Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025

By the Book

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Living by the book
doing what is right
you hold your goals high
clearly in sight.

Number one, check
rejoice with your love
the future looks rosy
yet barriers hang above.

Undetectable
to the naked eye
wouldn’t foresee
in the greatest sky.

The first one drops
devastation of heart
keep moving forward
resilient from the start.

You look for the good
in all people you meet
a mixture of manners
some sour, some sweet.

The second one drops
then number three
the counting has stopped
is this meant to be?

Treatment received
appalling at best
a really good person
put to the test.

The past still haunts
in wee hours of the night
when important goals
are nothing but plight.

You focus on the bliss
not one thought to quit
because no matter what
everyone copes with shit.

Though working hard
is still the best method
the outcome isn’t certain
from great work ethic.

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

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
Does this poem resonate with you or
someone you know? I’d love to hear in the comments.
I haven’t been online in the last few days,
but I’ll read blogs today. Have a good week ahead!
❤️

Click on my son’s image to order your copy! 🧡

Lauren Scott
Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry
Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book)
Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry
Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose
Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry
Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry
Co-Author – Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku
Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology
Co-Author – This Is How We Grow
Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships
Bi-Monthly Contributor on Gobblers by Masticadores
Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023
Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024
Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025

Autumn shows her true colors in Wine Country

View from Char Vale Winery deck

We spent last weekend in Wine Country, specifically visiting our favorite boutique winery, Char Vale Vineyards. Our experiences at Char Vale have been so wonderful that we became members. So last weekend, our plan was to pick up the bottles of wine that we had ordered. But as members, we were offered complimentary wine tasting. The owner and staff always go the extra mile, and the setting is magical. On this visit, the one and only winemaker, Justin, came out to meet us, and we chatted for almost a half hour. It was interesting to learn more about the process. We also love this time of year, so watching the wardrobe of Autumn unfold was stunning, to say the least. Golden hues, oranges, reds…warm and cozy vibes. I hope you enjoy the photos…

10 acres of vineyard
From our table
Enjoying the sips and notes and scenery.
View from our hotel of the quaint downtown.
Early Sunday morning.

Are you surprised that I became inspired to write? 🙂 I hope you enjoy these haiku…

(1)

harvest has ended
as season of fall arrives
field of golden hues

(2)

blue sky stretches to
infinity as we sip
notes of pear and peach

(3)

autumn parades her
golden gown through ten acres
blue sky umbrella

(4)

process continues
when leaves gently pirouette
lovely vines bare all

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

The weekend was beautiful beyond words, and now raindrops dance on our roof. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I wish you a wonderful day! If you found a favorite photo or haiku, let me know in the comments! 🧡❤️🍁

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com

Click on my son’s image to order your copy! 🧡

Lauren Scott
Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry
Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book)
Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry
Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose
Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry
Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry
Co-Author – Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku
Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology
Co-Author – This Is How We Grow
Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships
Bi-Monthly Contributor on Gobblers by Masticadores
Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023
Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024
Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025

Perspective of a Yamaha Guitar

I wish the long haul
would’ve been in your heart.
My strings and your fingers
would’ve collaborated well, I could tell.
You learned the chords, major and minor,
your strumming had improved,
and your voice, smooth as honey.
I had faith in you.

Then another passion stole your hours…
writing, and I understand,
I really do. And yet, it’s just me
sitting in this corner of the room.
Most of the time, I don’t mind.
It can feel cozy and warm
when the sun rises high in the sky,
bringing light. But after sunset,
darkness creeps in,
giving me chills of loneliness.

Now and then, you dust me off
and that’s when I feel joy
in my body and fretboard –
the soft touch of a cloth,
so comforting.
I feel hope in each string
that you’ll gently pull me out
of my black case
and hold me in your arms…

to hear a verse, bridge, or melody,
to immerse our souls
into the notes that hold meaning…

but you simply wipe away the particles
that have landed
and walk out, leaving me
to ponder the mysteries
of humans. A painful task, I might add.

Hope never fades though
because I know songs
have always been a part of you,
so you’ll see, someday, you and me,
and music makes three.

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

Have a wonderful day, and thanks for stopping by! ❤️🎼
© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com

Click on my son’s image to order your copy! 🧡

Lauren Scott
Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry
Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book)
Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry
Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose
Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry
Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry
Co-Author – Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku
Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology
Co-Author – This Is How We Grow
Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships
Bi-Monthly Contributor on Gobblers by Masticadores
Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023
Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024
Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025

Gobblers by Masticadores Publishes “Lost Their Way”

Good morning!

I hope you all had a great weekend! Hello Monday! What a surprise for this morning to find my poem on Gobblers by Masticadores! Thank you so much to Manuela Timofte for sharing my writing. It’s an honor to be featured on her beautiful site among many talented writers. I hope you pay her a visit…

Lost Their Way

If hope was a color, mine would be blue,
struggling like a bird with a broken wing
tears fill weary eyes that blur
they fall with an unforgiving sting
My heart imitates emotional skies
unseen roadblocks disguise a silver lining
Wishing is what I do well, miles between,
my hell, mindset craves refining

You can read the full poem by clicking on the link below…

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© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
Does this poem resonate? If so, I’d love
to read your thoughts on Gobblers or here.
Happy Monday, thanks for visiting,

and I wish you a wonderful week! ❤️

Click on my daughter’s image to order your copy! 🧡

Lauren Scott
Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry
Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book)
Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry
Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose
Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry
Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry
Co-Author – Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku
Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology
Co-Author – This Is How We Grow
Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships
Bi-Monthly Contributor on Gobblers by Masticadores
Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023
Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024
Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025

Lost Their Way

If hope was a color, mine would be blue,
struggling like a bird with a broken wing
tears fill weary eyes that blur
they fall with an unforgiving sting
My heart imitates emotional skies
unseen roadblocks disguise a silver lining
Wishing is what I do well, miles between,
my hell, mindset craves refining
Well-being and safety are central
forever and always beyond a wingspan
but distance from this familiar coast –
missing so much wasn’t the plan
A welcoming ring brings fleeting ease
the laughter, the conversation flows
then words of goodbye, reluctantly
and my delicate heart knows
I’ve tried my best to be the best, but maybe…
weakness bleeds into the role I play
clock’s hands move faster without you
minutes have lost their way

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

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com

Click on my daughter’s image to order your copy! 🧡


Lauren Scott
Author – King Copper: Our dog’s life in poetry
Author – Cora’s Quest (a children’s book)
Author – Ever So Gently: A Collection of Poetry
Author – More than Coffee: Memories of Verse and Prose
Author – Finding a Balance: A Collection of Poetry
Author – New Day, New Dreams: A Collection of Poetry
Co-Author – Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku
Co-Author – Petals of Haiku: An Anthology
Co-Author – This Is How We Grow
Co-Author – Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships
Bi-Monthly Contributor on Gobblers by Masticadores
Spillwords Author of the Month May 2023
Spillwords Publication of the Month October 2024
Spillwords Publication of the Month June 2025