Hey, friends. Another of my nature photography images titled “Rocky Mountain Columbine Cluster” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. Big thanks to editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this image of my all-time favorite wild flower species (it’s also Colorado’s state flower). Much appreciated, Manuela.
You can view the image and its accompanying commentary here:
A bit of exciting news, folks. My good friend and superb poet Maggie Watson has been nominated for Writer of the Month for August 2025 at Spillwords Press. Earlier this year, Maggie won the award for Publication of the Month for April 2025 at Spillwords Press, so she’s on a roll. I want to ask all of you to check out her latest offering at Spillwords Press, a magnificent piece titled “Holy Communion,” then give her a vote of support. She is absolutely deserving of this award.
Voting for Author of the Month for August 2025 ends August 28. You may cast your vote here:
You can also experience Maggie’s sublime poetry on her blog, Ephemeral Encounters. Maggie’s writing is intense, at times brutal, always courageous, and deeply personal, and I admire her as both a writer and a person.
Help support our writing community by casting your vote for our friend Maggie, will you?
The latest installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (20)” is now available at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. Many thanks to editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this mini-collection. I hope you enjoy them.
Hello, everyone. My new short creative nonfiction story titled “The Graves of Saint Paul” is now live at Hotel by Masticadores. I’m truly grateful to editor Michelle Navajas for sharing this piece with her readers at Hotel. It’s a bit of an anomaly for me as I generally write poetry exclusively. Back in my younger days (prior to giving up writing for twenty years out of frustration), prose was my vehicle for expressing myself, and although none of my fictional pieces from my early years found a home at a publishing house, they still hold meaning for me. It was a thrill to actually complete a short story again after thirty-three years, and I hope this is only the beginning and that more will come. This piece is based on elements of fact, with a bit of creative license included. Thanks a bunch, Michelle, for this opportunity.
“My mother lay in the ground at my feet beneath sun-bleached summer grass and faded plastic flowers and a headstone I hadn’t seen for nearly ten years. Her name, Victoria, clung to the gray stone above a bas-relief of pines and wild flowers and blue birds. She’d asked for a cross on her headstone—made it clear to everyone that she desired her faith to be front and center after she died—but my father, in his infinite malice and pettiness, had chosen some random wilderness picture rather than honor her wish. Just one more reason I hated him.
And now, his name sullied my mother’s headstone.
Ten years. Ten years of shame and regret. I hadn’t visited my mother since the headstone was erected shortly after her burial. For months after her death, I made excuses to avoid the trip to town, to the cemetery. At first, it was too raw, too soon. Maybe in a few weeks, a month or two, then I could do it. And then my life flipped upside-down again and I relocated out-of-state unexpectedly and that felt like a more legitimate reason, but I always intended to visit her grave like a good son should. Except…except maybe I wasn’t such a good son after all…”
Also, please consider following and subscribing to Hotel by Masticadores, where you’ll discover a world of wonderfully imaginative and profound writing.
Hello, everyone. Another of my nature photography images titled “Delicate Arch & La Sal Mountains” has been published at Gobblers by Masticadores. Much gratitude to editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this image. I appreciate all you do, Manuela.
You can view the image and its accompanying commentary here:
Hey, folks. The ninth installment of my tanka series titled “A Tanka Trio (9)” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. Each of these installments contains three tanka (be sure to click this link or the link below to read all of them). I’m grateful to editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this installment with her readers. Thank you kindly, Manuela.
Lauren Scott is an accomplished writer/poet and someone I consider a good friend. I’ve followed her blog BaydreamerWrites for a few years now and always look forward to her thoughtful and beautiful takes on life and nature. I was delighted when I first discovered Lauren was a dog lover, and her occasional poems and photographs featuring Copper, her beloved chocolate Lab, revealed a deeper layer to Lauren, one in which her love and compassion for all living things shine so brightly. I enjoyed Copper’s cameos on her blog, and was reminded of the dog buddies I’ve known in my own life (Dexter, Schroeder, Bilbo, Buffer, Harley, Pup-Mup and The Roadie, to name a few). There’s nothing quite like the love between a dog and a human; it’s a transcendent, piercing love. There’s a reason dogs are considered humans’ best friends.
Earlier this year, Copper left Lauren and her family and crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
When our animal friends leave us, it’s devastating. They’re more than pets or sidekicks. They’re family. I understand what it’s like to lose a dog, and it was crushing to know Lauren and her family were hurting in Copper’s absence.
And then, something beautiful happened. Lauren decided to create a tribute to Copper in the form of a poetry collection, a memorial to her wonderful friend and companion. I can’t imagine how painful this must have been for her, but it’s my hope it helped assuage her grief and pain, and focus her memories on all the love and happiness Copper brought into her life.
King Copper: Our Dog’s Life in Poetry ensures that Copper will live on, and I’m so glad that his memory will be enjoyed by so many people, thanks to Lauren’s new book. The book’s official release date is Wednesday, August 6th in paperback and e-book. Pre-order is available at Amazon or Barnes and Noble, and at Kobo for e-book only.
Lauren has provided a couple of samples of what you can expect in this wonderful, poignant collection:
Our Furry Friend (excerpt)
He knows when we’re sad, resting his head on our knee. He feels when we’re happy circle dancing with glee. He doesn’t play games as some humans do. He just lives his life like each day is new!
He’ll eat anything, gulps down his meals. Anyone who meets him falls head over heels! He can’t get enough of cuddles and pats, and he’ll run after those pesky squirrels and cats…
…..
Loss is Loss
Death comes in many forms
Death can be tragic
Death can be anticipated
Regardless, when a loved one passes
whether human or pet
loss is loss
hearts still break
tears fall until
there are no more
stages of grief
call us and we answer
submitting to erratic emotions
to heaviness in heart and limbs
to wondering if the sun will rise again
and no matter what triggers the pain
we must offer ourselves grace…
to grieve as we should
to mourn as days unfold
Loss is loss shattering us
into tiny pieces of uncertainty
until the healing of time
brings those pieces back together.
…..
Here’s Lauren in her own words from her Amazon page:
When I knelt down to Copper’s level, my heart melted. His amber, soul-searching eyes told me all I needed to know.
I recalled sitting at the table, perusing a Labrador rescue website. A lab sporting a copper-colored coat stood out like a citrine crystal in a bowl of black diamonds. I had to meet the handsome fellow.
So, on a late winter March day in 2012, my family drove to Oakland to meet Copper. A woman was fostering him in her small apartment. He had a gentle demeanor, and after a walk around the block and some play time, I was ready to take him home. My son and I were excited to welcome Copper into our lives. But my husband and daughter were hesitant to adopt another dog so soon. Would we be replacing Lucky Girl, our black lab mix, who passed just four months earlier?
Despite telling the woman we needed time to make a decision, only three days later, we found ourselves signing the adoption papers. Copper effortlessly jumped into the back of our car for a ride to his new home. We heard that the best way to get past the grief of losing a pet is to get a new one, and that’s what we did. Lucky Girl would always be in our hearts. But after many conversations, we felt the timing was right. I, especially, couldn’t shake the feeling that Copper was meant to be our next canine friend.
From the hugs, cuddles, and games of fetch, Copper learned to trust us. And so, he became family. For thirteen years, he gave us unconditional love. He crossed over the rainbow bridge this past March. It is serendipitous to know that he came into our lives in March and left our earthly world also in March – the month of new beginnings. He was a bright light in our lives that will shine eternally. This is the power of our dogs or any pet. They leave a positive, long-lasting imprint on our souls.
Lauren Scott is a poet, and writer of fiction, memoir, and children’s books. She enjoys small-town living in Northern California with her husband, Matt. They have a wonderful relationship with their son and daughter who are adulting and enjoying life out of state. Lauren has authored three collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013), Finding a Balance (2015), and Ever So Gently (2023). In 2021, she released her memoir, More than Coffee in verse and prose. In 2024, her first children’s book, Cora’s Quest, was released. Lauren’s writing has been published in many anthologies, and she is a monthly contributor on Gobblers at Masticadores, an online literary site. Her work has also been featured at Spillwords Press, also an online literary site, where she was voted Author of the Month in May 2023, Publication of the Month in October 2024, and Publication of the Month in June 2025. Lauren discovers writing inspiration from family, her connection with nature, and the simple things in life. To learn more about Lauren’s work and books, please visit her contact links below:
Silent Pariah 