Poetry Challenge #108-Where’s Teddy?
“Wait! Where’s my Noy-Noy?”
Where have all the teddys gone?/Long time passing./Where have all the teddys gone/mums have tossed them, everyone….
Pete Seeger, forgive me for riffing off your heartful song, but it’s true. I can not recall the last time I saw a kiddle cuddling a teddy.
How many of us had a favorite Teddy—by “Teddy” I mean that bunny, stuffie, blankie, lovie, bear or otherwise you loved as a child? Mine was named “Noy-Noy.” All these years later I still recall times when it seemed Noy-Noy was my only friend.
Likewise, how many of us recall being teased about that beloved Teddy? Or having been shamed into leaving it behind? Bernard Waber’s Ira Sleeps Over immediately comes to mind.
For that matter, how many of us have discarded, lost, ignored, stuffed into a box, closet, attic, under the bed . . . that beloved Teddy?
What about Me?
Poetry Challenge #108
This One’s for Teddy!
Climb into your attic (metaphoric or otherwise) take out your beloved Teddy, dust it off and give it a big hug—in the form of a poem.
Begin by taking a moment to recall your Teddy (substitute the appropriate moniker).
What does it look like? What did it feel like? And more, what did holding it make you feel?
Did you and your Teddy go on adventures together?
Can you think of a recent time you wish you had Teddy?
Drawing on these moments, write Teddy a poem. Let your Teddy’s name be the title of the poem.
Give Your “Teddy” a mental (or real-time) hug
Set the timer for 7 Minutes
Start Writing!
Jack with his dragon from Deb Pilutti
Let’s Here it for Teddy Picture Book List:
Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems
The Secrets of Ninja School by Deb Pilutti
41 Books with Stuffed Animals at Their Heart blog post
*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge eons ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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Poetry Challenge #107-Baby, You Can Name My Car!
According to a car nickname website, if you love your car, it’s normal to give it a name. Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang was named for the sound the car made. The Magic Schoolbus was magic and a schoolbus. Scooby-Doo’s Mystery Machine was just that.
Lightning McQueen from Cars, Kit from Knight Rider, and Bandit from Smokey and the Bandit, are a few infamous ones.
The kids named my old Mom Minivan “Doris.” Doris didn’t mind one bit…in fact, I think our old van liked having a name, it made her feel like part of the family. (At least she never blew a gasket!)
Poetry Challenge #107
Baby, You Can Name Your Car!
Think about a car or other mode of transportation you use—EQUAL RIGHTS FOR BIKES!!!
Jot down some words that describe it. What’s its shape? color? size? Does it run well? Make any strange noises? Where does it like to go best? What might you name your car that makes you think of any/all of these things?
An ode is a poem of praise. Let’s write an ode to your car with these restrictions:
First line: One word—maybe the brand of your car, the model, or just the word “car”.
Second line: Two words—two adjectives describing the car (color, size, # of doors, etc.)
Third line: Three words—What does your car do?
Fourth line: Two words—How does your car make you feel?
Fifth line: Your car’s name!
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; get writing! VROOOOOOOOM!
Name Your Car Playlist:
Baby You Can Drive My Car by The Beatles
Baby You Can Drive My Car by The Beatles
Baby You Can Drive My Car by The Beatles (You get the idea.)
Extra points if you know this car’s name…
*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge many moons ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. (This one was Cindy’s.) If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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Poetry Challenge #106-Rock Lobster
World’s Lobster in Shediac, New Brunswick
This time of year, after months of dry heat and dry weather, I’m a lobster—literally
But in my mind, with my collar turned up and a towel wrapped around my head like a stiff beehive updo…
I’m Kate Pierson or Cindy Wilson of the B52’s
Guitar please: dur-dur-dur dah-dah duh-da-duh-duh Oooh-ahhhh….
Rock Lobster!
What comes to mind when you think of a lobster?
Is it the cola-guzzling lobster in Erin Moulton’s funny, heartful Tracing the Stars?
Diane Keaton’s lobster scene from Annie Hall?
Pilgrimage to the world’s largest lobster?
Or, like me, a rockin’ red lobster?
Poetry Challenge #106
Lobster Day
Drawing on that lobster experience (or one imagined), list seven words, one beginning with each letter of the word lobster.
Use that list to craft a seven-line lobster poem.
In addition, the poem might include: a sound, a smell, a location, a texture, and the word “ruckus”.
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just get cracking!
* There is actually a National Lobster Day! (But why wait until Sept. 25th to celebrate?)
**Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge more days ago that I can count. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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What Inspires Me #88-Lighthouse Keepers
It’s the dead of winter, the wind is truly howling, I am sure the seas are churning. If I were a boat…
Lighthouse Keepers inspire me. Think about it, they live, often on isolated islands, sometimes alone, with the full time mission of shining light. Light to guide. Light to reassure. Light to point the way.
Sally Snowman was the only female lighthouse keeper in the US. (I don’t know about now.) She had been the keeper of Boston Light, in Boston Harbor for 17 years when this photo was taken in 2020. (Read more about Sally in Natasha Frost’s Atlas Obsura article, click on the picture)—but not this second! Read on first!
Sally connected with her husband James Thomson through their mutual love of lighthouses and maritime history
If you like lighthouses, you’ll enjoy it!
But this post is about another kind of lighthouse keeper, one that, while she does live on an Island, is definitely not isolated, but she sure does shine…
Mary Ellen Sherlock is more “Light Keeper” than Lighthouse Keeper. She is a source of light. I first met her at a book fair—her table was across the aisle and down from mine. She glowed, her table of books all with stuffies beckoned, and pulled me and everyone else in. As I soon found out, Mary Ellen was glowing because she stuffed with ideas, interest, curiosity.
Find more about Mary Ellen the author at her website: Mary Ellen Sherlock.com
Mary Ellen’s curiosity, and wonder—and gumption—compels her to seek out creatives. To unearth their stories, and to share them. When the opportunity to host a podcast of her own was presented, Mary Ellen glowed.
Recently, about 20 episodes ago, Lighthouse Keepers Podcast, went live. Mary Ellen goal: “amplify stories of compassion, resilience, and service.” Here’s the mission: “Through heartfelt conversations, she spotlights the individuals and organizations working tirelessly to make the world a kinder, brighter place.”
The Lighthouse Keepers Podcast is on YouTube—Subscribe!
In December (hence the holly-jolly everywhere) I was delighted, and privileged to be one of her guests. What’s even more fun is that we filmed the session in A Book Place Boutique, with our buddy, Jocelyn (the owner, curator of this delightful so-much-more than a bookshop) looking on, laughing occasionally, ahem…
Mary Ellen and I had a blast chit-chatting (not sure about what, I’m too icked out to watch)
—check out all the episodes of the Lighthouse Keeper Podcast, they will all brighten your day!
This is a snippet of Mary Ellen Sherlock’s Newsletter with links to episodes (yes, mine too). I don’t think the links will work, but you can type them and find them, or you can click on the picture or here to visit the podcast.
Keeping the light, shining the light, spotlighting service and kindness and joy—That’s Inspiring!
Poetry Challenge #105-Happy Birthday to You-Know Whoo ever!
Happy Birthday! Every day is somebody’s birthday! Who do you know who has a birthday coming up soon?
If it’s YOU then, according to A.I. Astrology, you are:
The zodiac sign is Aquarius (♒︎), the Water-Bearer, an Air sign ruling from roughly January 20th to February 19th, known for being innovative, intellectual, humanitarian, independent, and sometimes rebellious
Poetry Challenge #105
Happy Birthday to You-Know-Who!!!!
Can you write a poem to that person telling them why they’re special or what they mean to you?
Work on it until every word is exactly the one you want.
Do you want your poem to rhyme?
Do you want it to have a certain number of syllables on a line?
Is it a list poem or a story? You get to decide.
You can even give it to the person as a birthday gift!
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
Wouldn’t be much of a birthday without a song. Here Goes: YOU SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY by the Beatles
*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge more than 3200+days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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Poetry Challenge #104-Prince Day
Do not ask me why: It’s not raining. The oldies station isn’t playing. And there is not a speck of glitter, wild hair, lace or feathered boa in sight. Still, for whatever reason, Prince’s* classic “Purple Rain” is stuck in my head…on replay.
Not the whole song either. Just the part everybody knows. And I do mean EVERYBODY. Sing with me:
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Blah-blah blah-blah la-la la-la in the purple rain...
“Prince’s definitive power ballad “Purple Rain” peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 on November 17, 1984 behind Wham’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go”. It was the title track of the album and namesake of a film in which Prince plays “The Kid” who has nostalgic yearning for a pure love.... Perhaps appropriately, it was the last song Prince ever played live, closing out his concert in Atlanta on April 14, 2016.”
Oh my word, we must have watched that movie seventy times (back then HBO featured movies for a month). But I digress:
Poetry Challenge #104
Purple Rain
If Prince could do it—and create a classic and make zillions in the process, then we can too. In the inimitable style of Prince:
Choose one concrete noun (Rain for instance, but not rain).
Choose one color (purple is off limits).
Put them together in whichever order pleases you. Use those words to begin a poem.
If you are feeling lazy, copy the pattern of “Purple Rain” (then you’ll only have to invent that last line.)
Hopefully the two words you’ve chose will fire up your inner the rock star!
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; do it! Rock OUT!
*And no it’s not his birthday. Prince Roger Nelson, aka “Prince” was born June 7, 1958, he died April 21, 2016. But his music lives on! 
Click to hear Prince tell why…I’m with him!
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge more than 8 years ago. We take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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What Inspires Me #71-Driveway Art
It’s been a while since I’ve shared what inspires me here at the Fishbowl. That doesn’t mean a thing. Finding inspiration in the world—at least one thing a day—is what keeps me going! To kick off 2026, I’m sharing one of my go-to sources of vitamin I. Read on:
You know the saying, “Want something done? Ask a busy person to do it.” My writer-buddy-friend Jim Smolski is one of the busiest people I know. And one way “cool” dude (yep, that’s Jim with his long board back in the day. Get this, while he now lives in the Houston area, he hails from Long Island, just up island from me, now—same sand, same waves, same haircut my brother, Joe, wore.)
When Jim’s not constructing homes and woodworking—or maybe while he is—he’s crafting stories, poems, cartoons, and art. Impressive as that sounds (and exhausting) what Jim does in his “spare” time is what inspires me:
Driveway Art with “The Grandpa Man”
Some time back, a few neighborhood kids expressed interest in art Jim was making. Taking it as a sign, Jim invited them to give it a try.
It started with one table, a few children, and some art supplies…
The line of art tables just kept growing and growing…
“There are other kids and parents they come and go...
as kids grab an empty chair the other kids are coming down the block.
The party usually lasts about 4 hours plus.
And you know what.....?
I love it!!!! ”
The line of bikes and wagons kept growing as word of “Grandpa Man’s” Pop-up art classes spread. And get this, neighbors, watching the budding artists, have started donating funds and supplies to keep the classes going.
Jim never fails to try the weekly poetry-challenges. Here’s a recent one to kick off the new year. (Mind you this is less than 7-minutes poeming.) But it seasoned with a dash of Jim’s spirit!
Glad Tidings
I resolved to break my record.
Make my resolution last.
I decided I would stay on course.
Not give up on them, so fast.
We do have good intentions.
Our plan is to improve.
But life goes on and back we fall.
A needle in a groove.
I’ll find fortitude unmatched.
To escape from the misguidings.
My resolution for the year.
Is to wish you all glad tidings.
Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl). Here’s to being inspired, and inspiring others! Thanks, Jim!
Poetry Challenge #103-Back to Biz
Who knew going back to business as usual would be so soooooooo. Our youngest grand (far right, can’t dare say “littlest”) sobbed because he was having too much fun over the break, his brother Dylan (left in pic), who turned 11 on the 6th, was thrilled because he was looking forward to celebrating his birthday at school—they do make a big fuss. As for the other two???? And what about you???
Usual Suspects…or ???
Poetry Challenge #103
Back to Biz
Write a poem about the first day back . . . to whatever?
Work?
School?
Back after a lovely vacation?
First day back after a miserable one….
Are you excited/miserable/relieved? Does anything surprise you? What do you like best? Least?
Try writing your poem in couplets—two lines that rhyme.
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
HappyTeacherHappyKids.com has a fab post with refreshing “back to biz” survival tactics. Click and read!