2024 Annual Report & "WINNER-WINNER CHICKEN DINNER" Last 2024 GIVEAWAY Winner!
Happy mid-point of the 1st Quarter of 2025 Fishbowl Review!
My New Year’s resolution was to write y’all an update about what’s swirling in the Fishbowl AND FINALLY draw the winner of the 4th Quarter Winner-Winner Giveaway first thing… January 1st…
Well, that’s one broken resolution out of the way. (Have no fear, I will announce the winner shortly.) First the news!
The end of 2024 beginning of 2025 knocked me sideways. (Maybe not for the reason you might imagine.) My mother decided it was time to move on to better. Mom had been ill, physically and/or mentally for most of her life. On her 88th birthday, August 27th, she told me she was done, that there was such a thing as living too long. When Mary Ellen Silva made up her mind to do a thing, she did. She passed gently into brightness on Jan 3rd.
What some of you know is that my mother, what she lacked in physicality she made up for in creativity.
Several years back, Mom began drawing cards with fun pictures and saying on them, which she generously mailed to family and friends. Then, an avid reader, she turned to creating bookmarks. Bookmarks decorated with fun doodles, stickers, clever sayings and quiz show-style questions (answers on the back.)
This card of Elvis is one of her earliest—and a personal fav. It hangs in my office.
One day I asked if I could put some of them in the books in my Little Free Library. Mom flew into production. On a weekly basis she’d send me manila envelopes filled with bookmarks, which I happily popped into my LFL books. (The books often returned; the bookmarks never did.)
Mom’s last project was to be sure every caregiver received an envelope filled with bookmarks created especially for them—some 30-plus caregivers.
As mom lay dying, and in those days after she passed, everyone I saw at Cascades, her assisted living, told me about her bookmarks. Many had one in their pockets. So yes, Mary Ellen Silva McAndrews, artist name “Merry,” will live on, in all of us and her art.
People often ask me why I became a writer—more than that an author.
I think that’s why. In the same way, as much as mom loved creating art, she loved sharing it and enjoyed the idea of other people being moved by her creations—and by the idea of immortality through art.
Mom had this “glamour shot” taken when she and my grandmother went to a Vegas show. It was one she particularly liked—and why not?
The agony and the ecstasy! I’m writing on the tailwind of an incredible, once unimaginable, cycle trip in Southern Cambodia and Vietnam. A short clip of me riding through a village near Seim Reap is on youtube:
Big deal? Yes, it is! I planted my feet, smelled cooking, feasted on roadside visions, heard voices, music, laughter I had imagined more than 20 years ago. Literally! What many of you may not know is that along with my writing partner of 20 years, Ronnie Davidson (our pen name is “Jill Max”) I wrote a middle-grade memoir about a boy’s struggle to survive in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge regime—aka “time of the Killing Fields.”
The book, a memoir of a boy (now father) called “Mok” is the result of more than 4 years of Saturday interviews with “Mok” and copious hours spent reading everything we could to find out what the heck really happened in Cambodia, and why. The book was finally published several years after it was finished, after long agonizing years of “Yes, send it!” from editors followed by crickets. (Most deemed the subject too “tough” for children to handle.)
Strangers in Black by Jill Max, was published in 2006 by Royal Fireworks Press.
(Yes, the book is still in print. Available from the publisher and other booksellers, Amazon included.)
One delightful event during my time in Cambodia was a visit to The Green School, a non-profit school which supplements the free education program in Kampong Tralach. In Cambodia, free education is 4 hours a day, 6 days a week, with elementary schools in most villages but beyond that children must travel (sometimes long distances) for more. An expensive commitment for the family, and with education non-compulsory, not a priority. The Green School focuses on Computer Training, English, Ethics and it has a library. (I donated copies of my books, of course. What a thrill imaging people learning English with my stories.) Here’s a video from the visit.
What else? Segueing faster than a Ruthian hit, my non-fiction picture book The House That Ruth Built about the opening day game in the original Yankee Stadium, baseball history, and Babe Ruth’s big wish needs YOUR help!
While baseball folks of all ages—Sox fans exclude)—love the book! (The sidebars trivia, facts, and photos combined with Susanna Covelli’s authentic, gorgeous art are worth the price alone.) It hasn’t garnered the attention it deserves.
That’s where YOU come in. If you have baseball fans in your life—better on your gift list—buy it.
Even if you don’t: review it, add it to your reading lists, share it on your social, even just look at it on Amazon. Every bit helps!
Up Next? More Baseball! More Babe! Call it Spring Training for baseball lovers. It’s a gift book really. (Think Father’s Day, Birthday, Graduation, Inspiration—the what folks by for the baseball fans in their lives book! While I was collecting baseball facts and photos for The House That Ruth Built, I kept jotting down quotes by and about Babe worth chewing on. And better, became acquainted with Babe’s grandson and great-grandson Brent and their family friend Stu Dressler. The three of us, Brent, Stu and I, approached Familus with the idea of compiling them in a collection along with some photos from the family collection and elsewhere.
Out of the Mouth of Babe
comes out April 15th from Familius.
Check it out! Better yet, Pre-order it NOW! for everyone in your family (Red Sox fans INcluded).
And now! The moment you’ve all been awaiting: The Winner of the 2024 4th Quarter “Winner-Winner Chicken Dinner” Give-Away is….
(First an announcement: This will be the last quarterly giveaway. At least for the foreseeable future. Instead I’ll be hosting other giveaways. More about those later. )
The Winner of the 2024 4th Quarter “Winner-Winner Chicken Dinner” Give-Away is…
Joyce Uglow
BTW Y’all: Joyce is the author of STUCK! a Story about the La Brea Tar Pits. (Joyce, you will receive official notification by email, so check your spam folder.)
The lucky winner will win dinner with a chicken or their choice of any one of these fabulous prizes:
More exciting stuff! Along with writing a poem a day—for more than 3200 days—and creating weekly prompts to share with you, Cindy Faughnan and I began submitting our poems and have had several published. Most recently, my poem was chosen as Rattle Poetry’s poem of the month in November. Here’s the link to “All The Fixings”. It includes a clip of me reading it, yum!
And that’s not all! The weekly 7-minute Poetry Challenge will continue. I have more book news coming, which I’ll share soon. What’s most? I hope 2025 brings you all copious belly laughs! and lots of creative moments. I appreciate your support!
Glugs and hugs from the Fishbowl, Kelly
Fin Pal asks Norman “Do You Have Sisters & Brothers?”
Hey Norman! I have a question for you . . .
Norman has never ever been asked Charlotte’s question #2. It’s a really good question isn’t it?
Ready to read Norman’s answer? Scroll down . . .
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First, check out Charlotte’s goldfish art!
And something new: Norman has a question for you:
Q: What is a baby goldfish called?
Here’s a hint: The name for baby goldfish is also the name of a kind of cooked potato often dipped in catsup. You’ll find the answer below.
Now, without waiting one more bubble of a blip, here’s Norman’s note:
And the answer to Norman’s question for you:
Q: What is a baby goldfish called?
A: A small fry
For more interesting facts about goldfish and goldfish babies, click over to InFishTank.com website!
Do you have a question for Norman the Goldfish- about friends, school, pets, family, life in and outside the fishbowl?
Do you have a finny fish joke to share?
Send Norman a letter!
Don’t forget to order your copy of NOT NORMAN: A GOLDFISH STORY and NORMAN: ONE AMAZING GOLDFISH!!
Fin Pal asks Norman “How Fast Can You Swim?
Hey Norman! I have a question for you . . .
Friends, if you’ve read Not Norman, A Goldfish Story or Norman One Amazing Goldfish then you know Norman?
Is Norman a fast swimmer?
Ready to read Norman’s answer? Scroll down . . .
Glug
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But first check out this fintastic art!
And, a finny!
Q: How did Norman the Goldfish Get to Mars?
A: On a scallop ship.
Hah-hah! That was a real fin flapper wasn’t it?
Now are you ready? Really ready to read Norman’s answer?
P.S. For Norman’s answer to Elliott’s other question, “Do you sleep?” stay tuned!
Do you have a question for Norman the Goldfish- about friends, school, pets, family, life in and outside the fishbowl?
Do you have a finny fish joke to share?
Send Norman a letter!
Don’t forget to order your copy of NOT NORMAN: A GOLDFISH STORY and NORMAN: ONE AMAZING GOLDFISH!!
Fin Pal asks Norman “Are You a Super Snacker?”
Hey Norman! I have a question for you . . .
Friends!
Ready to read Norman’s answer? Scroll down . . .
Glug
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But first look at Avery’s fintastic art! It' deserves a prize, too!
Her prize is a finny!
Q: What did Inspector Gill say when he reached the crime scene?
A: There’s something fishy going on here.
That was a real fin flapper wasn’t it?
Now are you ready to read Norman’s answer? Really, really ready?
Do you have a question for Norman the Goldfish- about friends, school, pets, family, life in and outside the fishbowl?
Do you have a finny fish joke to share?
Send Norman a letter!
Don’t forget to order your copy of NOT NORMAN: A GOLDFISH STORY and NORMAN: ONE AMAZING GOLDFISH!!
WINNER of the "WINNER-WINNER CHICKEN DINNER" Summer 2024 QUARTERLY GIVEAWAY IS . .
It’s That Time Again! What Time?
Time to announce the winners of the Summer 2024 “Winner-Winner Chicken Dinner” Quarterly Give-Away at Kelly’s Fishbowl!
Because we’re a little late in drawing a winner, we decided to award 2-2-2 lucky winners prizes this time. And that’s not all!
Instead of simply pulling names from a bucket, we set up a SUPER-DUPER WINNER-CHOOSER OBSTACLE COURSE starting Grandboy Dylan (with assistance from Dylan).
Wait! Before we announce the winner, huge thanks and fishbowl love to all of you who entered this quarter’s Winner’s Choice Giveaway by subscribing to my blog, “Kelly’s Fishbowl,” sending letters & drawing to Norman the Goldfish’s advice column “Ask Norman,” or sharing snapshots of “Activities” on social media.
In the interest of fairness, we wanted choosing the winner to be completely random random drawing. And in the interest of transparency, we recorded the event. As we know you’re on the edge of your seat, anxiously waiting to find out if you are IT! Watch the Winner Drawing Recorded LIVE!
*Code names were used to protect the winners identity—but YOU know who you are, don’t you. Besides, you both will be notified by email, so check your spam folder.)
The 2 lucky winners will win dinner with a chicken or their choice of any one of these fabulous prizes:
To all of you: There’s still next time! Enter now, enter often, even better—have your kids, students, second-cousin-on-your-goldfish’s side enter. There is no limit to how many times you enter—or WIN the Quarterly Winner-Choice Giveaway!
Find the Complete Quarterly Winner-Choice Giveaway details here!
(Jeez! What’s with all the blinking??? Whoever counts Kelly’s blinks and posts the correct number first in comments will win a prize, too!)
Fin Pal asks Norman “Got More Tricks?”
Hey Norman! I have a question for you . . .
Wow! Cameron has some really good questions. Ready to read Norman’s answer Finpals? Scroll down . . .
Glug
Glug
Glug . . .
But first, a finny!
Q: What do goldfish use for money?
A: Sand dollars!
Do you have a question for Norman the Goldfish- about friends, school, pets, family, life in and outside the fishbowl?
Do you have a finny fish joke to share?
Send Norman a letter!
Don’t forget to order your copy of NOT NORMAN: A GOLDFISH STORY and NORMAN: ONE AMAZING GOLDFISH!!
Fin Pal asks Norman “Are You Real?”
Hey Norman! I have a question for you . . .
Ready to read Norman’s answer? Scroll down . . .
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But first here’s a finny to get your gills flapping. A cartoon by our friend Jim S.
And now, finally… this time for real…no fish hooks or Santa fish…Ready! Set! Read!
Whoops: Forgot to tell you about that “Portrait of Girl” at the top of the post. One of Norman’s finpals drew it. Isn’t it fintastic!!!
Do you have a question for Norman the Goldfish- about friends, school, pets, family, life in and outside the fishbowl?
Do you have a finny fish joke to share?
Send Norman a letter!
Don’t forget to order your copy of NOT NORMAN: A GOLDFISH STORY and NORMAN: ONE AMAZING GOLDFISH!!
Fin Pal asks Norman “Do you hide?”
Hey Norman! I have a question for you . . .
So then, what do you think Norman? Does Norman hide? Would you hide if you were a goldfish?
Ready to read Norman’s answer? Scroll down . . .
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But first JT’s goldfish art:
Another fintastic rainbow drawing by one of Norman’s fin pals!
