and the WINNER of the "WINNER-WINNER CHICKEN DINNER" QUARTERLY GIVEAWAY IS . . .
THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER of the Quarterly Giveaway is . . . Drum roll please!
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.
The good news is you made our fishy hearts flutter with joy.
The better news is, there weren’t as many entries as their could have been—did you forget you could enter more than one time each quarter?—so all of you who did enter have a 1-22 chance of winning. Talk about great odds!
In the interest of fairness, we wanted choosing the winner to be completely random random drawing. We asked this guy to pick a winner.
But he wouldn’t take the bait. . .
So, we popped all the entries into our trusty fish bucket. . .
And the winner is: KARI LAVELLE
Lucky Kari will win dinner with a chicken or her 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!
Poetry Challenge #259-Catch Me a Catch
What are Dolly Madison, Yente, Headhunters…Literary Agents…best at? Matchmaking. Bringing people projects and products together! Without them many of us would be living little lonely unfulfilled—literarily-speaking anyway—existences. And I’m not the only one who believes this for today, August 31st is National Matchmaker Day, an entire day dedicated to celebrating Matchmakers who bring us together to help make happy endings happen.
Tzeitel! Hodel! Chava! Sing it Sisters: Matchmaker! Matchmaker! Make me a match/find me a find/catch me a catch…
Yente from Fiddler on the Roof , music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein,
Poetry Challenge #259
Catch Me a Catch
Peanut Butter and Jelly; Fried Chicken Feet and Movies; George and Gracie; Green Eggs and Ham—someone back in some long-forgotten time decided that these things would go together. Happy Endings!
Now it’s your turn. You are the Matchmaker in this prompt.
Your job is to bring two seemingly unconnected things together in a poem. For inspiration here’s an effort by Pablo Neruda:
Set the Timer for 7 Minutes!
Start Writing!
Don’t Think About it, just do it!
Amy and Mona, this one is for you!
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge 2000+ days ago. Now we take turns creating prompts to share with you. Our hope is that creatives—children & adults—will use our prompts as springboards to word play time. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .
What Inspires Me? Tomatoes
It’s Tomato Time! This time of year, almost nothing can match the delight we take in plucking ripe tomatoes from the vine. Cherry tomatoes are my favorites—even the scrawniest heat-stroked shriveled plants are still working hard to ripen those last few ruby orbs. Those in still clinging to my tomato plants remind me of those lowly Christmas ornaments left dangling forgotten when good ole’ Tanenbaum is kicked to the curb after the holidays!
Even grandson Aiden—who hates tomatoes “Yuck! Yucky”—loves picking tomatoes.
But who the heck is the “Tom” who lent his toes to the garden industry to create these tiny, round, juicy red-yellow-orange “Tom Toes”?
One can only imagine what Tom’s foot looked like with those toes poking off the end. Or what kind of shoes he sported.
Look close—closer! See that grey pot nestled in that flower bed? Yep, inside that bamboo cage grows a cherry tomato plant!
What’s so inspiring about tomatoes?
Anyone can grow a tomatoes plant.
Inside, outside, garden, containers—even gallon milk jugs. You doubt me? See for yourself!
Tomato plants are not like other pets. Sure, you can love them, feed and water them, talk to them, even pet them as you do other pets. But in a few months, they Go!
And best, they reward you with tiny, edible burst of sunshine!
Here’s a video on How to Plant Tomatoes in Containers—all it takes is one plant-especially a cherry tomato plant—to brighten many a dull salad!
Teachers! Parents! Caregivers! Do the kids in your life a favor! Plant a tomato. Better yet, plant a tomato with them!
It’s like that old adage: Give them a tomato and they’ll call it “Yuck;” teach them how to grow a tomato plant and they’ll have pizza sauce for life!
Fin Pal asks Norman "What Do You Do For Fun?"
Ready to read Norman’s answer? Scroll down . . .
Glug
Glug
Glug . . .
But first a finny!
Q: Why do goldfish go to the gym?
Q: Why do goldfish go to the gym?
A: It’s good for their mussels.
Do you have a question for Norman the Goldfish- about friends, school, pets, family, life in and outside the fishbowl? Send him a letter!
Don’t forget to order your copy of NOT NORMAN: A GOLDFISH STORY and NORMAN: ONE AMAZING GOLDFISH!!
Poetry Challenge #258 Waffling
The largest waffle ever made weighed in at 50 kilograms, (110 pounds, 3.68 oz).
Tallest stack of waffles ever made stood 67 centimeters (2.19816273 feet) tall.
There are 1963 Waffle House Restaurants in the United States. (As of Aug 24, 2022)
Why do you need to know this?
Because it’s National Waffle Day (Aug 24th)!
While I’m pretty sure they mean the kind you eat, let’s think about another meaning of the word. Let’s think about when when you waffle between decisions.
Poetry Challenge #258
Waffling
Have you ever wanted to do two things at the same time but you had to pick one?
Have you ever held up the ice cream line while you decided which flavor?
Have you ever held two books, trying to decide which one to read next?
Write a poem where you argue with yourself. One line will talk about one decision you could make and the next line will tell why you want to do the opposite. Argue with yourself!
Add descriptive language so a reader can see how hard the decision is.
Set Your Timer for 7 Minutes
Start Writing!
Don’t Think About it, just do it! Waffle!
For more waffle fun, here are “12 Waffle Facts You’d be “Hard Pressed” to Find Anywhere Else” (except here) from www.foodbeast.com
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge 2000+ days ago. Now we take turns creating prompts to share with you. Our hope is that creatives—children & adults—will use our prompts as springboards to word play time. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .
What Inspires Me? Stage Fright Jitter Busters
The Season of Firsts” aka “Stage Fright” season has begun…again. I’m a zillion years old and I still get freaked out stepping into new situations. Even when I know exactly what to expect. Say, at the fundraiser I attended Saturday night. The fundraiser I was excited about for an organization I absolutely believe in, The Hampton Theatre Company. It was a lawn party with live music, lovely food, chilled libations…at sunset! I even felt good in my dress—and still as I arrived the butterflies set to fluttering…“Scaredy Mimi!” . . . Then the cute butterflies grew to moths and then bats hammering at my insides “Run for it!”
If that still happens to me, at the ripe old age of zero-dark-sixty, how could anyone expect that our children would not have First Day, First Time, New Place-People-Thing Jitters?
We all need tools and practice to combat stage fright. Here are mine:
How to Combat Stage Fright aka New Experience Jitters 4-Step Plan:
1. Do not ask “Are you nervous?” Of course, they/we/he/she is nervous. Duh! And if we/he/she wasn’t then, we/he/she sure is now.
2. Talk about “Stage Fright” beforehand. Share your own experience. This is not the time to go all Superhero, this is the time to be vulnerable and honest. Truth is even the most seasoned performers get jitters aka butterflies before going on stage. Part of those jitters is excitement. Part of it is fear of failure. Some say when a performer stops feeling jitters or excited before an event, it’s time to quit. That “jittery” feeling is also adrenaline rushing in. Nervous is normal.
3. Make a Plan. If you are going together, think Team! Plan how you’re team will enter the new situation. What you’ll do first? If one person is less jittery—lucky them—then agree that that person will take the lead—with the only expectation being the other team member follow. And make a plan for when and how and if and what the other person will be expected to do.
If one person, a child perhaps (or me Saturday night) are going in alone, make a plan for exactly what or how that person will enter the scene. For example, here’s my plan:
Plan A-D for Entering a New Situation:
A. Look for a familiar face. Scan the room to see if anyone I know is in the room.
B. Look for my seat or where I belong. If there is no seat to look for, then look for the bathroom. It gives me something to do right away. (And check that my tags are tucked, etc.)
C. Head up, look for somewhere interesting to look: live music, flowers, art, the décor. Look interested and you will be more interesting.
D. Look for someone who looks as miserable as I feel and do one of the following: go over to that person/talk to that person/at least smile at that person.
By the time I’ve done A-D, I will be feeling more comfortable and/or something will be happening. At the very least, I will no longer be the new person in the room. If needed repeat A-D. Repeating A-D over and over until it works. Repeating Plan A-D will work—or it will be time to make a graceful exit…
4. The Absolutely Best Stage Fright First Time Jitters Buster—Read about Stage Fright!
Reading books about characters overcoming stage fright is fun and funny. Best, they are chock full of colorful ways to overcome stage fright. Maybe even better than my 4-step plan—definitely with fewer trips to the bathroom.
Scaredy Mimi’s List of Best Picture Books about Squelching Stage Fright:
Norman, One Amazing Goldfish by Kelly Bennett and Noah Z. Jones (Candlewick Press) (Glugggggg! Of course this is #1, right)
Norman is one amazing goldfish! His owner knows Norman is sure to dazzle the crowd at Pet-O-Rama with his circles, bubbles, and flips—even though some kids don’t think a goldfish is a good pet. But when Norman is finally on stage, he freezes up and hides behind his plant. Poor Norman! Luckily, his owner plays a familiar song on the tuba, helping Norman to relax and show the crowd how amazing he really is. The popular stars of Not Norman return in a warm and wryly funny new story about being there for your fishy friend when he needs you most.
Chicken Lily by Lori Mortensen and Nina Victor Crittenden (Henry Holt & Co.)
Chicken Lily may be a lot of things--a careful colorer, a patient puzzler, and a quiet hide-and-seeker (she never made a peep!)--but brave has never been one of them. That's why, when a school-wide poetry jam is announced in class, Lily is terrified. Will she sound like a bird brain? (Cover Image above)
Papa’s Page Fright by Wade Bradford and Mary Ann Fraser (Peter Pauper Press)
This is the story of a little girl named Goldilocks. Well, that's what it's supposed to be, but there's a problem. When Papa Bear discovers he's inside of a book and there are readers out there looking at him, he gets very nervous and forgets his lines. Poor Papa Bear . . . he has Page Fright!
Oliver Button is a Sissy by Tomie de Paola (HHMH Books for Young Readers)
A Classic! A little boy must come to terms with being teased and ostracized because he’d rather read books, paint pictures, and tap-dance than participate in sports.
The Piano Recital by Akiko Miyakoshi (Kids Can Press)
It's the day of Momo's first piano recital. As she nervously waits for her turn to play, she tells herself, "I'll be okay … I'll be okay …" Then she hears a voice nearby, also saying, "I'll be okay. . . I'll be okay. . . " It's a mouseling! And the little mouse is nervous about her first performance, too.
Second Banana by Keith Graves (Roaring Brook Press)
What happens when a Top Banana, star of the circus, gets hurt and Second Banana has to stand in his place.
And for early readers who want to figure it out themselves:
Splat the Cat Sings Flat by Rob Scotton, Chris Strathearn, and Robert Eberz (I Can Read series, Level 1, HarperCollins)
When Splat's teacher announces that the whole class is going to sing for their parents on Parents' Night, Splat is worried: he's afraid to speak in public, much less sing in public!
Last and best (maybe) hint for combatting Stage Fright-First Time Jitters:
If you choose clothes with big pockets you can bring a book with you when you go for the first time—reading definitely squelches those first time jitters. And then, back to D. when you spot someone else who looks miserable, you can read it together!
After all, if tiny goldfish and big tough Papas can overcome stage fright, we can too!
Fin Pal Owen asks Norman "Who Makes Up Your Stories?"
Ready to read Norman’s answer? Scroll down . . .
Glug
Glug
Glug . . .
But first a finny!
Q: Where do goldfish keep their money?
Q: Where do goldfish keep their money?
A: In the River Bank!
Do you have a question for Norman the Goldfish- about friends, school, pets, family, life in and outside the fishbowl? Send him a letter!
Don’t forget to order your copy of NOT NORMAN: A GOLDFISH STORY and NORMAN: ONE AMAZING GOLDFISH!!
Poetry Challenge #257 Love Those Toes
If my feet are happy, everybody’s happy!
Beat the pavement!
Hit the road!
Ants go Marching…Hurrah! Hurrah!
Happy National I Love My Feet Day! (Aug 17th)
Poetry Challenge #257
Hi-Ho Hi-Ho Off to the Market We Go!
What’s in those Mystery Cans?
Imagine yourself off to the market to buy several items—on foot! Important items. Forgetting even one item on the list could mean big trouble for you—terrible terrible trouble. What do you do?
Make a list—but dang. No phone. That means making a mental list.
Turn the list into a poetic march by rearranging items into iambic feet: I am/I am/I am . . . Poet’s choice how many feet on each line.
You might need to change/substitute/rename some items on your list for others that follow fit the iambic pattern. Be creative.
Hint: numbers one through ten have one hard/stressed syllable. Pity the poet whose list includes eleven of anything.
When your poem if finished try marching it out…maybe all the way to the market!
Set Your Timer for 7 Minutes
Start Writing!
Don’t Think About it, just do it!
Be kind to your feet, for if you let them, they will take you far!
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge 2000+ days ago. Now we take turns creating prompts to share with you. Our hope is that creatives—children & adults—will use our prompts as springboards to word play time. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .