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.
Click on Fishbowl link below and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
SUBSCRIBE TO THE FISHBOWL
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.
Click on Fishbowl link below and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
SUBSCRIBE TO THE FISHBOWL
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!
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.
Click on Fishbowl link below and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
SUBSCRIBE TO THE FISHBOWL
Poetry Challenge #102 May Old Resolutions be Forgot
Depending on where and when you’re reading this, it’s either out with the old or in with a new year. Good tidings to you and your kin!
“Good tidings” I love that phrase. I always assumed “tidings” was some ye old sailor’s greeting, referring to the tides, as in, high tide, tide in, tide out…some cheery send off along the lines of “sail on my wayward son/they’ll be …”
I was wrong.
According to my Google AI Overview, tidings “comes from Old English tidung, meaning "an event, an occurrence, or a piece of news". It's linked to Old Norse tíðendi (events, news) and Germanic words for time, like German Zeitung (newspaper).”
Nothing whatsoever to do with the sea. I’ve been wrong about a lot of things. And that’s exactly what this prompt is all about! So read on my wayward friends:
Poetry Challenge #102
May Old Resolutions Be Forgot
At the beginning of the new year, we all make those resolutions—with the best of intentions. The most common resolutions people make are: exercise more, eat less, spend more time with family, get organized, save money, learn a new skill.
Forget whatever you have resolved every other year…wipe the slate clean.
Write a poem of glad tidings for the coming year which includes one resolution.
It can rhyme…or not.
It can be short…or not.
It must contain some positive, hopeful, seaworthy feeling! Onward!
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge over 8 New Years Days ago. We take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us by writing a poem, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
Click on Fishbowl link below and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
SUBSCRIBE TO THE FISHBOWL
Happy Fishmas Jokes! (the reel stinkers)
Merry Fishmas from the Fishbowl!
Here at the Kelly’s Fishbowl we celebrate all the holidays—with food
Blood worms for everyone!
and a heaping dose of silly.
Right now, Norman and the elf fish are swimming rings around Diver Santa trying to guess where he left their treats.
(Bet you didn’t know that after delivering all those goodies Christmas Eve, Santa refreshes with a dip in Norman’s bowl…secrets out!)
We have gifts for you! 5 more Fishmas Jokes to get your fins fluttering. Here goes:
Q: What is Santa Jaws favorite time of day?
A: 12:25
Q: Why don’t clams and oysters give out Christmas presents?
A: Because they’re shellfish
Q: What kind of fish tops Norman’s Christmas tree?
A: A starfish
Q: What do Christmas and lobsters have in common?
A: Sandy Claws
Q: How many presents can Santa Jaws fit into his empty sack?
A: Only one…after that it’s not empty.
Hope those got you HO-HO-HOing!
MORE FISHCAKE!
We’ll be back next Wednesday with the 7-minute Poetry Challenge.
Happy Fishmas to you and yours.
Treat yourself to an extra helping of happy!
Norman Fishy Christmas Jokes-part 1
Tis the night before Christmas and in Norman’s fishbowl, Norman is chuckling—his cheeks are aglow . . .
WHY?
Because we, me, he have been compiling fishy Christmas jokes to as our gift to you. (And have no fear, there’s a prompt at the rear.)
Below are 5 of Norman’s Finniest Christmas Jokes. Can you guess the answers?
Some of them are real sinkers so get ready. . .
Q: What is Whale Santa’s official greeting?
Scroll down for the answer . . .
Glug
Glug
Glug . . .
A: Blow-Blow-Blow
Q: Who brings good-little goldfish Christmas presents?
Scroll down for the answer . . .
Glug
Glug
Glug . . .
A: Sandy Claws
Q: What do goldfish sing over the holidays?
Scroll down for the answer . . .
Glug
Glug
Glug . . .
A: Christmas Corals
Q: What do goldfish use to tie Christmas bows?
Scroll down for the answer . . .
Glug
Glug
Glug . . .
A: Ribbon Eels
Q: What is Norman’s favorite Christmas Song?
Scroll down for the answer . . .
