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!