It’s summer, and summer = reruns here at the Fishbowl. But don’t click the Back button just yet. I’m reposting some of my favourite posts from the past.
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If you bring it to a party you’ll have men slobbering all over you and you’ll get to say fun things like “you lika my nuts?” with a funny accent. Women will be begging you for the recipe and you will go home with an empty bowl. THIS IS THE ULTIMATE HOSTESS GIFT.
Trust me.
I can’t remember where I read it (although I think it might have been Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, which was recommended to me by one of my favourite people) but in it, writer’s block was explained not as a block, which implies a long road featuring a monolithic and impassable obstacle, but as an empty vessel that just needs filling. This image always stuck with me. Mentally, the vessel is so much easier to deal with than THE BLOCK, isn’t it? What’s more, it’s true. Everyone has a vessel that needs filling, though few may realize it, or know how to go about it.
What’s the state of your vessel right now? And what fills it?
I am happiest when my vessel is brimming. If something I post here fills you up too, well, that’s just a bonus.
All that being said, there’ll be reruns posted here at the Fishbowl, a few things I’ve selected here and there for a second airing. (I dare not call it a “best of,” because it’s not, it’s just a random thing.) I just feel like snailing along for awhile. :)
Let’s start with this one, it still makes me giggle.
Enjoy, and go fill yourself up, ok?
18 Jul, 2008
By andrea tomkins in Easy ways to make kids happy,parenting
Our house is hosting a few too many sets of candy buttons, bottlecaps, Razzles (“First it’s candy, then it’s GUM!”), and giant gobstoppers. We were at a local candy store the other day, researching a future article (tough gig huh?) and the gobstoppers were recommended by the owner, a very kind and friendly lady who was astonishingly slim for owning a candy store.
She told me she buys them for long car trips. Her family has a contest to see who can suck theirs down the fastest.
I love that idea. I might just use that.
My name is Andrea and I live in Ottawa with my husband Mark and our dog Sunny who is kind of a big deal on Instagram. During the day I work as a freelance writer. I am a longtime Ottawa blogger and I've occupied this little corner of the WWW since 1999. The Fishbowl is my whiteboard, water cooler, and journal, all rolled into one. I'm passionate about healthy living, arts and culture, travel, great gear, good food, and sharing the best of Ottawa. I also love vegetables, photography, gadgets, and great design.
If you're so inclined, you can read more about me here.
I've deactivated the commenting function as well as my contact form so if you want to get in touch, please drop me a line at quietfish@gmail.com. Thank you!
