Posts Tagged ‘Odd Holidays’
Wednesday, December 15th, 2010
If you’re reading this, you probably enjoy limerick challenges. So I wanted to make sure you knew about Patrick McGuire’s weekly Unfinished Limerick Contests.
Essentially, Patrick provides part of a limerick — anywhere from two to four lines — and asks you to finish it. And he even declares an actual winner.
They’re lots of fun, and I’m pleased to report that I just won his 24th contest. In that poetry challenge, Patrick provided the first two lines and I added the last three. Here’s the resulting limerick:
I am not really much of a prude,
So on other folks’ joys won’t intrude.
No, I’d never play god,
But this one thing seems odd:
Why do folks with bad bods sunbathe nude?
UPDATE: I’m guessing these people have an extra good time on National Nude Day, celebrated each year on July 14th.
Tags: July Holidays, Limerick Contest, National Nude Day, Nudity, Odd Holidays, Patrick McGuire, Physical Appearance, Prudes, Sun Bathing Humor
Posted in Behavior & Personality, Limericks, Odd Holidays, Outdoors Humor, Physical Appearance, Poetry Contest | 4 Comments »
Sunday, October 31st, 2010
Once again, it’s Limerick-Off time. I hope you’ll join me in writing a limerick with this first line:
A frazzled new father named Jim…
Here’s mine:
Frazzled Limerick (Frazzled Limerick Audio)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A frazzled new father named Jim
Bought his baby toy trains on a whim.
When his wife saw the gift,
She was terribly miffed,
So she yelled, “That’s for you. What’s for him?”
Please feel free to write your own limerick using the same first line and post it in my comments. And if you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll join my friends in that same activity in my Facebook Limerick-Off post.
To receive an email alert whenever I post a new Limerick-Off, please send me an email requesting the alerts. You’ll find my email address on the upper right sidebar, right above my photo. Thanks!
Update: May 2 is Baby Day.
Tags: Baby Day, Battle of the Sexes, Children Humor, Family & Relatives Humor, Husband Wife Limerick, Marriage Verse, May Holidays, Model Trains Humor, Odd Holidays, Parenting Humor, Poetry & Prompts, Writing Prompts
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Battle of the Sexes, Behavior & Personality, Children Humor, Family & Relatives Humor, Family Verse, Limerick & Haiku Prompts, Limerick-Offs, Limericks, Marriage Humor, Mothers & Fathers Humor, Odd Holidays, Poetry & Prompts | 19 Comments »
Saturday, October 23rd, 2010
Dominique Browning poses an excellent question in her New York Times essay Why Can’t Middle-Aged Women Have Long Hair? Well, I believe they can and should, if they’re so inclined:
Limerick Ode To Long Gray Hair
By Madeleine Begun Kane
I’m writing in praise of long hair.
If you think I’m too old, I don’t care.
And if short is the “norm”
At my age, won’t conform
To such ageist opinions. So there!
UPDATE: Happy Hairstyle Appreciation Day! (April 30th)
Tags: Ageism Humor, Aging Limerick, April Holidays, Dominique Browning, Gray Hair, Hairstyle Appreciation Day, Long Hair, Middle Age, New York Times, Non-Conformists, Odd Holidays
Posted in Aging Humor & Verse, Fashion Humor, Limericks, Odd Holidays, Physical Appearance | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, October 20th, 2010
Slovenly Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A fellow whose shirt was all stained
Saw his lovely wife’s look — it was pained.
“You’re so messy with pasta,”
She chided him. “Basta!
You’re just like your dad — it’s ingrained.”
UPDATE: National Pasta Day is October 17 and World Pasta Day is October 25.
Tags: Appearance Humor, Battle of the Sexes, Clothing Poem, Eating Limerick, Food Poem, Grooming Verse, Husband Wife Limerick, Marriage Humor, National Pasta Day, October Holidays, Odd Holidays, Sloppiness, World Pasta Day
Posted in Battle of the Sexes, Behavior & Personality, Clumsiness Humor, Family & Relatives Humor, Family Verse, Fashion Humor, Food & Drink Humor, Limericks, Marriage Humor, Odd Holidays, Relationship Humor | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
One of my most important duties is to keep you abreast of important holidays like National Vodka Day, National Punctuation Day, International Limerick Day, National Grammar Day, and the subject of today’s limerick: National Boss Day.
That’s right — our poor beleaguered bosses get their own holiday on October 16th:
National Boss Day — Who Needs It? (Limerick)
For a reason I don’t comprehend
Bosses get their own day — what a trend.
A national day
When our bosses hold sway?
How silly! Such nonsense must end.
(You can find more of my employment humor here.)
Tags: Boss Humor, National Boss Day, October Holidays, Odd Holidays, Work Humor
Posted in Business Humor, Celebrations Poetry, Holiday Humor, Limericks, Money & Finance Humor, Odd Holidays, Workplace & Career Humor | 6 Comments »
Thursday, October 7th, 2010
Tasty Books (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Please don’t tell me you’re “moved” by a book,
Cuz I surely won’t give it a look.
I love thrillers and wit,
But abstain from chick lit
And spurn texts that explain how to cook.
****
September 6 is “National Read A Book Day.”
Tags: Book Review Limerick, Books Humor, Chick Lit, Cook Books, Leisure Time Humor, Literary Taste, Media Limerick, Odd Holidays, Read A Book Day, Reading Humor, September Holidays, Thrillers
Posted in Books, Food & Drink Humor, Leisure Time Humor, Limericks, Media Humor, Odd Holidays | 3 Comments »
Monday, October 4th, 2010
Wow! It’s almost midnight on October 4th. And that means I almost missed National Vodka Day. Must celebrate with a limerick:
Happy Vodka Day!
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Which liquor’s remembered today?
Not tequila or rum or Lillet.
I’m afraid you don’t win
If you guess that it’s gin,
Cuz it’s vodka. Start pouring, okay?
Tags: Alcoholic Poems, Celebrations Poetry, Drink Verse, Holiday Humor, Lillet, National Vodka Day, October Holidays, Odd Holidays, Rum, Tequila, Vodka
Posted in Celebrations Poetry, Food & Drink Humor, Holiday Humor, Limericks, Odd Holidays | 4 Comments »
Sunday, August 22nd, 2010
I hope you’ll join me in writing a limerick with this first line:
A fellow who loved doing tricks…
Here’s mine:
Tricky Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A fellow who loved doing tricks
Had begun doing magic at six.
He was jailed for his skill
Cuz he used it for ill —
Made his enemies vanish for kicks.
Please feel free to write your own limerick using the same first line and post it in my comments. And if you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll join my friends in that same activity in my Limerick-Offs.
UPDATE: I’ve just learned via Cloaked Monk that today, March 24th, is Harry Houdini’s birthday. He was born was born Erich Weiss (spellings vary) on March 24, 1874 in Budapest, Hungary. Happy birthday Harry!
UPDATE 2: October 31st (the anniversary of Houdini’s death) is National Magic Day.
Tags: Crime, Enemies Humor, Houdini, Jail & Prison Humor, Magic, Magic Day, Magician, October Holidays, Odd Holidays, Poetry & Prompts, Writing Prompts
Posted in Crime & Punishment Humor, Legal & Lawyer Humor, Limerick & Haiku Prompts, Limerick-Offs, Limericks, Odd Holidays, Poetry & Prompts | 30 Comments »
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
I hope you’ll join me in writing a limerick with this first line:
A woman who worked for her dad…
Here’s mine:
Family Business
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A woman who worked for her dad
Sure needed that job really bad.
Though she did have a skill,
Most employers don’t thrill
At a waitress who’s mastered her Strad.
Please feel free to write your own limerick using the same first line and post it in my comments. And if you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll join my friends in that same activity in my Limerick-Offs.
Update: Happy National Waiters and Waitresses Day! (May 21)
Update 2: Happy National Violin Day! (December 13)
Tags: December Holidays, Employment Humor, Family & Relatives Humor, Family Businesses, May Holidays, Money Poems, Musical Instruments Humor, Musical Verse, National Waiters and Waitresses Day, Odd Holidays, Poetry & Prompts, Restaurants, Strad, Stradivarius Violins, Violins, Waitress Humor, Workplace Poetry, Writing Prompts
Posted in Family & Relatives Humor, Family Verse, Food & Drink Humor, Limerick & Haiku Prompts, Limerick-Offs, Limericks, Music Humor & Verse, Odd Holidays, Poetry & Prompts, Workplace & Career Humor | 26 Comments »
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010
I hope you’ll join me in writing a limerick with this first line:
On a hot, muggy day in July…
Here’s mine:
Hot Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
On a hot, muggy day in July
Our A/C decided to die.
I phoned for a fix
And received a firm nix:
“It is too hot to work. We might fry”
Please feel free to write your own limerick using the same first line and post it in my comments. And if you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll join my friends in that same activity in my Limerick-Offs.
Update: Air Conditioning Appreciation days run from July 3 to August 15.
Tags: A.C. Humor, A/C, Air Conditioning Humor, HVAC Humor, July Holidays, Odd Holidays, Poetry & Prompts, Seasonal Verse, Summer Gripes, Technology Limerick, Weather Humor, Writing Prompts
Posted in Limerick & Haiku Prompts, Limerick-Offs, Limericks, Odd Holidays, Seasons Humor, Weather Humor | 22 Comments »
Monday, May 3rd, 2010
I hope you’ll join me in writing a limerick with this first line:
An eccentric soprano named Brett…
Here’s the limerick I wrote with that line. (It’s a three-verser, but a standard one-verse limerick is fine, of course.)
Operatic Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
An eccentric soprano named Brett
Auditioned to sing at the Met.
Her Lucia was bad,
So the maestro got mad
And attempted to throw her off set.
She screamed, “You do not know the score.
I was meant to perform Lammermoor.
The problem’s your flute,
And my voice is a beaut!
Your reviewers will call me top drawer.”
“You shall never perform on this stage,”
The conductor replied, red with rage.
“Your coloratura
Is missing bravura.
And your farts! You belong in a cage!”
Please feel free to write your own limerick using the same first line and post it in my comments. And if you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll join my friends in that same activity in my Limerick-Offs.
Related Post: Guide To The Opera Impaired
UPDATE: Opera Day is February 8.
Tags: Audition Humor, Eccentrics, February Holidays, Flute, Music Humor & Verse, Odd Holidays, Opera Companies, Opera Day, Opera Humor, Poetry & Prompts, Singing Humor, Writing Prompts
Posted in Limerick & Haiku Prompts, Limerick-Offs, Limericks, Music Humor & Verse, Odd Holidays, Poetry & Prompts | 21 Comments »
Saturday, December 19th, 2009
A huge snow storm (perhaps even a blizzard) is about to descend on New York City and has already hit much of the east coast. And that means it’s the weatherman’s time in the sun:
Ode To The Weatherman (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The weatherman’s acting excited:
New York City’s about to be smited
With a snow storm real big,
Which I really don’t dig.
And just why must he look so delighted?
(Note: Yes, I know that the past tense of smite is smote. Artistic license, okay?)
UPDATE: I’ve just learned that today (February 5th) is National Weatherperson’s Day, observed on the birthday of John Jeffries.
Tags: Blizzard Forecast, February Holidays, John Jeffries, National Weatherperson's Day, New York Verse, New York Weather, Odd Holidays, Snow Poetry, Snow Storm, TV Weather Reports, Weatherman Poem, Winter Humor, Winter Storm
Posted in Limericks, New York Limericks & Haiku, Odd Holidays, Outdoors Humor, Seasons Humor, Television (TV) Humor, Weather Humor | 3 Comments »
Friday, November 27th, 2009
Every few years, my husband and I take ballroom dancing classes. We never make much progress, but we do have a good time. Except, of course, for the bruised limbs … and egos.
I’m celebrating our latest lesson attempt with a two-part limerick:
We Don’t Think We Can Dance, But We Do It Anyway
By Madeleine Begun Kane
My husband and I like to dance.
Are we good? Oh no way — not a chance.
I am not being humble
In saying we stumble
And often trip over our pants.
But we’re working on rumba and swing.
Plan a do-over class in the spring.
And to those who might think
That we really do stink,
Just be glad we’re not trying to sing.
UPDATE: Happy International Dance Day! (April 29th)
Tags: April Holidays, Ballroom Dance, Dance Classes, Dancing Humor, Exercise Humor, International Dance Day, Odd Holidays, Rumba, Swing
Posted in Dance Humor, Education & School Humor, Family & Relatives Humor, Health Verse, Leisure Time Humor, Limericks, Marriage Humor, Music Humor & Verse, Odd Holidays, Recreation & Fun Humor | 15 Comments »
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
Dim-Witted Driver (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A dim-witted driver named Ed
Often finds that his battery’s dead.
He’s forgetful most nights
And he leaves on the lights.
That’s why Edward is no longer wed.
As always, please feel free to write your own limerick, using the same first line, and post it in my comments and/or on my Facebook post.
Note: My husband Mark is a frequent source of dead battery-inspired humor, including these two humor columns: Tow Guy Blues and False Alarm. Thus far, however, we remain married. In fact tomorrow’s our 31st wedding anniversary.
UPDATE: Happy National Battery Day (celebrated yearly on February 18th, in honor of physicist Alessandro Volta’s birthday.)
UPDATE 2: Check Your Batteries Day falls on the second Sunday in March.
Tags: Absent-Minded, Alessandro Volta, Automobiles, Battery, Cars, Check Your Batteries Day, Drivers, February Holidays, Husbands, Lights, Limericks, March Holidays, Marriage, National Battery Day, Odd Holidays, Physicists, Science Verse, Writing Prompts
Posted in Behavior & Personality, Car & Driving Humor, Family & Relatives Humor, Family Verse, Limerick-Offs, Limericks, Marriage Humor, Memory Humor, Odd Holidays, Poetry & Prompts | 8 Comments »
Thursday, May 21st, 2009
Doc Mockery (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A nervous young fellow named Phil
Asked his doc if he needed a will.
He responded, “Don’t worry,
But kindly go hurry
And pay up your overdue bill.”
Update: Happy National Doctors’ Day! (March 30th)
Tags: Bills, Doctors, Doctors Humor, Health, Law, March Holidays, Medicine, Money, National Doctors Day, Odd Holidays, Patients, Wills
Posted in Anxiety & Stress, Health & Medical Humor, Health Verse, Legal & Lawyer Humor, Limerick-Offs, Limericks, Odd Holidays, Poetry & Prompts | Comments Off on Doc Mockery
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008
A new limerick, haiku, and senryu prompt (at long last) whose theme is jewelry, crafts, and engagements. First, my limerick:
Engagement Bling
By Madeleine Begun Kane
“I’m engaged,” said the gal to her mom.
“I’m in love and I’m marrying Tom.”
“But I don’t see a ring,”
Said her mom. “Get some bling.
Until then, I intend to stay calm.”
And now my haiku (senryu):
Craft show earrings
Once adorned the riverfront
And now grace my lobes.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write some verse about jewelry, crafts, or engagements. When you’ve posted your poem(s), please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky. There’s no rush, by the way, because you have until September 5th to post it.
Limerick and Haiku Prompts Participants
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your jewelry, crafts, and engagement-related verse in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
UPDATE 2: National Jewel Day is March 13th.
Tags: Crafts Fair, Earrings Haiku, Engagement Ring, Fashion Verse, Haiku Prompts, Jewel Day, Jewelry Humor, Love Humor, March Holidays, Mom Limerick, National Jewel Day, Odd Holidays, Writing Prompts
Posted in Dating Humor, Family & Relatives Humor, Family Verse, Fashion Humor, Haiku & Senryu, Limerick & Haiku Prompts, Limericks, Marriage Humor, Mothers & Fathers Humor, Odd Holidays, Outdoors Humor, Poetry & Prompts, Relationship Humor, Romance Humor | 2 Comments »
Sunday, July 13th, 2008
Mosquitoes are on the attack.
They’ve bitten my arms & my back.
Though they MAY be “God’s creatures” —
These venomous leechers,
I’m tired of being their snack.
Tags: August Holidays, Bug Limerick, Insect Bites, Mosquito Humor, Odd Holidays, World Mosquito Day
Posted in Insect Humor, Linky Love, Odd Holidays, Outdoors Humor, Poetry & Prompts, Seasons Humor | 4 Comments »
Friday, June 13th, 2008
Today’s limerick, haiku, and senryu theme is furniture and furnishings. First, my limerick:
Quick Story
By Madeleine Begun Kane
“Quick story,” my husband declares.
“It’s short — I’m not kidding,” he swears.
But I know that he’s wrong.
He’ll be witty, but long.
How I wish I could find us some chairs.
And now two haiku (senryu):
Dad climbs into bed.
His poodle growls in protest.
Their turf war begins.
Sixty-year-old chair,
still covered in plastic,
protected from life.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write some verse about furniture and furnishings. When you’ve posted your poem(s), please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky. There’s no rush, by the way, because you have a whole week to post it.
(Note: My poems were inspired by these three prompts: “being told a story,” “pets,” and “father / find.”)
Limerick and Haiku Prompts Participants
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your furniture and furnishings verse in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
UPDATE 2: World Storytelling Day falls on the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere.
Tags: Furnishings Humor, Furniture Verse, Husband Humor, March Holidays, Odd Holidays, Poodle Haiku, Short Story, Storytelling Day, Vernal Equinox, World Storytelling Day, Writing Prompts
Posted in Animal & Pet Humor, Battle of the Sexes, Family & Relatives Humor, House & Home Humor, Limerick & Haiku Prompts, Limericks, Mothers & Fathers Humor, Odd Holidays, Poetry & Prompts, Relationship Humor, Sleep & Insomnia Humor | 14 Comments »
Friday, May 9th, 2008
The Outgoing Message I’d love To (But Probably Shouldn’t) Leave On My Answering Machine
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Your party can’t come to the phone.
She’s at lunch or home sick. Please don’t moan.
Leave a message, or not.
I don’t care — I’m a bot.
But my owner says, “Leave me alone!”
(For more phone-related verse, visit Sunday Scribblings.)
UPDATE: Happy National Inane Answering Machine Message Day! (January 30th)
UPDATE 2: April 25 is National Telephone Day.
Tags: Answering Machine Limerick, April Holidays, Business Poem, January Holidays, National Inane Answering Machine Message Day, National Telephone Day, Odd Holidays, Outgoing Messages, Phone Humor, Telephone Day, Telephone Verse, Voicemail Humor, Workplace Poetry
Posted in Business Humor, Communication Humor, Computer Humor, Limericks, Odd Holidays, Social Satire, Technology Humor, Telephone Humor, Workplace & Career Humor | 6 Comments »
Monday, May 5th, 2008
Ode To An Absent-Minded Husband
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Your umbrella can not have gone far.
Can’t believe how forgetful you are!
If we still had each cent
On umbrellas you’ve spent,
We’d have money to buy a new car.
Thanks to Simply Snickers for the “umbrella” prompt, Weekend Wordsmith for the “torrential rain” prompt, and Sunday Scribblings for its “family” prompt.
UPDATE: I’ve just learned that National Umbrella Day is celebrated yearly on February 10th.
Tags: Absent-Minded, Car Limerick, Family, February Holidays, Gas Prices, Husband Humor, Marriage Verse, Money Poems, National Umbrella Day, Odd Holidays, Relationships Poetry, Weather Poem
Posted in Behavior & Personality, Car & Driving Humor, Family & Relatives Humor, Limericks, Marriage Humor, Memory Humor, Money & Finance Humor, Odd Holidays, Outdoors Humor, Relationship Humor, Weather Humor | 9 Comments »
