Last year I participated in the Gish Scavenger Hunt with my daughter, Danielle. I posted about it in Trying New Things. It’s that time of year again. I joined a team with Danielle and she researched the items for us to do. One of my tasks was to create a poem about the character, Pikachu. My other two were to make a garbage portrait out of my non-recyclable trash and try something new.
In a mother, daughter, and granddaughter effort Danielle dressed up as a monster (like the monster under the bed) and my oldest granddaughter read to her while I took pictures. 
To continue our work we next made a dress out of water balloons for my granddaughter and then she had to accept a wedding proposal of a water balloon instead of a ring. My grandson unwillingly stepped in as the bearer of the water balloon–as long as I promised not to share those photographs. Then the day ended with a water balloon fight out front.
We always manage to have fun doing this together, but an essential factor is the charity/donations component. Yes, there are prize winners but we don’t participate with that in mind.
Here’s what I came up with this year:
A SMILE
The sweet-voiced character brings back old smiles.
His presence is high on the movie screen or TV
I’m not alone in this memory. I’m sitting with my young son
I ask questions, and he eagerly educates me
We collect cards from kids’ meals or stores
Birthdays are brightly themed…
Christmas contains the yellow cartoon…
And Easter baskets have red and white balls.
When I clean out a drawer and find a card tucked away
When I see the newer interactive Pokemon game
When the show comes on TV or I run across an old DVD
I remember that youthful boy and hearing, “Pika Pika.”
Together in memories, we watch Pikachu and Ash
That moment in the past brings a smile to the now.
I’m not gifted artistically but here’s my attempt at a self-portrait:
To try something new I read one of my poems…really fast:
Direct from the website:
“GISH is on a mission to wake up the world and change it for the weirder and better— and Gishers make it happen.”
I’m all for embracing that inner child whether from reading a book or being a “Gisher”! D. L. Finn
This are interesting and fun things to do with your daughter and granddaughters, Denise. Thank you for sharing.
I was, Miriam:) Doing fun stuff with family always brings the best smiles even later.
I totally agree, Denise.
Such fun, Denise. I like your self potrait. Thank you for sharing
It was, John. It was something different to do with the garbage…lol.
That is impressive. All of those items would have str4essed me!
Thanks, Jacqui! It would be stressful if we weren’t laughing through most of it!
This was such a cool post, Denise. You definitely “embraced your inner child!” It sounds like an amazing time and a lot of fun.I loved your “self-portrait” and smiled over that quick-read of your poem. Thanks for the smile!
I definitely did embrace that inner child, Mae:) I can’t say I’ve ever tried to do a self portrait of myself, or anything, out of garbage. I was just going to read a poem but I was only given second seconds for my portion so I read it as fast as I could…lol. Always glad to give a smile.
I love that video. Do you give readings?
P.S. I’m checking out the GISH site now. 🙂
Misha Collins runs it and does Random Acts of Kindness, too. He does a lot of good in this world.
It looks like fun.
Thanks, Rob:) No, I’ve never read my poetry in public which is why I started with reading it more publicly and found out I had 6 seconds for my portion of this task. So I spend it up and got it down to 7 seconds. Couldn’t hit 6!
I’d love to see how you’d perform a longer poem. I have a hard time watching most video taped poetry readings but I didn’t with this. It was your affect and delivering. I really enjoyed it.
Sounds like a lot of fun! Love the “self” portrait. 🙂
Thanks Joan it was. I can’t say I’ve ever tried to make anything from garbage so that was different for me.
So much of fun! Love the spirit. Denise, your self-portrait is interesting.
Thanks Balroop. Sometimes it just fun to do silly things. My daughter’s put a lot more effort into hers, where I placed it so it had a head and body. Good way to see how much garbage we have, too.
What a wonderful way to spend time together with family!
It is and it gives wonderful memories:)
What fun, Denise! And of course, you’d write a poem about it! Just lovely!
It was, Jan:) Danielle always finds that poem task for me…lol.
Lmao! You’d finished the poem before I had my earphones on right… had to play it again. 😀
Lol. Yes got it down to 7 seconds:)
You’re mad, but madness is right down my alley. 😀
Lol…mine too:)
What a great bonding and fun experience, Denise! So wonderful to be able to connect with your family that way and create memories.
It was Mark:) Yes, always great to create those memories!
This is wonderful, Denise! And I have to correct you: You are artistic, just with words, not necessarily visual 😀 Sounds like you had a lot of fun with family!
I will gladly take that correction, Julie:) It was a lot of fun for sure!
Oh what fun… Thanks for reminding us o stay young at heart, Denise! <3 xo
It was Bette! Always fun to keep that inner child engaged:)