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October 28, 2013

The 3rd Annual Halloweensie Contest - aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!!

Eye of newt and toe of frog!  It's finally time for

The 3rd Annual HALLOWEENSIE CONTEST!!!!!

courtesy google images
The Contest:  write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (title not included in the 100 words), using the words spookyblack cat, and cackle.   Your story can be scary, funny or anything in between, poetry or prose, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words (you can count black cat as one word) and is 100 words (you can go under, but not over!)  Get it?  Halloweensie - because it's not very long and it's for little people :)  [Note: of you choose to use cackle as a verb, any form is acceptable - cackles, cackled, cackling...]

Post your story on your blog between now and Thursday October 31st by 11:59 PM EDT and add your post-specific link to the list below.  There will be no Would You Read It or Perfect Picture Books this week, so the post and the list of links will stay up all week for everyone to enjoy.  I hope everyone will visit everyone and you'll all get your friends and relations to visit, read and enjoy too!  If you don't have a blog and would like to enter, you can simply copy and paste your entry in the comments section below.  (If you have trouble, and alas, people sometimes do, just email your entry to susanna[at]susannahill[dot]com and I'll post it in the comments for you!)

The Judging: my lovely assistant and I will narrow down the entrants to 3 (hee hee hee - you know how much trouble I have with only 3, so we'll see) top choices which will be posted here and voted on for a winner on Monday November 4th.  The winner will be announced with Would You Read It on Wednesday November 6th.  If we get more than 20 entries, I will post 6 finalists and give prizes for 1st through 3rd.

The Prizes:

First Prize is a PB Critique from the amazing Corey Rosen Schwartz, author of The Three Ninja PigsHop! Plop!, and the forthcoming Goldirocks, Ninja Red, and What About Moose? AND a copy of Linda Ashman's new Nuts And Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books (your choice of e-book or PDF)!  The winner will also be incredibly famous and able to boast that he or she won The Halloweensie Contest... and that is not something most people can say! :)

Second Prize is a PB manuscript and query letter critique from talented author Heather Ayris Burnell, author of Bedtime Monster.

Third Prize is a set of personalized signed picture books just in time for the holidays - Charlotte Gunnufson's Halloween HustleTiffany Haber's The Monster Who Lost His Mean, and Amy Dixon's Marathon Mouse (perfect timing because NYC Marathon Sunday is next weekend!)

Please join me again in thanking these very generous authors for contributing their books and writing expertise as prizes by visiting their websites and blogs, considering their books for holiday purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazon, B&N or anywhere else if you like them, or supporting them in any other way you can dream up :)

I'm actually a little amazed (and worried) because the inaugural Halloweensie Contest, won by Cathy with Untitled was postponed due to 2 feet of snow - which around here is unusual for the end of October.  The 2nd Annual Halloweensie Contest, won by Julie with Hallow's Eve was delayed and interfered with by Hurricane Sandy!  So fingers crossed we don't get any wild weather this year!

Now then.  Time for my sample entry which I provide both because I wouldn't ask you to do anything I wouldn't do myself, and because in case anyone is worried about the quality of their entry they have only to read my abysmal attempts to be filled with confidence that their's is MUCH better!

So without further ado:

A Witch For Spooky (100 words)

Spooky was a black cat with no witch.
Things just never worked out.
Grimelda's potions were too stinky for his delicate nose.
"Scram!" said Grimelda when he kept sneezing.
Hauntabelle flew her broomstick like a maniac.
"Scat!" said Hauntabelle when he got broomsick.
Armathystle's cackle made Spooky run and hide!
Spooky had almost given up when he found Serena.  She was very small, but she didn't smell bad or fly fast or cackle.
"You can be my Pookie," she crooned (which was close enough!), and she carried him home in a candy-filled plastic pumpkin.
Spooky had a witch at last!

and, to provide one in rhyme (kinda storta :))

Spooked! (100 words)

A pirate, a witch, and a gypsy queen
Went trick-or-treating one Halloween.
Away past the farthest edge of town
To the ramshackle home of Farmer Brown.
Up the dark lane where no one dared.
The gyspsy queen said, "We're not scared!"
A spooky shadow loomed ahead!
"Relax," said the pirate.  "It's just a shed."
"Eeeek!" shrieked the witch as she danced about.
"Something touched my leg!  Look out!"
"It's just a black cat.  Come on, let's go."
But then came a sound they didn't know.
Cackle-cackle!  "It's witches on the loose!"
And they ran helter-skelter from the Farmer's goose!

Everyone feeling better about their stories now?  I HOPE so! :)

I can't wait to read all of yours!  I hope there will be a lot - the more the merrier!  And there are still 4 days to write, so you have time if you haven't written yet.  Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well.

Remember to put your post-specific link (not your general blog link or people will find the wrong page if you post again before the contest is over) in the list below!

Happy Writing and Happy Halloween!!! :)

Don't miss 19 entries in the comments section from Megan, Pia, Linda, Michele, Stacy, Laurie, Kathy, Patricia, Eileen, Nancy, Pam, Pat, Kristen, Teresa R., Teresa S., Suzy, Tracy, Heather, and Karen!  (Marcie is now on the link list at #15, Jackie is now on the link list at #33 - she has a brand new blog!, Laura S is on the list at #40, and Deirdre is on the link list at #52.  I hope I've caught all the doubles, but there may be a couple more.)


532 comments:

  1. I love your stories, Susanna, especially the second one! Reading it made me excited for Halloween!

    Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

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  2. Thanks, Laura! You're so kind! Maybe your little nieces (and nephews?) will enjoy some of the stories that go up :) I'm waiting for you to enter one of these days! :)

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  3. Susanna they are both far better than mine. They have everything and I love Pookie from Spookie such a cute idea! Can't waot to read them all and thanks to the prize givers.

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  4. Yay! I mean . . . aahhrroooOOOOh!
    Loved your story and your poem, Susanna.


    Cackle . . . the Spooky Black Cat also finds his witch.

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  5. I can't wait to read yours! I'm sure it's fabulous!!!




























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  6. Ooh! I'm so excited! Can't wait to read about Cackle :) And I've realized from your sentence that my story (and maybe yours) would have been REALLY short - Cackle the spooky black cat finds his witch :)

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  7. Oh, I love Pookie! I didn't dare rhyme, but I did try! Can't wait to make my way through the list of entries.

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  8. Oh, you and your confounded contests!


    I have duly submitted something.

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  9. Oh yay! I'm so excited you have an entry! Can't wait to read it :)

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  10. Oh goody! Can't wait to come read it! :) You poor poor boy. Having to submit to my confounded contests :)

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  11. Pookie/Spooky hilarious! (just please lets' not have "Pookie" as a required word in any future contests.)
    Those prizes are spooktacular!

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  12. I loved your stories, Susanna! So, how's the weather looking today? ;-)

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  13. Yeah, Susanna--your stories are pretty darn good. Um...if you're not using them...:-)

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  14. Oh, no! You just sealed your fate! I'm going to make everyone use the word Pookie in the very next contest! :) I hope you're posting an entry, Lauri... yours are always fun! :)

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  15. Thanks, Cheryl! Can't wait to read yours! And so far so good - cold but sunny!

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  16. You're far too kind, Cathy! I'm sure yours will be much better!

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  17. What are you talking about Susanna! Your stories are wonderful. I especially loved "A Witch for Spooky" and your use of the word broomsick!

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  18. Yours is better than mine. *whine* *whine* Pookie, what a great word! I'm gonna go around saying that all week. I'll enter my 100 word hogwash, but just remember you were forewarned. It's coooold in NC these days. I bet it's really getting coooold in NY. SWAK!

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  19. I'm so glad someone enjoyed that! I had a great picture in my head for it :) Thanks, Heather! :)

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  20. I can't wait to read yours, Robyn! I'm sure it's creative and fun and not hogwash at all! And yes, it is cold up here today! Still, we're about to brave riding anyway! (If SWAK means something, I'm too clueless to know! :))

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  21. I really like your story in rhyme. That's a winner!

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  22. Sealed with a kiss or as they say in this neck of the woods, a little sugar. Hahaha. Hey, I'm going riding too. Mr. Ed is itching to go.

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  23. Okay, Susanna, you talked me into it. Here is my entry:

    I don’t want to be spooky
    I don’t like to be ghoulish
    Black cats, witches, and zombies
    All foolish!

    I’ve no use for loud shrieking
    Keep your cackle at bay
    No howl or “boo” needed
    Scares stay away!

    Halloween can be creepy
    Chilling, frightening or eerie
    But I’ll be a princess,
    So mine will be cheery!

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  24. Susanna, I love your poem! I wrote a story, but now I think it's terrible! Hoping I'll be able to write a new one by Thursday :). Looking forward to reading what others come up with. Thanks for arranging this contest.

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  25. Marcie Rinka WesselsOctober 28, 2013 at 2:38 PM

    Here is my silly entry. A refreshing break from the revision I've been struggling with the past week. I posted it on my blog (www.marciewessels.com/blog) but I don't think there is a unique address for the entry.



    Miss Sadie

    A bumbling witch named Miss Sadie

    yearned to be wicked and mean.

    When she tried to be spooky,

    she came off was quite kooky,

    the clumsiest witch ever seen.

    “Perhaps what I need to be scary

    is something eerie and dark!”

    So she found a black cat,

    and a tall pointy hat,

    and hid in a tree in the park.

    “Trick or treaters, beware,” cackled Sadie,

    “I’m here to give you a fright!”

    Sadie laughed with such glee,

    she fell out of the tree,

    and “boo hoo-ed” on Halloween night.

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  26. Marcie Rinka WesselsOctober 28, 2013 at 2:40 PM

    This was such a refreshing break from the revision I've been struggling with. I posted the entry on my blog (www.marciewessels.com/blog) but there isn't a unique address for that entry so this will have to do.



    Miss Sadie



    A bumbling witch named Miss Sadie

    yearned to be wicked and mean.

    When she tried to be spooky,

    she came off quite kooky,

    the clumsiest witch ever seen.

    “Perhaps what I need to be scary

    is something eerie and dark!”

    So she found a black cat,

    and a tall pointy hat,

    and hid in a tree in the park.

    “Trick or treaters, beware,” cackled Sadie,

    “I’m here to give you a fright!”

    Sadie laughed with such glee,

    she fell out of the tree,

    and “boo hoo-ed” on Halloween night.

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  27. I'm in, Susanna! What fun...I can't wait to read all of the entries! So much talent...and yours are EXCELLENT! Thanks for hosting this again...and providing such great prizes. :) Happy Halloween to All!

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  28. LOVE your example stories, Susanna! I can hardly wait to post mine on Wednesday. Looks like I'll be able to keep busy in the meantime reading all the fantastic entries. Your contests are so much fun! Thank you!

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  29. I keep telling you that maybe I'll enter and never do. So I've gone and done it this time. It's all written. Exactly 100 words if "black cat" counts as 1 and the title doesn't count. :)
    Happy Halloweensie!

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  30. This_Kid_Reviews_Books_ErikOctober 28, 2013 at 5:46 PM

    Ho-boy! I didn't write mine yet! Oh no! AHHH!!! But I am working on it! :D

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  31. Holy black cats!!! You've done it! I can't wait to come read it Janet! :)



























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  32. Maricie - Your link is http://marciewessels.com/blog/2013/10/28/miss-sadie. I loved the ending. You should be able to put that in the link list with your email. It would get more of us to visit your site. :)

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  33. I'm glad you explained that. I thought that was a horse term and was clueless. I'm going to find your entry Robyn!

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  34. Why thank you, Joanne! You're very kind! :)

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  35. Have fun! Ours were full of beans today! :)

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  36. I love it, Megan! I'm so glad someone went the opposite of scary :) And so glad I talked you into joining the high jinx! :)

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  37. Oh, Pam! You are your own harshest critic I'm sure! I bet your story is wonderful! But by all means, take your time and write another - you've got days :)

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  38. ENTRY POSTED FOR JACKIE W.

    A DISAPPEARING ACT

    The night of Halloween, Ben found a black-cat outside a cemetery.

    “Let’s get you home,” Ben said cuddling the cat.

    “Spooky! That's not a cat's name!” he mumbled turning its collar. “You belong to Kat Cackle-stein? But she died three months ago.”

    Approaching the house, Ben felt the coldest chill. He heard, “Wooooooooooo” and a cackle so loud, it sent chill up his spine.

    Ring-ring-ring. The door squeaked. An old lady appeared.

    “Either you’re here to hug me or Spooky disappeared on you,” she cackled.

    Ben’s arms were empty. Spooky was gone.

    Poof! And so was she.

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  39. Oh, wow! Jackie that was clever, spooky and fun all in 100 words! Excellent job! :) Thanks so much for joining in the tomfoolery around here! :)

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  40. Yay!!! I've only gotten up to #6 or 7 on the list and the couple that are posted in the comments. I'm so looking forward to reading all the others, yours included! :)

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  41. I can't wait to read yours, Beth! And I agree - the contests are so much fun! I really look forward to them! But it's because everyone is such a good sport about writing and posting entries and going around to visit each other! :)



























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  42. Oh, Marcie! You made me laugh out loud! That was wonderful! Clever and fun and creative! Thank you so much for taking a break from your revision to share your delightful story with us!

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  43. Hahaha, Stacy! I'm going to add it in a bit.

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  44. Marcie Rinka WesselsOctober 28, 2013 at 7:11 PM

    Thank you for the helpful tip, Stacy. I think I was able to add it to the link list. All the best, Marcie.

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  45. P.S. I added your link to the list above (at the same time you or Stacy did I guess because it showed up twice, but the other link didn't work properly so I removed it.) It should be working now!

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  46. Marcie Rinka WesselsOctober 28, 2013 at 7:12 PM

    You are too kind. Thanks for organizing the contest. So lovely to see so many talented writers and picture book lovers getting into the spirit of things. Sorry about the double post. I seem to be having technical difficulties today. Best, Marcie

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  47. Marcie Rinka WesselsOctober 28, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    Oh gosh, I'm sorry for all of the confusion. Thank you.

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  48. It is wonderful how everyone joins in the fun! And no worries about the double post - I have technical difficulties all the time :)

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  49. Remain calm, Erik, you still have nearly 4 days. I know you can do it! :)

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  50. As the mother of three boys, it's a fantasy for me!

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  51. Oh, Halloweensie once again. I love your two examples. Though I'm not able to participate, I know it will be another success :-)

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  52. Thank you, Angela! I know you're very busy. But if Chipmunk needs some diverting reading material, I bet she'll enjoy skimming through the entries - there are so many fabulous ones already I don't know HOW I'm going to pick finalists!

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  53. Honestly, I don't know how you do it. The entries are always so wonderful. :-)

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  54. I'd say the quality has been going steadily upward with each successive contest!

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  55. Oh, this was great, Jackie! So much fun. I love the spookiness of the tale with a nice twist at the end. Well done!

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  56. lol, I love it! Very cute and funny. Excellent, Marcie!

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  57. SWAK, I like that! You're always teaching us something new, Robyn. :-)

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  58. Marcie Rinka WesselsOctober 28, 2013 at 9:40 PM

    Thank you, Cheryl. Nice to "meet" you!

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  59. Nice to meet you, too! :-) These contests are so much fun.

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  60. What a fun twist! Great job, Megan! :-)

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  61. Hey Cheryl, tell my kids that. Please! :-)

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  62. Oh Marcie! LOVE the twist at the end. Great job.

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  63. Whoa! This...is....so....GOOD! Boy is this contest getting off to the bestest start, ever! Nice meeting you, Jackie!

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  64. Erik, I just can't wait to see what you come up with!!!

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  65. Oh the road less traveled. I love the difference it makes. Delightful, Megan!

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  66. Twenty posts already!? You're famous for your contest, Susanna. I look forward to your sample entry. And your poem is GREAT! They both are. I"ve already read some and I can't believe the early talented entries. BTW, I really appreciate the generosity of these authors. There are some AMAZING prizes! Have you and your assistant chosen the coffee you'll be drinking to stay sharp for the judging? I know you've got your chocolaty snack.

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  67. I meant to say I always look forward to your sample entry.

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  68. Oh my...that is scary...and chilling! Great story, Jackie...very unique and perfect for Halloween!

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  69. GREAT story, Marcie...with a rollicking limerick feel! I commented on your blog site as well.:) Nice to meet you.:)

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  70. Lovely rhyme, Megan! And I love that your princess knows who and what she wants to be, no matter what.:)

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  71. Here is my entry:

    Once Upon a Halloweensie

    By Pia Garneau



    Once upon a Halloweensie

    Trick or treating down my street

    I heard an evil witchy cackle

    Yup, my heart did skip a beat



    I was terrified and scared

    But I tip-toed right along

    Since my belly craved candy

    And my sweet tooth was so strong



    The raucous grew louder

    As I neared the spooky house

    Cackle! Rattle! Snort!

    “Eek!” I screeched just like a mouse



    A black cat purred to greet me

    I peeked behind the door

    Inside was a jolly old witch

    Telling jokes galore



    Then I cackled and cackled til my cheeks were sore!

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  72. I tip toed out of the woods to join with my attempt at writing a story. link added above. It was actually more fun than I thought.

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  73. I love the twist in the tale! Great story, Jackie.

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  74. "Since my belly craved candy

    And my sweet tooth was so strong..." - That could be me! Pia, I love your poem.

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  75. I bet your princess will be pink! Megan, I love your take on Halloween.

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  76. Delightful, Pia! You have captured that childish love-for-candy-overcomes-all-fear feeling that many kids experience at spooky houses, and your description of cackling til your cheeks are sore is perfect! Thanks for joining in the fun with such a great entry! :)

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  77. I'm so glad to see you, Grannymar! Can't wait to come over and read your entry! :)



























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  78. I am having fun working my way through all the other entries.

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  79. I'm probably going to have to rope in more than one assistant for this one, Pam - very high quality entries! And yes, we will be brewing coffee and sustaining ourselves with all manner of chocolate! Don't forget - you still have 3 whole days to come up with 100 little words :)



























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  80. It's an impressive batch! So many good ones!




























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  81. Great examples, Susanna! I love them both...but you know me and rhyme! So, the second is my fave!
    I read through many of the entries yesterday and as usual they are making my Halloween week all kinds of fun!!! I finally finished my post this morning. I wanted to add a little graphic to add to the Halloween spirit and I'm always slow about those things!
    Thanks so much for hosting and offering such great prizes. You're the best at conjuring up holiday spirit!
    Now off to read the other entries!

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  82. Ha! I love Kat Cackle-stein! So clever. Cute entry!

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  83. Love your posts and contests, Susanna. I always learn something from you. Here's my entry:
    Halloween Surprise

    By Linda Boyden

    On a dark and spooky night

    bats zoomed,

    black cats yowled on tip-toe prowls,

    ghosts booooed, goblins hooooed,

    vampires hissed down alleys and streets,

    witches shrieked on broomsticks sleek,

    I lurked in the shadows,

    not frightened or addled

    and scared them away

    with my secret cackle: BWA-HA-HA-BOOO!

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  84. I'm with Grannymar...I loved "Since my belly craved candy
    And my sweet tooth was so strong". Maybe because my sweet tooth is so strong :-) Fun entry, Pia!

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  85. Very fun ending!

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  86. I loved your entry and your graphic, Penny! So glad you were able to join the Halloween fun :) You will certainly enjoy the other entries - what a line up we have this time! Choosing finalists is going to be nearly impossible!

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  87. Oh my goodness! I guess that cackle WOULD scare them away... if it didn't make them laugh :) Thanks for a delightful entry, Linda! So glad you came to join the fun! :)

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  88. First Flight




    On All Hallows’ Eve

    A timid black cat

    Hid in the cone

    Of a young witch’s hat.



    As the little witch tried

    To cackle and shriek,

    The scaredy-cat cat

    Ventured a peek.



    His glowing green eyes

    Frightened the witch.

    Her high-pitched scream

    Made the cat twitch.



    They stared at each other

    For a moment or two.

    Fear slipped away

    With a purr and a coo.



    This friendship forged

    This spooky night

    Gained strength and depth

    On witch’s first flight.

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  89. Yay! Michele! I'm so glad you entered! I love this - so cute how they're afraid of each other until they form a solid team :) Nice twist on a Halloween story and great use of the words! Thanks so much for playing along with the Halloweensie shenanigans :)



























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  90. Thanks Susanna! What a fun way to get our creative juices flowing and get us in the Halloween spirit! Thanks for hosting this contest. I'm glad I could be a part of it.

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  91. Thank you Penny! Glad you enjoyed it. I had a lot of fun writing this.

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  92. Thanks Grannymar! From a sweet toother to another, hope your day is full of sweetness.

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  93. Phew, didn't think i'd make it, now to try and catch up on reading all the others between my assignments.

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  94. Marcie Rinka WesselsOctober 29, 2013 at 12:57 PM

    Thanks, Pamela! Nice to meet you!

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  95. OLIVIA VS. THE WITCH

    The witch threw her head back and cackled, her eyes flickering orange. A bowl of candy sat at her side, a still black cat on her lap.

    Olivia looked at the witch. Then the candy.

    The candy. Then the cat.

    She tiptoed forward. Spooky fog swallowed her small slippered feet. Just as she reached the bowl, the witch cried, “A-ha-ha, A-HA-HA-HAAA.”

    The cat’s eyes flickered. Olivia pounced.

    Right on top of the candy bowl.

    “That was scary, Mommy,” said Olivia, as she dragged it toward the steps. “It’s good I’m a ninja ballerina, or nobody would get any candy tonight.”


    So...that's my entry. Happy Halloween everybody! Tons of fun stories!

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  96. Nice! Warm and spooky--loving these contrasts!

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  97. Love the candy craving too! And the "jolly old witch"--could be me, but reminds me of Santa.

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  98. I made a mistake linking to my story #27. The title is "Fly me to my Room" and my blog is Share Writing Ideas.

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  99. Funny story, Marcie! The prat fall from a tree was a fave!

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  100. Cute, Megan! Such a determined little princess!

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  101. Scary, Linda! Can imagine a kiddo bound and determined to scare!

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  102. HALLOWEEN FRIGHT

    The moon smiled down on the spooky night;
    kids in costume for fun and fright.
    Oliver Toliver in red, black and yellow;
    a patch on his eye, he was an adventurous fellow.
    By his side in boots was his black cat Marty;
    they were off to have fun at the Halloween party!
    Pirate pail in hand and parrot in paw,
    the swashbuckling duo was the funniest thing you ever saw!
    Until a cackle and screech came from above;
    and they held each other like a couple in love!

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  103. Halloween Night!


    A dark and creepy autumn night,
    spooky, dreary, eerie light,


    howling wind, slamming door,
    screeching crow, creaking floor,


    werewolves, ghosts, and skeletons loom,
    mummies awakened from their tombs,


    haunted mansion, poisoned brew,
    slimy, icky, sticky goo,


    black cats dashing here and there,
    zombies stagger with blank stares,


    fog lingers, moon shines bright,
    gargoyles perch just out of sight,


    a scream comes from down the lane,
    followed by a dragging chain,


    vampire's capes become bat wings,
    atop a hill a lone wolf sings,


    goosebumps, shivers, say BEWARE!
    ticking clock, don't be scared,


    crash of thunder, lightning strike,
    witches cackle, HALLOWEEN NIGHT!

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  104. This is wonderful, Kathy. I love it! Well done!

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  105. This is fun, Laurie! Great characters and funny, too. Nice job! :-)

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  106. This is really cute. I love the idea of a ninja ballerina. lol. Great job, Stacy!

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  107. This is so sweet! Heartwarming and beautifully written. I really enjoyed it. Well done, Michele!

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  108. Thank you! I'm a first time poster - I appreciate the comment!

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  109. This is great, Linda. It sets a wonderfully Halloweenish mood, and the ending is clever and fun. Nicely done! :-)

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  110. How fun to have a purring black cat and a jolly old witch. It has a nice spooky beginning with a great twist at the end. Nice job, Pia! I enjoyed it. :-)

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  111. So glad you joined in the fun. This blog is addicting! :-)

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  112. Thanks, Cheryl!

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  113. Oooh, good one, Jackie!

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  114. Perfect! Great job, Kathy!

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  115. Bwahaha! Too cute, Laurie!

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  116. Great job, Stacy!

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  117. This is wonderful, Michele!

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  118. Terrific Halloween imagery, Linda!

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  119. Great poem, Pia! I'm craving candy now too. ;0)

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  120. You made it???!!! I'm so excited! I thought you were too busy to even try! Can't wait to read it - a whole bunch came in this afternoon while I was working and I have some catching up to do! :)

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  121. A ninja ballerina! Hahaha! I love it, Stacy! :) What a fun story - a nice blend of spooky and funny. Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie shenanigans! :)

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  122. I'll fix it if I can :) Thanks for letting me know, and for joining in the fun around here :)

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  123. Creatures of the Dark

    One spooky night each year, the creatures of the dark come out to play.

    They rise from the earth and float from the sky, to frighten their unsuspecting victims.

    There are ghosts, goblins, witches, black cats, monsters and werewolves galore. They howl…they shriek...they cackle... they laugh…they groan…they bellow…they wail.

    In the light of the moon, they dance down the street, bold and ready to snatch their prey.

    They knock on doors and yell, “Trick-or-Treat,” because it’s Halloween.

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  124. Hahaha! Another laugh-out-loud ending! Great work, Laurie. I can exactly picture your piratical duo going from swashbuckling to clinging! :) Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!

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  125. Ooh! This is terrific, Kathy! How delightfully spooky! And I love the sounds if the words you chose - spooky eerie dreary light etc.! You have certainly evoked the fun-scary side of Halloween! Thanks so much for joining in!!!



























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  126. Pat! You snuck in an entry! Good for you! And such a clever one! I love the whole set-up that turns out to be trick-or-treaters :) Very fun :) Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie high jinx :)



























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  127. Reflections of a black cat

    Oh now I see what’s going on.
    The leaves are changing colour. The air is getting colder.
    It’s that time of year.
    You are scared of me. Again.
    You think I have become a spooky Halloween cat.

    How I wish I could tell you that I still don’t know any witches. I don’t even know anyone that cackles! I just happen to be a black cat.

    It’s okay. I’ll wait for you.

    I’ll wait until you come home with those magical bags of candy that will turn you normal again.

    Maybe this year I’ll take up yoga while I wait.

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  128. Oh, I love this, Eileen! What a philosophical cat! Been there, done that, happy to wait for the kids to sort themselves out! What a fun and clever twist for a Halloween story! Thanks so much for coming over to join the Halloweensie fun, and very nice to "meet" you! :)



























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  129. Cute! Love black cat's reflections. Funny line-"I don't even know anyone that cackles." That made me cackle!

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  130. Nice job, Pat! I really love the third paragraph will all the Halloween sounds!

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  131. Great entry, Kathy. Nice rhythm and fun language.

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  132. Thanks, Donna. I feel so inspired.

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  133. I am humbled. Thanks!

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  134. Fun! Love the names Oliver Toliver and Marty. The ending is great!

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  135. Thanks, Grannymar. I enjoyed writing it.

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  136. Sounds like a ninja ballerina always gets the goodies! Cute story, Stacy!

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  137. Thank you so much for saying that, Vivian. You made my day!

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  138. Thank you. Nice meeting you as well.

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  139. Ah...so cute! Great job.

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  140. Thanks for the kind words, Cheryl. It's appreciated.

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  141. Love the secret cackle!

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  142. Thanks for the opportunity. I needed to get back the writing spirit.

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  143. Susanna these are wonderful! So fun to read at Halloween.

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  144. I enjoyed this a great deal. Thanks for sharing it with me.

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  145. Love the intro. Clever, and fun. This was great. Thanks for sharing.

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  146. This was great. You have earned the "RHYMOLOGIST" Award...YES!!! Great job!

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  147. I am still laughing. Nice Job!

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  148. Love the ninja ballerina character. I can see the illustrations dancing in my head. Cute Story.

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  149. I enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing.

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  150. What an inspired bunch! Lots of great stories here, folks! How will we ever choose?

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  151. Good Job! :)

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  152. You are working it. Good job! I love it.

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  153. Awesome, Penny. Thanks for the kind words.

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  154. Haha, great names!

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  155. It's an impressive display of talent, isn't it Iza? I have no idea how I'm going to narrow down to finalists for you to choose from!

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  156. I know! They're amazing! I hope tons of people come over and visit everyone and enjoy all the wonderful stories! Did you post yours yet? I don't think I've seen it on the list...



























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  157. So glad if it helped you find your writing groove - just in time for PiBoIdMo :)

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  158. Funny! A lovely, clutching couple, indeed!

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  159. Aw, a yoga cat! Love the cat's-eye POV.

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  160. Thanks, Jackie! See your boy when they "Poof!" too.

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  161. Thanks, Penny! So fun reading (aloud, of course!) "Hat! Bat! Cat!"

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  162. :) This contest is so awesome! And I'm so happy to see such an amazing turnout...I read ALL of the entries last night...and tonight there are 11 more!!!!!

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  163. Thanks, Donna, it was fun!

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  164. Thanks, Cheryl! You had some cute little animals yourself--and ghostly grandma.

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  165. And I know of definitely 2 and possibly 5 more that are coming!

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  166. You did help and I am grateful. Thanks!

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  167. Thanks--and thanks for hosting, Susanna! Lots of Halloweensie love!

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  168. Thanks, Donna! Still cackling over Rip's name. Clever!

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  169. I just love how everyone has turned out for this! It's so much fun! :)

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  170. I couldn't wait until tomorrow. Just posted my entry. It's not earth shattering, but it was fun to write. Your contests are a delight, Susanna!

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  171. ENTRY POSTED FOR NANCY

    Hallowontsie
    by Nancy Churnin

    Halloween colors are orange and black,
    but Spooky Black Cat was tired of that.
    "Why can't I be pink? Or salmon? Or bronze?"
    she said as she stepped in the beauty salon.

    Before you could cackle, that cat was festooned
    with sparkly fur that left all in a swoon.
    "You're not going to scare anyone, pretty as that!"
    "That's what I want," said the former Black Cat.

    "Halloween is for goblins, monsters and ghosts,
    but also for princesses, which I like most."
    She found an angel that night with wings of foam
    who petted her till she purred all the way home.

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  172. I love this Nancy! A black cat who wants to be another less scary and more beautiful color! What a fun and clever twist :) I'm glad she found a nice "angel" to pat her and take her home :) Thanks so much for joining in the Halloween madness around here!

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  173. What makes them delightful is all the creativity and whole-hearted willingness to join in displayed by all the wonderful participants! Can't wait to read your story - just have to put the laundry in the dryer and print out someone's spanish homework :)


























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  174. Thanks, Stacy! These contests are so fun. :-)

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  175. Thanks for hosting this delightful contest and inviting us to let our imaginations go, Susanna! Such a wonderful treat right in the spirit of Halloween.

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  176. Oh, lovely, Nancy! Not all Halloween cats have to be scary!

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  177. I love the cat waiting until things go back to normal. Thanks, Eileen!

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  178. "Bold and ready to snatch their prey" -- great line, especially when we realize what their prey is!

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  179. Wow. Wonderful. I especially liked "spooky, dreary, eerie light." Perfect for conjuring up a Halloween mood.

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  180. Fun! Such brave pirates until...

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  181. Ninja ballerinas ROCK! (and get the candy!) Great story!

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  182. "tip-toe prowls" -- love it. BWA-HA-HA-BOOO! (Love your secret cackle, too!)

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  183. Jokes galore -- what a surprise after all that spooky build-up!

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  184. I like that. A cheery Halloween princess! Great word choice and rhyme, too. Well done!

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  185. Thanks for the challenge! It was fun and quick - I'm so glad you laughed!

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  186. Well Jackie, if you laughed, my work here is done! Thank you!

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  187. Thanks Beth! My sons wanted to here more, but I was too close to my word limit ;)

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