Halloweensie Contest | Catherine Johnson

Catherine Johnson

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Halloweensie Contest

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Catherine Johnson

by Catherine Johnson, @CatherinePoet

It’s Halloween! What a couple of days it has been! I hope you are all safe from Sandy. Take your mind off the weather with my first vlog. You may need to adjust the volume, I go a bit high pitched at times I’ll get better with practise. Here’s some delicious witches hats to munch on while it’s playing. (I discovered these delicious bites on Pinterest, the kids love them!)

Susanna is all kinds of awesome organising this special contest with fab prizes. We had to write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children, using the words witch, bat, and “trick-or-treat“. Your story can be scary, funny or anything in
between, poetry or prose.

Itchety, scratchety, sneezes to go.
Throw in a bat and throw in a toe.
Scaredy cat toe rag
Trick or treat kid
Witch with the sneezes
They quivered, they hid.
Ratchety cauldron, make me a spell,
I’m poorly not spooky I want to be well.
I should have replaced you,
you’re on your last legs,
the spells are not working
you pickle frogs’ legs.
“Hooray! You’ve been listening
I’m tickety boo!”
No! Wait just a minute.
Witchoo! Witchoo!

Catherine Johnson, 2012.

Yikes, I hate my recorded voice and that high note lol. I’d better improve before Nov 9th
Now if you’ve been wondering about reading poetry to an audience, Renee has a fabulous vlog about how to read a poem. Check it out here.

There are lots of great Halloween poetry books, but these are just ones I have read recently:
Book of poems:Best Witches by Jane Yolen
Picture book in a set form of poetry: The House of Boo by J. Patrick Lewis
Picture books: Halloween Night on Shivermore Street by Pam Pollack
Druscilla’s Halloween by Sally M. Walker
Jinnie Ghost by Berlie Doherty

Be sure to check out the other entries here. And have a super Halloween!

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | blog, Catherine Johnson, Halloween, Halloween books, poem, poems, poetry, witches

« The Witch’s Cocoon starring Jody Hedlund NEW PRIDE RELEASE DAY BLITZ! »

103 Responses

Susanna Leonard Hill, on October 31, 2012 at 1:16 am said:

Love your entry, Catherine! So much fun! And done so well in 100 words or fewer. My sample is positively dreadful, but I figure that’s good because it will make everyone feel brave enough to enter Don’t forget to put your link on the list tomorrow!!!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 1:21 am said:
  
  Oh yes, I might have to wait until kids are in school to add link, unless it’s up early before the rush (And I always rush lol) I bet yours is great, this is the most fun one of the year
  
  Reply
viviankirkfield, on October 31, 2012 at 2:14 am said:

What fun, Catherine! I love the flow of Halloweenie words. Maybe I am doing something wrong, but when I hit the play button on the video clip, it said the video was private. See you at Susanna’s tomorrow.

Reply
- viviankirkfield, on November 2, 2012 at 2:21 am said:
  
  I went back today to look at the video and it opened for me…you are FANTASTIC!!! And I love that the witch has a cold. So clever!
  
  Reply
  - viviankirkfield, on November 2, 2012 at 2:26 am said:
    
    So now that you have been so brave and inspiring to do the ‘vlog’…I will have to try…just need to find out how.
    
    Reply
    - Catherine Johnson, on November 2, 2012 at 2:34 am said:
      
      Thanks so much, Vivian. I did a rubbish one ages ago and then I tried one for No Water River and the water in the background was too loud and I couldn’t get anyone to film me for ages. I’m going to try and set the camera up so I can do it myself It’s so easy uploading to YouTube it just takes a long time to load.
    - viviankirkfield, on November 26, 2012 at 9:59 pm said:
      
      Catherine…I just came across your reply to my comment. If you join Google+, you can do a ‘hangout on air’…and it automatically live streams to a youtube video…no muss, no fuss, no uploading..
    - Catherine Johnson, on November 26, 2012 at 10:07 pm said:
      
      ooh sounds great, Vivian but do i need another website to go to? hmm..
    - viviankirkfield, on November 27, 2012 at 4:52 am said:
      
      Hahahaha…exactly my thoughts when everyone started talking about Pintirest…which I signed up for, but haven’t done anything with. I know just what you mean, Catherine…I’m overwhelmed sometimes…thank goodness I am ‘retiring’ at the end of the year…my husband worries that he will never be able to pry me from the computer after that.
    - Catherine Johnson, on November 27, 2012 at 4:37 pm said:
      
      Mine is the same
Kirsten Larson, on October 31, 2012 at 2:34 am said:

Wow, that one was appropriate considering my eldest is coming down with a cold! Witchoo for sure.

Reply
Penny Klostermann, on October 31, 2012 at 2:48 am said:

Witchoo! Witchoo!
Very funny and so Catherine!!!! I love it!

By the way…I got the same message as Vivian-”This video is private.”

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 3:42 am said:
  
  Silly me. It should work now. I have a cold, I must have jinxed myself
  
  Reply
Stacy S. Jensen, on October 31, 2012 at 6:15 am said:

I love your poem and your hat. The video was a bonus. You did a great job. (I came along late enough and it worked). P.S. loved the mommy at the end.

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 11:24 am said:
  
  LOL. In the other video thatxwas going to be Monday’s post she actually came and sat next to me so we canned it Thanks!
  
  Reply
  - Cathy Ballou Mealey, on October 31, 2012 at 4:06 pm said:
    
    Me too!! “Mommy?” Never a moment’s peace for mother nor witch!
    
    Happy hauntings!
    
    Reply
    - Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 4:10 pm said:
      
      Exactly lol.
Tina Cho, on October 31, 2012 at 7:05 am said:

Very fun, Catherine! Congrats on even making a vlog! Loved the mommy calls!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 11:26 am said:
  
  I’ll have to dare to read as just me next time – spooky lol. Thanks Tina.
  
  Reply
Renee LaTulippe (@ReneeMLaTulippe), on October 31, 2012 at 11:05 am said:

HA! Love the costume and setup, and a great reading! Most excellent diction, Catherine. And my new favorite phrase for when I’m feeling fine is “I’m tickety boo” – how fabulous is that?!

Thanks for the plug – I think you’re ready for your closeup!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 11:25 am said:
  
  Thanks Renee! Not long now
  
  Reply
Penny Klostermann, on October 31, 2012 at 1:40 pm said:

The video! The video! It worked for me now. I LOVED it! Soooo much fun! Great job!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 2:12 pm said:
  
  So glad you came back for it, Penny. It makes a big difference to the poem.
  
  Reply
susielindau, on October 31, 2012 at 1:57 pm said:

I LOVE your vlog Catherine and love your voice!
A perfect poem for the holiday.
Happy Halloween!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 2:13 pm said:
  
  Thanks Susie!
  
  Reply
kidlitdish, on October 31, 2012 at 2:35 pm said:

ADORABLE, Catherine! And so original– a witch with a cold! Ha!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 2:39 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, I do have a cold. And maybe I’m a witch lol.
  
  Reply
jmpoland21van, on October 31, 2012 at 2:47 pm said:

Dearest Catherine:
Love the “Mommy” voice at the end.!
Next time you’re impersonating a witch try having the camera angle from down below (worm’s eye view) This makes for big chins!
And when you’re not jittery anymore, try to vary the pace so sometimes you skip quickly and other times haltingly.
Finally thank you for reviewing Renee’s video and risking the video shoot!The props were perfect.
BRAVO!
Jeanne Poland

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 3:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much for the tips, Jeanne! Happy Halloween!
  
  Reply
Penny Klostermann, on October 31, 2012 at 3:09 pm said:

I’m not getting your link to work on Susanna’s blog. You may want to check it out.

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 3:27 pm said:
  
  Thanks Penny, that blog doesn’t like me.
  
  Reply
PragmaticMom, on October 31, 2012 at 4:10 pm said:

Fun poem for Halloween! I love your reading and so did my son!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 4:14 pm said:
  
  Awh that’s great to know kids like it, thanks Tina!
  
  Reply
nrhatch, on October 31, 2012 at 4:30 pm said:

How AWESOME to perform your poem for us! Loved the special effects in the back-ground.

Witchoo! Witchoo!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 4:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks Nancy!
  
  Reply
julie rowan zoch, on October 31, 2012 at 4:36 pm said:

The vlog worked fine for me this morning AND last night – I get the feeling it has more to do with the host: blogspot doesn’t ‘care’ for wordpress much! I think you need to post from ‘Witches Corner’ more often – I LOVED it! As well as your poem! Hope you don’t mind me using witchoo on the little ‘boogers’ tonight – only wish I could find a glow in the dark hankie for better effect!

Reply
- julie rowan zoch, on October 31, 2012 at 4:38 pm said:
  
  Oops – forgot to ask what your cookies are made with – please share!
  
  Reply
  - Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 7:07 pm said:
    
    Chocolate covered biscuits, store bought cake topping and hersheys kisses. Easy
    
    Reply
    - julie rowan zoch, on October 31, 2012 at 7:16 pm said:
      
      Then I’ll get to it! Bet I could use a peppermint patty too – in case I needed to eat some!
      
      Ooh I love peppermint and chocolate C
Charlie Eve Ryan aka IllustrationJunky, on October 31, 2012 at 5:06 pm said:

Omg love it, you have an awesome witchety voice! My kiddie loved watching it too! Witchoo…to funny!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 6:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Charlie.
  
  Reply
Heather Newman (@HeatherNewman12), on October 31, 2012 at 5:22 pm said:

A vlog is a great idea! I really enjoy hearing people read their own work and your voice is wonderful (don’t be so hard on yourself Excellent entry, Catherine!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 6:19 pm said:
  
  Thanks Heather!
  
  Reply
Patricia Tilton, on October 31, 2012 at 5:28 pm said:

Very clever — can always count on your for originality! Love the poem. Great entry!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 6:20 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Pat
  
  Reply
Julie, on October 31, 2012 at 5:33 pm said:

This was absolutely wonderful, and you even acted it out in costume! Thanks for the extremely enjoyable vlog!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 6:21 pm said:
  
  This witch is so happy, thank you!
  
  Reply
Laura Renauld, on October 31, 2012 at 5:39 pm said:

Very impressive! A vlog and a witch with a cold. I loved them both

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 6:22 pm said:
  
  Thanks Laura!
  
  Reply
Carrie Finison, on October 31, 2012 at 5:50 pm said:

Great poem, Catherine, and how wonderful to put it on video! I enjoyed hearing your voice in the poem.

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 6:12 pm said:
  
  Thanks Carrie!
  
  Reply
Rena Traxel, on October 31, 2012 at 6:45 pm said:

That was fun! Awesome video.

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 7:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks Rena!
  
  Reply
Joanna, on October 31, 2012 at 6:55 pm said:

Good for you putting this on video, Catherine! I love the rhythm you have created in this poem!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 7:04 pm said:
  
  Now that I’ve done it once I’ll do it more often. I hope everyone is inspired to try it. Thanks Joanna.
  
  Reply
Robyn Campbell, on October 31, 2012 at 8:59 pm said:

You’re bodacious, you know that? What an entry! Your voice is supercalafragalisticexpealodocious! What excellent pacing. You rock woman! My new phrase: I’m tickety boo!!!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 11:35 pm said:
  
  Throwing lots of candy your way sweetie, Happy Halloween!
  
  Reply
Carla, on October 31, 2012 at 9:18 pm said:

Fun poem!! And the vlog is such a great idea! (And I totally want some of those witch’s hats!)

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 11:36 pm said:
  
  Thanks Carla, those hats are really easy
  
  Reply
gailatthefarm, on October 31, 2012 at 9:54 pm said:

Wonderful creation

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on October 31, 2012 at 11:36 pm said:
  
  Thank you Gail!
  
  Reply
Hannah Holt, on October 31, 2012 at 11:55 pm said:

Poor witch! The video worked for me as well. Loved it.

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 1, 2012 at 2:42 am said:
  
  Thanks Hannah
  
  Reply
lynnkelleyauthor, on November 1, 2012 at 12:32 am said:

Bravo, Catherine! I LOVE your storytelling voice. And your poem is super cute. Well done! More vlogs, please! You’re a natural!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 1, 2012 at 12:36 am said:
  
  Thanks Lynn! That’s really nice to hear from the Queen of dressing up and blogging herself!
  
  Reply
jannatwrites, on November 1, 2012 at 8:20 am said:

The poem itself was great, but I really enjoyed the video of you reading it. So entertaining! All I have to say is good thing I submitted my entry before I read the others or I would have chickened out for sure

Witchoo! Withcoo! (I love that ending!)

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 1, 2012 at 3:20 pm said:
  
  Thanks Janna. I think it’s great we write before seeing anyone else’s, our writing is purer that way and each beautiful in its own right
  
  Reply
thiskidreviewsbooks, on November 1, 2012 at 12:09 pm said:

Love your poem! I like your witch costume!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 1, 2012 at 2:44 pm said:
  
  Thanks Erik!
  
  Reply
teresarobeson, on November 1, 2012 at 7:27 pm said:

What are you talking about? You have a great voice, Catherine! Funny, funny poem too.

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 1, 2012 at 9:25 pm said:
  
  Thanks Teresa!
  
  Reply
lbdiamond, on November 1, 2012 at 7:32 pm said:

Hope you had a fun Halloween! Man, I wanna try those treats!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 1, 2012 at 9:26 pm said:
  
  I’ve made two batches they are yummy!
  
  Reply
clarbojahn, on November 1, 2012 at 9:07 pm said:

I”m with Janna. It’s a good thing I entered before reading the other’s and your s in particular. Mine is so bad I almost want to trash it.

Love your poem and sneeze. so cute. lol.

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 1, 2012 at 9:29 pm said:
  
  The dressing up and the voice add a lot to a poem, Clar. Have you tried a vlog before? I tried to read your guest post on Pat’s blog but the link didn’t work. I’ll try again soon.
  
  Reply
  - clarbojahn, on November 2, 2012 at 3:42 am said:
    
    NO! I”m afraid of doing a vlog or video. I just don’t’ know enough how to do it. did you have instructions?
    
    Reply
Donna Smith, on November 2, 2012 at 3:01 am said:

Nice job! Thanks for linking to Poetry Friday!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 2, 2012 at 3:05 am said:
  
  Thanks Donna and thanks also for hosting.
  
  Reply
Perfecting Motherhood, on November 2, 2012 at 5:51 am said:

You’re a scary witch, even when you have the sniffles!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 2, 2012 at 11:52 am said:
  
  Reply
Katya, on November 2, 2012 at 1:02 pm said:

I love your witch poem. Very cute and clever.

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 2, 2012 at 2:08 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Katya.
  
  Reply
Katie, on November 2, 2012 at 3:29 pm said:

Very cute and creative! Loved the Witchoo’s.

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 2, 2012 at 4:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks Katie, they came to me in a flash or a cauldron
  
  Reply
Pamela Courtney, on November 2, 2012 at 4:42 pm said:

Oh Catherine, I love your vlog!! What a character voice. Your poem is filled with such fun Halloweeny words! I hope you know,everyone is going to be using the “Witchoo, Witchoo” line from now on during the season. I think you’ve started something here.

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 2, 2012 at 4:44 pm said:
  
  It does sound fun, I bet kids love saying it too. Thank you! Have you seen Renee as three witches? It’s awesome! http://www.nowaterriver.com
  
  Reply
  - Pamela Courtney, on November 3, 2012 at 1:55 am said:
    
    How great was Renee’s performance!? I’m having such fun reading these posts and discussing the delightful treats we’ve gotten. Again, great job on your work, Catherine.
    
    Reply
    - Catherine Johnson, on November 3, 2012 at 2:53 am said:
    - jmpoland21van, on November 3, 2012 at 10:09 pm said:
      
      Does anyone know how Renee got 3 images of herself on screen at the same time?
      Jeanne Poland
    - Catherine Johnson, on November 3, 2012 at 11:38 pm said:
      
      No, I’d love to know, it was incredible and the whispering was so witchy!
laurasalas, on November 2, 2012 at 8:46 pm said:

I think that’s great, Catherine! Your reading voice was super–very witchy and full of personality:>) I don’t usually watch videos online, but if they come in around a minute or shorter, like yours, I give them a try:>) I esp liked, “Throw in a bat and throw in a toe.” Ha! Why not?

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 2, 2012 at 10:23 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much for calling by, Laura. It was fun.
  
  Reply
patientdreamer, on November 2, 2012 at 9:41 pm said:

Oh this was such fun. Loved hearing you and seeing you all dressed up was pure bonus and a treat. You are definately a natural.
I smiled when I heard “tickety boo,” a saying I know well….. LOL
tickety boo!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 2, 2012 at 10:25 pm said:
  
  I’m in no rush to watch this over and over lol. Some of it is SO embarrassing
  
  Reply
Joyce Ray, on November 3, 2012 at 12:14 am said:

Very enjoyable, Catherine! How clever to even know how to make a vlog! Good luck in the contest.

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 3, 2012 at 3:01 am said:
  
  So many people have shown interest I might do a post on how to do one. Thanks Joyce.
  
  Reply
ptnozell, on November 3, 2012 at 2:35 am said:

Such a creative take on the contest – you packed so many amazing images into those 100 words!

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 3, 2012 at 2:51 am said:
  
  Thanks very much!
  
  Reply
Linda Baie (@LBaie), on November 3, 2012 at 5:09 am said:

You did a wonderful job with your blog. I wish I had had this a week or so ago & would have given some students a challenge to create a short Halloween movie. I like the ‘scratchy’ sounds of the poem.

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 3, 2012 at 5:40 am said:
  
  Thank you, Linda. That does sound like a fun activity for students.
  
  Reply
eof737, on November 5, 2012 at 2:46 am said:

Wat are those treats made of? Looks delicious.

Reply
- Catherine Johnson, on November 5, 2012 at 4:16 pm said:
  
  Hersheys kisses and biscuits
  
  Reply
  - eof737, on November 6, 2012 at 3:39 am said:
    
    Cool!
    
    Reply

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