9 October 2026

The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

This week’s prompt has us walking along a path under a bridge. To the right there is a narrow stream. The stream is flanked by grassy banks. On the pillars of the bridge you see splotches of mud and muddy handprints.

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Genre: Anecdote?
Word Count: 100

MUDSLIDE

“Back in Abraham Lincoln’s day political candidates fought dirty,” said my fifth-grade teacher.

Suzie raised her hand. “Did they brawl in the mud like wrestlers?”

“Not exactly. What I mean is that instead of proclaiming their own good intentions, politicians spent their time ripping into their opponents.”

“Yeah,” said Billy. “They’d make speeches about the other guy’s nasty deeds to make themselves look good. Right, Mrs. Gerard?”

“Precisely. Fortunately, we’ve moved beyond those times as a civilized nation.”

Today, some sixty years later, head pounding, I switch off a mudslinging, political advertisement on television and sigh. “What happened to ‘civil-ization’?”

2 October 2026

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PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

This week’s photo features a castle nestled in green rolling hills. There’s a bush of red flowers in the foreground.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

A TWIST OF FATE

“Please help us abort,” begged the desperate father.

Irene refused. “If the baby dies, Hitler wins. He’s murdered enough Jewish children already”

The young Polish housekeeper had harbored twelve fugitives in the cellar of Major Rügemer’s grand home for two years.

One day he came home early and met his uninvited guests.

Despite his anger and fear, he agreed to keep Irene’s secret in exchange for certain favors.

When Rügemer’s family rejected him after the war for his part in saving Jews, the baby’s parents took him in. Little Roman Haller knew the former Wehrmacht officer only as Zaydeh—grandpa.

CLICK to know more about this valiant woman. (It’s worth the watch).

It’s hard not to have mixed feelings about Major Rügemer. Here’s more of his story.

25 September 2026

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PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

A swimming pool greets us in the foreground, surrounded by a fence. There are a few people in the water, standing in the shallow end. At the end of the pool there are deck chairs. There are buildings and trees in the background. Dive in anywhere with your take on this prompt. 😉

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Genre: Just the facts
Word Count: 100

ONE OF THOSE DAYS THAT SHOULD BE DROWNED AT BIRTH

Every year, the American Cancer Society challenges lap swimmers to raise money for the cause by swimming five miles in a month. Each of us receives a medal for the first $25 collected.

Tuesday, after my swim, I took the usual selfie for my Facebook page. As I gathered my swim gear, my iPhone slipped from my grasp into the deep end. Its screen never dimmed.

The lifeguard rushed to my aid. “Would you like me to get that for you.”

“No, but I can’t find my goggles,” I replied in a panic.

“Ma’am, they’re on top of your head.”

Epilogue: At this posting, Tuesday is two weeks in the past. I’m happy to report that my iPhone dried out and continues to work well. No doubt the young lifeguard had something to tell his friends and family about the dingy old lady at the pool. At least I hope he got some mileage out of it 😉 I certainly have. I am my own anecdote. 😀 Shalom.

Click the link to check out my Facebook donation page. (Note: This Facebook page will disappear after September.) https://www.facebook.com/donate/1113614497852702

18 September 2026

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PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox

The photo this week is a sign post with four colorful arrows pointing in different directions. From the top down: the arrow points to the left and says. “This way.” The next points right and says, “That way.” The third arrow points right and says, “Go back” and the bottom points left and says, “Tea Party.” Have fun with it!

Genre: Anecdote
Word count:100

THE PEACE, HOPE, AND LOVE TOUR

2020 began with Alzheimer’s robbing us of what was left of my husband’s mother after ten years. In February, our football team made it to the Super Bowl for the first time in fifty years—and won!

In March the pandemic turned the world on its ear and shut down life as we knew it.

What would we have done without Facebook, Zoom, or our friend Bradley who gave an online concert every Sunday night? The screen was always bass-ackwards, but his sweet songs kept a lucky group of us connected and somewhat sane.

Thanks for the music, buddy!

I’m pretty sure this was Bradley’s first venture forth after COVID. He really was a light in the darkness during those months of lock down.

For more about this wonderful friend and singer CLICK

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If you’re on Facebook, please click the link to check out this page and think about donating to American Cancer Society. I’ve joined the swim 5 mile challenge to raise money for the cause. https://www.facebook.com/donate/1113614497852702/ Thank you.

11 September 2026

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This week we’re looking at the front of a two story building with a classic facade. The front door is covered by a colonial style roof and pillars. Behind it to the right is a red brick building. The windows are multi-paned rectangular and arched at the tops. The yard in front is green.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

AUGUST 18, 1790

Jacob squirmed on the wooden seat between Papa and Grandpapa Aaron. “Why are we in synagogue today? It’s not Shabbat.”

Grandpapa patted Jacob’s knee. “I came to this colony of Rhode Island to escape oppression in Brazil when I was your age.” He pointed to the man sitting in the seat of honor. “This day you’ll remember for the rest of your life.”

Years later, Jacob told his own son, “I will never forget the day President Washington spoke these words in this very place, ‘The government of the United States gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution, no assistance.’”