9 October 2026

Published October 7, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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.

CLICK the frog to join.

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

Published September 30, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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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 © 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

Published September 23, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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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 © 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. 😉

CLICK the frog to dive in.

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

Published September 16, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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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 © 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

Published September 9, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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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 © A member of the Fields Family who didn’t care to be Identified. 😉

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.’”

CLICK to know more.

4 September 2026

Published September 2, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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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

The photo this week was snapped at a flea market. The shelf unit is in front of a window. The lower shelves are fully of colorful bottles. On the second shelf up there is a doll on the left and a glass angel on the right. From there on up the shelves are loaded with all manner of doll heads.

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Genre: Fiction
Word Count:100

AN EYE FOR AN EYE

Sifting through shards of her grandmother’s treasured porcelain vase, Carla fumed.

Five-year-old Angela hung her head. “Sorry, Mommy.”

“What were you thinking? You know better than to throw a basketball in the house.”

In a fit of anger, Carla ran to her daughter’s room and ripped the head and stuffings from Big Bird. Yellow fuzz drifted to the floor like snowflakes.

***

Years later Angela recounted the incident to her own children with, “Let this be a lesson to you, kiddies.”

Her son gasped. “You wouldn’t do it to us, would you, Mommy?”

“Break one of my things and find out.”

____________________________

Ask your local library to carry LAST DANCE WITH ANNIE. (Thanks, Lisa 😉 ) Audio book out soon!

28 August 2026

Published August 26, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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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 c, Dale Rogerson

This is no basket ball in the photo this week. It’s a well-rounded hornets nest built against the side of a building. At the bottom of the nest you can see a few of the little buzzing, stinging creatures. Run!

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE MONSTERS ARE DUE ON MAPLE STREET

Stubbing out his third cigarette, the young playwright pored over his script.

“Wouldn’t want to upset the censors,” he muttered under his breath. He set his hands on his typewriter. “That’s it! A street in the suburbs is cut off from the rest of neighborhood. The residents convince themselves that one of their neighbors is an alien from outer space.

“In the end, extra-terrestrials orchestrated the isolation, then stood back and watched gullible humans turn on each other.”

Rod Serling smiled as he put the finishing touches on his stingingly profound Twilight Zone episode. Social commentary cloaked in science fiction.

We have met the enemy and he is us.

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Was he a prophet? Sometimes I wonder.

Enough said.

21 August 2026

Published August 19, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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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.

The prompt this week is the front porch of an old hotel in Missouri. There are stone arches in front. Double wooden doors welcome the guests. There is a light over the front doors. Through the glass on the doors and the windows you can see the pleasant lobby. Welcome! Enjoy your stay! 😉

CLICK the frogs to join

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

BLACK THURSDAY

Henry had a lucrative position with a Kansas City bank, a dream home, and a beautiful wife. The world was his oyster.

He’d booked a room in Booneville at the Frederick Hotel where they’d spent their wedding night. It was a crisp October day. Perfect for celebrating their first anniversary.

As he was packing the telephone rang.

Tears blurred his vision that night at dinner. How can I tell her we’ve lost everything?

As he groped for the right words, Ginny blurted out. “Oh Henry, 1930 is going to be the best year ever! You’re going to be a daddy!”

14 August 2026

Published August 12, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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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.

This week’s photo is of ten nesting cups with images of Russian buildings engraved on them. They go from large and detailed to teeny tiny. They looking to set in order on a wooden table.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

POETIC INJUSTICE

“I adored the stage,” said Bubbe Gittel of her time in the Moscow State Jewish Theater. “I had a crush on the director, Shlomo Mikhoels. A gifted poet.”

I switched off the TV. My grandmother’s stories beat summer reruns.

“During the war Mr. Stalin kept us safe from Hitler and made Shlomo the head of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee.”

Bubbe’s smile faded. “The war ended and with it, Stalin’s favor.”

“They called it an accident, but I saw it with my own eyes. A KGB monster shoved Shlomo in the path of a speeding truck.”

“Why, Bubbe?”

“Need you ask?”

CLICK to learn more

Shlomo or Solomon Mikhoels

7 August 2026

Published August 5, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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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.

The photo this week is from Yours Truly. I snapped it in beautiful downtown Wilmington NC where I am this point in time. This is the Riverwalk by the Cape Fear River. The sidewalk is wooden. To the left are railings by the river. On the right is a fence. We see older buildings in the distance. On the left, further down the walkway is a street light. There are green trees to the right. A sunny hot day in North Carolina.

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Genre: Truthful Fiction
Word Count: 100

As it turns out, I’m in Wilmington NC this week, 😀 A recent story on CBS Sunday Morning caused me to dig deeper into this shameful piece of American history.

DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN

In high school we weren’t taught about the Wilmington coupe, reported as a “race riot,” when white supremacists drove elected black city officials from their offices at gunpoint. Fine upstanding citizens were forced to flee and take refuge in a swamp.

My beautiful friend Shaliza and I were shocked when this history came to light.

I’m ashamed at the realization that my great-great-grandfather was one of the red shirts who very well could’ve gunned down Shaliza’s great-great-grandfather.

She and I embraced at a recent ceremony at Memorial Park

Could someone explain to me what makes white skin superior to brown?

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