WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS WHERE EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY
We are a growing community of blogging writers who come together each week from all parts of the globe to share individual flash fictions from a single photo prompt. The prompt goes up early Wednesday morning CST to give each writer time to compose a story by Friday. Some use the photo as a mere inspiration while others use it as an illustration. Use your imagination and think outside the box.
WARNING! This is an addiction for which there is no 12 step recovery program.
THE CHALLENGE:
Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going over or under the word count.)
THE KEY:
Make every word count.
THE RULES:
- Copy your URL to the Linkz collection. You’ll find the tab following the photo prompt. It’s the little white box to the left with the blue froggy guy. Click on it and follow directions. This is the best way to get the most reads and comments.
- MAKE SURE YOUR LINK IS SPECIFIC TO YOUR FLASH FICTION.
If your link is to an advertisement or any type of platform, be it religious or political, it will be deleted.
Should you find that you’ve made an error you can delete by clicking the little red ‘x’ that should appear under your icon. Then re-enter your URL. (If there’s no red x email me at Runtshell@aol.com. I can delete the wrong link for you).
If your blog requires multiple steps for visitors to leave comments, see if you can simplify it. Please, for the sake or our writerly nerves, disable CAPTCHA –that wavy line of unreadable letters and numbers. This mainly applies to Blogspot. It’s frustrating to have to leave a DNA sample, your blood type and your shoe size just to make a comment. (So I exaggerate. But hopefully you get the picture).
- Make note in your blog if you’d prefer not to have constructive criticism.
EXERCISE DISCRETION AT ALL TIMES WHEN COMMENTING ON A STORY! BE RESPECTFUL. THIS IS NOT THE TIME OR PLACE PLACE TO PROMOTE POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS VIEWS. IF YOU HAVE SEVERE OR HOSTILE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION WITH ANOTHER PERSON PLEASE TAKE IT TO EMAIL OR ANOTHER METHOD OF PRIVATE MESSAGING.
Thanks to Roger Cohen for the photo and a bit of education. 😉
ANDANTE
Genre: Historical Fiction
“These are days when many are discouraged. In the 93 years of my life, depressions have come and gone. Prosperity has always returned and will again.”– John D. Rockefeller
October 29, 1929 was known as Black Tuesday. It was the day the stock market crashed and ushered in the 10 years known as the Great Depression.
Click here for the music that served as inspiration for this story.
On Black Tuesday Pop lost his Wall Street job.
Destitute, he sold everything except Mom’s prized vase and his bass violin.
One afternoon, drawn by phonograph music, I wandered into his room. Hunched over, he held a gun to his temple.
“No Pop!” I knocked it from his grasp.
It discharged. The bullet ricocheted off the wall, just missed my forehead and shattered Mom’s vase.
“My God!” He crushed me against his chest.
…………..
From 1931 to 1962 Pop toured the Borscht Belt with a swing band. His zest for life was contagious.
Incidentally, Mom never mentioned her vase.
To read about the Borscht Belt click here.
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Love your story. I am always intrigued by that era.
Questions about the prompt: You say thanks to Roger Cohen for the photo and bit of education.1. Is that education private, did I miss it, can you share it?
2. Those are violins, right, not cello’s?
3.What are the things that look like clothes pins on the strings? (Don’t laugh at my ignorance! Oh well go ahead) 😉
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Cellos, I believe.
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I was corrected by the photographer, Janet. Double basses.
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Yes, and the “clothes pins” the bridges. haha..I’m so musical, can you tell 😉
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I’m smiling here. I had no idea what to call those instruments, so I just went with an ambiguous mention of the orchestra. 🙂
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Not sure why it posted as “Anonymous…”
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Cellos! And the clothes pins…bridges. Google images helped.
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Hi Rochelle,
You list the genre as historical fiction, but this is so real it seems like personal experience. I think the use of first person made it more authentic. I like the historical connection and including the musical bonus. It’s like finding a prize in a box of Crackerjacks! Ron
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Dear Ron,
Thank you. While first person isn’t always my first choice this story needed it. As for the music, the Koussevitzy piece and the picture are what changed my historical direction. On the photo is the musicians autograph with the date, 22 October 1929, one week before Black Tuesday. It always amazes me where the “muses” take me. Glad you liked it,
shalom,
Rochelle
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This story gave me chills Rochelle. So many emotions welled up in me as I read it. It could have been a tragic story. Thank God she walked into that room.
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Thanks Renee. Praise doesn’t fly much higher than that.
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I love that era as well. The end of the cold coast…Well thank goodness he didn’t kill himself.
Tom
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Dear Tom,
Fascinating era for me too. No doubt you’ve heard of the Borscht Belt ;). I cut my baby teeth on some those entertainers’ shticks…Milton Berle, Jerry Lewis, and one who will always be my favorite, Danny Kaye to name-drop a few.
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I’m so glad that she walked into his room….nobody should ever have to lose a loved one like that. Great story.
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Dear Just Me,
I’m glad too. I just couldn’t allow him to do it. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sorry – only time to ‘like’ before, now can comment! I really liked the way it was put into 2 ‘parts’ – that ‘epilogue’ feel came in nicely…believe it or not I ‘studied’ the ‘trajectory’ of the bullet! (with a pencil when sitting here!) That was my only worry…but you’ll have to excuse those kind of tendencies in me as a reader! Thanks for the story!
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Very funny Mr Pirate.
Now you’ve made me go back and look at that trajectory as well.
Very good story, Great Leader.
There is something about your stories that I like that I can’t put my finger on.
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Oh dear..now you’ve got me worried! Only joking – though I do like that line of yours there…would fit well in a story, modified a bit, with police inspector speaking..! Sorry! Just can imagine it…!
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You stuck your foot in that one, Managua. Even my husband had to stop and think about it. Sometimes you just have to suspend belief. When the story’s made into a movie we’ll make sure the bullet’s trajectory is true. 😉
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Oh my intention wasn’t to play with words etc – I agree very much, just got caught up in your scene and brought it into the kitchen where I was with laptop, it amused me when I reflected on it..sort of ”what am I doing!”
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You’ve got company, Mr Pirate.
I often do that kind of checking or visualisation myself.
Maybe we should both be worried.
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“What me worry?” Alfred E. Newman
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Well I’m digging a bullet out of the wall as we speak, so I think I need a serious re evaluation of my reading skills…. all the best!
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How about we say it was a tile wall and leave it at that. 😉
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🙂
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Dear Abraham,
I’m happy you like my stories no matter what the reason.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You do historical fiction quite well. Adding the quote at the beginning worked very well, too… A nice contrast between political optimism and the desperation of the common man.
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Thanks, Lisa,
I think I’m hooked on historical fiction.
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What a powerful story you wrote. Looking forward to linking up mine.
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I’m so glad she stopped him and he found a new lease of life. A lovely story, and it made me go google chasing for the ‘Borscht Belt’ – now I know what the resort was in Dirty Dancing!
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Thanks Gail,
I never saw Dirty Dancing. Now I might have to check that one out.
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this story is perfect, i believe… very moving and also a proof that despite the hardships, life indeed goes on..
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Nice story, loved the last line. You have the touch.
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Thank you , Ted. What a nice thing to say.
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Rochelle, you’ve put together a beautiful package here, including the music. Your story has a great emotional charge to it. I enjoyed it.
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a great way to learn about historical events like the Great Depression. what a time…so many people with so many stories of tragedy and despair. your story at least left us on a high note. thanks!
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i’ve never been to – but i know all about – the borscht belt. shecky greene. buddy hackett. a piece of heart in that story. well done.
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My uncle owned a small employment agency in Monticello, NY. He got my brother a job in one of the Borscht Belt hotels in the mid 60’s.
I grew up on those entertainers…Sid Caesar, Jerry Lewis, Burns and Allen, etc etc.
A great legacy.
Thanks for the kudos, Rich.
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Hello Great Leader,
You may want to look at:
MAKE (sure) YOUR LINK (IS) SPECIFIC TO YOUR FLASH FICTION.
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Thanks for your sharp eye, Abraham. That one’s corrected. 🙂
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Excellent! And thanks for the bit of education too. I wasn’t sure about cellos or double basses so I got it wrong. A very atmospheric story.
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Doesn’t matter, Sandra. Your story was so right and that’s what counts.
Thanks for the compliment. I always receive a mini education when I write. Glad I could pass it on.
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Dear Rochelle,
A vase is just a thing. A father is everything.
Your story was lovely and heartfelt and powerful. You packed a lifetime into those hundred words and avoided the pitfalls of the prompt with ease.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
Your insightful comment makes me smile. Fortunately, at that moment, Pop realized that his wealth came not from what he could provide but from those who loved him.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your narratives are always beautiful and lively…i greatly enjoyed this.
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Thank you, Charles. It’s good to have you back in the fold this week. 😉
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Beautifully written. I loved the last line.
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I loved the last line too. Your historical pieces are always so educational. Thanks for the link to music – quite haunting in light of your story.
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Since I’m so late to the party, all the kudos have been given. It is, as I would expect, a touching, realistic, personal story, a story that not only makes us feel but leads us to learn. Bravo.
janet
P.S. Kudos to Mom, too, for never mentioning the vase!
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Dear Janet,
I’ll forgive you your tardiness. 😉 Obviously Mom knew how the vase was broken, but loved her husband and daughter more than she cared about the vase.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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You definitely captured one of those turning-point moments! Better he should have sold the gun…
I feel like a broken record (at least that’s an image that fits the period of your story!) – but Rochelle, this is every bit as well written as usual 🙂 In other words, it’s very good !
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Dear Sharon,
Broken record. Doesn’t that date us? And yes, it certainly fits the story. Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Vivid and real, and you have told it well. Sad times back then, and hope they are not repeated again in our time, but who knows what we have yet to experience. I am taking a break from FF for a while to work on other writing projects and posts. Doesn’t seem there is enough time to do all, and am also healing and recovering from my first cataract and lens implant surgery done on Tues. Have the second one scheduled for the 22nd. But, still hasn’t kept me off my computers and from writing. 🙂
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Dear Joyce,
Thank you for dropping by. Hope all goes well with your second surgery.
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Thanks. I expect it to. My new lens replacement in the left eye is doing very well and my eye sight perfect and when the right one is done, I may not need any more glasses for long distance or for driving, only reading glasses for short distance. Big improvement. Best of luck with the Friday Fictioneers and stories. I am going to focus on other writing projects for right now, new posts, and short stories (1500 word count) for submissions elsewhere.
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Very nice, Rochelle. I felt as if i was there, dodging the life stealing bullet myself. What acreative way to share some history. Is this a personal story?
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Dear Joe,
I’m glad that you would ask that question. It means it rang true. However, this story took place long before I was born. Thanks,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love the story Rochelle, and the lyrical style in which it’s told. First person worked very well here to make it a microcosm which reflects the much bigger story. Mine won’t go up till tomorrow as I already posted today.
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Dear Anne,
I’m not usually a huge fan of first person but there are some stories that cry for it and this was one. Thanks for the kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story, Rochelle (did I get it right this time?). I agree with Ron’s comment about finding the prize in a box of Cracker Jacks. This box had more than one prize. Happy Day!
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Thanks Russell.
Love the Cracker Jacks analogy. One of my favorite things as a child and certainly fits the time frame.
shalom,
Rochelle (yes you got it right…this time).
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Great time period to write about.
Super job, O Queen!
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Lovely story – I thought it was going to be sad but it turned out to be uplifting – his zest for life is indeed contagious and I think I may have caught it!
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Nice work, on the research, music, and educational follow-up. Oh, and the story was awesome too. 😉
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brilliant! I held my breath as I read it. This was one of the best ever!
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even better than zombies!
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Dear Bill,
Now that’s a rare compliment! Thank you.
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🙂
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Powerful piece, Rochelle. I think you made my heart stop for a moment. A real coming to God life event. You presented a beautiful package. Clearly you put a lot of thought into this and it shows.
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Dear Debra,
Thank your for your comments. Happy to know my story took you where I wanted you to go.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Richly told, Rochelle – you never disappoint. 🙂
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A wonderful story Rochelle. I loved the last line.
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Well done Rochelle. Some things are more important than a vase.
It’s amazing what you learn when you start doing research for these pieces, or following the writer’s links. The Borsch Belt info was fascinating.
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. . . although it still pales in comparison to the French flatulist from a couple of months back!
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Um…I believe you have me confused with Doug MacIlroy…and while I don’t mind being confused with his stellar writing I can’t take credit. In any case, I’m glad you liked my story, Pete.
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And that’s how Shecky Greene was born! Excellent use of the prompt and genre (which I haven’t made it to yet) Fine job pulling a positive out of what seemed bleak and destitute less than a dozen words before the end …
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Thank you, Perry.
I thought you might enjoy the Borscht Belt reference. Being half NY Jew (Dad was from Brooklyn) I like being in touch with my roots. It was a mixed marriage…my mom was from the Midwest. He was barely reform she was Orthodox…oy vey oy vey.
Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m surprised by the number of people who did not know what instruments these were, or what the various parts were. Shame on the powers that be who have pushed the arts out of our schools! I played cello for years, and the bass players behind me were always friendly folks. Lots of great memories.
Thanks for the photo prompt, and the great share of your story!
Here’s mine…
http://kbnelson.wordpress.com/2013/01/11/friday-flash-fiction-duelling-basses/
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Hi Karen,
Everything I know about music I’ve learned from friends, CD’s and Wikipedia. Roger had to inform me the picture was of double basses and not cellos. Going to read your story now.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Moving and realistic, Rochelle. I love reading your stories and how often you educate us with history and links. You threw me a bit with the mention of a bass violin – I’d just put a note excusing my story from calling them double basses (I have them as cellos!) and I thought I was going to make a fool of myself! I don’t even know what a bass violin is!
Don’t take that as a criticism; your choice of instrument, like everything about this piece, works perfectly for my reader’s ear.
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According to Wikipedia bass violin is another name for double bass. Thanks for your kind words, Jenn
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Ooh, it seems I have made a fool of myself after all! Never mind, up less than 10 minutes and I’ve learned my new thing already. Today is going to be a good day.
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I wouldn’t be so quick to condemn myself. Many (most?) of the stories I have read said cellos. Some, like me, were not even apologetic 🙂
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No need for anyone to apologize. The prompt is an inspiration. For some it inspired cellos, orchestras, old nemeses and even whale songs.
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Love this story. Very real and emotional.
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Very nice piece of history. He was probably destined for the Borscht Belt all along. 😉
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/love-with-strings-attached/
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Thanks Maggie,
I’m sure the Borscht Belt was much more fun than Wall Street. You can guess that Pop was a frustrated artist who put away his bass violin to make a living.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Bravo! Great story and your links sent me off for a bit of further education too 🙂
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Thanks Mikaela,
Happy to be of service.
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Rochelle, this is a wonderful story with a heartrending beginning and middle, and an uplifting conclusion. Brava!
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Life, like music, is all about the timing. A moving piece – thank you for sharing!
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Dear Kingsley,
Happy you liked it. Timing is everything in everything.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s great to be back Rochelle and to read a brilliant, politcal, short was a sublime. I loved it, it carried both the shame and the passion of that era and could well be expanded into something longer I think. 🙂
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Dear Linda,
Great to have you back. I think about you when I hand out Friday Fictioneers cards with your lovely logo on it.
My parents were adolescents during the Great Depression. I’ve always been fascinated by the time. And who knows I might expand the story one day.
More “grist for the mill” a friend of mine would say. Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome Rochelle and I really would love to see a longer version of it, you captured something worth pursuing further I think 🙂
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All good things said there’s nothing left for me to add. Great story. And I also learned the error in assuming it wasn’t cello’s … 🙂
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Actually Björn, they aren’t cellos. They’re double basses, also called bass violins by some and a host of other names. Just NOT cellos. But for our intents and purposes it doesn’t matter if you call them cellos, guitars, violins or anything at all. What matters is how the photo inspires you. 😉
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Hi Rochelle Interesting story with a lovely twist. So few words but so much said.
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Thank you, Lindy.
Brevity is the soul of wit.
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I enjoyed this, and seen many a movie featuring the Borscht Belt so there was some nostalgia for me when the story went up tempo for the finish.
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I was sure this was a true story. that’s the way to write, so it feels real to your reader.
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OOOh, that gave me a chill.
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This was like a scene from a film, it was so vivid. I loved it, evoked thoughts about a great, great grandparent who was of that era who ran away from his family life in England to go and be a musician in New York. Never seen or heard of again. We always wonder what happened to him, but now I think I’ll be doing some more research into the Borscht Belt.
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