WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS.
As always, writers are encouraged to be as innovative as possible with the prompt and 100 word constraints.
Henry David Thoreau said it best.
“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
THE CHALLENGE:
Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the 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. (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).
- While our name implies “fiction only” it’s perfectly Kosher to write a non-fiction piece as long as it meets the challenge of being a complete story in 100 words.
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- ***PLEASE MAKE NOTE IN YOUR BLOG IF YOU PREFER NOT TO RECEIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.***
- REMINDER: This page is “FRIDAY FICTIONEERS CENTRAL” and is NOT the place to promote political or religious views. Also, you are responsible for the content of your story and policing comments on your blog. You have the right to delete any you consider offensive.
**Please exercise DISCRETION when commenting on a story! Be RESPECTFUL.**
Should someone have severe or hostile differences of opinion with another person it’s my hope that the involved parties would settle their disputes in private.
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My story follows the photo and link tool. I enjoy honest comments and relish constructive criticism.
- Shalom,
Rochelle
In celebration of my big birthday which is happening as this page goes live, I chose one of my own photos. Lots to see and write about here. My response time will probably be pretty slow this week since I’ll be on vacation (on holiday for all our UK friends 😉 ). Also Yom Huledet Samayach to Randy Mazie who shares the same birthday.
On Monday, 20 May 1957, an F5 tornado leveled Ruskin Heights, a suburb of Kansas City, MO. Thankfully our subdivision, although fairly close, was not effected. However, impressions of the day still remain.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
UNDER THE RAINBOW
One Monday afternoon in 1957, four-and-a-half-year-old Glinda filled glass creamers in Daddy’s restaurant. If there were enough, Mommy let her save one for Spike.
A customer pointed to the window. “Twister weather.”
Outside the sky had turned greenish-yellow.
“Take cover!” cried the voice on the radio. “Touch-down. Ruskin Heights.”
“Daddy… Spike?”
Later he turned into their debris-strewn, houseless driveway. Mommy shook her head. “Poor Spike, I’m afraid he’s…”
“No!” Glinda sprang from the car, ran to a pile, dropped down and held out the creamer. “Here kitty.”
With a loud meow, Spike peeked out, purred and hungrily lapped the cream.
I really did fill creamers at my dad’s restaurant “Bob’s Place”. This may be the pitcher I used.
Rochelle,
First: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you have a wonderful celebration and don’t spend it all on FF.
Second: I’m first. Woohoo! I should come to the UK more often 😉
Third: I loved your story. The little nudges towards the wizard of Oz were sweet but not sickly, the true-history elements powerful and the whole story nicely rounded off. I like a happy ending; even my story has a happy ending this week!
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Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for the birthday greetings. I’m on my way out the door to go swimming and then find other ways to celebrate.
Also, thank you for the comments on my story. Always nice to know that for someone I’ve achieved my goal in story telling.
Nice that we both had happy endings. Have fun in the UK.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Many Happy Returns of the Day! 🙂
I loved your story. It has a tenderness to it, once you could feel and touch in the core of the words.
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*one
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Oh wow. Happy birthday :), wonderful post also. I’ve truly missed Friday Fictioneers and I’m so happy I’ll be able to join this week’s own.
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Dear Camgal,
Welcome back in time for my “birthday party”. 😉 Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy birthday, Rochelle! This is a great picture with so much possibility in it (I hope I didn’t make it too creepy with mine). This is a great inspirational story too. It reminds me of a story I saw after the recent tornadoes where a woman was looking for her dog, who was under the rubble but was okay. I hope you have a great time on vacation~
-David
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Dear David,
My story is based on a true one that did happen in 1957. The photo of the little girl with her kitten that I wanted to use was copyrighted so I did the next best thing and drew my own. Glad you liked the story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You drew that picture? Wow, that’s incredible.
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Guilty. Thank you.
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Happy birthday Rochelle!
I’m glad to be back with a story on FF after all this while. That’s quite an assortment of knick knacks you’ve stored away. Would love to hear the story behind each piece 🙂
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Dear Rishal,
Glad to have you back. Maybe someday I’ll do a separate blog on that shadow box. With the exception of a few, each item does have its own story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Shall look forward to it then 🙂
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A nice soft one this week I see…many happy returns! A nice time for a story plucked from memory lane, but the tornadoes must be quite an experience…
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Dear Managua,
Some of it’s memory, some of it’s plain old story tellin’. It did bring back a lot of memories for me. But I’m in a reflective space today. Thank you for coming by and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy Birthday! Happy Rosh Hashanah too! Nice to have a kind of happy ending for your birthday. I am afraid that mine did not fare so well…
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Dear Lindaura,
Thank you for the birthday and Rosh Hashanah wishes. I’m sorry to hear your birthday wasn’t as happy. 😦
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Sad this story contains elements of your hometown, but glad of the good ending! By the way, the Twilight Zone television set caught my eye (best show ever) 🙂 Have a great birthday and vacation!
Peace,
Shainbird
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Dear Shainbird,
Happily, Ruskin Heights was rebuilt and no trace of the devastation remains. I’m excited to see what different stories will come from my little collection of artifacts. Thanks for the birthday wishes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Just popping in while I wait for the water to boil for my tea and for Bill to come down for breakfast. Many happy returns and may your own story always have the happy ending that your lovely FF did! 🙂
janet
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Dear Janet,
Thanks for popping in before tea, breakfast and Bill with birthday wishes.It’s a good day for a happy ending. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Storms are always followed by soothing rains.
Enjoyed your narration and perspective of the tragedy in 1957.
Shalom 🙂
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Dear YS,
Even thought it was a very long time ago, the impressions of that day stuck with me. Glad you liked the story.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy Happy ! !
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Thank you, Thank you!
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Cute story. That looks like an original Fiesta milk pitcher. They are valuable and expensive these days to buy new (reproductions). My mom had one just like it. I collect little antique milk creamers and pitchers and pick up some here and there at flea markets or garage sales. Of course I love antiques of all kinds. 🙂 The milk creamers have a rich history too, as was the cream served in them. 🙂
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Dear Joyce,
Glad you like my story. Yes, the pitcher is an original. I used to have a whole bag of those creamers from my dad’s restaurant but lost them all. Years later I found two at a swap meet. I remember filling them at the restaurant and then sticking the little cardboard circles on top. Lot of good memories in those things.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! This is so heartwarming and true?!! I love it. I love that little kitty and that dear little girl! And if I could draw like you, I’d never use another stock photo again! LOL! Have a very Happy Birthday Rochelle! 😀
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Dear Linda,
I actually took elements of two true stories and wove them into another one entirely. True Story #1: I was four-and-a-half in 1957. My dad owned a restaurant and I did fill the little glass creamers.
True Story #2: A six year old who lived in Ruskin Heights had a kitten that survived the storm.
Happy you liked the story and my sketch. And if it rings true I’ve been successful as a story teller.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A delightful tale about a determined little girl.
Happy Birthday Rochelle!!!
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Dear Leslie,
Thank you on both counts.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy Birthday Rochelle. A great job as always. I love the picture of the pitcher. Have fun today.
Tom
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Dear Tom,
Thanks for dropping by with nice things to say.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy birthday! Enjoyed your story as usual!
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Dear Lisa,
Thank you on both counts.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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happy birthday, rochelle!! 🙂 a lovely story. i love the girl with her kitty as well. and i hope you have an awesome vacation. 🙂
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Dear kz,
Thank you for the birthday wishes and the story comments. Glad you like the sketch. I might have to include sketches more often. 😉
shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy birthday! Great story and amazing picture of the girl with the kitty!
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Dear Draliman,
Thank you on all three counts. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sweet, funny story with great intuition about cats!!!
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Thanks Ed. Did you live in Ruskin Heights in 1957?
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Happy Birthday! Hope your day turns out as well as the story. 😉
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Thank you Miss KZebra. So far so good. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy birthday Rochelle. I can imagine that was a scary experience to deal with as a girl. So glad everything turned out well for you and the kitty.
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Dear Joe,
This story is fiction. The only part of it that’s true for me is the part about filling glass creamers in my dad’s restaurant. Fortunately the only things that are part of my own memory are the yellow-green sky and the panic in the radio announcer’s voice. But if this rang true for you as a reader, then I’e succeeded as an author.
Thanks for the birthday wishes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy Birthday, and have a great holiday. I really liked the sweet apearance of the cat. A real feel good story which was far from what I came up with…
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Dear Bjön,
Thank you for the good wishes. Glad you liked my story. I guess I can’t write all dark ones, can I? (Actually I write what the voices tell me. 🙂 ) I’ll be reading yours soon.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy birthday Rochelle and thanks for the happy ending story 🙂
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Dear Dawn,
Thank you for the birthday greetings. Consider the happy ending my birthday present. 🙂
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle,
I remember those creamers and I’ve found and bought a couple to help remember when mom and dad used to let me drink them when we went out to eat. And I was only 34 at the time. Just kidding, I was just a kid. Liked the happy ending to your story and thought centering it around the Ruskin tornado was creative. I just read an account of that same storm in a bio of Sam Walton. He owned a variety story that was wiped out by the twister. Coincidences are weird, or maybe they’re not coincidental at all. Maybe there’s a pattern to our lives. Naw!!! Ron
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Dear Ron,
Your comment has me laughing. Glad to know those creamers hold significance for another baby boomer.
I didn’t know about Sam Walton. A lot of stories around the RH tornado. I agree, there’s a pattern.
Thanks for dropping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A really nice take on a pretty dreadful event. The contrast between the horror and the ‘awww’ was lovely. Well done and hope you had a lovely day. xx
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Dear Sandra,
It’s always a pleasure to receive your comments, particularly when they’re good ones. 😉 It was a good birthday. I suppose any of them celebrated this side of the grass can be considered good ones, yes?
shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy Birthday, Rochelle!
This is a neat photo, full of a variety to spark ideas. I like your story, too — a happy ending to what must be a very scary time, when a twister touches down. And a nice tip to The Wizard of Oz with Glinda as the character’s name!
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Dear Dave,
I’m happy the wind carried you here. Glad you caught the Wizard of Oz references. Fortunately, our neighborhood wasn’t effected by the storm. So many horror stories connected. The kitten story, captured me. Really did happen for a little girl in Ruskin Heights.
I’m pleased you liked the picture which has special significance for me.
Thanks and Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hope you had a HAPPY BIRTHDAY Rochelle!
I loved this flash, the descriptions you manage to intersperse the dialogue with are vivid and make it a great read.
I also enjoyed a happy ending 🙂
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Dear Neens,
It was a good birthday. And the celebration continues the rest of this week. ;). I’m warmed by your comments. It seemed like the right time for a happy ending.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Birthdays should last a week – mine always do 😉
Love that it seemed like the right time for a happy ending, me too!
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Happy birthday, darling, and many more. This was a lovely reminiscence.
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Dear Helena,
Only part reminiscence but 85% fiction. Thanks for the birthday wishes and compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I loved that the kitten’s name was Spike. Toughness midst fragility. Reminds us that even a twister can’t take away a place called home. Great story
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Dear Dana,
I’m so pleased you picked up on the kitten’s name. And for your comments I humbly say thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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I am running out of superlatives to describe your stories. but this was one of my favourites. I just sit and scratch my head at how you manage to leave me feeling full and satisfied with such a tiny bite. 🙂
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Dear JWD.
I’m smiling all over. Happy to serve. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Gotta love the true ones best.
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/friday-fictioneers-962013-bits-of-life-rated-pg13-genre-horror/
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Thank you, Scott. Glad you liked.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Melba,
The cream always rises to the top just like your stories. BTW, did they name those little toast crackers after you?
– Ronnie
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Dear Ronnie,
What a rich and wonderful comment. I hope those dry, tasteless things weren’t named after me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Super drawing, Rochelle, and a lovely, happy-ever-after story (for the kitty, if not for the house – ouch!) It’s good to be back in Fictioneerland for a week!
Hope you had a really happy birthday. 🙂
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Dear Joanna,
Although based on fact, this is a work of fiction. Although there was a little girl in RH whose kitten survived the tornado.
As with any birthday celebrated this side of the sod, it was a good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Cats always come back, Rochelle (sadly, for my allergies). I think a cat named Spike might be around forever lapping up cream! A very sweet story.
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Dear Denmother,
I actually am allergic to cats, too. Although I’ve had some I could tolerate. Glad you got the Spike connection. And I’m happy you liked the story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy birthday, again! Nice touch and a happy ending. My first dog wandered off when we moved to a new place, and I still get teary-eyed over it. Glad this little girl got her kitty back.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/memory-lane/
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Dear Maggie,
Thanks for the birthday wishes. Funny how those pets are like family. I’ve lost a few who still live in my heart. The happy ending is based on an actual incident in the RH tornado. Happy findings in research. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happiest of birthdays, Rochelle, and thank you for the Happy Ending this week =)
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Dear Troy,
You’re most welcome and thanks for the BD greetings.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy birthday Rochelle. Hope you have a lovely holiday 😉
Loved the story with the happy ending – for Spike and the little girl at least 🙂
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Dear Nada,
I’m sure it wasn’t a happy ending for Glinda’s parents. Glad you picked up on that. Thanks for the holiday and birthday greetings.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It seems we have something in common Rochelle. My dad’s place was called The Olde Travelers. I didn’t fill the creamers but I did start washing dishes when I was 10.
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Dear Joe,
My dad’s place was called “Bob’s Place.” I did wait tables at 8. So much for child labor laws. 😉 I enjoyed the attention and the tips. (I should say I helped wait tables.)
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved your story this week! I want to take this moment to apologize for mine this week. I meant well. I am just not a poet, but I do try. I hope you will enjoy your birthday present from me to you this week. If nothing else it should give you a chuckle. Happy Birthday kind lady! 🙂
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Dear Jackie,
Glad you liked the story. You have nothing to apologize for, sweet girl. I enjoyed the poem and even printed it off to tuck away in my notebook that I keep of my flash fictions. A very special gift. Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank You! Rochelle, I’m glad you liked it, I enjoyed writing it. You have always been kind in your comments to me and I wanted you to know I appreciate it. 🙂
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I’m glad Spike made it.
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Dear Phyllis,
Me too. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Happy Birthday!! Yes, don’t spend it all on FF. I hope you have a fun celebration. I’m sorry to hear about the tornado. Mother Nature is fierce and so powerful. I thought it was brilliant how you incorporated the milk containers into your story and that it ended happily. I went with happy this week, too. It’s a beautiful box of memories.
Amy
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Dear Amy,
Ironically, I’ve had plenty of time to write and keep up with FF–more than when I’m working full time and trying to maintain on the side.
Fortunately, for my family anyway, we weren’t greatly effected by the tornado. The creamer story is autobiographical, but the rest is fiction.
Sometimes happy is good.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy Birthday and thanks so much for the Friday inspiration! I thoroughly enjoyed your story. When I lived in MO I was so worried something would happen to my cat if a tornado hit. Thankfully my house was not hit by one so that worry was unwarranted. I did attempt to join this weeks challenge, but not sure I submitted it right! Hopefully it gets to you.
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Dear LadyHarvey,
You did a fine job submitting. It is okay to copy and paste the photo prompt into your blog.That way your readers will see your inspiration.
Thankfully I’ve never suffered a tornado’s devastation.
Thanks for the birthday greetings.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
I loved your sketch and just wish i could manage something half as good – I have difficulty drawing a straight line!
Loved your story too, for the feel good factor after the terrors of the twister – one thing we don’t have to worry about here in the UK.
Hope you enjoyed your Special Day and welcome to the 40 Again Club…
Take care
Dee
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Dear Dee,
I was a visual artist before discovering my passion for written art. Actually I can’t draw a straight line very well either. 😉
Glad you liked the story. And thanks for the birthday wishes.
shalom,
Rochelle
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I enjoyed the prompt and enjoyed your story. It is a reminder that a child’s faith is powerful stuff. And a kitten named Spike sounds like he’d be tough. I hope your birthday was extra special.
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Dear Erin,
I liked the irony of naming a kitten Spike and he did prove to be tough, didn’t he? Glad you enjoyed the prompt and my story. I guess at this stage, every birthday topside is a good one. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sweet, sweet, SWEEEET!
BTW, I DID see the picture as you painted it … I FOUND THE FACE!
Figures … I had to see it all BIG and up close so I could catch the detail. I almost gasped out loud, it was an excellent discovery! Awesome drawing.
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Dear Kent,
Methinks someone needs reading glasses. 😉 Glad you liked my story and my sketch.
shalom,
Rochelle
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You remember I couldn’t see it very well when you showed it to me on the iPhone, it was too small. And, yes, I have reading glasses already. I needed to see it BIG, not just “clearly.”
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I know that. 😉 I plan to start including more sketches with the stories. As one rope said to another rope, “why knot?”
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Barrump BUMP! psssh!
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Glad the tornado missed your neighborhood (and your pets)–I’ve had twisters pass close by but never a full-blown tornado. Twisters are bad enough. Congratulations on a feel-good story for your special birthday.
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Love a sweet story! I’m thinking you probably were the F5 and that was your Birthday… I’m sure you had the same dramatic effect on the town.
I love looking at those shadow boxes. My son-in-law has a couple… full of memories. What’s up with the 1-A-Day?
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Oh yeah, Belated YHS to Randy!
BTW…nice Drawing Rochelle.
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Dear Ted,
Me? An F5? Hmmm…well, I’ve had a reputation, from a young age, of being something of a drama queen. I know that’s hard t believe, right?
Notice the style of the 1-A-Day bottle. When was the last time you saw one of those? It’s nostalgia. 😉
Glad you like the drawing, too. I’m thinking I might start including some sketches from time to time.
Glad you’re back.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That kind of event does stay with one for life. Enjoyed your story.
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Dear Patti,
I’m grateful to this day that the impressions of the sky and radio are the only things that stayed with me. Glad you enjoyed.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a lovely and heartening story. Many happy (very belated) returns. Hope you have a great day and vacation.
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Dear Sarah Ann,
I’m glad you liked my story. It was fun to write it, including some of my own memories. Alas, it’s back to work tomorrow. Been a good long break.
shalom
Rochelle
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I’m back… http://tedstrutz.com/2013/09/09/friday-fictioneers-game-time/
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Going to read. Hope you link on the list so others will read, too.
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Never mind.
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I’m a sucker for stories like this. Something similar happened this year. An elderly woman was sifting around the ruins that once was her home for her little dog. He’d been missing in the rubble for 2 days. She was being interviewed on camera and her little dog popped out! I admit it – I cried buckets! You did this very well in only 100 words.
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Dear Ann,
I I’d seen that film interview I’m sure I’d have crying, too. Than you for your kind comments.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks sharing
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You’re most welcome.
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God bless
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