The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Let it ignite the flames of your imagination. Then, tell me a story in one-hundred words or less.
PHOTO PROMPT -Copyright – Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
FIRE IN THE HOLE
Two months ago my husband bought a dehydrator, a nifty gadget that reduces ten pounds of apples to less than a pound of mummified slices in a matter of hours.
“Think of the money we’ll save,” said Jeff.
“Seriously?” I rolled my eyes.
The final straw broke when he dehydrated jalapeños.
A short time later the dog begged to be let out. With my howling baby tucked under one arm and a handkerchief over my stinging nose I blindly kicked open the front door.
It took a week to fumigate the house. It’ll take longer to let Jeff back in.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
The wife peeled and chopped ten pounds of onions for home-made chili sauce. Our oldest male cat loudly complained until we turned on the ceiling fan. Well done! You’ve grasped somebody’s reality. 🙂
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Dear Archon,
Your story reminds me of the time my dad made chili and it was so hot that when he gave some to our Beagle she stepped back and barked at it.
Actually this story is based on somebody’s reality…mine. 😉 Although I didn’t kick my husband out.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😀
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Rochelle, That was hilarious. 😀 This was a different genre than your usual, but it was well written as always. I think the dried hot peppers they sell here are dried in the sun. That’s less hazardess. 🙂 —Susan
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Dear Susan,
I love to try new things. However dehydrating jalapeños in the house should never have been one of them. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hahaha I love that.
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Dear Al,
Thanks for the laugh. Glad you liked it. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved It.
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Humour, albeit wry, from the master.
AnElephant pictures the scene and poor Jeff’s chagrin.
Wonderful.
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Dear Elephant,
Jeff will have time to make amends just as soon as his wife’s eyes stop burning. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Poor Jeff, a man doomed to repeat this adventure and many other similar ones I can tell. Very well-imagined story, Rochelle, with the peppers, and adding the baby too, just to highlight his ”cleverness”!
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Dear Hamish,
Well some of it’s imagined and some of it is memory. 😉 My eyes still burn when I think of it.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s a good thing Jeff was caught in time, I heard that the garlic, onions, asparagus, cabbage, and all the near-to-rotting veggies that he wanted to save – were all next.
In fact, Jeff’s wife might have just saved the world.
Randy
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Dear Randy,
Believe me those four would not be as bad. 😉 Jalapeños in the air suck the oxygen and replace it with noxious fiery fumes.
Thank you.
Shalom and yom huledet samayach tomorrow,
Rochelle
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Happy B-day to you too. 😉
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Reminds me of other thing not to do..
Boiling huge quantities of cabbage.
Saving on dog food by cooking it yourself
Ferment your own herring.
I think I make a post-it and put on the fridge as a reminder.
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Good things to remember, Björn. Although I do make my own gravlax and it comes out nice every time. Not sure how that compares to fermenting your own herring. 😉
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A fun tale of domestic disharmony 🙂 I shall bear it in mind if I ever buy a dehydrator…
Siobhán
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Dear Siobhán,
Definitely keep it in mind. Some things aren’t meant to dehydrate indoors. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think that the last sentence told the most. There are things that needs to be compensated for.. I love the dry humor of this. I guess it will be a while before the heat is off Jeff.
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Dear Björn,
It was a live and learn moment in time.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is the first laugh of my day today. Very well done.
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Dear Indira,
Glad it made you laugh. That was my intention.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
As Bjorn has already noted, the dry humour in this stands out. Don’t want too think too hard on what is real and what is made up , but loved your take on your take on your photo this week.
Well done
Best wishes
Dee
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Oops, too many takes…
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Dear Dee,
If the story works I guess it doesn’t matter what’s real and what’s fiction, does it? 😉 Glad you liked it.
Thank you,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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HAHAHAHAHAHA! Seems to me I’ve heard that song before. 😀 Great!
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Second verse, same as the first. ¡Gracias!
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PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Hope you have a great day x
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Thank you, Dee. So far so good. 😀
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How funny! Dehydrating jalapenos! We dehydrated onions once, took week to get the odor out of our clothes – now we do it outside on the porch.
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Dear Alicia,
Some things just shouldn’t be prepared indoors, should they?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, Jeff. Live and learn. I enjoyed my chuckle, courtesy of your clever pen. I hear you have a birthday soon? Happy Birthday, dear Rochelle.
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Dear Gina,
As I write, the birthday is happening. 😉 September 4. Happy to make you chuckle.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha! Yeah probably not a great idea for an enclosed space.
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Dear Anne,
Definitely not in an enclosed space. It was a small house.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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lol Rochelle. My boyfriend loves experimenting with stuff in the kitchen. I think I just caught a glimpse of my future. very funny piece 🙂
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oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 🙂
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Dear K.Z.
Forewarned is forearmed. 😉 Don’t let him do it! Glad to make you laugh.
Thank you for the birthday wishes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s a crying shame about those peppers!! Reminds me of the time our friends were over for a tapas party and Nate fixed some shrimp that caused such heat (both in the sense of the smoke detector going off and in eyes watering) that all of us had to open every window and leave the kitchen for ages.
Happy, jalapeno-free birthday, my friend,
janet
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Dear Janet,
That must’ve been some party. Sounds similar to our jalapeño experience. 😉
Thank you for the comment and the birthday wish. (Not sure if I can have Jalapeños or not. Hmmmm)
shalom,
Rochelle
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This made me laugh (sorry it probably shouldn’t as based in fact)!
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By all means you should laugh, Louise. We certainly did…even at the time. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Funny suits you. Great story.
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Thank you, Loré. 😀
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Haha! Oh, that’s brilliant. You gave me a good laugh with this one. Loved this, Rochelle. 😀
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Dear Eric,
Always happy to make you laugh…unless, of course, my aim was to make you cry. 😉
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Based on the comments, this looks like a true story. In any case, it feels like one, and a lovely slice of life quite different from your usual style. I’m back, I’m reading and (as always) I started with you because I know I’m going to get something good here.
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Dear Jen,
Welcome back.
Most of the story is true. I didn’t lock my husband out. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS Going to go answer your retro-comments. You didn’t have to do that. 😉
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I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. I enjoy reading your stories and missed them while I was away. You don’t have to reply though, you should be putting your feet up and eating cake! Happy Birthday!
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Dear Rochelle, This is so funny – poor Jeff and isn’t the truth that when (sometimes) men figure out how to do something – they go overboard and do way too much! Poor doggie, Poor baby and poor mom – I wouldn’t let Jeff back in for awhile either. Good story and hilarious Rochelle! Nan 🙂
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Dear Nan,
It’s always happy to laugh at a husband’s expense isn’t it? 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh! Hahaha! Such a great piece blending reality with fiction. Sounds like Jeff is going to need that campfire for a while.
I think Nan added a great historical note: best not to forget about some people learning something new and then going overboard.
Hope you enjoyed your vacation. Welcome back!
Ellespeth
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Dear Ellespeth,
I’m loving all the laughter. In truth, I never kicked my husband out and we did find the humor in it at the time.
The vacation was one of the best ever.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Great piece! I detect a bit of humor here. Hee hee. Maybe Jeff can return when the sting in gone! Oh, that hurts! I’ve felt that with an accidental rub around the eye with jalapenoed fingers. Welcome back…although you didn’t really leave. I hope you had a nice visit with your son.
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Dear Amy,
It was a sting to remember. Although we really could laugh about it at the time, it was too good not to write about.
I had a magnificent visit with my son.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Absolutely well written — and so sorry that part of it is based on truth – yours. Indeed, some foods are dangerous when prepared certain ways …. my stomach is roiling at the thought of the smell. You’ve painted a very clear picture Rochelle!
Shallom!
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Dear Pat,
Well the truth part is that we did dehydrate jalapeños and they did pollute the air. 😉 But as a writer it’s fun to tweak the truth, isn’t it?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a timely story…. my friends and I canned salsa yesterday and this morning I decided to put on the same shirt I wore while canning…. yikes… luckily I sniffed before I left the house. Your story is wonderful and confirms everything I have learned so far about husbands.
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Dear Ruth,
Once you’ve been married to one of those husband critters any length of time you kind of notice their similarities and quirks. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very Clever!
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Thank you, Shandra. 😀
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although i don’t think he meant any harm, i wonder what would be next in the agenda. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
He didn’t mean any harm. 😉 Live and learn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh good heavens — this must have felt like everyone was dying!
But I bet it’s funny now, right (years later)?
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Dear Jen,
It was actually funny at the time. The real story is that we started the dehydrator and left for the day, thinking the peppers would be done when we returned. What a shock! I couldn’t resist writing a story around it.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, that’s what they call a “learning experience” right? 😉
All the best —
Jen
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We get much the same reaction when my son-in-law is making his famous chilli sauce!
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Dear Liz,
Does this mean his sauce is famous for burning mucous membranes?
Thank you for commenting. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As I read this, I thought that somehow it rang true, and then I scrolled down the comments, and it is based on reality. Very funny. Boys and their gadgets, eh?
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Dear Claire,
They say you should write what you know. 😉 Of course I upped the ante on the drama of the moment.
Boys and their gadgets indeed. We have a garage full of cast off boy-toys. They were once cutting edge had to have pieces of technology. Now they’re dust collectors that we can’t get rid of because they might have a use someday. Am I the only one?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had a first husband who was like that – had to have the latest thing, which then gathered dust. My second husband is the other extreme, anything I’m not holding down will be liable to be chucked away!
Claire
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I think you know this is brilliant. But, it can’t hurt to let you know. Funniest thing I’ve read in days. By the way, I have to agree, jalapenos should come with a warning label. I have to cut them wearing gloves or suffer the irritating consequences.
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Dear Kirizar,
Always nice to hear such lovely compliments. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This sounds EXACTLY like something my husband would do. Pop chillies in the blender and expect the world to be all hunky-dory 😉 Rochelle, one of your finest 😀 I haven’t laughed so hard in a while!
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Dear Shailaja,
This seems to be a universal guy thing, doesn’t it? Happy make you laugh.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Clever and funny piece this week, Rochelle. Interestingly, I first read this that she had freeze dried her husband (hence the smell and burning eyes). Then, I realized that this wasn’t your style, and the words came together in an entirely different, funnier story. Strange how we can see such different things from the same story!
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Dear Dawn,
Perhaps she was tempted to freeze dry him, but no, she didn’t. 😉
Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂 I love it that you used the photo prompt symbolically vs. literally!! Cute (and true??) story!
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Dear Grace,
I usually steer away from using the prompt as a illustration. 😉 And some parts of the story are true, some aren’t. The beauty of writing fiction is taking an event and turning it on its ear.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lol very good made me laugh.
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Thank you, Justine. 😀
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That was funny, hilariously creative, and pitch-perfect.
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Thank you, Vijaya. 😀
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Very funny! I know how hot those peppers are. The first time I handled some, I washed my hands very well, I thought before I put my contact lenses in. Well, they had to come out right away.
Lily
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Dear Lily,
As a contact lens wearer myself, your story made my eyes burn. 😯
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Someone’s in the Kitchen with Dinah,
I ground dried cayannes in the Vita-mix once. Filled the room with pepper fog. Not a pleasant experience for man or beast.
– Roasted
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Dear Roasted,
I really hope you’re kidding. 😉
Thanks for commenting.
Shalom,
D. Short (er than most)
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LOL!! Oh dear, that’s awful. I can feel my eyes stinging just to think of it.
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Dear Alice,
It was a burning experience. 😉 Laughter was my aim this week. Happy to have hit the target.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Funny! Poor Jeff. He sounds like one of those blokes who gets a new toy and can’t resist “pushing the envelope” 🙂
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Dear Ali,
I think it might be a male trait, but then I tend to do that sometimes so perhaps not. 😉 Jeff most definitely is.
Thanks for laughing and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Poor dog! They’ll eat anything! A great down-to-earth story Rochelle. I’ve been away from Friday Fictioneers for a while and it’s so good to be back!
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Haha I just realised I read this completely wrong! Can you tell I have a Labrador? My first thought when the dog begs to be let out is uh-oh… what’s he eaten? The story works well that way too 🙂
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Dear Jessie,
I think it’s dog nature to eat everything although I’ve heard that Labradors are particularly bad about it. 😉 Glad my story made you laugh. Mission accomplished.
Welcome back.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
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The highest compliment is to be reblogged. Thank you, Ugirid
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Ha ha! My husband bought a dehydrator a couple years ago! We haven’t tried jalapeños yet. Now I know not to. 🙂
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Dear Lisa,
I wouldn’t advise it. 😉
Thanks for laughing and commenting.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Money-saving turned out to be a bad idea, Rochelle 🙂
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Dear Anita,
it’s not always about the money, is it? 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, definitely not! 🙂
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This is my second time here…do let me know what you feel:)
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Cute story, Rochelle! I love the title and “mummified slices.” Using mummified in reference to food is awesome. The first time I ever used jalapeños in cooking, I burned my hands. Lesson learned; don’t touch the flesh with bare skin. They aren’t even that hot, but I had to ice my hands for hours after.
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Dear Lisa,
You’re the first one to mention the title. 😀 I really like jalapeños but they can be wicked.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha! Ha! We got kangaroo mince for our dog once and boiled it. The fans and the exhaust had to run for a very long time before the stench was purged. Maybe it was just a bad batch but I haven’t been game to try that again.
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And yes wish you a very happy birthday and a great year ahead.
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Dear Subroto,
Kangaroo mince sounds awful. I don’t think I’d try it again. Thank you for the birthday greetings along with your laughter and comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another greatest idea shot down by reality. Poor husbands, you gotta give it to them for never giving up.
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Dear Dawn,
You know what they say, “You can tell the men from the boys by the price of their toys.” 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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my eyes wanted to water up just reading about this disaster…a consolation for the fumes would be if it also worked as an insect fumigation treatment. zap the bugs down! ha-ha! great story and lesson in what not to dehydrate. 🙂
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Dear Sun,
I hadn’t thought of it as a way to get rid of insects. I don’t recall whether or not it did I just remember the burn in the air and the eyes. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Teary eyes,running nose…I just don’t want to be reminded of these but here i couldn’t stop smiling:)
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Dear Anu,
I’m happy that my story inspired smiling and not teary eyes.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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