The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT, a cool picture for hot days, depending on your side of the globe. Where does it take you? Tell us in a hundred words or less.
PHOTO PROMPT © Dee Lovering
Genre: Science Friction
Word Count: 100
YOUNGER DRYAS
“The weatherman says we can expect another six inches of global warming tonight.” Kent knelt and shaped a mound of wet snow into a ball. Then he stood and let it fly. “Look out, Taffy. Here comes some of your greenhouse effect!”
The snowball splattered against the back of Taffy’s head and ice rolled down her neck. She spun around. “How can you ignore what’s happening right under your nose?”
“Climate change? Hooey and hogwash!”
Taffy bent and dug a conch shell from a knee-high drift. “Doesn’t this weather strike you as being a bit odd for Florida in mid-July?”
.
.
.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
We didn’t see any snow at all in East Anglia this winter, and me with my newly acquired snow-grip clip-on soles. Still maybe I’ll get to use them next month. 🙂 Nice story Rochelle, it’s hard to write about snow at this time of the year but you found a perfect way of coping with this. Well done!
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Dear Sandra,
Coming from Dee, I thought this picture was taken in Europe until a friend who’d lived in New York City for some time informed me it was Central Park. Who knew? And I’ve been through Central Park myself.
Thank you for such a nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hey, skiing in Key West, who would have thunk it?
Funny story with a serious message, cleverly done.
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Dear CE,
I always appreciated your comments and support. Scary prospects in any case.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes indeed. Folk keep saying “global warming”. If the Gulf Stream reverses, Britain will freeze! Just take a look at a map and see the places we share latitude with.
Good piece.
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Dear Mick,
Glad you liked my story and stopped by to say so. As for global warming…the climates, they are a-changing.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Like this a lot. Well played, Rochelle.
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Dear Peter,
I lift my coffee cup as a gesture of thanks.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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If it starts snowing in locations like Florida, where are all the retired people going to move to? Good story and well written again, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
I suppose retired people could go to Canada where it might be balmy by then.
Thank you for your generous comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, it’s snowing in Australia. 🙂 Good story, always a hard subject.
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Dear Loré,
I’d expect it to be snowing in Australia now. 😉 Glad you liked my story.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I sense the Day after Tomorrow within this. From what I have heard, if the Gulf Stream changes then the UK and other countries within the northern hemisphere will freeze over… great…
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Dear Francesca,
Changes in weather patterns are disturbing. At any rate I had fun writing this, based on two good friends of mine.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonder if the way we’re heading, we’ll face this sooner rather than later. Witty story with a wonderful ending. 🙂 I like it!
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Dear Leo,
Who knows where we’re headed? I’m a tad nervous about it myself.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know some people like that. In Florida especially.
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Dear J Hardy
Don’t we all? Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great picture for this heat wave! When it gets this hot I always feel like it will never be cold again and vice versa. Agreed, highly suspicious weather for Florida. Also, I know people who are “climate change deniers” who say similar things – if it’s global warming then how come and it’s like – sigh. Stay frosty Rochelle!
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Dear Anne,
There’s no denying the changes in weather patterns in recent years, no matter which side of the debate you’re on.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As always, a great story as well as history lesson. I love your ending twists and always try to envision where you are going. Sometimes I am close. Most of the time, way off. Love it. I would write more but I need to go chop some more firewood. It’s getting harder to find here in Beliz, and I’m getting cold.
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Dear Jan,
Thank you for writing to us from the future. Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ouch! I thought the picture was Europe too, but why not NY… or indeed Florida. Climate change is going to mix us all up by the end.
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Dear Jennifer,
It’s not what you’re looking at, right? 😉 Weather patterns are already getting crazy.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh the irony. It freezes us.
Dear Rocehelle,
Clicking your link brought heaps of knowledge and understanding. I had never heard of the Younger Dryas before. Once again, thank you for teaching me something new!
Shalom,
Lynda
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Dear Lynda,
I had never heard of Younger Dryas either. I happened on it in a list of Climate Change terminology and decided it was the perfect title. Glad to share my new found knowledge.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
If the photo was taken in the Southern Hemisphere, this snow would be right on time. As for the Northern Hemisphere, your story is timely as well as well-crafted.
Peace,
Marie Gail
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Dear Marie Gail,
Timing is everything. 😉 Thank you for your generous compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story Rochelle! Our summer weather has been very different this year in the Four Corners USA.
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Dear Joy,
I can’t say that Missouri’s weather has been much different. Always hot and muggy. However my friend in New Mexico is dealing with high humidity which is very unusual for that part of the country.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It is unusual to have high humidity in the Southwest. I wonder where in New Mexico she lives. Southern part? I have noticed that the summer has not been as hot as it normally is plus we have gotten more rain this year (could be why she is experiencing high humidity). I hope you are able to beat the heat in Missouri this summer.
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Las Cruces.
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Oh yes, way southern.
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The two main character types in the global warming debate: one concerned and one un-concerned – well potrayed with playful craft. Learning a lot from you Rochelle 🙂
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Dear Ansumani,
Thank you for your kind comments. You’ve started my day with a smile.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good story, but I’m not getting into the global warming/climate change debate. 🙂
janet
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Dear Janet,
Nor shall I. 😉
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
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Good one! If things keep going as they seem to be, this will be more like non-fiction and Florida will be all ocean-front property! 😦
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Dear Lorna,
I think you mean it will be ocean-bottom property. At any rate, the prospects are frightening.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Quite right!
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Excellent story, Rochelle! Thank you for writing about this with your usual grace and humor. Love the “Hooey and hogwash” line — and yet, it alarms me so much. Too many people with their heads in the sand who are in positions of power in industry and such.
(On a side note: Everyone should read this article on James Hansen’s upcoming publication of his study on global sea level rise due to Climate Change:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/07/20/sea_level_study_james_hansen_issues_dire_climate_warning.html)
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Dear Vijaya,
This was fun to write, but at the same time, frightening. The article you shared is a good one and gives us much to think about.
Thank you for taking the time to read and leave nice comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha ha! There seem to be a lot of snow-out-of-season stories this week, but this one made me laugh with the Florida ending!
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Dear Lisa,
The out of season snow stories don’t surprise me in the slightest. 😉
I’m pleased that mine made you laugh.
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely, and gentle way, to extract an interesting controversy from a compelling picture. Love your take on this weeks picture.
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Thank you, Alicia. I’m glad you liked my take. I really had fun with it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A little shocking for the conch too, I’m sure! 😉
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Caerlynn. I think the conch was flash frozen. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Unfortunately, there’s too many folks saying “hooey and hogwash.” By the time people realize the scientists (who specialize in understanding such things) were right all along, it’ll be too late to do anything about it. Positive feedback loops will create a runaway effect. Perhaps by the time Taffy grows up, we’ll have woken up. A very conscious and aware story as always, Rochelle!
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Dear Eric,
I’m not so sure it’s not too late now. Although I have mixed feelings about the subject, it’s hard to deny what humans have done to the planet and also hard to deny that it doesn’t have bearing on climate.
Actually Taffy and Kent are adults even though they act like children in the story. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It might be. Those feedback loops are wicked. There’s Methane being released from the Siberian permafrost right now, and all because the permafrost is melting when it shouldn’t.
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People believe what they want to believe.
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True story, Dawn. Thank you for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can see this, Rochelle, unfortunately. People will be shoveling snow off Disneyworld and scoffing global warming at the same time simply because they’re not using the term climate change. There’s a great capacity for self-delusion. Great use of the prompt. I hope all is well in KC.
-David
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Dear David,
I really didn’t understand how the two were related until an erudite friend explained it to me in terms I could understand. Funny you should mention Disneyworld, I almost used it as a setting but didn’t have enough words.
Kansas City is having very normal weather for this time of year. Hot and humid. At this writing my countdown is 39 working days. 😀
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nicely said in your very gentle way.
Tracey
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Thank you, Tracey.
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I love it! Science “Friction” indeed.
That said, I used to joke that here in Quebec Canada, we’ll start growing palm trees whilst down in Florida, they’ll be shovelling snow…
Global warming will have to be taken seriously eventually by all those pish-poshers.
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Dear Dale,
You get the prize for picking up on my “genre.” 😀 I wonder how many thought it was a typo if they noticed it at all.
I’ve been a naysayer with global warming, but now I’m not so sure. A friend of mine moved to New Mexico for the dryer air. Now she’s suffering with the terrible humidity they’re having. Hm?
Meanwhile, our weather in Missouri’s pretty normal for this time of year. Hot and muggy.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yay! It popped right out at me!
I know what you mean. In our Eastern Townships region, there were never the horrid black flies we have up north. Now? They are there!
Montreal is hot and humid too.
Have a marvellous day!
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How well you delivered your message in a sweet little story with a sting in its tail! 🙂
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Thank you, Joyfulness. 😀
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Still chuckling over that Science Friction 🙂
I really liked your use of sarcasm in this one – its the perfect mocking tone used by sceptics – contrasted nicely with unusual timing of the snow… Nice work.
KT
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Dear KT,
I love it that you picked up on my “genre.” I wondered if anyone thought it was a typo if they noticed at all. You have a keen eye.
Thank you for your kind, non-sarcastic comments. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What Jolly said! I’ve heard about Younger Dryas, but didn’t know much about it. Thanks for the link. Your story is very well executed. I love the line, “Here comes some of your greenhouse effect!” Ha. So long as it snows, we’re all just fine, right? Never mind all those droughts. 🙂 Great story, Rochelle.
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Dear Amy,
I guess you’re no stranger to drought these days.
I just learned of Younger Dryas in digging for my story. Glad you liked it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story and very topical. We almost went the same way this week, though mine turned out to have a different cause.
I like how you built up gradually, mentioning global warming, then the conch shell and finally Florida in the summer.
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Dear Ali,
Maybe it’s really powdered sugar. 😉 Nah.
Glad you liked my story and stopped by to say so.
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
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Global warming is a scary business. Great story.
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Scary indeed. Thank you, Sally.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story! I’ve heard that ‘snow-global warming’ line so often, it’s annoying. The problem with climate change–and scientists–is that there are so many different factors involved that can tweak the micro-climate that you can’t (yet) make absolutely reliable projections, and serious scientists discuss these things, there is no ”Boom, now it is here, boom, now it is not.” I could talk endlessly about this, but I’ll spare you. 😉
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Dear GAH,
There are so many debates about this. My purpose in writing the story was to have a little fun at everyone’s expense. 😉 At any rate I’m glad you liked my story.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well done Rochelle, and I love the information provided in the link. Be well… ^..^
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Thank you, Barb.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The world has become a topsy-turvy place and guess who’s playing along with it…yes, the weatherman. The moment I saw the photo I thought of untimely snowfall at some places but after reading your piece the message was loud and clear. You have again delivered a masterpiece in so less number of words Rochelle.
The problem looks only superficial to some but the effects are being felt subtly and by the time we realize it will be too late for some and for the others it would be “already found another planet to stay”. 🙂
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Dear Norma,
It is indeed a topsy-turvy world.
Thank you for your generous words on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The pleasure was all mine, Rochelle. 🙂
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Fun story, Rochelle, with a nice twist, but stop treading on my turf!
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Dear Perry,
Nice to read your voice on my page. I do enjoy stepping outside my comfort zone every so often. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Carmen,
I wrote and posted my piece before reading yours. I touched on strange weather in both my intro and 100 word story (although two entirely different locales). What a coincidence. Stop by and bring your hat. I’ve been craving a fresh fruit salad.
Best regards,
-Dameon
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Dear Dameon,
Before climate change debates weather was considered a safe subject. Nothing’s sacred or safe anymore. Havabanana.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very good, especially the genre – I had to go back and check it when I had finished the story!
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Dear Hilary,
I’m glad you checked the genre. I thought people might think it was a typo. It’s not. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh – very clever, and that last line is a killer!
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Thank you, Liz. Glad you liked it. One of the most fun writes I’ve had in a while.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love that last line. We had a similar event in Australia last week! crazy weather
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Dear Solo,
Of course, this side of the world is supposed to be warm to hot this time of year. But even that’s been strange in different parts of the country. California’s suffering droughts and “dry” New Mexico is having high humidity.
Glad you liked my story and came by to say so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This one sent me down similar lines of thought.
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Dear Alice,
Great minds think alike.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rocheglublle,
I think this stglubry is splubot on glib, blub…
Ablubglubha,
Glug
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Dglubear Glug,
Maglubhagluglo.
Shagluglom,
Rocheglublle
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Great issue raiser. 1300 years is a bit long for a winter (I clicked).
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Dear Patrick,
Glad you clicked.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for such a good story with a great twist.
I loved how you wrote a message about global warming from my quick snap taken in Central Park NY.
Good story telling as usual and a warning to us all.
Take care
Dee
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Dear Dee,
It seems this subject garners more debate than heed. 😦
Thank you for sharing such a great picture and for your generous compliments on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Some people don’t even want to believe what is melting on their nose!! Excellent tale
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Thank you very much, Samantha. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hola Rochelle,
No snow in Florida … no!!!
I like it just the way it is. HOT !!!! 😄
But, the possibilities are there. It’s unfortunate how destructive we are.
This is another great photo prompt. I hope you enjoy my little story.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Adios,
Isadora
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Hola Isadora,
“We have seen the enemy and he is us.”
Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very creative! I was actually thinking the same thing when I first saw the picture. My mind is very much on a summer timetable right now, so snow was jarring, even in snowyville Illinois.
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Dear Michael,
I’m sure it’s not snowing in Illinois this week. 😉 With all the heat I thought I’d cool things off with Dee’s photo.
Thank you for your kind words re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Being a Floridian and it being 98 yesterday I would almost welcome the snow! Fantastically crafted story. I really enjoyed it!
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Dear WOP,
We’re having heat indices in the triple digits in Missouri so I hear you. 😉
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice twist at the end. It’s such a big issue – I hope those with the knowledge and power to make decisions about such things can begin to work together towards a strategy before it’s too late. Well told, Rochelle. Your characters are appealing.
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Dear Margaret,
Working together on a strategy certainly would beat arguing, wouldn’t it?
Thank you for your complimentary comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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All I know is that I have three winters this year with the travelling between north and south hemisphere…..brr….global warming indeed….Nice story.
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