The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Tell me in a hundred words or less what story this tells you.
Note: There were quite a few who went over 100 words last week and felt that they couldn’t cut the excess without sacrificing their stories. I challenged one writer to cut 20 words and he rose to the occasion with skill. Trust me, it can be done.
Genre: Histrionic Fiction
Word Count: 100
SEPTEMBER 4, 1953
Warmed by the breeze wafting through the open kitchen window, Evalyne read the Kansas City Star headline.
“Florence Chadwick swam the English Channel Friday,” she said and turned from the sports page to the crossword puzzle.
“The same day as our little girl’s birth,” said Bob. “Maybe she’ll beat Miss Chadwick’s record someday.”
“One across—six-letter word for storyteller—author. One down—six-letter word for painter—artist. She might be one of those.”
The baby cried. Bob jumped up, hurried to the next room and returned with their daughter in his arms.
“The future’s wide open for our Princess Rochelle.”
.
***
Adorable then and now!
And the Princess became a multi-talented writer/artist, as shown once again by this little masterpiece.
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Dear C.E.
Your comments have me smiling. I’m glad this came across as masterpiece rather than a shameless ploy to get my birthday acknowledged. Of course every father’s daughter is a princess. Here in the States we refer to that as JAP, Jewish American Princess.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One of my best friends bears that “title”! 😀
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Oh, this is amazing! What a lovely story. Two out of three is great, especially since three is not entirely out of the picture.
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Dear Loré,
Diana Nyad, my personal hero. did swim from Cuba to Florida at the age of 64. However, despite my great love of swimming, I don’t think I’ll be aspiring to that goal.
Thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a lovely little 100 word story! I see that bad ass little girl is still going strong… and those eyes haven’t changed a bit.
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Dear Ted,
That little girl still throws and occasional tantrum, but her dreams haven’t changed. In fact they’re closer than ever.
Thank you for dropping by. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’d have known it was you in the first picture, even without the caption. A fitting story to celebrate your birthday, I hope you have a lovely day. And you certainly embraced the wide open future that your parents predicted. Cheers!
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Dear Sandra,
Have you ever played the game where everyone brings a baby picture and the others have to guess who’s who? Without fail, mine is always spotted. I consider that to be a good thing. 😉
I’d like to think my parents had a conversation like that. Of course, in my daddy’s eyes I could do no wrong.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy birthday Rochelle and have a lovely day.
A beautiful story.
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Dear Kalpana,
Thank you on both counts.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy Birthday Rochelle.. And lovely princess Rochelle story.
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Dear Lata,
Thank you for both. My birthday’s still a couple of days off at this posting, but I like to get a head start on celebrating.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh yes! You should celebrate the month.
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You never know… the third is still possible; not easy, but… not easy for anyone.
Have a good one on… hey, Friday. 🙂
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Dear Adam,
I do love to swim, but have no aspirations for long distances in open waters. I’ve been snorkeling in the ocean a few times and fell in love. Alas, there are no oceans near Missouri.
Thank you for the kind comments and good wishes. I’ve started celebrating early. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So nostalgic.
Good piece Rochelle.
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Dear Mick,
Birthdays are a great time for nostalgia, aren’t they?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Possibilities unlimited!
Parents have great hopes for daughter. Nice to learn about Chadwick. 🙂
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Dear Anita,
Florence Chadwick was a great find for me. I Googled events on Sept. 4, 1953 and that’s what came up.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear BA,
Yes, you is and so happy to have met you all those years ago. Your current professions suit you. Keep at them. One day soon you’ll be swimming in your backyard.
I too could not help thinking that it’s like yesterday.
Always,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
No turning back now. The future’s so bright I gotta wear shades.
Thank you for using my pole as a cattle prod when necessary.
Shalom and Kia Ora,
Rochelle
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Happy Birthday, sunshine!
Randy
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And a happy birthday to you, Randy! 😀
Thank you for dropping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m here every week. I just haven’t been writing. But I will post one later.
happy, happy…
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Another “damed virgo”! 😉 I am surrounded by them!
Lovely story about you, Rochelle.
Happy birthday in a couple of days! Yes, it is best to start ahead!
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Dear Dale,
My friend Taffy, also a virgo, has said the same thing. Surrounded by them? You lead an entertaining life, right? 😉 😉
Thank you for your comments on both counts.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I absolutely, I do! 😉 😉
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Dear Rochelle
An enchanting introduction to your entrance into this world, placed in an exact time in history. I love the photo of cheeky little Rochelle with the caption across it. I’m sure you haven’t grown into a badass — far from it!
Wishing you a very happy birthday, filled with happiness.
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Dear Sarah,
it depends on what connotations you ascribe to the word badass. 😉 My friend who suggested the caption sees it as most positive. Finding Florence Chadwick was one of those magnificent serendipities I often find along the research trails. A good omen, perhaps?
Thank you on both counts.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great little story woven with just the right touch of a very possible conversation. Obviously a prediction. Now….onward and upward.
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The anonymous comment above is mine.
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Many thanks and hugs to my anonymous husband. 😀
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I can see the biography now…Humble Beginnings Of A Badass! Excellent day-in-the- life. Love the photos.
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Dear Stephonie,
Hm…not a bad title. I’ll have to think about it…with a forward by Stephonie Briggs, PHD.
I’m glad you enjoyed photos and story.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Splendidly evocative.
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Thank you, J hardy. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fun. Informative. Histrionic. Happy birthday. Love the building especially that green. 1930’s?
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Dear Patrick,
You get the prize for catching histrionic. 😉 Actually the building goes back to the turn of the twentieth century. I love the old architecture.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Google can be our friend but can’t write such lovely stories!
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What a sweet thing to say, Graham. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved your story and I always love the way you can weave actual events into them! Sorry I haven’t been around much! So glad to take part today! 🙂
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Dear Courtney,
It’s nice to see you back around. I enjoyed your story, too.
Thank you for your wonderful comments. I did have fun writing this one. How wonderful is it that Miss Chadwick swam the English Channel on the day of my birth. I think there must be some significance there. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is a very cool coincidence. My birthday is the same as Davy Crockett! 🙂
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I love it, you badass! Well done. Oh, this made me laugh and made me feel warm and fuzzy. Great story! Happy Birthday, Rochelle. Best wishes!! xo
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Dear Amy,
I rather like the title. 😉 Happy to pass on warm fuzzies.
Thank you on all counts.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So cute! Seems Evalyne’s thoughts were prophetic. Rochelle did grow up to be an artist and an author. Not only that, but a badass author! Loved this peek into your personal history, Rochelle. I enjoyed it. 🙂
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Dear Eric,
I don’t know if my mother ever had those thought, but she was most certainly the crossword puzzle maven. Although as I got older she was pretty sure I’d be an artist because not a slip of paper was safe in our house. (She should’ve been grateful I didn’t go for the walls. 😉 )
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😀
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Or even all three! Happy Birthday Rochelle
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Dear Jenn,
I’ll keep it at two. No Channel swimmig aspirations. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Really enjoyed this. Obviously a very personal tale and you could feel it in the words. Happy Birthday, and thanks for hosting FF.
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Dear Paul,
Definitely up close and personal. 😉 I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hope your special day will be a wonderful one!
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Thank you, Nelkumi. 😀
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Adorable story and photos. I love a good swimming tale. Happy Birthday.
Tracey
I can’t link up today. Is anyone else having trouble with InLinkx?
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Dear Tracey,
I’d love to be swimming right now but I’ve been sidelined for a while. More about that in my upcoming blog Friday. 😉 Glad you enjoyed my story and my photos.
I hope you don’t mind. I took the liberty of linking you. You’re #24. I’m sorry it didn’t give me the option of putting your pretty face there. I think you should be able to edit it though.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Never mind. I see you were able to link..so deleted the link I added for you. 😉
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thank you
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Oh, what a wonderful story.. I really love when someone manage to do an autobiography.. and this is one way to capture it… I will most likely no write this week as I have no time to comment… I’ll be back next week.
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Dear Björn,
I’m glad you liked my story and too the time to comment. We’ll miss you this week.
Take care and shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy birthday~It’s such a good life.&.times kind of story
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Thank you on both counts, Larry.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy Birthday Rochelle! I live by the English channel and I can tell you that unless you are smothered in goose fat you don’t want to swim it outside of June to September. 🙂
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Dear JWD,
Being smothered in goose fat doesn’t sound at all pleasant. As much as I adore the water, swimming the English Channel has never been one of my ambitions. Although I do admire those who have done it. 😉
Thank you for the birthday wishes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Enjoyed your story “Princess” Rochelle. And happy birthday! Mine is a brief memoir from my past, Not merely a boy’s/man’s fantasy. But I probably shouldn’t admit it. It was a long time ago. While in college! https://emiliopasquale.wordpress.com/a-few-words/true-story/
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Dear Emilio,
I have read your true confession. 😉 Well written, too.
I’m glad you liked my story. Thank you for the birthday wishes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I never read any stories until I write my own so the first thing I did here was go check my word count. I know at one point i was at 120 and I almost published but I whittled it to 101 and now reading your admonishment I am glad I did!
I’m a princess too by the way 🙂 (Just not a Jewish one).
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Dear Dawn,
We’re all princesses. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I commented and left a link earlier but it was part of my photography blog and not really set up for something like your challenge. So I just started a new blog and yours is my first posting. Hope you like it: http://wp.me/p4GtW5-J
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Hi Emilio,
I read your story on your photo blog but there was no way to comment. The link you’ve provided here takes me to a page that I can’t access. I’d advise you to link the story URL on the new blog, then link that on the linkz list and I can delete the other from the list. That way we’ll be able to READ and comment. It’s a good one.
Welcome. I hope I haven’t totally confused you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Definitely having a problem. My new link is number 35 but it will only say the title. No logo of mine or wordpress link. The link in my comment above worked for me when I clicked on it. Don’t know why it didn’t for you. Darn. I liked that story I did. 😦
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Have a truly wonderful birthday. The 4th is a great date!
A lovely flash! Following your dreams is a blessing you share with all of us!
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Thank you for such lovely comments, Yolanda Renee. I so appreciate Friday Fictioneers and this wonderful global community that it has become.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
You look adorable in that photo … and … now.
I love looking at photos from the past. There aren’t many but the ones I have I treasure.
This was a warm, cuddly, fuzzy story. I like the fact that Bob (I’m assuming Dad) rose to see what was wrong with little you. Awww …. this is sooo huggable.
Thank you for hosting this terrific challenge.
Adios Amiga,
Isadora
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OOppsss … forgot the most important thing …
HAPPY BIRTHDAY and many many more !!!! 🎂
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Querida Isadora,
I was always Daddy’s little princess. There aren’t many baby pictures of me and I love looking at them. I think I tried to make up for all the pictures my parents didn’t take by taking tons of pictures of my sons. 😉
Thank you for your lovely comments and your birthday wishes. As for hosting this challenge it’s one of my passions.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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With your adorable face, I’m not surprised you were his little Princess.
I am enjoying your passion very much. 😎
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Happy birthday Princess Rochelle! What a lovely way to remind everyone of one’s upcoming birthday 🙂 Considering you are swimming in our love and best wishes, you are almost there on the third count 🙂
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Dear Jolly,
While I enjoy swimming about a mile a day, I don’t think I’d want to swim the English Channel or from Cuba to Florida as Diana Nyad (my personal hero) did.
You might say I’m throwing my own birthday party and all the Friday Fictioneers are invited. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy Birthday for tomorrow Rochelle. I hope you have a lovely day. Your flash of your parents was quite lovely. I guess that is how all new parents feel, wishing the world to be the oyster for their child. You certainly became the author (and probably the artist as well) but I know that you will always be a princess not only to your parents but all who love you.
Cheers Irene
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You’re not only a princess, you’re a badass princess. These are the best! 🙂
This is a lovely story, and I wish you a very happy birthday tomorrow.
And: you don’t only share the date with Florence Chadwick, you both have the same smile.
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Great story, the English Channel is tough to swim. Happy birthday, have a fabulous time.
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Happy Birthday, Rochelle!! Another great story. Your dad was certianly right. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Happy birthday (a day early). Great smile by the way.
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What a fun story for your birthday 🙂 Artist and author is enough – don’t worry about swimming the channel. All that freezing cold water, urgh!
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Dear Molly Jones,
A lot of people don’t know I was born a poor black child–no, that was Steve Martin–never mind.
Loved the auto-biographical piece. When do we get to see a photo of you from your hippie days? Seems I remember, you were related to Ashley Roachclip.
Cheech
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Dear Cheech,
It just so happens that my HS nickname was Roach and I had a friend who just called me Clip. I don’t have many pictures from back in the day but I’ll see what I can dredge up. (Yes, Roach was a double entendre. 😉
Shalom,
Molly Jones
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Ooooo that is a lovely story – wide open future indeed!!
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Thank you, Solo. As long as we’re breathing, there’s a future. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
it looks like you definitely got two out of three and there’s still time for the English Channel, or maybe just the Missouri River. I thought this was a subtle way of soliciting birthday presents but I might have to just write your name on the box and “Kansas City” and hope for the best. Great story, as always. Have a wonderful birthday (actually, you share it with one of my students).
-David
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Dear David,
I know of a few folks who share my birthday. Friday Fictioneer, Randy Mazie is one of them. Subtle? Nah. As for presents, this group is a huge gift. 😀
I think I’ll pass on swimming the Muddy Mo. I’m liable to come out of that with a mutated third leg. Ugh. I’ll stick to the lap pool at the fitness center for now.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy birthday Rochelle. You haven’t changed one bit! I look out over the English Channel from my apartment window so if I see you swimming towards me I’ll put the kettle on.
Rosey Pinkerton’s blog
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Thanks for the birthday wishes, Rosey. I wouldn’t look too hard. I’m not likely to attempt the Channel. Although I would love to visit there sometime. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Looks as thought all that’s left to say is, “Happy birthday”, even if it is a bit early.
janet
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Dear Janet,
Since I’m answering your comment today, it’s not one bit early. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love that open feeling
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Dear Audrey,
And the future is still wide open. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, I agree, you are a badass! But a lovely one 🙂
I love the new genre: Histrionic Fiction!!!
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Dear Jan,
I’m grinning because you caught the genre. I wondered if anyone would.
Thank you for your lovely words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
A brilliant memoir to celebrate your birthday – this could be the start of another book…
Hope you are having a brilliant day, you are an inspiration and a feisty lady. Love the ‘new’ genre!
Happy Birthday
Dee
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Dear Dee,
I’m pleased you caught the ‘genre’. 😉 Since the future is still wide open, who knows what the next book will be? After I finish with the Gittermans of course.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Histrionic fiction – great fun! One of my FF posts (The Esteemed Companie of Travelling Players) was an unreliable historical memoir. A hoot to write – and wouldn’t even have to be internally or historically accurate if I took it further.
Congrats on your birthday and growing literary family.
Have not read your first yet but it’s on my list – and will post a review on UK Amazon when I do.
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Dear MJL,
I love it when readers get my little obscurities. Histrionic fits because I’ve always been accused of being a drama queen.
I’ll look forward to your impression of Please Say Kaddish for Me.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Ah, this one’s about you. How cute.
Happy Birthday and many more years of a great life.
Blessings,
Phyllis
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Dear Phyllis,
I felt like throwing my own FF birthday party this week. Thanks for joining in. 😉 Glad you liked my story, too.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aw, what an adorable story. 🙂
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Thank you, Emilie. 😀
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Delightful. Birthday wishes, Rochelle.
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Thank you o both counts, Margaret. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I thought I was too old to write but you have provided the inspiration and the weekly spark, maybe one day, and I dare to dream, I’ll get my book too. Thanks for reviving that dream Rochelle.
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Dear Subroto,
I don’t know if you’re familiar with Laura Ingalls Wilder, of Little House on the Prairie fame, but she was 65 when her first novel was published. My personal hero Diana Nyad was 64 when she swam from Cuba to Florida. The list goes on. I didn’t even start writing with serious intent until twelve years ago.
I don’t know how old your are, my friend, but my advice is dare to dream, not only dare, but pursue!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Princess – cute photo & cute story 🙂
It’s nice to get another historic (or histrionic as you say) story – this one perhaps a closer to home than most.
Happy birthday!
KT
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Dear KT,
I knew if anyone would catch histrionic it would be you. 😉 Since September 4 was my birthday, I took the liberty of making my story all about me. Glad you liked it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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a peaceful read@4:58am. thank you.
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