Our Mantra
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
A WEAVER OF DREAMS
Not even a light breeze blew through the open window. As it did every night, sleep eluded Myrtle Reed. Sweat oozed from skin-folds under her ample arms.
“Why doesn’t this so-called windy city offer some relief from this fiendish heat?” She glared at the clock. “Eleven-thirty, August 17, 1911.”
She searched the street below for James. “He’s probably passed out drunk somewhere. I was so wrong. Love is not an orchid which thrives on hot air.”
Raising a bottle of sleeping powder to her lips, the young authoress swallowed disappointed dreams. “Insomnia be damned—forever. Happy anniversary my ‘model husband.’”
.
.
.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
“The only way to test a man is to marry him. If you live, it’s a mushroom. If you die, it’s a toadstool.” Despite her tragedy, her words made me smile.
The trappings of a burdened mind, so hard to understand, so easy to judge.
Nicely done, as always.
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Dear Loré,
I see you took the time to click the link. This story was a challenge to whittle down to a hundred words. She was an interesting person with a life that ended too soon.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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‘swallowed disappointed dreams…’ – beautiful words!!
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Thank you, Jessie. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How sad that depression was often not recognized then and treated. In her state of mind, she shouldn’t have been left alone with that strong medication. What a waste as she wasn’t all that old. She could have had a much longer career as a writer. Good historical writing, as usual, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
We’ve learned a lot since then…and yet so little. Her husband, who had been dubbed the model husband, was a model of his own set of problems.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a way to live. “I hope you have good day at work, dear. I’ll try to be alive when you get home.” I guess this is a good argument for divorce! nicely done.
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Dear J Hardy,
A good argument for divorce indeed. Thank you for a great comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’d say it’s a good argument for sobriety. 🙂 Or ALANON
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Excellent historical fiction, Rochelle. You amaze me every week.
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Dear Neel,
Thank you for your sweet words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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this was my favorite of your fiction today – the way this was woven in: Love is not an orchid which thrives on hot air
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Dear Y,
I’m glad you liked it. I found her orchid quote and that was ‘all she wrote.’ 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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and sorry I cannot join in on this week’s prompt- (or next week’s) but this photo has been with me all week as I enjoyed many of the entries….
wishing you a good week and see you later in February – peace
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I loved the same phrase as Jessie – masterly writing! I was a bit bemused by how a digital clock thats showed time and date had ended up in 1911. The plot is afoot
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Dear Neil,
There’s a digital clock in the photo? I can’t find it. At any rate, I refer back to Thoreau. It’s what I saw, not what I was looking at. 😉 I’m glad you liked my story. To quote another writer, your comments mean a lot to me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The clock told her the date as well as the time. So it must have been a modern clock
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Haha…actually she knew the date. It was their wedding anniversary. What woman forgets that date? 😉 (Yes, I do see what you’re saying.)
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That’s the problem with 100 words, isn’t it?
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Bloody hell!
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I loved the toadstool/mushroom analogy. And I loved your story too. Insomnia can be equally as soul-destroying as depression, and they frequently go hand in hand. You caught this.
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Dear Sandra,
The toadstool analogy is good. It just didn’t fit into a hundred words. I have to follow the rules. 😉 Insomnia often accompanies depression, at least it did in my life. Thank you for your affirming comment. Your words mean a lot to me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A tragic glimpse at a life and a death. She seems to have been a remarkable woman.
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Dear Iain,
She did live a sad life despite her success as an author. Apparently ‘fat shaming’ as we know it now was a part of her sorrow.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s tragic, and that it still goes on today and even has a name, even worse!
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Well, that certainly set the bar for this week. Thank you for introducing me to this interesting author.
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Dear Kecia,
What a lovely compliment. I think at some point I might try and read one of her novels.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Every week I learn so much from your stories – thank you Rochelle.
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Thank you, Dahlia. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such insight. Well done!
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Thank you, Linda. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautifully constructed as ever, m’lady.
Suicide, hmm, whoda thunk it!
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Dear CE,
Your words are ones that I look forward to every week.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I like the way you chose someone whose name also means a flower!
Its also the name of a queen. So sad that she wasn’t treated as one!
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Dear Sabina,
I really didn’t think about her name. Her orchid quote was my starting point. I love it when things work together like that.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another little history lesson well crafted. Her husband, I assume, may have been a toadstool. So sad that she was so prolific as a writer and was only 37, I think, when she made her fatal decision. Well done m’luv.
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Dear Jan,
Yes she was very young. From what I’ve read, I’d say her husband was definitely a toadstool. Thank you, m’luv.
Rochelle
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Love is not an orchid which thrives on hot air Somehow this line made me laugh – as if her husband was “full of hot air.” A delightful glimpse into history. Thanks again!
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Dear Lish,
That was my implication although the Myrtle Reed quote “Love is an orchid which thrives on hot air” was my jumping off point for this story. I think she could very well have meant that, too, judging from her disappointing marriage. Obscure bits of history. I love it.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another suicide? Wow. That photo is certainly inspiring a lot of depression.
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Dear James,
Honestly when I started my research trail, suicide was not my intent. Inspired by her orchid quote, I followed the path that led to Myrtle Reed’s untimely suicide at the age of 37. And she didn’t jump out the window. 😉 I wasn’t looking for a story of depression but it found me.
Thank you for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another fascinating slice of history. Poor Myrtle lived a brief and troubled life it seems. From the quote on her Wiki page it seems she was a woman of wit, too. So sad she felt she couldn’t go on any more. How did you stumble across her, Rochelle? Have you read her work? What an irronically named place to live too – Paradise Flat. Would be bitter sweet if it weren’t true. Great stuff
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Dear Lynn,
I love it when someone asks how I came to a story. It was actually a short path on the research trail this time. I Googled “quotes about orchids.” That’s where I found Ms. Reed’s quote, “Love is an orchid which thrives on hot air.” Of course I had to find out who Myrtle Reed was. That led me to a few places with her bio. The challenge after that was what to tell and how. I don’t know if it was actually a hot night. But it was August. Summer in Chicago is hot and humid…like it is here in Kansas City. There weren’t any air conditioners in 1911 so, there you go. Hot night. Alcoholic husband. Just taking the factual clay and molding it into something that makes sense. I have yet to read her work other than those few quotes.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s fascinating, Rochelle – how a quick google search inspired such a sad and interesting tale. Thanks for sharing this Rochelle
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Very tragic situation. Suicide is often the ultimate act of spite or vengeance — I wonder if hers was, too? A writer new to me; I’ll have to read about her.
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Dear Christine,
Myrtle Reed was new to me as well. She lived a very sad life indeed. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lot of authors have lived through trials and tribulation. She seems to be no exception. I love the “textures” of this story. It has a very real presence.
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Dear Eric,
I think authors, like most artists feel things more deeply than the average person. It helps us to convey those emotions to the reader/audience. Sometimes those emotions get the best of us. Thank you for your kind words. .
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such heartbreak in this story. Well told.
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Dear Cindy,
She did have a tragic life. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had never heard of her until now. Suicide is something that seems to be way to common by authors… Love how you find new stories from history…
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Dear Björn,
There seems to be an inherent quality in the artist/author to feel things more profoundly than the average. It’s both blessing and curse, for if we don’t feel those deep emotions, how can we convey them in our works? Sadly, it can be our undoing. I didn’t know about her either, I just followed the orchid trail. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellently tragic, Rochelle. And another book to seek out, too. 🙂
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Thank you, Jelli. 😀 ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I did read the link you supplied, just because it’s nice to know where you are coming from. You are the mistress of creating stories out of real-life stories!
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Dear Dale,
Very sweet words. I do just start with one thing and follow the trail. Sometimes it’s a dead end. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love how you follow the trail. My thoughts already do that…now how to get it into writing…
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What a troubled life she must have led, and all compounded by the fact that from the outside looking, she had the perfect husband/mushroom.
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Dear Siobhán,
Her life was a tragedy. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m going to have to do some research!
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Thanks for coming by, Linda. Enjoy the research.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a sorry tale. I have to admit I’d not heard of this troubled soul, yet alone read any of her work. You told us so much in just 100 words. I’m inspired to search further. Thank you Rochelle
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Dear Keith,
I’m happy to inspire. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love the idea of mushrooms versus toadstools … won’t tell you about the toadstools I’ve had !!! The thing is that children keep you keeping on however depressed or insomniac or toadstool -like the husband !
A neat intriguing little historical story, Rochelle, and told with that wonderful economy of words that this genre demands, and which is so effective…
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Dear Valerie,
How lovely to see you here. I liked the mushroom/toadstool comparison, too. I’m so pleased you liked my story and took the time to say so. Many thanks, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An interesting woman. Never heard of her. I did read the provided link. Still never heard for her, but she’s quite fascinating.
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Dear Cuzzin Notnek,
I hadn’t heard of her either. I found her orchid quote and started the research trail to find out who she was. Interesting, if not tragic life.
What? No five out of five bottles of sleeping powder?
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shelley
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Dear Minnie M.
Interesting biography. As Trump would say, “Soo sad.” My favorite line was the description of the sweat oozing from the folds under her ample arms. Very graphic.
It kept me scratchin’ for more
Foghorn Leghorn
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Dear Foghorn Leghorn,
She was a big girl. I could imagine what that would be like in August in the Midwest before AC. Thank you for crossing the road to get here.
Shalom,
Minnie M.
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Thank you for not questioning my motives as to “why” I crossed the road.
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A horrible fate for one to endure.
The mind is such a fragile, yet powerful tool.
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Dear Chioma,
Sometimes I think there’s a thin line between creativity and insanity. So happy you stopped by. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Raising a bottle of sleeping powder to her lips, the young authoress swallowed disappointed dreams. This line says it all. Beautifully told.
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Many thanks for such a lovely comment, Clare.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, shock ending (since I hadn’t heard of her before). Nicely written!
Fun fact – until I heard someone say “the Windy City” out loud I always thought it was “windy – wine-dy” like “twisty” and supposed the streets meandered somewhat 🙂
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Dear Ali,
I never thought of Windy City being pronounced any other way. I see the confusion though. English is full of words that are spelled the same and pronounced differently. Case in point: Polish vs polish.
Thank you for your kind words re my story that I had no trouble pronouncing. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha, there’s a hand-written sign I always see as I drive to see my parents – “Polish Shop”. To this day I don’t know if it’s a shop which sells polish or Polish goods 🙂
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Oh how tragic.You would hope that if this were today she would be getting the help she needs, but that’s debatable.
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Dear Louise,
I wonder if she would get help today. Not everyone who needs it gets it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An unhappy marriage, unfulfilled dreams often seem to be the reason for sleepless nights. I wrote a post about marriage and love myself -not knowing that you did the same. I never read the answers to the prompt before I am done with mine. Iron rule!
I loved it, you are indeed a word smith.
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Dear Bridget,
They say ‘great minds think alike.’ 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! Great one Rochelle. She can only rely on herself! Beautifully told as always
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Thank you, Laurie. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear, Dear. I found myself holding my breath. As sad stories go, this one stops me dead in my tracks. Tragic.
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Dear Honie,
And your words stop me in my tracks. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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a life cut too short. that’s sad.
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Sad indeed. Thank you for reading and commenting, Plaridel..
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Everyone is dying this week??!! Isn’t it interesting that snow and orchids will produce such morose prose?
– Lisa
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Dear Lisa,
I went where the Myrtle’s orchid quote led me. I can’t speak for anyone else. Thank you for swinging by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
This was one of your very best in a pretty long line of those. You are growing.
Yours from the forest,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
Thank you for your flowering words from the forest primeval.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This was an effective story Rochelle and I love your writing in it.
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Dear Lindy,
Thank you for your sweet words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle. I just went on to comment on the two writers who followed my offering and I can’t find mine. I know that it must be there as I received a number of comments and I wonder if it’s disappeared in to cyberspace for some reason. Any ideas?
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Hi Rochelle. Ignore my previous post as I found it. I was looking for my photo and that isn’t showing but the story is there so all is good. Thanks
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There are a few film stars who have tested her muchroom theory to the limit! Good one, Rochelle.
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Dear Liz,
There are too many toadstools out there. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You did great job of telling a tragic tale in just 100 words, Rochell, beautifully done
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Thank you very much, Michael 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very well done! So much in so few words; some very beautiful lines.
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Dear Sascha,
I’m so glad you liked my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A tragic end to a troubled life. You really capture her sense of pained disappointment and hopelessness. Shalom, Rochelle. xo
* a suggestion: click the ‘open in another window’ (or something like that) box, when you add the links, so that we don’t lose the story page and have to come back. I often forget, and click before leaving a comment.
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Dear Dawn,
Thank you for your affirming words. I’m pleased you went where I wanted you to go.
I’m not sure about the link, though. It’s in another window when I copy and paste the URL..not sure how to keep it that way. Perhaps I’ll ask the WP folks.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You captured her angst very well!
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Thank you, Ms. Joyfullness. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
I think her husband was of the amanita (death cap) variety of toadstool. So tragic that her literary success wasn’t enough to keep her wanting to live. As for insomnia, that’s when the worst sh** tends to rise to the surface and elongates the hours of darkness into a wide-wake hell of self-judgement, remorse, regret, and anxiety (to name a few).
I had never heard of this author and it might be interesting to read something of hers, to see if writing is a reflection of her inner darkness, or her delightful escape from it.
The way you’ve encapsulated so much about her in so few words, is most excellently done.
All best wishes
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
I think that relationship was doomed from the onset.
Having dealt with insomnia, during my days of self-imposed starvation, I know the truth of your words.
Thank you for your generous words re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lot of show not tell here even with only 100 words. I read the Wiki on her. Interesting lady. How about the scumbags who stole her stuff while she was being buried!!
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Dear Patrick,
You couldn’t have paid me a higher compliment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice. If her depression extends beyond her marriage–it’s hard to write in the state of mind. Thank you for posting the photo prompts. I love writing short-short stories.
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Dear Kathy,
It’s hard to do anything in that state of mind. On the other hand, sometimes we are at our creative best when we’re at our lowest. Thank you and welcome aboard.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love coming here. You inspire me every week.
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Thank you, Dawn. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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