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 © Dale Rogerson
Please be considerate and try to keep your story to 100 words. Thank you..
Genre: Anecdote
Word Count: 100
HAND-TOSSED
Monticello, a town in Upstate New York, is where we spent the summer of 1965, the last summer of my childhood, with my aunt and uncle. Having never traveled far from Kansas City, this was the adventure of my eleven-going-on-twelve-year-old lifetime.
Unlike KC, restaurants like the pizzeria where I had my first ever, true pizza, stayed open all night.
My brother handed me the red pepper. “Try this.”
Aunt Lu scowled. “Go easy, Rochelle.”
Did I listen?
Although the gooey cheese and sauce melted in my mouth, the pepper burned all the way down—and all the way back up.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
That’s so sweet, Rochelle. Exotic pizza was a big part of my childhood memories too, My grandmother used to bring it all the way from New York when she visited
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Dear Neil,
Now that’s the kind of grandmother to have. Real pizza was a treat. If only I hadn’t sprinkled the hot pepper on it. Now it wouldn’t bother me but then was quite a different story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My mother lived in Rome for a couple of years before going to art college so we had home made pizza. Finding the mozzarella in Yorkshire was not easy!
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Dear Jane,
No doubt your mother made a great pizza. Thanks for stopping by for a slice of story. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Laughing 🙂
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Mission accomplished. 😉 Thank you, Linda.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love folded pizzas including Red peppers. Loved your slice of family life.
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Dear Michael,
Red pepper is one of my favorite things on pizza these days, despite my rocky introduction to it. Thank you for taking time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s often said that New York pizza is the world’s best delivery system for peppery grease. I remember the scene in Saturday Night Fever when Tony walks down the street eating two slices stacked atop each other, holding them well out from his body to keep from dripping on himself. Nice story. I can picture it vividly. 😉
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Dear Josh,
Although it wasn’t exactly love at first bite, I do enjoy red pepper on my pizza now. As for the grease…not so crazy about that. I remember this night vividly. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, the cruelty of siblings. Good story, Rochelle.
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Dear Jelli,
Jeff hadn’t forgiven me for ending his six-year reign as our parents; one and only, but to be fair I don’t think he knew I’d have such a violent reaction. 😉 I’m happy to say that our relationship has improved as has my relationship with red pepper. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sounds like a true story…. The things we did when we were kids.
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Dear Trent,
No effort to fictionalize this one. It’s the truth as I remember it. I doubt that my brother knew I’d end up puking in the bathroom. 😉 Thanks for stopping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember this story. Pizza is one of our favorites today as well. Maybe I’ll slip a bit of extra red pepper in yours next time. Thanks for regurgitating a memory from your past. I know, I’m bad.
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Dear Jan,
I think I eat more red pepper on my pizza these days, than you do on yours. So go ahead, make my day. 😉 Always happy to bring up the royal gorge when it comes to storytelling.
Love your bad self,
Rochelle
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One should never trust one’s brother…
I hate to laugh, but laugh I must…
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Dear Dale,
Laugh all you want. It’s supposed to be funny…of course I didn’t see the humor in it at the time. 😉 That’s what brothers are for. Besides, I had my own ways of retaliation. That’s what little sisters are for. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sweet tale of family feuds, common to most of us, I think.
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Dear CE,
Indeed, that’s what siblings are for. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I grew up eating pizza from the street vendor every chance I got. It was my favorite when I was a child -still is but I don’t admit it.
I love this post. Sweet memories.
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Dear Bridget,
Pizza was, and still is a favorite of mine. Alas, I have to make my own gluten/garlic free version. Glad you enjoyed the memory. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As much as I love it, I can’t have it either. Dairy brings me pain and I don’t eat too much meat. So pizza is a rare treat in our house
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I hope it didn’t put you off the delights of pizza for life? Funny anecdote 🙂
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Dear Iain,
In no way did it put me off of pizza. it did, however, make me steer clear of red pepper. 😉 Glad you found it funny. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh! The memories. Thank goodness we change our view of food as we get older. Fun story,
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Dear Lish,
And that’s why we have siblings, isn’t it? I have one and I love him dearly. He’s still pretty ornery, though. And yes we do change our view of food. I love red pepper now. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have two OLDER sisters who tormented me no end when we were growing up. And oh how I love them now….
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Nice “slice” of life. It reminded me of my brother taking me to the local pizza joint when I was a kid. I remember pizza tasting so much better then. 🙂
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Dear Sascha,
I’m glad my story brought back good memories for you. Pizza still tastes pretty good to me…with lots of red pepper. 😉 Some things do change. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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Great story! My brothers were fond of daring each other to eat hot pepper, hot mustard, or whatever was handy. Really liked your take on the prompt.
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Dear StepHonie,
It was just my brother and me in our family. But, oh, did we antagonize each other 😉 I’m glad you liked my story. It was fun to reminisce. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story dear.I can relate to this as I did same in spite of my mother’s warning. :).
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Dear Indira,
Children are children the world around, aren’t they? I do like red pepper and hot foods now. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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true story?
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Yep!
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🙂
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And you know, discover the power of red pepper for the first time is just one of the great adventures. Culinary discoveries are some of the best. I remember my first experience with wasabi. Yowza! 😉 Fun story, Rochelle. I enjoyed it.
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Dear Eric,
I’m not sure it was a discovery but it certainly was an adventure as I bowed before the porcelain god in the pizzeria. Now I love red pepper, red pepper paste and wasabi–wasabi was love at first sinus-clearing bite. Thank you for sharing a slice of story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha ha Rochelle. We’ve all been there but always laugh when it’s someone else going through it. Very funny.
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Dear Michael,
Perhaps it’s a rite of passage. 😉 I’m glad it was funny to you. It wasn’t to me at the time, but in retrospect…Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ooh, my gosh. Sometimes the chilis are cut up into small pieces here and I miss removing one. Believe me, you know it when that happens. The smaller the chilis the hotter they are here. Good writing as always, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Also, Happy Passover to you and yours, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
I don’t mind the red pepper anymore, although I do have my limits. 😉 Thank you re my story and for the Passover greeting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, this is so sweet Rochelle – that first enthusiastic bite and then a close connection with the lavatory for the rest of the visit to the pizzeria! Bless you. Glad it didn’t put you off for good. Spicy food is one of the joys of life as far as I’m concerned as my husband makes amazing curry! All the best to you and thanks for sharing another lovely memory.
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Dear Lynn,
I love spicy food now, particularly Indian, but not so much then. I still enjoy pizza…with lots of red pepper. I don’t think Jeff knew the evening would end in the toilet. 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Glad it didn’t put you off forever! 🙂
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Auto-biography! Lovely! How wonderful that you remember you first authentic pizza. Though…given what happened, I’m not that surprised! A wonderful memory brought to life.
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Dear Rebecca,
Despite the obvious, I had a lovely time at my aunt and uncle’s. Monticello is up at the edge of the Catskill Mountains. We went to the NY World’s Fair also. I’m glad you enjoyed my snippet and took the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your first introduction to pizza didn’t put you off in later life – but a good lesson learned.
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Dear Sally,
I’m not sure who learned the greater lesson, Jeff or me. 😉 Thank you for stopping by to read. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Betty Boop,
That must be what made your hair so curly. Connie’s brother tried to feed her and Lana (their sister) bird poop in a candy wrapper. She won’t admit it, but I bet they tried it before they figured out it wasn’t divinity. Siblings can be so sweet and loving.
Happy Passover,
Herschel
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Dear Herschel,
I’m cringing and ready to barf on my matzo. Bird poop? Ick ick poo poo pa doo. The red pepper wasn’t Jeff’s only crime. When I was around 7 or 8 and was ill, he was instructed to give me a tablespoon of cough syrup. He substituted Bourbon. Another retching experience as I recall. Still, he’s the only sibling I’ve ever had.
Happy Easter to you,
Betty Boop
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A very nostalgic tale of memories swept by. Beautifully written with a lot of TLC.
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Dear Neel,
To quote Dickens, “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” 😉 I’m glad you enjoyed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Ouch, that burned. Brothers! Who’d have them? They love to see their sisters with red faces, however it’s achieved. And they often never grow up. Am thinking of my first boyfriend (and some poor girl’s brother), who took me out for a meal at an Indian restaurant and ordered me a Vindaloo. I’ve never trusted a guy to order a meal for me since.
A fun story, especially as it was true. I hope your digestion didn’t suffer dire consequences for a few days after that pepper.
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
I hope that was your last date. Not cute at all. I don’t know that my brother knew what a violent reaction I’d have to the red pepper. He was just trying to be…well…a big brother. I must confess, I did my part as the little sister, ie brat sister.
I’m glad you enjoyed my piece of non-fiction. Thank you for leaving such a fun comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
It wasn’t the last date, as I got my own back with a whiskey-drinking contest, which I won. He had one hell of a hangover the next day, but I drank gallons of water and took 1,000 milligrams of Vitamin C before retiring to bed, so had no hangover at all. Also, I banished him from my parent’s house and made him sleep things off in his MG!
Sweet vengeance 🙂
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Bravo! Applause! You are my hero, Ms. Potter. 😀
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Great story, Rochelle – it made me laugh.
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Dear Clare,
You laughed at my pain? 😉 Mission accomplished. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh dear… ouch… so vivid this picture and such a kid thing to do. Well told!!
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Dear Laurie,
Jeff once substituted Bourbon for cough syrup for me. We also had some great pillow fights. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hahahaha oh dear. I love it
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Urgh 🙂 You have to work your way up to the red chillies. Your brother hands you the chilli with a warning, knowing you can’t resist a challenge – diabolical!
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Dear Ali,
Actually it was my Aunt Lucille who gave me the warning. Jeff told me the red pepper would make it ‘taste better.’ He knew what he was doing…but to the barf degree? I doubt it. Thanks for reading my slice of life. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh yes. Weird, I kept scrolling up to remind myself as I was commenting, too. I must have been thinking of me and my brother heh heh.
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ah siblings! took me right back
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Thanks for coming by, for a slice of sibling rivalry, Bettina.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story of childhood when even simple things are big experiences.
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Many thanks, Cindy. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My link to my 100 word tale: https://mickhispoetry.wordpress.com/2017/04/14/18571/ just in case I am on the wrong page@
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Dear Mick,
This is actually the wrong page to leave your link. Not that it breaks any rules, it just means I might be the only one to read your story. 😉 In addition to this being the instructional page, it’s also my story page and comment section. (Feel free to read my story and leave a comment 😉 ) Meanwhile if you will scroll up to and click the blue frog icon, then add your story URL to the linkz list. Let me know if I may assist you in any way.
Welcome to Friday Fictioneers,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
All done and dusted, many thanks for taking time out.to advise me, and thank you for the welcome too.
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Was that you first and last spicy 🌶 experience? My stepdad from Texas would hand me a raw jalapeño during dinner to take a bite. Sweating just thinking about 🙂 peace to you Rochelle
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Dear Raymond,
It was my first experience but definitely not my last. 😉 It would be a few years before I learned to appreciate red pepper, but I love it now. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not sure if you are a Seinfeld fan, “Rochelle likes her pizza spiceeey”!
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We used to make chilli oil which our Italian friend offered customers in his pizzeria – add it at your own risk!
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Dear Liz,
I’ll bet chili oil went beyond hot. I like my red pepper now, though. Thanks for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting to read about your first pizza 🙂 What a pity you had such a disasterous first time! I hope you’ve eaten pizza since, then 🙂
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Dear Luccia,
I happy to report that many pizzas have given themselves up to me through my lifetime. I even like the red pepper now. 😉 Thank you for coming by for a slice of my life.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Those little red pepper flakes are deceiving, aren’t they? Oh, no! I’m sure this wasn’t so pleasant at the time, but it makes a great story. Made me smile! I only add cheese to my pizza like it ever needs it. 🙂
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Dear Amy,
It wasn’t a great experience at the time, but looking back it is pretty funny. I never lost my love for pizza and I did come to appreciate red pepper. You can never have too much cheese. 😉 thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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funny or not, i could only surmise what my younger sister felt about me during those growing years. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
If you’re anything like my brother and me today, I hope you and your sister are friends. No one understands me quite the way Jeff does. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i’m glad to hear that. you’re very fortunate.
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I thought I commented on Wednesday, but I don’t see it. I, too, was raised without pizza, or any kind of foreign food. In a small Kentucky town in the fifties, the only restaurants carried southern fare or burgers. The most exotic place we had was a Dairy Queen. I’ve made up for it since then though and so has the town.
Great job as always and I think I found your missing comment in my spam folder. I pulled it out and approved it, so now you have two. 🙂
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Dear Melody-April,
In my grade school, they served a piece of cardboard with tomato sauce they called pizza. I never liked it. Although I grew up in Kansas City, I don’t recall many restaurants I’d refer to as exotic. My dad owned a couple but they were BBQ’s and greasy spoon types. We had a couple of Chinese places. Mostly what we got there were chow mein or chop suey. Tiny Monticello seemed light years ahead of us.
I only see one comment from you. I’m glad you liked my story in any event. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reblogged this on All About Writing and more.
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Thank you, Henrietta.
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You are welcome!
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You insisted on learning your lesson the hard way. 😉 Great anecdote!
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Dear Margarisa,
I should’ve seen it coming with my brother. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ouch. Of course, I blame your brother for baiting you, but we learn from our mistakes. Can’t help smiling at your misfortune. How long before you ate pizza again? ☺
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Dear Sarah Ann,
The experience didn’t seem to sour me on pizza, but it was years before I’d go near red pepper. 😉 It’s okay to smile and even laugh. My brother was…well…an older brother with just a touch of the ornery. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aaarghhh! I can so feel the pain!
A tale of brotherly love with forgiveness in the laughter.
Very well done Rochelle.
I enjoyed the slice of life.:-)
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Dear Emmy,
So glad you enjoyed my slice of life. Some memories are just funny. I enjoy my brother these days and wish he lived closer. we still laugh at some of the things we did as kids.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’ve brought back so many memories Rochelle with this deceptively simple tale. Well written.
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Dear Lindy,
Thank you for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I over do the crushed red pepper on my first slice of pizza, but taper down on the following multiple slices! 🙂
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Dear Nadia,
I hope you don’t suffer any ill effects from that peppery first slice. 😉 Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My son did that with dimsum – he dipped it in red chili sauce and popped it into his mouth. Fire extinguishers were needed. Well almost 😀
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Dear Dahlia,
I had a friend who did that with the hot mustard. We tried to tell her to only use a dab on her egg roll. She didn’t listen any better than I listened to Aunt Lu. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😀
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Eek! Maybe it’s time to reverse order, and put latest comment first; takes ages to scroll down! 😉 Such a sweet memory, and beautifully shared. I’ve been to Monticello, NY and loved it… the whole area is very special. You really convey that here!
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Dear Dawn,
I will take your suggestion under consideration. I’ve had that suggested by another person who said there were too many comments to scoll through. (Not a terrible problem to have 😉 )
I had a great time in Monticello that summer. 8 Hammond Street was the address. I’m glad you enjoyed my story. My Uncle Harold Streifer owned an employment agency. He got my brother a job in a hotel in the Catskills that summer and I went along for the ride. Uncle Harold was a fantastic artist as well and enjoyed painting with his niece. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi again, Dawn,
I checked into reversing the order. I can change the order of the comments but you’d still have to scroll through all of them to leave a comment.
Shalom…again,
Rochelle
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That’s weird; I know there are some where the most current commenter is at the top, and there’s no scrolling. That said, there really are worse problems to have! 😉 And it’s not that big of a deal, just a thought as I scrolled last time.
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Thanks for the snapshot Rochelle. Some foods (and some drinks, and some other activities) need more than one try before we acquire a taste for them!
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Dear TRG,
Eventually I did acquire a taste for red pepper. 😉 Thank you coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember once putting much too much parmesan on my little sister’s spaghetti, as a “joke”. To this day she doesn’t like the stuff and every chance she gets, she reminds me why. Thanks for the memory, Rochelle.
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Happy to share the memory, Dawn. But, I didn’t know you could have too much Parmesan. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“and all the way back up.”– hilarious!
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Thank you, Yuhu. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Glad it didn’t ruin pizza for good.
Not sure why the link is closed – unless I’ve missed a whole bunch of days somewhere – but here is my story anyway.
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Dear Connie,
Thank you for the comment on my story. Nope…I still enjoy a gooey slice of pizza…with plenty of red pepper.
As for the link. It closes every Tuesday at 6:55 CDT. It looks like you were just about 20 minutes after the fact. Going to read your story, now.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, no wonder. It’s all good.
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I’m surprised you ever ate it again. Sounds very similar to my aunt Jewel force-feeding me my first pizza. I was a teenager before I realized that I actually liked it.
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Dear Andrea,
I did eat pizza again, but it was a some time before I developed a taste for red pepper. 😉 Thanks for stopping by. Have some extra pepperoni on me. 😉
Shalom,
Rukhelita
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