This week Pegman takes us to Cirque de Navacelles, France. This week’s location was suggested by JS Brand.
Many thanks to K Rawson and J Hardy Carroll for hosting this unique challenge.
Feel free to stroll around using the Google street view and grab any picture you choose to include in your post.
To enjoy stories inspired by the What Pegman Saw prompt or to submit your own 150-word story, visit the inLinkz button:
This challenge has become a favorite of mine and I couldn’t bear to miss it this week. This weekend has been an incredibly busy one. And as I’m working toward Book Four of my trilogy (coffee table companion book of illustrations and character studies), I hope you’ll forgive my posting an excerpt from my first novel PLEASE SAY KADDISH FOR ME.
While the photo I chose is in Cirque de Navacelles, my story is not.
Genre: Novel Excerpt
Word Count: 149
CAST FROM HER FATHER’S HOUSE
Rocks, frozen grass and thorns stabbed the soles of her bare feet. There had been no time for shoes, no time to dress.
Who would pray for their souls? Who would remember David, the artist or Mendel, the poet or Mama or Papa? She forced her heavy mouth to shape the Hebrew prayer—Kaddish—prayer for the dead and prayer for the bereft.
“‘Magnified and sanctified is your great Name…’”
Havah Cohen detested its beauty. Her hands, held over her ears, could not blot out the anguished cries of friends and neighbors, fast becoming memories.
“‘…in the world which you have created…’”
Thorns grabbed at her nightgown and she fought to ignore the fire in her lungs. “‘…according to Your will.’”
Run.
Brambles ripped into her flesh.
Run.
The muscles of her legs burned.
Don’t stop. Run.
“‘Let His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.’”
Original Artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Oooh. I like this. Exciting and vivid. Nice job creating tension, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Josh. It’s from the first chapter of the book. It’s my husband’s favorite of the three, mainly because of this chapter, I think. Glad you liked it and didn’t mind that I’m being lazy this week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Always happy when you contribute. 🙂
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What tension is there in this one. Had great fun reading this taut writing. Thanks, Rochelle.
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Dear Neel,
I’m pleased that you enjoyed this excerpt. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such vivid pictures – the running and ripping brambles – very strong writing.
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Many thanks, Sarah Ann. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Had my lungs burning and my feet aching with this one. Great writing, as always. I have often prayed thus… (closes eyes, remembers…)
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Dear Jelli,
It’s a worthy prayer because it extols the greatness of HaShem not the pain of the lost loved one. Always we remember the Giver of Life. Thank you for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great excerpt from your first book of the trilogy. Yes, this first chapter is what grabbed me and forced me to keep reading. Next thing I knew, I was at the end. Or was I….? Great job.
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Dear Jan,
I never say never as far as the end, but I think I’ve taken Havah as far as I can. 😉 Thanks for the support, M’luv.
Rochelle
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I knew this scene was from your first book the minute I read the first line. It has such wonderful tension! Glad to see you here. Lish
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Dear Lish,
There are a lot of places where the books lend themselves to stand alone excerpts. Of course my hope is that more people will be drawn in and read the rest of the series. 😉 At any rate, thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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P.S. You might want to get rid of the first “her” in this ~ “held her over her ears,”
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Good catch. Gah! Since I copied this from the PDF…it’s in the printed book this way. I wish my publisher had an in-house editor. 😡
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Beautiful Rochelle! ❤
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Thank you, Courtney. ;D
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love the art, it would make a great story
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Then again you have already penned that story.
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Dear Michael,
Yes, I have penned the story. And there’s so much more of it. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As I was reading this, I could feel the pain in her feet and legs, as well as the rapid pounding of her heart. What a vividly told, heartbreaking tale!
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Dear Magarisa,
Thank you for such a wonderful comment. This is only the beginning of Havah’s journey.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re most welcome, Rochelle.
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Beautiful and powerful at the same time, Rochelle. Such good writing. All the best with your fourth book. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Many thanks on all counts, Suzanne. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Really great work! I’m all goosebumps and breathless over this one.
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Dear Karen,
Your goosebumps are my compliment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember that passage. It made the blood pump faster through my veins.
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Dear Russell,
That makes me smile. 😀 Nuff said. Thank you.
Shalom,
Herself
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Dear Rochelle,
I remember this piece so well, but then how could I forget it, especially knowing all that follows? Of course, you know how much I love Havah, and that painting utterly captures the sense of her being cast out into the “wilderness”, both physically and emotionally.
Re Alicia’s PS about the typo and your comment about lack of in-house editors, I think that even when stuff is sent out to freelance editors by publishing companies, often the MS is checked on a computer; thus, so much is missed. When things are proofread from hard copy, it’s much easier to spot the errors.
You sound as if you’re being exceptionally industrious and focused this week. I hope you’re remembering to take time out to eat, exercise, and rest 😉
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
This week has been an extremely busy one and, as you can see, I’m way behind on replying to comments.
I do hate finding typos in my printed works. Thank you for your generous comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I was going to suggest a FB chat or Skyping session for today, but it sounds as if you’re too bogged under with work. I’ll sign into FB later and you can message me if you want a few minutes break, otherwise I’ll leave you be.
Best thing is to stay calm and focused. I’m always behind with replying to comments and am in awe of you for managing to read all the offerings in FF every week. As much as I would like to have time to do so, neither am I fast and focused with my work, nor am I a magician who can stretch time.
Good luck with your paintings, which are always quite beautiful.
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
It’s not looking too promising for a Skype but I’ll play it by ear. We’re headed for a conference and I haven’t come close to organizing. We spent yesterday running errands. But the upside is that I’m closer to being ready for the art fair in June.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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