Our Mantra
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PHOTO PROMPT © Danny Bowman
Please be considerate and keep your stories to 100 words. Thank you.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
TO BOLDLY GO
Dora wreathed her arms around her son’s neck. “What’s in California? No mishpokhah—you’ll be a stranger in a strange land.”
“Like you were when you came to America, Mama.” The youth bristled with determination. “I won’t be an alien for long. You’ll see.”
Dora’s husband Max frowned. “You’re only eighteen. Forget this acting mishegoss.”
***
Leonard, now an old man, strolled along the West End’s changing streets remembering his mother’s tears as he boarded the train.
A passerby grinned, raised his hand, spreading his fingers, two to the left and two to the right. “Live long and prosper, Mr. Nimoy.”
*Mishpokha-Family
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How did this tradition get started?
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
“I won’t be an alien for long”. What a gorgeous and knowing little joke!
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Dear Neil,
So glad you caught that little joke. I couldn’t resist. Thank you.
Live long and prosper,
Rochelle
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This story has a sense of deja vu. Been there, done that kind of feeling. Very poignant and as usual, extremely well written.
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Dear Neel,
Thank you, as always, for one of your gorgeous comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I read how he started young. He was an alien longer than he thought he’d be. He learned by experience rather than acting school. Good writing and story based on fact, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Mr. Nimoy did end up being Spock longer than he expected. I saw him on an interview where he laughed and said, “When Spock died I thought that was the end of it. I’ve learned never to say ‘never.'” 😉 Thank you.
Live long and prosper,
Rochelle
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“Live long and prosper” to you too, Rochelle.” 🙂 — Suzanne
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So very beautiful. I would have loved to hear you read out this beautiful story. 🙂
Regards and best wishes,
Moon.
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Dear Moon,
I hadn’t thought of recording it. But, because you asked, it’s done. (It’s still early 😉 ) Hope you enjoy the listen. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks from my heart, dear Rochelle. Loved the recording. Thanks so much .🙂
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Zachary Quinto performs admirably, but there can be only one Mr. Spock and it’s Leonard Nimoy. Fantastic tale and per usual, a morsel of unknown information.
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Dear Varad,
Even Leonard Nimoy said that Zachary Quinto did a good job with Spock, I’m with you. There can be only one. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved the recording, Rochelle. Mr. Spock will never be forgotten.
Live long and prosper, Varad.
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A lovely story about one of my favourite characters. How I loved those ears, and even now I had to try, unsuccessfully, to do that hand signal. 🙂 Some things never change.
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Dear Sandra,
I was never a Captain Kirk fan. I shall always love Mr. Spock and am still mourning the passing of Leonard Nimoy. I can do the hand sign with my right but not so well with my left. 😉 Thank you.
Live long and prosper,
Rochelle
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I can do it with my left and not my right!
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“Long life and Prosperity, indeed!” She raises her hand in salute. I remember reading Mr. Nimoy’s “I am NOT Spock” and then later some other of his writings. I’ve always said that I don’t have heroes… maybe not, but his character would definitely be one if I did. Calm in chaos, able to make logical deductions in a single thought…ahhhh… Yes, I’m a lifelong StarTrek fan, still watch on reruns and dvd. I love how you brought us the man behind Spock. The man is just as interesting. 🙂 ❤
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Dear Jelli,
I’ll admit that Spock was one of my teen idols. There was just something illogically fascinating about him. 😉 I still watch the reruns, too. I’m a Trekkie and not afraid to admit it. Nimoy was an interesting man. I still mourn his loss. ❤ Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Mine, too, illogical though it may be. A bit of him became the source fodder for the sci fi series I wrote so long ago.
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I would love to hear your opinion about The Talented Mr. Quinto, Rochelle.
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My favourite character from Star Trek. Lovely story Rochelle. You are the master of historical fiction 🙂
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Dear Joyful,
Spock’s an all time favorite of mine. Really the first alien in Sci-Fi that wasn’t threatening or a little green man. Although Spock’s blood was green. 😉 Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Love this. Mr. Spock is one of my earliest heroes. Nimoy’s son’s documentary is stunning, too. Thanks for reminding me how cool that guy was.
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Dear Josh,
Adam Nimoy’s documentary is on my bucket list. However, before writing this I watched a two hour interview with Leonard about his Yiddish roots. OMG my mourning for him has begun afresh. Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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JHC, I remember a Big bang Theory episode about Mr. Nimoy’s son shooting the documentary.
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Very neatly done, loved the little alien joke. He certainly lived long and prospered.
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Dear Iain,
I’m glad you caught the alien line. Most definitely deliberate. 😉 Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper
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Great take on the story of our favorite alien of all time 🙂
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Dear Trent,
It seems there are many Spock fans afoot. 😉 Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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That was fantastic. Thank you for such a wonderful tribute to the late Leonard Nimoy.
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Thank you, James. 😀
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Peace and long life (the proper response as per the episode “Amok Time” written by the late Theodore Sturgeon).
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Ah, I love this story on so many levels, having been a Spock fan ever since I saw the first Star Trek episode. I also love the reboot and the young characters, but of course Mr. Nimoy was the one and only. Spock’s character is so well developed with a great backstory. But I digress. It’s lovely to hear you read and the video is the cream on top. I had no idea about the meaning of the hand signal, which I’ve practised since I first saw it. LLAP, Rochelle.
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Dear Gabi,
I’ve been a fan since the very beginning of Star Trek. Spock made my adolescent heart race. Glad you enjoyed my reading (thanks to Moon) and the video. I loved Mr. Nimoy for Spock and for his Jewish connection among other reasons. (What was not to love?) Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story Rochelle – Star Trek is an all time favorite and Spock of course. I couldnt believe his ears werent like that 😀 Thanks so much
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Dear Dahlia,
The makeup people did an amazing job on those ears, didn’t they? Needless to say, I adored Spock. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved the story and history. He just could not escape being an alien. For which all of us Trek fans are grateful. Great actor and great man.
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Dear Jan,
No argument here. He made adolescent heart do somersaults. I still mourn his loss. Thanks for flying by.
Live Long and Prosper, m’love.
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Oh I feel so silly I didn’t catch on sooner! That was great.
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Dear Karen,
Didn’t catch on? Not all of us are ridiculous Trekkies. 😉 I always loved Spock’s Jewish connection. Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Dear Tie-Dye Tootsie,
I enjoyed your educational piece on Vulcan sign language. When are you going to do a piece of the origin of “the bird?”
Hope that’s not too much trouble
Tribbles
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Dear Tribbles,
I’ve actually heard an interesting story of where that one finger salute came from. An historical fiction about that might be entertaining at that. 😉 I love it when the gauntlet is thrown.
Live Long and Prosper,
Tie-Dye Tootsie
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You kill me, Russell 😛
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Lovely story, Rochelle and so great he ignored his well meaning parents and enjoyed such great success. Spock was an iconic role, one that many actors might have seen as a curse in some ways, but he was always very gracious about it. Great story
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Dear Lynn,
In one of the interviews I watched, Leonard Nimoy laughed and said he thought that when Star Trek was cancelled that was the end of Spock. Then came the movies and even after Spock ‘died’ it wasn’t the end of it. As for me, I’m glad he didn’t listen to his parents and didn’t become “Dr. Spock.” 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Culture would be very different if all of those artistic, creative people listened to the advice of their staid if well meaning parents! Sounds like a humble and good natured man. I’m glad he was so successful
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To me, totally worth a move across country. But I bet to him it was a lifetime’s worth of annoyance.
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Dear Alice,
His parents never understood science fiction or Spock but they did come to support and be proud of their son.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great actors need fine writing, yet for me the many Star Trek series worked because of their characters. Characterisation in writing is so important and as usual you succeed .
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Dear Michael,
I will watch a character driven show over the plot driven one any day of the week. I feel the same about books. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love this story! He definitely was not a stranger for long. 😊 Peace to you Rochelle
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Dear Kat,
He worked his way up but will always be remembered more for that role than any other. Thank you. 😀
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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I had always admired Spock’s elongated ears.
People who do that hand gesture .. spreading two to the right and to the left are considered to be genius.
As usual Rochelle , a lovely story.
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Dear Kalpana,
It’s not a hand sign everyone can do. In Judaism, it’s done by the cohaneem, the priests while blessing the congregation. The agreement Nimoy had with the rabbis was that it was okay to use it as the Vulcan greeting as long as it was never held overhead as the rabbis did.
Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Nimoy was awesome. Probably the most loved character in the original Trek. And so it seems that Nimoy also took a “trek” to Hollywood. Great historical characterization, Rochelle!
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Dear Eric,
Spock was always my favorite Enterprise crew member. Gad you trekked alongside. 😉 Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Oh I love this… and it was not so long ago since he passed away… love the ties to the title.
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Dear Björn,
I’m pleased you caught the tie-in title. Not everyone catches those. I’m still mourning his loss. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You and your “historical fiction.” What a neat piece, Rochelle! And you know, I’ve tried to make that sign with my hand (2 to the left and 2 to the right), but it’s very painful. I can’t imagine his being able to do it on a regular and comfortable basis.
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Dear Sandra,
I’m decidedly right handed. I can make the sign easily with my right but it’s difficult with my left. Of course I love the tie-in to the Aaronic benediction. A little known fact is that Nimoy asked permission of the rabbis and was told that he could use it as long as he didn’t lift it over his head. (This may or may not be true as I’ve only heard that from my rabbi.) 😉 😀 Glad you liked my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’d be willing to bet it is true though.
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Interesting story.
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Thank you,Indira. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Shalom dear.
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One of your best stories, Rochelle. I, too, loved your sneaky use of “alien”; it made me snort with laughter!
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Dear Penny,
I hope you weren’t eating or drinking anything when you snorted. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reblogged this on All About Writing and more.
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Thank you for the reblog, Henrietta. 😀
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You are welcome!
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So clever. He was always one of my favorite aliens! Well done, Rochelle!
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Dear Sascha,
There’ll never be another Spock. 😉 He was my favorite alien, too.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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“Fascinating is a word I use for the unexpected, in this case I would think interesting would suffice” – Mr. Spock. But as always, well done!
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Dear Susan,
Fascinating and completely logical. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fine tribute to a wonderful man and an inspiration. And I add my vote to the “won’t be an alien for long” line!
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Dear Joy,
I’m glad you enjoyed the story and I’m pleased that my double entendre was understood. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story. As a big Star Trek fan I really enjoyed it.
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Thanks, J.A. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love Spock and your writing!
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Thanks, Sabina. Spock was always my favorite alien. 😉
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Mine too!😊
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Nice use of the word alien. Great stuff.
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Many thanks, Hombre. 😀
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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What a fun story!
In a very British school in the heart of leafy Surrey a little boy (Nathan) used to do the ‘live long and prosper’ gesture to me (and say the words) and I’d do it back as the teacher on duty out in the playground. I always thought it was because he was a Trecky fan – but he also happened to be possibly the only Jewish boy at our school. Now I get a connection I never saw before! Fascinating!
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Dear Miranda,
Thank you for sharing that story with me. Although, I’d still guess the boy was a Trekkie. In Judaism that sign (shin for El Shaddai, the Almighty) was used by the rabbis as they blessed the congregation. Although, like Nimoy he might’ve peeked during the blessing, too. 😉
At any rate, I’m glad you liked my story and took the time to say so.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Brilliant
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Thank you, Bettina. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It certainly worked out for him! Nicely written, made it come alive 🙂
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Dear Ali,
I’m glad he took the chance and pursued his dream. Loved Spock. Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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This was fabulous, Rochelle! I love the alien and the Yiddish and Spock… seriously, how handsome was he in that interview. What a smile, eh?
Brilliant stuff, my mentor!
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Dear Dale,
I think he was handsome to the end. Of course we rarely saw that smile from Spock. 😉 But oh, what a lovely alien. 😉 Thank you for your kind words, my young padowan.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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I have to agree…
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This is a great story. Even though I expected the Spock tie-in I still laughed out loud. Love the play on the word alien.
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Dear Cindy,
Your words make me smile. Thank you so much. 😀
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Lovely the way you dropped in the clues – ‘I won’t be an alien for long.’ I was clueless until the reveal. Another great historical tale. 🙂
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Dear Sarah Ann,
Mission accomplished. Thank you for your kind words. 😀
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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I was wondering about the Dr. Spock photo and your story solved the mystery. I love learning and always learn something from your pieces.
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Dear Lindy,
I couldn’t ask for a better compliment. 😀 Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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tugged my heart – anbd enjoyed the audio so much
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Thank you, Prior. I’m never sure how it will come across in the audio. Still not used to hearing my voice as others do. 😉
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Thx for the reply – and crazy how our voices sound different like this – but the audio addition is extra rich –
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mr. nimoy foresaw the future. glad he did. 🙂
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We are indeed, Plaridel. 😉 Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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I find it fascinating that the “Vulcan salute” was actually derived from the Jewish symbol for the Almighty God! Mind you, I find it amazing that Mr Spock was Jewish. They’ve gone just everywhere! 😉
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Dear Christine,
Captain Kirk was (and is) Jewish also. We are everywhere. 😉 As for the Vulcan salute. That makes me smile. 😀 Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Wonderful piece, Rochelle! I loved it. :o)
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Many thanks, Mrs. C. 😀
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Fun story wrapping an unknown fact! Loved it. I also loved the “alien” reference. That’s clever!
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Dear FP,
Thanks for such a lovely comment. 😀
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Try as I may I’ve never managed to copy his four finger salute! A delightfully different piece from you this week Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
I can do the salute readily with my right hand but left hand doesn’t comply easily. Glad you enjoyed my story and took the time to say so. Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Thank you for lighting my day with that little gem. I just so loved Leonard Nimoy as Mr Spock.
Sorry, I’ve not got myself organised to write anything for FF this week. Partly it’s because I’ve had neuralgia in my neck and both shoulders (plus brain fug), and partly because my internet signal is flaky, which, I fear, mitigates against skyping D: Most frustrating. At least the signal has lasted long enough to read your story and comment.
Hope to return to the land of the living next week.
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
Hope your pain and internet flakiness are both resolved soon. At any rate, I’m pleased you enjoyed my story. What about Spock was not to love?
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
My pain is now a dull ache today, which is an improvement …helped by the sight of sunshine and a blue sky, I’m sure! My computer problem seems to related to my wireless connection, which keeps needing resetting. Perhaps I need resetting, too 😉
Hoping to live long and prosper 🙂
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Live long and prosper. Thanks Rochelle for bringing one of my favourite characters back and brightening my Friday evening.
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Prosperity and long life, Lavanya 😉 He was always my favorite aboard the Enterprise. Thank you for your sweet words.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Reblogged this on L.E.R.T and commented:
As a trekkie, it’s only fair. Live Long and Prosper, everyone. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for this lovely piece of nostalgia.
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Thanks for the reblog, Varad. That’s a high compliment.
Live Long and Prosper.
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Thanks, again, for a little tidbit of information I knew nothing about. Loved it.
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Dear Linda,
Always happy to share. 😉 Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle, I loved your flash, especially as it’s based on a real event in Nimoy’sl life. It was also an extra bonus to listen to you reading it 🙂 I’m a trekkie, too. I admire the three main characters, Spock, Kirk and McCoy, especially when they interact in the same scenes, priceless. Hope you have a great weekend. Lucy.
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Dear Luccia,
The banter between Spock and McCoy was one of the best parts of Star Trek. Glad you enjoyed my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And then he remained an “alien” for the longest possible period of time. Nice one Rochelle, enjoyed hearing you read it too. As the Vulcans say “dif-tor heh smusma”.
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Dear Subroto,
He did remain an alien and it served him well, didn’t it? Thank you for your kind words. “Dif-tor heh smusma?” Huh?
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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You need to say it in vulcan 😉 https://tinyurl.com/c39daqd
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It did work out rather well for him, didn’t it?
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Indeed it did work for him. Thank you, Dawn.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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You’re a master crafter of stories, Rochelle!!! Loved hearing it in your voice! Mr Leonard Nimoy is a very dear name to us as we’ve grown up watching Star Trek on Television…loved this take on the prompt.
Live Long and Prosper to you and everyone!
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Dear Esha,
Thank you for your very kind words. I loved Spock and his alter ego, Leonard Nimoy.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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Oooo i miss him! Peace and long life. We were all blessed
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Dear Laurie,
I’m still mourning his loss. Thank you for flying by. 😉
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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I loved the ending when it was revealed that it was the story of the man who played such a cultural icon! These stories are always inspiring!
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Dear Kevin,
He was a cultural icon indeed. I still miss him. Thank you.
Live Long and Prosper,
Rochelle
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*does Vulcan greeting*
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Loved this little window into Nimoy’s life. Sometimes craziness pans out to be genius, lucky for the rest of us this was so, and so Spock!
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Dear Dora,
Thanks for taking the time to read this one. It’s one of my favorites. 😀 Glad you enjoyed.
Live long and prosper in shalom 😉
Rochelle
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