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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 © Jan Wayne Fields
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
PARTNERS IN BOTANY
September 1880
Dearest Lemmonia,
I never dreamt I would meet such a marvelous botanical comrade. Two souls are we with one thought.
Where shall we honeymoon? I propose we journey to the far-off land of the Apaches in Arizona to explore new species of flora or even climb the Santa Catalinas. I await your reply, my love.
Forever yours,
Sara
***
Their guide, Emerson O. Stratton, later reminisced, “We christened the mountain Mt. Lemmon in her honor—the first white woman to reach the peak. There I chopped the bark off a great pine tree and we all carved our names.”
*One of the things we did on our vacation was to go up Mt. Lemmon. Amazingly, you start at the bottom with Saguaro Cacti and end up at the top amid Pine Trees. It’s when I learned that the mountain was named after this intriguing lady that my bit of fiction was born. So much story, so few words allowed. 😉
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Charming tale, m’lady
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Thank you, Sir.
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Thanks for sharing this Rochelle. Its good to learn about unusual people’s exploits. Love the photo of the Lemmons outside their tent – no casual clothes in their day…
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Dear Francine,
When a shop keeper apprised me of this history, I couldn’t resist. Can you imagine camping in long skirts? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a marvelous thing to do: trekking and snapping stories as you go
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Dear Neil,
It was fun. I can’t say we did much trekking unless you count an SUV.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh I love this picture… and the story. The going from saguaro to pine trees (and even snow if that’s the season) is something I remember from my short time in Arizona… I will try to write something later today… but my thinking cap is on.
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Dear Björn,
The change of season and atmosphere was pretty amazing, wasn’t it? 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting story. First one to reach is always special. Glad they remember her for her interest and initiative!
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Dear Anita,
I’m glad that history credits Sara with a first. They could just as easily have named it after Mr. Lemmon. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Perhaps mountains, like ships, were ladies back in the day?
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It’s always nice to find out about those much less conspicuous moments in history ..
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Dear Larry,
Happy to oblige. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is great, Rochelle. My family had a cabin up there in the 1900s, prior to the front range road being built (that took place during the war, using German POW labor). The Catalinas are a magical place, sacred to the native peoples. They have been sadly abused and degraded by the white invaders who respect only money, but the spirit of the mountain is so huge you can’t but be impressed by it. It will endure long after our arrogant culture has destroyed itself.
Sara Lemmon was a friend and mentor of my great aunt Sarah Herring Sorin, an amateur botanist and pioneering territorial lawyer. This picture warmed my heart. The vista we see in the photo is called Loma Linda and is actually below the actual Mt. Lemmon itself. I’ve been to this very place many, many times.
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Dear Josh,
I could’ve used you for a resource. 😉 Thank you so much for this info. (And for the comment on my story, of course. 😉 )
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A wonderful tale. Love the historical note, as well. I’ve taken up, in the last year or so, a fondness for nature journaling, so this only adds to my enjoyment! 🙂
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Dear Beautiful (Jelli) Bear,
Glad you enjoyed my story and took the time to say so. You know Mrs. Lemmon was also an illustrator. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m gonna have to do some more research on her tomorrow when I have a little more time….
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A beautiful picture, a lovely story and a fascinating back story. You never disappoint.
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Dear Gabi,
Your words make me smile. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
YFBM Rochelle
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Enjoyed reading your account of another brave and adventurous soul. Too often these days we hear about the Al Capones in history.
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Dear Christine,
Mrs. Lemmon was quite a fascinating individual. It’s fun to share happy history when there’s so much of the disturbing variety. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love your stories that take me into research mode. I’ve learned about so many interesting people from you 🙂
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Dear Linda,
What a lovely thing to say. You’ve made my mouth turn up at the corners. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not much fiction here but great historical story. I can’t imagine climbing this mountain. The views are phenomenal. This was my second trip up there and could not take enough photos to show the grandeur of it all. Can’t wait to go back.
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Dear Jan,
It was a beautiful sight to behold and all around great trip. This find was one of my high points. Thanks for reading, m’dear.
Love
Me
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That’s quite the adventurous honeymoon. I’d love it.
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Dear Alice,
In one account I read, Sara said she didn’t want a frivolous honeymoon. These were two were definitely one. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a lovely image and a wonderful story to boot. What a redoubtable woman Sara Lemmon must have been – as you say, trekking up the mountain in long skirts, making camp, exploring the local botany. The more we learn about our 19th century female forebears, the more I think the image we have of staid politeness and formal afternoon teas is only part of the picture. Just a lovely piece of history and a lovely tale Rochelle. Thank you for introducing me to another wonderful lady
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Dear Lynn,
Apparently from some accounts this wasn’t her hiking gear that was see in the picture. Definitely a woman of extreme intelligence and drive. 😉 Thank you for your kind and wonderful words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Of course you used your trip as “intel” 😉 I love that you did.
I could not imagine trekking anywhere but down the street in those get-ups. As Lynn said, the more we learn about 19th century women, the more we can be impressed that they were more than needle-pointing, tea-drinking lasses…
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Shssh . . . she was actually on a recon mission for spy organization known as S.P.I.T.S. (Short People In Tennis Shoes). They would have likely recruited you for the mission as well, Dale, but you were way too tall.
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Ah dang… there are benefits to every height, I guess!
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That would have to be SPIPTS…Short People in PURPLE Tennis Shoes. Yeah…it doesn’t make an acronym. :p
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Dear Dale,
As I mentioned to Lynn, according to another account, Mrs. Lemmon had different gear for climbing. Although it does look like they might be taking time for tea in front of their tent. Interesting lady. Wonder if she tucked a flying suit in her rucksack. 😉 😉
After learning that the mountain was named after a woman, I was a one on a mission. Glad you enjoyed the hike.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m sure she did! Bet you she would have shocked society by wearing men’s pants!!
I’m sure she would have if they had been invented…
Of course I enjoyed it 😁
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Sara sounds like a redoubtable lady – I would love to have known her! Thank you for introducing her, and for adding photographs. Your story brings her to life; the photos help us to visualise her vividly.
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Dear Penny,
When first I heard of her, I knew I had to find out more. She must’ve been quite a person. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How exciting for a man to find a woman who doesn’t fear camping ~ especially in “those” days and in a skirt. I imagine there were more intrepid women than we realize. I’m glad she shared one of them with us.
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Dear Lish,
The Lemmons were most definitely kindred spirits. I love finding these stories of strong, trailblazing women. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Now that sounds like a fabulous marriage, to be one in spirit and fascination. Wonderful story, Rochelle!
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Dear Eric,
What a marriage that must’ve been. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Fanny B. W(T)F,
I don’t know if you’ve heard or not, but they’re naming a mole hill after me. There were plans to create a National Park around Mt. Corky, but then Trump got elected and wanted to change the name to Mt. Pimple on My Ass. Last I heard, funding had been slashed and now they’re proposing a cardboard sign and a three-legged picnic bench.
I hope you and Jan will take time to tour the park and have your photo made beside the mole hill on your next cross-country jaunt. And be sure and pick up a bumper sticker at the souvenir shop; “Feeling dorky? Visit Mt. Corky”
It’s a landmark you won’t want to miss!
Corky
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Dear Corky,
I’ll be sure to save up my sheckels for the triip to Mt. Corky. Nothing like great dork to make a mole hill out of mountain. I’m marking my calendar with your purple crayon. Will the mole hill be close to a dung hill? Want to be prepared.
Shalom,
Fanny B. W(T)F
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How wonderful that there was a woman called Mrs. Lemmon and further more she climbed a mountain and now there is Mount Lemmon. Great piece of history again Rochelle.
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Dear Iain,
I was captivated the minute I was told the mountain was named after a woman. Had to know more. It really could’ve been longer piece than 100 words 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So pleased to read this. For if I lived for a thousand years I would still only see a faction of the earths bounty. So it is great that as individuals we can get a feeling for part of planet earth through reading. I was interested to read J Hardy Carroll’s comment. It is fascinating how time and links work.
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Dear Mike,
J Hardy Carroll’s comment was an article in itself. 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a lovely story, Rochelle!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Many thanks, Susan. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a wonderful discovery you made on your trip. What a lovely honeymoon. Are their signatures still visible? Beautifully written flash as always.
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Dear Irene,
We never made it to the peak where her entourage left their signatures, so I can’t tell you if they’re still visible. 😉 Of course we took our trek by car. Thank you for your thoughtful words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It warms my heart to learn that there were mountain climbing women in ‘those’ days. And to have a mountain named after her is the icing on the cake. I think we should have all natural wonders named after women. The Sanskrit name for Mount Everest is Sagarmatha (Mother Ocean) and rivers in India all have feminine names. After all, they are all part of Mother Earth 🙂
Loved your historical story!
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Dear Joyful,
You make some good points. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle!
It’s really inspiring how you’re stories revolve around real-life events. I always get to know something interesting like this.
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Dear Shivam,
It’s true that, more often than not, I write historical pieces about real people. I enjoy writing them so it makes me happy that people enjoy reading them. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A fascinating bit of history once again. Why do we travel, except to collect stories 🙂
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Dear Anurag,
We are writers, after all. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely and interesting story based on history, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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a feel good story. i love it. 🙂
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Thank you, Plaridel. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I did wonder at the name I saw in the photo’s filename. Shame he hacked up the pine tree, though.
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Dear Ali,
We never did go high enough to know if the carvings are still visible. Beautiful country and plenty of trees. 😉 yep, my hunny snapped the photo and about 50 others to go with it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a lovely love story, Rochelle, and so accessible in the form of the letter. Partners in botany. Love it. My lovely daughter is a plantswoman and has taught me more than I ever taught her, Jilly.
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Dear Jilly,
I love it when we become the students to our children. 😀 Thank you for your lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fascinating story, she surely was a trail blazer in her days. A true pioneer!
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Dear Subroto,
She was a fascinating lady indeed. I’d love to know more about her. 😀 Thank you..
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your mountain climb is similar to mine this week. Good to read about pioneering women like Sara.
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Dear Liz,
I couldn’t resist sharing her story. Thanks for hiking by. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I’ve learnt so much by reading (from your stories and other participants, too) and being here on FF. Thanks. 🙂
This too, is a wonderful tale. Loved the photo. Camping in those clothes, can’t even think about it. Thanks for sharing.
I hope you are having a wonderful time collecting beautiful pictures and making memorable memories. 🙂
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This is such an interesting slice of history. I enjoyed the use of Sara’s letter and her delight to convey so much of their relationship, contrasted with the factual account provided by the guide. Sara sounds enchanting.
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What a fascinating woman. Thanks for sharing her story, Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle! Very interesting and informative story. Thanks.
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Nice fascinating historical piece. Learnt something new today. Its so much easier to hike nowadays…..
https://trailbrooklane.blogspot.in/2018/04/the-overview.html
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A fantastic story and very informative.
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Wow Rochelle! Great story! You are a bucket of information – you are a walking/talking/writing encyclopedia of information! I learn cool stuff from you all the time – THANKS!
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Another beautiful insight, Rochelle
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A bit of history, a bit of charm, a bit of fun! Loved this as always.
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Dear Rochelle
The shortest, the sweetest, love letter.
Shalom
Kelvin
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Another beautiful little snippet from history. Thank you again 🙂
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Dear Rochelle,
At long last I’ve managed to read one of your wonderful posts again. Have been very neglectful, I know, but have been suffering from exhaustion with accompanying brain fog and difficulty in organising my time. I have literally one page of the first draft of my novel to write, but it feels like climbing a mountain to get there.
Dale tells me that you’ve been on a grand tour. I’m sure we will have plenty to talk about on Skype in the not-too-distant future.
Meanwhile, I want to say that I love your story/little history this week and the fascinating link telling more about a very courageous and talented woman who didn’t allow her frailty to stand in the way of her creativity and sense of adventure. An example to us all, methinks. I’m sad that her last few years were such a downward spiral for her. She must have missed her dear husband, who seemed to have been very much her kindred spirit.
I hope all is going well for you.
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
I’m delighted to hear from you. You’ve truly been on my heart and mind. We really must Skype soon. Then I can tell you more about the epic journey. 😉
I hope you’re recovering from the exhaustion which is, my guess, every bit as emotional as physical. ❤
I caught the story of Sara Lemmon while in AZ on her mountain. I couldn't let this story go. 😀 I'm glad you went on and followed the link. So much that wouldn't fit into a mere 100 words.
Much love to you. Heading off for a mind cleansing swim.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Methinks you’re right about the emotional and physical aspects of my exhaustion, but then I think you’ve been there many times yourself, so know all about it!
Today, I had total mental block about a haiku, so wrote a meditation instead. It was all about getting back onto an even keel.
I had a rare couple of undisturbed hours yesterday, which is unheard of on a Sunday, so finished my first draft without any difficulty. Am now recuperating for a few days, before venturing upon the readthrough.
At the moment, I think that Friday is a skyping possibility for me. How are you and Dale fixed?
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
I am familiar with the emotional aspects of exhaustion indeed. 😉 It’s probably best that you set your MS aside before doing a readthrough. No doubt your eyes and your psyche need a break.
I’m in holding pattern waiting for the first galley proof of A Stone for the Journey.
Friday is a strong possibility for me Skype-wise. I can’t speak for Dale who wasn’t feeling at all well yesterday. With her house on the market, her schedule isn’t entirely her own.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely bit of history and well-written story. So much said in so few words (you are right that it is a big challenge). It makes me want to go and see this place! =)
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Dear Brenda,
The mountains were a great experience for me and learning about Sara Lemmon made it even better. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It sounds like the Lemmons made a great pair. A lovely story!
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Dear Magarisa,
Obviously the two became one in the Lemmons’ marriage. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sounds as if she had an adventurous life, following her heart. Wonderful story, Rochelle, and I love that it is also about female achievements in the 19th century.
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Dear Fatima,
As a woman, I love finding the heroines of history. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Learning local history is one of the perks of travel, and you have a wonderful knack at turning history into a great story.
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Dear Susan,
Thank you for your kind and affirming words. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A nicely painted vignette Rochelle and as always a fascinating glimpse of a past life.
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Dear TRG.
Lovely to see you here at Frogtopia. 😉 Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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Very cool!
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Thanks, Dawn. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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