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As always, please be considerate of your fellow Fictioneers and keep your stories to 100 words. (Title is not included in the word count.) Many thanks.
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 © Yvette Prior
Genre: Histrionic Faction
Word Count: 100
UNLUCKY STRIKE
Remember how commercials bombarded us with catchy slogans?
“I’d rather fight than switch.”
“Winston tastes good, like a cigarette should.”
Serling delivered his famous Twilight Zone intros while wisps of smoke framed his face.
During his renowned interviews in the 1950’s, Mike Wallace brandished his ubiquitous coffin nail.
I coughed. “I wish you’d quit smoking those nasty things, Mommy.”
Taking a long drag, she covered a burn hole in her skirt with a daisy applique. “I need them to calm my nerves.”
She finally quit in 1980—just a year before lung cancer claimed her.
“Were they worth it, Mom?”
These little goodies came on the back Raleigh cigarettes. You could save them and buy all kinds of things, from jewelry to appliances. We used to joke that Mom would use hers for an iron lung. Somehow that’s not as funny as it used to be.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
As they say, it’s the only product which, when consumed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, kills you. Good one, Rochelle
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Dear Neil,
You might guess I’m not a big fan. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great piece. Cigarettes have got many of us in their clutches throughout the centuries. Nicely written Rochelle.
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Dear Lisa,
I was so thankful when my husband quit 40 years ago. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Addictions are hard to break. Thought-provoking and true. My father was a chain smoker until he had a severe heart attack at fifty. Later he died from lung cancer.
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Dear Gabi,
My brother and I used to joke that Mom was saving all those Raleigh coupons to buy an iron lung. Somehow it wasn’t so funny when she died of lung cancer. Sorry for your loss. And than you for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m sorry for your loss, too. I thought it was your mum, but wasn’t certain. My dad, after he stopped smoking, couldn’t stand the smell any more. He apologized for making us endure the stink for so long.
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I still remember my mother, in her last year, going through chemo saying, “What a price to pay for a little bit of pleasure.” Thank you again, Gabi.
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Oh Rochelle – sorry for your loss (and to Gabi too) –
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I remember that there was a cigarette advertisement on about every show on TV. Non-stop, in your face “You gotta be cool. Smoke me.” My words. They killed a lot of people. I was a chain smoker of non-filtered camels for around 14 years. Quit cold turkey on May 2, 1976. Great story.
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Dear Jan,
And every talk show host and guest was seen with a ciggie in hand. Leave us not forget about your Divine Intervention when you quit ‘cold turkey.’ Either way, the air in our home has been much cleaner since then. I don’t miss the ashtrays. Sadly it wasn’t so easy for many…like my mother and your sister.
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I’ve lost family and friends – including my father – to the dreadful weed so this really resonated. Nicely done, Rochelle.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Dear Susan,
Back in the day smoking was encouraged by the media. How many of us have similar stories? I’m sorry for your loss. 😦 Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Your story tore at my heart and also your subsequent comment about the coupon joke. So very sad.
Best wishes
Edith
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Dear Edith,
The jokes aren’t funny any more, are they? Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This hits home hard, Rochelle. I do enjoy the occasional smoke, but have cut down drastically over the past decade. Somehow, I have never been able to quit cold turkey. Very sorry for your loss. Varad
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Dear Varad,
I truly hope you’ll be able to finally quit completely. I know it’s difficult. Sending you my best. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When I was a kid, I finally got my Dad to quit smoking and he lived decades longer. He did die of cancer related causes, but we figure it was because he worked for decades at the Nuclear Test site in Nevada. And yes, I do remember all of those cigarette commercials.
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Dear James,
Lucky you. My mom didn’t listen to anyone until it was too late. Remember candy cigarettes? Nothing like training up the next generation.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
A story that has hit home for so many of us. I count three friends who died age 50 and younger of lung cancer… plus my father, plus too many others. Can’t tell you how glad I have those up 21 years ago…
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I’m glad you quit, too. ❤ Even as a child, with a mother who smoked, I HATED cigarettes. I never understood it. All it did was make me gag.
Thank you for stopping here for a breather 😉 and leaving a nice comment.
Shalom and hugs,
Rochelle
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We were just remarking about this very thing. My dad reached for his cigarettes before his glasses. Everything stank, but we just accepted it as the way things were. Both my grandfathers drank and smoked like fiends, three packs a day (Chesterfileds for one, Camels for the other). Both died of cancer before they turned 75. My dad died of pulmunary fibrosis, a genetic disorder that smoking that much certainly did not help.
I remember hearing my mom rail about the Winston ad. “It should be AS a cigarette should.” I blame her for my grammar rigidity. Good story as always.
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Dear Josh,
Last week, my brother and I compared notes and agree we get our grammar Nazism from our mother. I’m not convinced that’s a bad thing.
I remember getting hand me downs for my kids from my sister in law who smoked. Those clothes went directly to the washing machine to remove the stench.
RE my story: Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Okay – so is there a high positive correlation between astute grammar and being a smoker….
Hmmmm
Jk
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I don’t think so, Yvette. Actually I probably know just as many, if not more, smokers who give the English language a black eye every time they open their mouths. 😉
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Yeah – I was totally kidding! Hahhahhs
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😀
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And he black eye analogy was powerful
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Eloquent cautionary tale, Rochelle. The line “Taking a long drag, she covered a burn hole in her skirt with a daisy applique,” is a powerful way of telling us how the addiction found its way into every part of her life. I’m sorry that you lost your mother to cancer like that.
Shalom
Penny
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Dear Penny,
Somewhere I might have a picture of that particular skirt. People used to compliment her on how cute it was. It was a straight, pink skirt. After sewing on one daisy she decided to sew a whole row of them all the way around the skirt. Very clever. It would’ve been more clever for her to have quit. 😦 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I smoked for several years, quit twice the second time stuck. Now I can’t stand the smell of cigarette smoke.
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Dear Lish,
Funny how that works. Glad you quit.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Me too!
Taking a long drag, she covered a burn hole in her skirt with a daisy applique. “I need them to calm my nerves.”
Sheesh! I totally forgot to mention how much I like this line. Reason one: The cigarette burn says so very much. Reason two: Cigarettes make on jittery, but are comforting in the routine and being able to hide behind them.
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Thank you, Lish. My mother had a knack for dropping her ashes and leaving burn holes all over the house. I’m really surprised she never burned the house down. My best friend smokes. I wish she’d quit. 😦
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s a tough one for sure.
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One day I will be asking my dad this very question, I keep expecting to here the diagnosis everytime he picks up another bad cough.
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Dear Iain,
Perhaps your dad will have an epiphany and kick the nasty habit. I keep waiting for that to happen with my best friend. Thanks for weighing in.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hubby and I quit in 1991, and started married life as non smokers. I’ve never regretted it.
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Dear Pensitivity,
I never saw anything appealing about smoking. I was thrilled when my husband stopped. I’m happy that you and your husband both did. Cleaner air for sure.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One of our better moves Rochelle.
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Even now I still see some people smoking but not as many.
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Hope it ok to chime in – and Larry – I am actually shocked at how many people I see smoke – while in clogged traffic I can see smokers – and sometimes at businesses I see the smoking area packed – not judging – but shocked at how many still smoke knowing what we know about health (vs when we did not when it was portrayed as sexy and cool or macho and suave
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old habits like that are hard to let go of. , though the young should know better by now
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Dear Larry (and Yvette 😉 )
Old habits are hard to let go of. For all the surgeon general warnings on cigarette packs, high taxes and raising prices, there will always be those who are going to smoke no matter what. After all the years my kids heard about their grandmother’s lung cancer, it didn’t stop my youngest son from taking up the habit at an early age.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So sorry for your loss, Rochelle. My husband calls them “cancer sticks”. I have such troubles with my lungs due to my auto-immune disease and have been outside at the hospital in the past struggling to breathe through the cigarette smoke. The irony too is that many nurses are smokers and workers who smoke used to get rewarded with a break. What we in Australia call “smoko” in some circles. It’s a good thing that smoking in front of people these days is largely considered poor form and people wouldn’t dream of lighting up in someone else’s car. A big improvement even if there is a way to go.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Dear Rowena,
I can see why my story evoked some strong feedback from you. I don’t know that we’ll ever get everyone to stop smoking. Thank you for your well wishes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So sad. And yet, people still smoke, always believing they will dodge the cancer bullet.
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Dear Linda,
There’s always that, “it will never happen to me” mentality, isn’t there? I have friends who smoke and I want to choke them. (I guess that would be counter productive, wouldn’t it? 😉 ) Thank you for reading and weighing in on the discussion.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is hard hitting but so relevant. Smoking has ruined many a lives.
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Dear Meha,
I agree. Smoking is a killer. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My mother smoked right through my childhood. She was so proud of herself for quitting, but by then the damage to me was already done. Back then they didn’t know about second hand smoke.
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Back then they could smoke anywhere. My mother didn’t care that her smoke exacerbated my hay fever…and so on and son.
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Lucy wanted to name their baby Philip if it’s a boy and Morris if it’s a girl
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Excuse me?
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Should have said Lucy and Ricky. ‘I Love Lucy’ sponsor was Philip Morris and they were constantly referred to on the show.
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Yeah, that would’ve helped. I’ve been watching To Tell the Truth circa 1959 when Marlboro was their sponsor. Each of the contestants were given a free carton of Marlboros for participants. Isn’t that special?
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Some didn’t know and the rest didn’t care
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Rochelle, what a sad story about addiction and how it claims the lives of loved ones. Am so sorry you lost your dear Mom to lung cancer. I too am not a fan of cigarettes.
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Dear Notes,
She would be over 100 today, but I still miss my mom and wonder how much more time I would’ve had her had she not smoked. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Wilhelmina Snakewit W(T)F,
Judi & Wanda would feel right at home in this place. I loved those old ads with doctors pushing cigarettes. When I was a teenager, one of my friends smoked Old Gold filters (they also had coupons). He told my mother he used to smoke Acapulco Gold. Maybe you’ve tried that brand too.
Got a light?
Carbuncle McSwine
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Dear Carbuncle McSwine,
Can you believe all of the cigarette ads back in the day? You can check out my last comment to Larry, so I don’t have to repeat myself. 😉
Acapulco Gold? Moi? By the same toke-nI had my mother convinced that the wooden water pipe that I kept on my dresser was merely a decoration. (It was pretty, as well as ‘dys’functional). What a rush.
Shalom and happy trails,
Wilhelmina Snakewit W(T)F
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My parents were both heavy smokers. Makes me sick to think of the smell of our apartments. I’m struggling with this photo due to the ashtray. Brings up too many nauseating memories. Might have to skip this week.
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Dear Stu,
I understand. I’m familiar with that aversion and nausea.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I was 13 when my Dad died of lung cancer. He smoked Marlboro. I vividly remember the handsome cowboy on the horse. Things have changed but tobacco is still too big a business.
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Dear Susan,
That had to have been horrible to lose your dad. Thirteen is such a difficult age to begin with. I know way too many people who still smoke. Boggles the mind, doesn’t it? Thanks for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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sorry for your loss Rochelle. No idea about smoking or smokers in our family.. Bit what surprises me is despite seeing the caption in the cigar box ” Cigar smoking is injurious to health” people still buy and enjoy the puffs.. have a great day!
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Dear Deepa,
Amazing, isn’t it? Those warnings on cigarettes are a joke in my opinion. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s strange the things people accept. I used to say all the time to people when I saw them smoking, “you know those things will kill you, right?”
Amazingly, they always said “yes,” and they always kept right on smoking.
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Dear Russell,
There’s that whole “it won’t happen to me” mentality. It can and it does. 😦 Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, your story touched my heart. In fact it’s heart wrenching. To know that someone you love has died of cancer and the villain is that ugly stick is very, very painful.
I am sure this story will make all who smoke ever even think of smoking to have second thoughts and immediately steer away from this utterly despicable, life threatening indulgence.
There are better ways to die. Love being one of them!
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Dear Neel,
We used all the analogies on Mom: coffin nails, cancer sticks, etc. Yet she smoked on. It’s an addiction and, while I understand how difficult it is to quit, I hate those death spears with all my heart.
In any event thank you for your kind and generous comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sad tale, the big companies are still at it today; nudging us in the direction to buy more of the suggest stuff. It’s an all too familiar story.
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Dear Shrawley,
There are way too many stories like mine, aren’t there? Thank you for adding to the discussion.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle, being in the UK ‘ Winstons’ are not a brand I know, but at the time, here, I am told companies gave cigarette cards free … to encourage the young I believe. How the world has changed. Another great flash of a story full of truths and ambience. Wouldn’t I love to have a collection of the writings on the back of those packets now, the stories they would paint.
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Dear Ellen,
Intriguing idea. Put personal stories on the cigarette packs. I fear they would be ignored the same way the surgeon general’s message is ignored. Thank you so much for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Stories of sadness, bought on by inhaling cyanide, nicotine and all manner of drugs pesticides and pollutants. May be a deterrent ..
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How things change. Smoking used to be the coolest thing ever, now even advertising smoking is banned and cigarette packets all sport horrific pictures of tarry lungs and the like. I’m glad I managed to give up.
Nice piece!
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Dear Ali,
I applaud you for kicking the habit. My husband did years ago and it certainly cleared the air. 😉 Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story Rochelle. Poignant and so evocative of that time. I remember all those old black & white movies – like Casa Blanca with Baccall & Bogart – wreathed in smoke as part of their chic. And how cigarette packets’ images have become more & more graphic. No use if you’re hooked.
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Dear Francine,
It’s amazing and appalling to watch old B&W movies and TV shows and how smoking was just part of it. I can tell you there’s nothing chic about lung cancer or COPD or Emphysema…and the list goes on. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sorry for your loss, Rochelle.
What a poignant piece.
P.S. I admire you for your sense of humor. 🙂
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Dear Priya,
Thank you on all counts. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A poignant, and I must say, nostalgic story. My mom, too, was a smoker, and couldn’t give them up even after a heart attack. I’m sorry for your loss, and I can only imagine what a relief it must have been for Jan to give up the “coffin nails.”
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Dear Jan,
I had forgotten all of the ads on television when we were kids. It does bring back memories…not all bad ones either. 😉 Nonetheless I hated being around the smoke and icky ashtrays. When Jan smoked he wouldn’t confine his ash to just one. He’d come home at the end of the day and hit every one of them after I’d gone to the trouble to clean them. I don’t miss those days. I rejoiced when he quit.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A friendly warning from your experience. Sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing it with us.
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Dear Fatima,
If one person quits or decides not to take up the habit it will be worth it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hello, Rochelle.
My father used to be a chain-smoker, but, he quit a few years back (post a massive a heart attack). He is fine now and we are glad that he could finally kick the butt. I could relate to your story.
Thank you 🙂
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Dear Piyali,
I like “kicked the butt”. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Those who continue to make it and sell it despite knowing what they are responsible for- how do they live with themselves?
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That’s a good question, Anurag. Apparently they sleep very well while making a profit off a legal addictive substance. There’s something wrong with that picture, isn’t there?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A sad tale, Rochelle, and with a brilliant title.
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Thank you, Jilly. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
I’m sure many out there can relate to those times of smoking being a cool thing to do.
I detested it, have never smoked and couldn’t really stand to be around people who did because of the nasty scent. I’m using scent to be nice. LOL
Sorry … you’re mom suffered the consequences of this horrible product. Now, we know better. Those who still smoke, and there must be many since they are still producing cigarettes, know what is in store from the behavior. We all have choices.
Superb write and insightful thoughts, mi amiga.
Buen fin de semana ….
Abrazos y Shalom.
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
It seems we have similar experiences with parental smokers. Yes, scent is being kind. 😉
Gracias for your sweet words.
Buen viaje mi amiga,
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
PS I’m getting lots of compliments on my beret. It’s in my profile picture on Facebook. .
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I’m back 😂😂😂
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Not worth it, but we didn’t know then, did we?
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It was considered glamorous and chic back in the day, Liz.
Thanks for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reminded me of my dear Grandpa who was a smoker but quit finally when the doctor gave him a warning when he was 65 that this is his last chance. Good one Rochelle
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Dear Akshata,
I’m glad your grandfather listened and quit. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very difficult to kick the habit. Whether is was worth it is not even a matter of debate.
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Dear Abhiray,
All the arguing in the world won’t convince some smokers to quit. Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
If they truly calmed her nerves, who knows?
Shalom
Kelvin
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Dear Kelvin,
They calmed her nerves until they killed her.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I don’t think I’ll be able to top you this week, Rochelle. Your words hit home as deeply as a coffin nail (pun intended). My Mom quit when Doc said she only had 30 days to live…she died 29 days later. I still remember the smell, and the awful tar on everything. So glad to be away from it, but have asthma as a result of second-hand smoke from childhood. A great story, even more so that it’s real! Shalom~ Jelli
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Dear Jelli,
I feel the pain you felt, my friend. And who knew back then how damaging the second hand smoke was? Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle, such a topical subject. In England they are thinking about relaxing the restrictions on Vaping!!! My father was given cigarettes in part payment for national service in the RAF ! . He received no compensation for the damage they inflicted upon him.
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Dear Michael,
Back in WWII cigarettes were used to barter. 😦 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good stuff Rochelle, its a disease this addiction, and laws need to be tightened, i’ve noticed the “plain packaging” of cigarettes is starting to display the maker’s name larger and bolder again.
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Dear Shrawley
Some folks are going to smoke no matter if they package ciggies in plain brown wrappers.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know that Rochelle, but the govt made moves in Britain to ban advertising on packets, almost turning them into brown plain packets, with s health warning in big letters and a picture of a blackened lung or a dead body on a slab or a nasty looking tumour. I’ve noticed in. Bulgaria the makers name is appearing larger again, showing the power of the manufacturer against the state.
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A sad tale, more so that Mom had quit before the end. You pack in so much social history as well as the family story, and great descriptive lines: ‘…Mike Wallace brandished his ubiquitous coffin nail’ – so well done.
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Dear Sarah Ann,
It’s appalling how much cigarettes were a part of TV in the 50’s & 60’s, isn’t it? Thank you for your generous comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When I was growing up, cigarettes were no longer heavily advertised. What a sad true story. I’m sorry for your loss.
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Dear Magarisa,
Back in the day those cigarette ads were prevalent. Now it’s prescription drug commercials that make me crazy. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle, It must have been extremely difficult to walk through lung cancer with your mother, so sorry you lost her. In one of your comments, you mentioned candy cigarettes for children. I remember those and oh my goodness how terrible. A conspiracy if there ever was one by the tobacco companies. Your story was very well written as always!
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Dear Brenda,
It was very difficult losing my mom. I was 27 at the time and losing a parent was unfathomable. I remember emulating her as a small child with the candy cigarettes. In retrospect they tasted like sweetened chalk. 😉 Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, now that you mention it they did taste a bit like chalk. Take care!
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As I edge closer to age 60 I am losing more of my friends to this cancer. Many of whom this story could be theirs.
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Dear Dawn,
I have some friends who smoke and I so wish they quit. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The only real way to give up is never to start. But when society or peers are telling you how cool it is, it’s hard to resist…
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Dear RG,
You hit the nail on the head. Never starting is the most sure fire way to ‘quit.’ Thanks for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi again, I was so busy chiming in on some of the comments I forgot to leave some feedback on your writing.
not that anyone “needs” us to comment – but is sure is a fun part of the blog experience.
Also, some writing resonates – and so that is why I am back.
First, your 100 words grabbed more of the history you are so good at weaving into posts. The coupons, the names of actors/shows and current events and that
Winston quote:
“Winston tastes good, like a cigarette should.”
I once read a commentary about how edgy marketing this phrase was (and the bad grammar that almost did not allow it to move through the board room of acceptance – and then to see how you and some of your readers noted the topic of grammar – just cool)
side note – I am not a smoker but heard that in the last 15 years many people smoke Winston because they are supposed to have the least amount of chemical additives – not quite the “Spirit” brand – but supposedly Winston is better than other brands when it comes to chemcial addititives.
Second, The personal touch you bring into your writing – preserving your family memories through your work – the patch, the cough, the quitting, and the year later…
Third, I like your writing because you have a straight-forward style that never tries too hard to go deep. Your confidence leads to pieces that are often humorous or playful – often with history (as noted above) and some sort of message or meaning to be left up fro grabs.
Not digging on writers who get all deep and complex and add abstract – those who try to have metaphor upon analogy (ha) because we all need to do our own thing. we must!!
and as you do your writing — with its natural, straight forward flow – I find it is consistently like a good home-cooked meal that does not disappoint.
And I hope that comes out as the compliment I intended.
—
Lastly,
my favorite line from your 100 words:
Taking a long drag….
was right there and could imagine the exhale
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Dear Yvette,
Your words have expanded the place between my ears. Thank you for such a magnificent and detailed comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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my pleasure (cheers)
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Sorry for your loss; storied in with celebrities (your mom being one), the evils of marketing, and our gullible attraction to both. Sad. All very sad.
I’m grateful I quit 15 years ago. Among the most difficult of things I have ever done. And one of the best.
Much love,
Randy
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Dear Randy,
I’m also glad you quit 15 years ago. Who knows? I might have been deprived of wishing you a happy birthday on our shared date. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh my gosh. A hard life with a tough sentence. I hate cigarettes too… awful things
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Dear Laurie,
I don’t need to tell you how much I hate cigarettes. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sad and touching story. It took a car accident and cracked ribs for my father to give up his chain smoking habit – not a recommended way of quitting but it worked.
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Dear Subroto,
That is a drastic method of quitting for sure. At least he did. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sorry for your loss Rochelle.
We did study cigarette ads as part of Advertising class (Unfortunately neither they nor the anti-smoking ones do a good job to prevent smoking).
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Thank you, Bernadette.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Feeling so sorry for everyone who have lost their life because of smoking. Our movies always showed actors smoking with style and inspired their fans.
Sorry for your loss, dear. Nowadays they give statutory warnings but iwonder Why not stop manufacturing these killers?
Shalom.
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😭 The Doctors said my dad’s smoking may have been the catalyst for my dad’s cancer. So sorry ny friend.
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Dear Andrea,
Breathing in concentrated smoke can’t be good. I wonder what possessed people to think it was. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sorry just now seeing this. Yes because as we know 9 out of 10 Doctors prefer camels. 😔
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Dear Andrea,
Why on earth your comments all go to my trash folder is beyond me. You and a couple of other people. Therefore I check my trash folder on a daily basis.
At any rate, doctors used to bleed people with leeches. So There…you…go. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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