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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 © Anshu Bhojnagarwala
When I saw this picture, I decided it was the perfect time to rerun one of my favorites. Some of you might remember this one from four and a half years ago.
Genre: Hysterical Fiction
Word Count: 100
FIRE IN THE HOLE
Two months ago my husband bought a dehydrator, a nifty gadget that reduces ten pounds of apples to less than a pound of mummified slices in a matter of hours.
“Think of the money we’ll save,” said Jeff.
“Seriously?” I rolled my eyes.
The final straw came when he dehydrated jalapeños.
A short time later the dog begged to be let out. With my howling baby tucked under one arm and a handkerchief over my stinging nose I blindly kicked open the front door.
It took a week to fumigate the house. It’ll take longer to let Jeff back in.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Killer last line, Rochelle
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Thank you, Neil. My eyes still burn at the memory. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Funny, made me chuckle on a cold winters morning!!
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Dear Shrawley,
I’m so happy to add warmth to your morning. I was definitely going for the funny bone this morning. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was funny, Rochelle. Might try dehydrating jalapenos someday.
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Dear Varad,
If you try dehydrating jalapeños, consider doing it outside in the open air. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A sizzling story.
I wonder if this is fiction or if ‘Jeff’ is used to spare Jan’s blushes?
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Dear C.E.
How perceptive of you. Some of it is fiction. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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LOL – remiinds me of last night, me burning the cheese on a too hot pan – smoke billowed, the dog fled, and my husband put a blanket over his head and opened all the windows!
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Dear Jennifer,
Those fiascoes happen, don’t they? Hope you were able to laugh about it afterward. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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ROFL! What’s worse, a house that smells of jalapeños, or making a sandwich out if Skittles? Hmmm😜
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Dear Lyneane,
Skittles don’t burn your eyes. 😉 Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Once again, lesson learned, don’t dehydrate jalapenos. Thank you Rochelle for the lovely bit of learning, and a place to share a few words..
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Dear Violet,
It was the one and only time we tried it. 😉 There might be a bit of exaggeration to this tale, but not much. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for making me smile, Rochelle. I feel a bit sorry for Jeff in a way. Hope it didn’t take four years for him to be allowed back in.
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Dear Jilly,
I’m happy you enjoyed my story. 😀 As for Jeff, there is a bit of fiction to this tale. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hilarious story, Rochelle. My husband once decided to cook an egg in the microwave. Pressure built up and there was exploded egg all over the inside. He cleaned it up, not me. 😀 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
We’ve exploded a few eggs in the microwave, too. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Is he like the Ralph and Norton of his day?
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Not exactly.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Never gonna try it with jalapenos 🙂
Have a great scented & fresh week, Rochelle!
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Dear Anita,
I certainly don’t recommend them, unless you dehydrate them outside. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s why they invented Craig’s List 😉 Poor puppy. Jeff, on the other hand, deserves the dog house… Good one.
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Dear Trent,
They didn’t have Craig’s list 35 years ago. 😉 “Jeff” was much more judicious about what he dehydrated after that. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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lol, I left it unasked if this was based on a true story, but that question was answered 😉
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Haha – a great fun story 😀
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Thank you, Dahlia. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dehydrated jalapenos… my eyes are watering at the mere words. I trust a worthwhile penance was extracted for the escapade? I can’t even begin to imagine the atmosphere.
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Dear Sandra,
I guess we weren’t counting on the toxic fumes. I might have exaggerated some for humor’s sake but not a lot. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Funny story. I’m inordinately fond of lethal chiles (seven pot, ghost, etc) and often fry them up in my morning eggs. If I forget to turn on the vent hood, it’s like somebody tear gassed the kitchen. There’s this guy in Louisiana who has a peppers by mail business called peppersbymail.com if Jeff is interested. 😉
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My son makes his own chilli powder and sauces using Bhut jolokia, ghost, reaper, etc… so you guys would get along just smashingly!
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Dear Josh…and Dale,
I love my red chili paste and jalapeños, but dehydrating them in the house kills. 😉 Thank you for dropping by. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Please. Ain’t nothing to them 😉
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Stick to apples in future, maybe pears at a push! I’m sure he meant well.
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Dear Keith,
The peppers were fresh picked and it seemed like a good idea at the time. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Poor Jeff, I hope this incident doesn’t quell his inquisitive nature! 😉
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Dear Iain,
Nope nothing quells Jeff’s inquisitive nature. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ouch, that was a painful read. Sadly, I’ve seen it happen. giggles.
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Dear Jelli-Bear,
It was a painful experience in the most literal sense. Ouch is right, but it’s okay to giggle. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I did a similar thing when I first got my dehydrator, but with onions. Ach, I nearly killed us, and it took weeks to get the smell out of the apartment. Honestly don’t think we ever completely did! They should come with warnings!
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Dear Rochelle,
She should not complain. Jeff uses “sissy” peppers… in my house, the dehydrator is used for ghosts, reapers and other lethal-sounding names. Lemme tell you when he uses MY spice grinder for HIS peppers? I cannot express the level of pain my eyes and nose go through.
Shalom and Losta love and giggles for this one!
Dale
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Dear Dale,
We’ll keep our sissy peppers, thank you. My youngest son also enjoys peppers that defy human consumption. 😉 Ah fond memories. Thank you, my friend.
Shalom and hugs,
Rochelle
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I hear ya. I truly don’t see the point in burning your taste buds to hell. Nothing else has flavour after!
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Killer last line, Rochelle! We used to make chilli vodka – that’s a killer too.
You asked about the sequel to A Volcanic Race – it’s called Wolf Pack and I published it before Christmas! See my blog page for the link X
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Dear Liz,
I’ll have to look for Wolf Pack. Somehow I missed that memo. Chili vodka…yeah that sounds like a killer. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Try making it yourself! Put three or four jalapeno chilliies in a bottle of vodka and leave it in the freezer for a couple of months. Serve in iced shot glasses after dinner. Enjoy! 😂
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You pace this humorous story impeccably! There’s nothing quite like real life for raising a chuckle is there?
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Dear Penny,
There are times that truth is stranger than fiction…funnier, too. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You had me smiling early on; laughing out loud by the end 🙂
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Dear Linda,
You couldn’t have given this story a better review. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha ha! Hilarious! I was wondering what would come after them apples … and I was not disappointed … 😉
A friend of mine had a similar experience, only her (ex-by-now) hubby had decided to dehydrate fish …
I think they had to move after that … 😉
I’ve added my contribution to the linky-thinky and here’s the link copied, just because:
xo
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
I don’t think dehydrating fish would have pleasant olfactory results. It might not burn the eyes, but ish. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yep. I am glad to not have been part of that experiment … 😉
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You made me laugh. Poor Jeff, at least he was trying to save some money and helping you. Not many do that.
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Dear Indira,
Sometimes saving money costs something more, doesn’t it? Glad you laughed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a problem.:)
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Hysterical fiction indeed! Love it.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
The mostly true stories are the best ones, aren’t they? Thank you, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One learns something new every day, thanks for tip. Can you recycle tea bags in the dehydrator 🙂
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Dear Michael,
I’ll have to look into your question re tea bags. 😉 If I’ve turned one person from dehydrating jalapeños indoors, my work here is done. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was a fun take, Rochelle.
P.S. I love jalapeno. 🙂
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Dear Priya,
I love jalapeños, too. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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LOL! That’s a good one. And on top of all the suffering, when you add in the cost or electricity and small yield, it probably cost more than just buying that stuff at the store.
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Dear Alice,
We think we’re saving money when, really, we end up spending more at times, don’t we? Happy to have made you laugh. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh my god! That is so funny! I feel sorriest for the dog, with his sensitive nose. Hysterical last line. Loved it.
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Dear Eric,
Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction and, often, funnier. 😉 I might have exaggerated a bit…but not much. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha… I had to show this to my wife who just bought a great dehydrator… she tells me that she jalapenos is now off the lest
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Dear Björn,
Good plan. Dehydrators really are great but some things should be done with caution. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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like they say, to err is human, to forgive is divine. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
She forgave and they lived to laugh about it. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You know how the Universe has a really good sense of humor (or so I think)? Because just now I get an email from a different friend of mine (who is looking to incorporate more healthy foods, and to do so as frugally as possible), where she sent me this link and asked if I heard about this brand and what I think about her getting this:
😀
I wonder whether I should recommend that she and her hubby sign a pre-dehydrator-agreement that will detail and specify what it CANNOT be used for … 😉
Here’s to synchronicity. Life’s too funny!
Na’ama
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Indeed. They need a no Jalapeño or Fish agreement. Love it when things like this ‘happen’. Thanks for sharing it, Na’ama.
Shalom, again, shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂 I thought of you immediately. 🙂 I think I’ll just give her the link to your blog post and recommend some ‘no-way-jose’ agreement … 🙂
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Perhaps Jeff was a bit overzealous with the dehydrator! Thanks for a funny one Rochelle!
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Thank you, Russell. Glad you liked it. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh dear, I think Jeff earned a long spell in the dog house for that move! Fun story, Rochelle, especially since I’m safe over here and don’t have to smell it, ha ha!
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Dear Joy,
The air has cleared after 35 years. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Whew! 🙂
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You just nailed it with the last line. So happy to read a light and fun story.
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Dear Ira,
The fire has brought out the dark side this week, hasn’t it? Glad you enjoyed my story. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha ha ha ha ha, that was hysterical indeed!
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😀 Thank you, Anurag! 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, Love this story – Ha ha ha ha – It’s so FUNNY! – I reread it again tonight because I thought it was so funny last night. TEE HEE HEE!
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Dear Nan,
I’m so pleased you liked my story enough to read it twice. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Jalapeños flavour made you fumigate your house? I love the flavour. May be not a ton of jalapeños.
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Dear Abhijit,
I love the flavor of Jalapeños, too. However when dehydrated in quantity in an enclosure as small as our house it’s no longer flavor. It’s noxious, eye stinging, lung burning gas. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, to be able to inhale my chillies 🙂 Maybe some sort of goggles and face mask are in order?
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Dear Ali,
Indeed. Goggles might have saved us. 😉 Thank you for coming by. Hold your breath as you leave.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lol I loved it ^^
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Thank you, Pandora. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hehehe. My mum used to string them like a chain and airdry. That’s much better for eyes and nose, let me tell you. 😉 Hilarious story.
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Dear Gabi,
Your mum’s method was a lot saner and safer. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can imagine!
Sometimes men try to do good and end up leading it up!
That’s why women forgive them.
Good intentions bad execution!😊
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Dear Sabina,
His heart was in the right place, but not his thinking mechanism. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oy! So many comments; I always wish yours were in last to first order! :-p Funny glimpse at a very real domestic moment. These things happen in so many homes, and are the fabric of real life. Love the way you played it out, with details like the baby and dog. I think the use of “broke” with final straw, might be replaced with “came.” For me, as a reader, the word broke pulled me out for a second to remember the rest of that phrase. As always, fun storytelling, Rochelle!
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Dear Dawn,
I’m not sure putting the comments in reverse order would make that much difference. It seems the comment box would still be at the bottom.
As for the broken straw. I’m pondering. I was probably thinking of the straw the broke the camel’s back. 😉 Of course, I didn’t have enough words for that. You might have something there. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I knew you meant straw that broke the camel’s back, but that’s why it pulled me out. As for comments… I thought that if you have most recent first, the comment box does stay that the top?? Hmm, now I have to go figure that one out. 😉
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Dear Gertrude Lythgoe W(T)F,
Clever story, and humorous too. (You get double Green Stamps for that, but only on Thursdays). I wonder is the pepper fumes also cleansed the house of insects & mice. If so, Jeff might go into the pest exterminator business.
Harvey “Wallbanger” Mosquito
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Dear Harvey “Wallbanger” Mosquito,
Jeff is considering your suggestion. We’ll get back to you. Some things are just funny and must be told and retold. Thank you.
Shalom,
Gertrude “Cleo” Lythgoe W(T)F
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This sounds all too familiar. “Have I got a good idea for saving some money!” says my husband enthusiastically (and often). I wonderful slice of real life, Rochelle, and entertaining as always. Lovely! =)
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Dear Brenda,
Sometimes the best and funniest are the true stories. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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LOL. I’m glad this is (hopefully) a fictional story and nothing you – or anyone – ever had to experience. 😉 The dog had the right idea!
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Dear Anne,
Actually the story is mostly true. We did have to open all the windows and evacuate for a few hours. I didn’t make my husband sleep outside in the doghouse. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Poor little dog!
I can tell you from experience that you don’t have to dehydrate Jalapeno peppers to get the full killer effect of the Capsaicin. Just prepping for canning (capping, seeding then rinsing them over the sink) had a similar effect on me and my kitchen’s atmosphere. Oh, and I should have worn gloves too!
Peace,
Lynda
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Dear Lynda,
Those innocuous looking pods of Casaicin are deceiving aren’t they? This is not an experience that was ever repeated. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha poor hubby. Guessing he has a nice dog house in the backyard?
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Dear Tannille,
Eventually he was allowed back in. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dried Jalapenos. Ew. The smell was fierce in this tale. Now I have to go open all my windows.
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Dear Stu,
That’s quite a compliment. Thank you. Deep breaths.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The last line says it all. Good experience to remember. (Somehow I thought this was a real experience).
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Dear Still Loved,
Some of the story is fictionalized to protect the guilty party. However the major bulk of it is a real experience. My eyes still sting with the memory. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😀 Poor you.
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Great story Rochelle, mad me laugh — truth is stranger than fiction heh ?!
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Dear Francine,
In this case fact is definitely funnier than fiction. 😉 Glad you laughed. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh no!!
This is hilarious Rochelle. Ouch for everyone
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Dear Laurie,
It was a painful, if not stinging, experience. One we still remember and laugh about. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ouch! Haha
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Oh! I feel sorry for the Dog! But a great lesson in your story – do not use dehydrator inside the house.
I also feel bad for Jeff – I hope you forgive him soon!
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Dear Kislaya,
The dog, Jeff and the dehydrator can all come inside, as long as there are no Jalapeños involved. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dehydrated jalapeños! Boy, that should be a crime! 😀
The last line killed it! He hopefully made it back to the house sometime soon.
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Dear Soumya,
This actually happened over 30 years ago. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Had a big laugh over it. Hope Jeff learnt his lesson well! 🙂
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Dear Anshu,
it was a valuable lesson and something to laugh about for all of us in the end. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story, that made me chuckle. 🙂
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Thank you, Kristian. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
Muy caliente … 😳 no es para mi.
Funny … Funny … Funny … good one mi amiga.
I’m surprised the paint didn’t peel off the walls. LOL
Have a good weekend …
Abrazos y carino .. Shalom,
Isadora 😎
ps – boo – hoo no ‘Like’ button still. It works at times and then nada.
Too tired to figure it out but me gusto.
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Querida Isadora,
Me gustan jalapeños pero not dehydrated in the house. It seemed like a good idea at the time. 😉 Muchas gracias, mi amiga.
Shalom y cariño,
Rochelle
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I love the voice in this.
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Thank you, Lisa.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh dear.Perhaps it might be a good idea to keep Jeff away from the kitchen. Funny story, Rochelle.
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Dear Margaret,
The true story happened a loooong time ago. I think we both learned our lessons, but it’s still fun to recount. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha! That’s so funny! You really do have to watch those chillis, don’t you? The things should come with a health warning! You made be snort out loud with this one – your poor dog. Lovely tale, Rochelle.
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Dear Lynn,
Your snort is my high praise. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure, Rochelle
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Appropriate photo for this time of year!! Stay warm Rochelle!! btw.. did you get your book?
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Dear Kim,
I did get the book. Thank you so much for that and the note on the page. It means more than I can say. ❤ Thank you on all counts.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hilarious! I’m sure it wasn’t funny at the time. 😉 Love the connection between letting the dog out and not letting Jeff in. 😀
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Dear Magarisa,
You know how we writers are. 😉 Actually we laughed about it at the time. Couldn’t believe we didn’t think it through. We did have to open all the windows and vacate for a time. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
It wasn’t freezing outside at the time, was it?
You’re welcome.
Shalom shalom,
Mags
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Ouch. Poor doggy. Great last line. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Sascha. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The best laid plans are not always well thought through. If only he’d stuck with fruit. I like the idea of the dehydrator, we waste so many apples every year from our tree because we simply can’t eat them all.
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Dear Michael,
Dehydrated apples are wonderful. No noxious gases or stinging fumes. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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…and the title! lol
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he he. Glad you noticed that, Dawn. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha! Reminds me of a time I threw chopped chillies into a frying pan. The fumes were killer. I guess husband and dog might be sharing a bed for a while…
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Dear Fatima,
Those chilies can emit some fumes, can’t they? 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember this piece from back then. But in the intervening years we have also acquired a dehydrator. Fortunately we have stuck with Strawberries and Mangoes that fill the room with a most pleasant aroma. Hmm jalapeños, wonder if I can push my luck with that?
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Dear Subroto,
If you’re going to dehydrate jalapeños, might I suggest you do it outside? Amazing that Friday Fictioneers is still going strong after all this time, isn’t it? Glad you’ve been with us long enough to remember my story’s first go-around. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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nice
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