12 April 2019

Published April 10, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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This Friday, April 12 is my 7th Anniversary as a Fictioneer!!! I posted my very first story 12 April 2012  

(I didn’t start as the facilitator and I had a lot to learn about reciprocation.)

Genre: Memoir

Word Count: 100

This man influenced me more than I realized all those years ago. 

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, UNCLE CHET

My drama teacher intimidated me. With meerschaum pipe in hand, he commanded center stage.

            Etched forever in the cloisters of my memory is the day he offered my partner and me a few pointers on our duet for a drama contest. Mr. Landes dropped to his hands and knees. Tongue hanging, he yipped and sniffed.

            It took every ounce of self-control to deliver my lines. “Atta boy, Snoopy, it’s a beautiful day for chasing rabbits.”

            After completing the scene, Chet Landes adjusted his ascot and resumed his dignity, then turned to Kent. “That, sir, is how it’s done. Any questions?”  

 

Note: I’ll count this as a comment. I shared the story with the other half of the duet and this was his response:  “What a sweet … and hilarious … memory!And you better believe I remember this very moment. Mr. Landes playing Snoopy? Hah! Thanks for sharing, Rochelle. This is very special. Kent.”

 

124 comments on “12 April 2019

  • That’s a great story, Rochelle. My daughter made her acting debut in a high school play in which she took the role of Snoopy. She used two ponytails as ears and blacked the end of her nose. The crew made a large dog house for her to sit on. It was a success. Good writing as always. 😀 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Suzanne,

      There are some who we meet on the path of life who merely nod in passing, then there are others who leave their footprints in our hearts. Mr. Landes was the latter for me. Glad you enjoyed the story. I could imagine your daughter as Snoopy. 😉 Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Varad,

      Again I apologize for messing up your name on your post. Oy.

      Mr. Landes was unforgettable and I was fortunate to have him for two classes in one year. 😀 Thank you for the comments and the congrats. Co-writers such as yourself are the reason I keep at this.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

  • They say a picture paints a thousand words. In this case a hundred words paints a picture. And what a picture it paints. That truly must have been something to see. Great as always!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Na’ama Y’karah,

      I started participating on a whim and was hooked from the start. I made some fast friends right from the beginning. The idea of people from all around the world interacting held me captive. When Madison Woods, the founder and creator of Friday Fictioneers, decided to go onto other things, I was devastated. It took some noodging from my husband and a couple of other friends to get me to step up and beg to take it on. Even though it’s sometimes a cat herding expedition, I’ve no regrets.
      At the same time I couldn’t do this by myself. I’m so grateful for participants such as yourself who make this one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I’m über happy that you’ve become a regular part of my blogging life. 😀
      Glad you liked my story, too. 😉
      תודה רבה ושלום
      רחל

      Liked by 1 person

      • Now, that’s already a story worth listening to and learning from! Fun how the thing that drew me to FF (beyond Dale’s example, of course) was the very thing you’d mentioned: how people all over the world can add their associations and talent to a photo prompt and make a tapestry of talent. It is fab! I’m grateful to have you herd us kittens (and larger felines, too, sometimes) and that you offer this ‘place’ to hang out in every week. It is fun!
        שלום וברכה
        נעמה

        Like

    • Dear Trent.

      Madison has said a time or two that I needn’t give her credit. But I still do. 😉 We refer to FF as her baby that I adopted and nurtured. Glad you’re a part of it. I certainly don’t do this alone. 😀 Thank you.

      And thank you re my story. I have been blessed with some good teachers along the way.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

  • Ha! I knew you were an actor. I remember the first play I was ever in was a parks & recreation production of Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story. Looking back on it now, it seems a totally weird choice to give a couple of 14-year-old kids to perform, but we did it anyway. I played Jerry and had a huge amount of lines that I barely remembered. Thanks for tickling that memory, Rochelle!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Josh,

      Always happy to tickle a memory. 😉 I was Lucy Van Pelt for just about my entire senior year of high school. I did have a lengthy stint as an itinerant pantomime artist. All of those arts seem to go hand in hand, don’t they? Drama, art and writing. Thank you for sharing your own memory.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

  • A wonderful memory to have. I can just picture it, really! 🙂 <3. Happy Anniversary to Friday Fictioneers, one and ALL! It's been a lovely ride and I'm so very glad that Rebe David introduced me to this page so long ago. As I look back myself, I remember my first stories when I was still learning how to write again… they were atrocious! But here, in this place, I found encouragement that I desperately needed. Thank you again, Rochelle, and the many others who have made this experience a mainstay to my weekly life! 🙂 ❤ Now, off to try to find my mojo to write this week!

    Like

    • Dear Jelli-Bear,

      It’s gratifying to me to know that something that is a mainstay in my weekly life has become that for someone else. I’ve had the pleasure of watching you grow in your writing. Gitchie Manitou and I are both pleased. 😉 Thank you, thank you, thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

  • I thought FF was all yours — you’ve done a great job. This story brought up a memory of my own, as it did for nearly everyone else. I had a high school art teacher who insisted we literally paint “outside the lines”. The others in the class were baffled, but I loved the way it used the splash of colors to pull your mind outside rigid boundaries.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Eugenia,

      According to Madison, FF is all mine and says that I’ve taken it to levels she never could or would have. But, I couldn’t do it without the participation of other writers…and that’s what keeps me at it. The connections. I’ve traveled around the world without leaving my desk in Missouri. How exhilarating is that?
      As an artist who is still learning and growing I completely understand your art teacher. Good on her/him. 😀
      Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

  • That was a lovely memory, Rochelle. What an inspiring teacher. Your story also reminds me of a less than inspiring episode in my childhood where I was supposed to recite a poem where a cat stalks a bird. I wanted to sink into the ground. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Linda,

      Uncle Chet was a unique teacher. He commanded respect and discipline. At the same time he gave his students love and guidance with a sense of humor that slapped you from behind. He will always have a special place in my heart. 😀 Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you on all counts, Lady C. It was the international sense of community that drew me in to FF and kept me coming back…ultimately taking the bus driver’s seat. 😉 No regrets. Glad you’re aboard. 😀 Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

  • Dear Le Petite Voleur W(T)F,

    Poor Mr. Landes. Does he know about your mime chicanery? I bet the poor guy doesn’t have a Do-Not-Remove tag left on his property.

    Did he also teach you the Cheech & Chong dog skit? (sniff, taste, and “Good thing you didn’t step in it”)

    I suppose teaching you to become a mime was the only way he could get you to stop talking long enough to get a word in edgewise.

    That’s quite a legacy he’s left for us. Thanks for 7 years of wonderful friendship. What would I ever write without you?

    Lefty Gallblader

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Lefty Rustling Gallbladder,

      Alas, last I heard, Mr. Landes isn’t among us, at least not mentally. 😦 He did teach me a lot. Ironically I didn’t care for the unit we did on mime.
      Moi? Talk in class? Draw in class? Steal Do Not Remove tags in class? My lips are loosely sealed.
      I’ve enjoyed you and your red nose all these years. You’re one of the first to welcome me to this motley crew…you and Sandra and that disc flinger (then) in Hawaii. Who knew where the insanity would lead. 😉 😀 ❤ What me worry?

      Shalom.
      Le Petite Voleur W(T)F

      Like

  • Dear Rochelle,

    Congratulations on your seven years. Am happy that you are the facilitator. A delightful story about Mr. Landes and a clever take on the prompt.

    Shalom,
    Deborah

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Jade,

      You’re very welcome. Friday Fictioneers has many special meanings for me. As for my story, this is one I’ve been telling for years. It needed to be put into print. 😉 Thank you so much for being a part of FF.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

  • Dear Rochelle,

    What a sneaky way to include the prompt picture! Love it! And Yay! to the teachers who make a difference in our lives. May we all have been blessed by at least one.

    Shalom and lotsa love,

    Dale

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Dale,

      Any way one can use the prompt is Kosher IMHO. 😉 I was fortunate to have some of the teachers I did. And a few years back I did have the pleasure of telling Uncle Chet what he meant to me and how he helped shape my future. He was a character, in and out of the classroom. He made us work. He forced us to think. And turned out, beneath his gruff exterior, to be one of the most caring teachers I had. 😀 Thank you.

      Shalom and lotsa hugs,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

  • Dear Rochelle,

    Seven years of FF. Congratulations. Here’re to many more years. And as the facilitator, you are doing a fabulous job. And I loved your story. Your teacher was truly an inspiration and very creative.

    Shalom,
    Adele

    Liked by 1 person

  • Anything with Snoopy in it will make me smile. I know a number of people whose drama coaches were an inspiration for a lifetime. Congrats on 7 years. Almost at one year, myself, and it has flown by! More like an addiction than an obligation, for sure! Thanks for all you do!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Ronda,

      I’m glad you enjoyed. Friday Fictioneers is so much a part of my life I can’t imagine what it would be like without it. 😀

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      PS I read your story but there’s no way to comment on it.

      Like

    • Dear Lish,

      I’m glad you laughed. Uncle Chet was a great guy. I found out years later in a conversation with him that he remembered my class as fondly as we remembered him. Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

  • Hi Rochelle!
    Isn’t it amazing what a teacher will do to help/encourage his/her students! I’ve done a few silly things, too, as a teacher:) I can imagine that image will forever be in your mind.
    As I’m taking part in #NaPoWriMo, again this year writing a poem a day, Alice is writing a poem, too, and sharing it with her parents…
    Thanks for the prompt and hosting the challenge:)
    All the best,
    Lucy.

    Liked by 1 person

  • Your love and admiration shine through for your teacher. Such a comical image of him being Snoopy. He sounds like a person who gave you a lot. I had the privilege of meeting my old English teacher last year – A revered & special person for me – he encouraged our creativity. As an adult I was able to thank him in person.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Francine,

      What a wonderful thing to be able to thank your teacher as an adult. I’m sure it meant as much to him as it did to you. I had the same privilege with Mr. Landes. That conversation is etched in my heart as well. 😀 Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

  • It sounds totally cringe worthy! I’m not sure I could have kept that straight face! Do you ever wonder if maybe one of your muses will stumble on your stories? That would be such a hoot! Happy anniversary, Rochelle and thanks for working so hard every week!

    Liked by 1 person

  • Teachers do have a lasting impact on students. Your drama teacher seems to have been the great kind, right down to his hands-on approach! I didn’t do drama in school, but I did sing in a concert once and this reminds me of our principal who attended our rehearsals, and showed the lead actor how to do a specific type of british accent. He called it the hot potato accent – speaking as if you had a hot potato in your mouth. Needless to say it was hilarious coming from a principal we only knew to be very stern.

    Congrats on your 7th Fictioneers anniversary. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  • A lovely story and a nice tribute to a teacher who made a difference in your life. I think the best teachers are a little bit intimidating! =)

    Your first FF story was amazing. Congratulations on 7 years as a fictioneer! Meerschaum is a new word for me. I love learning new words.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Brenda,

      I’m glad you enjoyed this story. How sweet of you to go back and read “The Lie.” I even surprised myself with that one. I’d never done flash fiction before and I was hooked from the beginning. Then when the comments came, it was a done deal. 😉 Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

  • Seven years as a Fictioneer. Good for you, Rochelle. Loved your story/tribute to a remarkable teacher. They can make such a difference in our lives.

    Liked by 1 person

  • Congratulations on seven years of FF. I’m very grateful for its existence and for your amazing commitment in keeping it alive and thriving. And what a lovely story this week – it’s a real blessing to have such wonderful memories.

    Liked by 1 person

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