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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 © Fatima Fakier Deria
SWIM ALONG WITH FROGGIE -CLICK!
Genre: Non-Fiction Out of Mind Experience
Word Count: 100
OUT THERE
Laps. Freestyle. I count backward from esreem v’arbah…backstroke, veintitres,…breaststroke, esreem v’shtayeem…and so on. The water’s rhythm sets my mind and spirit free. Free-flowing.
Somewhere around shtem-esrey, I lose count and go into some sort of trance. A waking dream. Keep swimming. Lights flash. Mirrors, as if on a carousel, spin about me. They reflect golden walls with Egyptian drawings. What side of the pool is this? Keep swimming. Gazing though the watery ceiling, I flip, change direction and dive under. Visions of nothing-in-particular bombard me.
Gertrude was right. “When we are in the water, we are not in this world.”
* Note: I can’t explain what happened, I can only tell you that this happened recently on Monday, October 28. At least this is the best way I know how to describe it.
Note 2: I count backward from 24 (3 sets of 24 actually, making it 72 lengths or 36 laps–a mile) alternating Hebrew with Spanish. It helps to keep me focused.
*
*
*
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I would take it as a sign that you were enjoying the swim, perhaps even too much, transporting your mind to some other world nirvana! Better to get lost than feel the pain of the exercise – I need to find this mind space when I’m on the treadmill! 🙂
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Dear Iain,
I alternate my swimming with time on the elliptical trainer for the weight-bearing benefits. However, while I enjoy the latter, it doesn’t take me to other places. There’s something about the water and the rhythm of the swim that transports me to other worlds. However, this particular time was a new experience. Surprising, but not unpleasant. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One of life’s special gifts – to find an activity that alters our mind and transports. Amazing what the quiet or stillness can do.
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Dear Tannille,
There is nothing like the quiet and rhythm of swimming. A swim shop clerk once tried to sell me an underwater walkman. Why would I want to listen to anything other than the swish and slurp of the water? Thank you for understanding. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Under water walkman, never knew about those. I’d start singing and become water logged.
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I love this, Rochelle. This is what fiction should do – transport us into another mind. Inside every mind there’s a magical world
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Dear Neil,
What a lovely things to say. I cherish this comment. Thank you for the positive strokes. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great example of what I do when I swim laps. I enter a ‘zone’ and simply count the laps. Can’t do Hebrew, but maybe I’ll try counting in Spanish next time. Loved the atmosphere you’ve created, but whatever did it have to do with a crowded bus?
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Dear Susan,
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who enters the zone while lapping. It’s a great exercise but that’s not the only reason we do it, is it? Hard to explain to those non-swimmers. 😉 As for my admittedly tenuous connection to the prompt I was zeroing in on the lights. Because in my waking dream there were flashing lights. Makes perfect sense to me. 😉 Thank you for swimming by and leaving strokes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re very lucky to be able to experience that. The rare moments when I experience something similar are when I’ve been awake most of the night and suddenly, towards dawn, the mind runs free for a few minutes before I descend into sleep. A much more short-lived experience. Well expressed.
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Dear Sandra,
At the time, the experience was quite unsettling. While I do enter the ‘zone’ as they say, I’d never just lost touch with reality. It was pretty amazing and stuck with me for hours afterward. I am fortunate in having an accessible pool so close to home. The other day when I had finished my swim, the lifeguard on duty, said, “You’re somewhere else when you swim, aren’t you?” Indeed. 😉 Thank you for the positive strokes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As long as no one drowns, it’s quite a pretty hep time. My imagination often does out of the way things too
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Dear Larry,
I’ve been known to miss highway exits while my head goes on a journey. No one drowned so I look at it as a positive. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So that’s what we have in common Shalom
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Sounds like you were in ‘the zone’ Rochelle 😀
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I was definitely in the zone, Colline. There and beyond. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The Art of Zen and flash fiction writing!
Counting one’s breathing is standard practice, especially for beginners, in Zen.
Perhaps, m’lady, you have found enlightenment.
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Dear C.E.
I’ll not argue. I’ve been told exactly the same thing by another friend recently. Swimming is a better option than sitting and chanting “Ohm.” 😉 Thank you for the strokes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sometimes we do go into our own little place when we are in the zone… Counting backwards while exercising is hard enough, but in two languages? I guess if you do it enough it isn’t as bad, but still…
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Dear Trent,
There are times I haven’t broken the workout into three sets. Then I count backward from 72 :D. it does help me focus. Definitely my happy zone. 😉 Thank you for paddling by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When count down from 72, you should occasionally mix English in on the 10s or something 😉
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Actually there’s a part of my workout where I do mix English into it. I like to change things up to keep from it becoming monotonous.
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Love me some Gertrude, as you know. Well done.
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Dear Josh,
I knew if anyone would relate to this, it would be you. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I understand your going into another world for a short trip. I sometimes do that with music when I am on the Treadmill. Music will take over in my head and I lose my count on the exercises I do while on the treadmill. Yours appeared to be quite visual. Good story.
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Dear Jan,
I’ve been accused of living in another world anyway. 😉 I know you understand. It’s why we both have screwed up sleep (?) patterns. Glad you liked my story. Thanks for the positive strokes, m’luv.
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If only I could experience something like that. Sadly, I find swimming hard work and my mind doesn’t much enjoy it either! Perhaps I should try and relax next time.
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Dear Keith,
To each their own. Some people find sky-diving relaxing and are terrified of water. Me? I’m terrified of heights and the last thing you’ll find me doing is jumping from a plane while it’s hundreds of feet in the air. Thank you for paddling by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Literalist that I am, I kept looking for the connection between your subspace moment in the water and the tour bus pulling out. Then I got it. Little slow on the uptake this morning 🙂
I used to swim, but I can’t now due to physical setbacks, but I remember that wonderful floating sensation when your are isolated in a bouyant, blue world where your mind can go wherever it chooses. Makes me miss the pool 🙂
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Dear Linda,
I work out on a regular basis, be it swimming or elliptical trainer or just a good ole walk in the neighborhood. The times I’m not allowed in the pool for whatever reason, I go through severe chlorine withdrawal. 😉 I’m sorry you’re unable to swim.
Admittedly, my story’s connection to the prompt is tenuous. I went for the bright lights I saw in my waking dream. In rereading my story it looks like that part got edited out. Ah well.
Thank you for the strokes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I was going to say, “Hey, you’re counting backwards” when you wrote that … yeah, you DO count backwards … 😉
Now sure how the photo translated to swimming, but traveling is still traveling … 😉
In the water.
In one’s mind….
🙂
Here’s mine:
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
The photo translated to swimming only in the waking dream where I did see lots of lights. As I told Linda, it seems I edited out the reference in cutting it down to 100 words. Flash fiction hazard. Ken. I do count backwards. I also alternate evens and odds from workout to workout. Yesterday I did a continuous mile counting backward from setenta y dos, shevi’im v’echat…and so on and so on and scooby dooby do. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha! I hope you never have surgery, but if you do, you’ll ace the count-down to anesthesia … 😉
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🤣🤣🤣
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What a wonderful experience! You’ve described it very well. It’s a very reassuring experience, isn’t it?
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Dear Penny,
It was a bit unsettling at first. It’s hard to explain what happens to me in the water and why swimming is never a chore. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I think we are back in our home world when we are in the water. Sounds like you experienced a flash of it.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Lisa,
I had a therapist suggest this years ago re my love of swimming. I’ve always felt more comfortable and at peace in the water than anywhere else. I certainly experienced a wonderful flash of something. Thank you for paddling by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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❤ My pleasure.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Rochelle,
I envy you falling into that “otherworldly trance” so to speak – even if it was disconcerting at first. It is taking the zone to the next level. Love it.
Shalom and lotsa good trance-ly love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I haven’t had another trance experience since, but if and when I do I won’t be quite so unsettled by it. This morning’s swim was nonetheless wondermus. 😉 Thank you for the positive strokes.
Shalom and lotsa dreamly hugs,
Rochelle
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It sounds like a great swimming pool. I am encouraged to return to swimming. Being in the zone sounds great.
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Dear Mike,
Any pool is a great swimming pool. 😉 Or an ocean works. It’s lovely that we have a pool very close to our home. There is a fitness center attached to it but I only joined for the lap pool. I love being in the zone. Thank you for paddling by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sounds like a great experience. I used to love running because that “runner’s high” was like being transported to another level.
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Dear Sascha,
I used to run, too but it was never the same to me as swimming. One day last week, one of the lifeguards made the observation that when I’m swimming I’m somewhere else. She knows me. 😀
Thank you for paddling by,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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💖
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I can see where you went with this. Talk about some psychedelic experiences. The entering the ‘zone’ and then letting go seems to be nice distraction that keeps the mind away from the mundaneness that at times can creep into any activity, rigorous or otherwise.
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Dear Neel,
Nothing effects me quite the way swimming does. 😉 Thank you for paddling by. and leaving some positive strokes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s always a pleasure to paddle towards your shore, Rochelle
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Awesome story, weird experience for sure. Sounds like some of the visualization exercises the pain specialists led me through as a non-medication alternative…sometimes is works better than meds. Next time you’re in that “zone”, look for the details in the Egyptian things. Love this!
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Dear Bear,
As I said, I’ve never experienced anything quite like this. If I see the Egyptian things again, I’ll be sure to take better notes. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Maybe you found a time portal… or, as Hubby said… “…Maybe she ought to step away from the brownies.” His new favorite phrase.
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🤣
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I love the way you describe your magical experience in the pool. Being a lover of the lap pool, I can relate to the trance like state of cutting through the water, counting the laps, and the rhythm of the strokes. It’s an incredible feeling.
Great writing as always!!
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Dear Brenda,
It’s good to hear from another kindred water baby. I’ve been asked if it doesn’t become monotonous or boring. NEVER! Thank you for the positive strokes. BTW, what is your favorite stroke?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle, I agree – NEVER! My favorite strokes are (like you) breaststroke (or my version of it) and the backstroke. =)
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It sounds like an out-of-body experience – as long as you were swimming, not drowning!
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Dear Liz,
It felt other-worldly for certain. Definitely not drowning.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS I’m enjoying Wolf Pack.
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Swimming can be a lot like that 🙂
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Dear Ali,
For me it definitely is. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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In a way, we’re one with the water. Life began in the water and our bodies are largely water. Maybe the primitive part of our brain takes us back in some way. Good writing as always, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
This has been suggested to me by a therapist. Although I’d have to ask why we aren’t all water babies? Thank you for the positive strokes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One of the things I love about exercise is how you can lose yourself in it. It is a special state of flow. That said, I must commend you on your stamina and fitness. My best is 12 lengths of 25m pool. And then I feel like a champ!
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Dear Fatima,
I’ve heard runners say they lose themselves. I never could with running. I always looked forward to being finished. I can’t say that with swimming. Most of the time the most difficult part of it is making myself get out of the water. 😉 It takes time to build stamina so don’t be too hard on yourself. Thank you for your comments and the lovely picture.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your very own swimming meditation, an achievement. Intriguing how you chose counting backwards in Hebrew and Spanish to focus the mind. No wonder you look so calm in your swimming photo.
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Dear Francine,
It makes me happy you can read my peace from a photo. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I very much enjoy the rhythm and repetition of swimming lengths (although I fallen out of the habit of late) so I know what you mean about another world. Nice evocative story although I will have to have another look at the prompt photo to see how you got there, if possible. It’s been so long since I posted that I can’t remember how to get the inlinkz code to post the blue frog on my blog! 🙂
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Dear JWD,
I won’t make you strain your brain. 😉 My connection to the prompt is a bit on the tenuous side. In the waking dream I saw flashing lights. It seems I edited that line out for sake of word count. For me there is no other exercise to compare with swimming. I have an elliptical trainer for bone health and I enjoy it, but it’s not swimming.
The easiest way to get the code for inLinkz is to do a CTRL C with the URL at the top of the inLinkz party page. Then you can really post any frog picture (As you see we’ve all gotten a bit creative) and imbed a the link URL. I hope this makes some kind of sense. As for including your link, follow the directions at the bottom of the page. Hope that helps.
Thank you for the positive strokes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle 🙂
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Dear Scarlett Curly-Hara W(T)F,
Sorry I missed the bus this week. I’ll have Connie write me a note. She’s gone remodel crazy–I swear. At least her next husband will have a nice place to kick back and relax.
I’ve never counted laps, but I have counted chews. Connie once chewed a bite 32 times before swallowing–I’m not kidding–I counted them. She would have probably chewed longer, but she saw I was watching and counting. 🙂 I don’t know if she wafted into another dimension or not, but she looked at peace.
Happy Paddling,
Redneck Butler
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Dear Redneck Butler,
Connie chewed 32 times? Her jaw mO’ust’ve been in a state of something. Perhaps the deer you bagged was too tough. Well fiddle-dee-dee. I’d say I missed you this week but, frankly, my dear, I don’t give a gosh darn. (not true)
I’ve noticed the intense remodeling. I hope you’re getting our suite ready for the time we manage to make it to the Land O’Goshen.
Thank you for the strokes.
Shalom,
Scarlett Curly-Hara W(T)F
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Dear Scarlett,
The Royal Suite is almost ready. If you’re up for a swim while you’re here we’ll have to fill up the kiddie pool or a galvanized tub.
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Dear Rochelle,
A lovely story emphasising importance of exercise as a means to connect with oneself and also to rejuvenate. I enjoyed reading it.
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Dear Kitty,
I’m happy you enjoyed swimming laps with me. Thank you for the positive strokes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You are welcome, dear Rochelle. 🙂
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What an amazing, surreal experience that must have been! Thanks for giving us a glimpse into this special world, Rochelle. Beautifully descriptive writing.
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Dear Mags,
It was like nothing I’d ever experienced. Happy you enjoyed the experience, too. Thank you for the positive strokes. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful !
I do think letting your mind drift while doing exercise does lead to breakthrough in writing !
Sounds like your pool works the same way. Love It
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Dear Laurie,
I do different forms of exercise but nothing does it for me quite like swimming laps. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a beautiful experience. That “lost in time and space” meditative sensibility is called a “hypnogogic state,” for those who like $50 words to throw around at parties. Your brain is in Alpha or Theta, running slow, and your spirit is free.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
I’m glad you explained that to me soon after it actually happened. You really put my mind at ease. Thank for that and for the lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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