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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 © C.E. Ayr
Click the Camping Frogs to Add your Link!
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
FREESTYLE INSOMNOLENCE
The clock beside the bed ticked. Zero-dark-thirty. 3:00 AM.
Sleep refused her while loons mocked. Ted snored away what remained of the night.
Snozzzz. Tick-snozz. Tick-tick. Snarzzzzzz.
“I give up!”
Elise slipped on her swimsuit and stepped outside. Campground lights reflected off the pool water. She dove in and swam until tension floated from her shoulders.
Ted snored his welcome when she tucked back in beside him. Deliciously drowsy, she checked the clock before drifting off. 5:00.
Two hours later, he shook her. Sun poured through the windows. “Hey lazybones, gonna sleep all day? How ‘bout a nice invigorating swim?”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
This reminds me of the different sleep cycles my wife and I have. She has accepted, but does not understand, why I need an early evening nap.
Ya gotta watch them swimmers. At least “Elise” didn’t come back dripping. 🙂
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Dear Archon,
It seems the longer we’re married the more our sleep cycled diverge. Truthfully, I’m a morning person and rarely is the sun even a suggestion when I rise for the day. 😉 If I only had a pool. 😉
Shalom,
Elise
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While we sleep so many things can happen. Funny and true, Rochelle
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Dear Neil,
And funny things can happen while we can’t sleep. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An amusing and well-written story, Rochelle. 😀 — Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’d have a few colourful words… but I’m not a morning person at the best of times 😀.
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Dear Tanille,
I actually am a morning person. But I’m certain Elise has some very colorful words for Ted. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh how I felt for your narrator. Those long hours before sleep, and the rude awakening by a newly-refreshed companion. Spot on!
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Dear Sandra,
I’m glad you felt for her…she’s feeling for herself this morning. 😉 Thank you for paddling by and for sticking with me all these year as I go into my 8th year. Who’da thunk it. I miss him who talked me into it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s too bad they can’t get things synchronized
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Kind of like synchronized swimming, Larry? Believe me, it’s never going to happen. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nothing worse than being awake at numpty o’clock while someone else is snoring.
Nice one, m’lady.
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Dear CE,
Of course you know my favorite time of day is numpty o’clock. 😉 But when someone else is snoring…that’s a whole nuther story. Thank you. And thank you for the photo.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She could have slept a bit more 🙂
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Only in theory, Anita. 😉
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“Only if my swimsuit is dry. Go check it and if still wet, let me sleep!” Yep, it sounds real to life.
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Dear Trent,
Perfect ending line if I had more words. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Could Ted really swim after receiving that blow Elise gave him (at least that is what I expect to happen next)
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Dear Björn,
That would be the perfect ending. Thank you for reading and for making me laugh out loud.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love this, Rochelle. I think it pairs nicely with your gratitude list, too.
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Thank you, Josh. (One swimmer to another. 😉 ) And thank you re my gratitude list. 😀
Shalom and pass the Puffs,
Rochelle
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Snort
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Well now, this seems like moments from the past…multiplied. We both have different, and disruptive sleep cycles. At least “Elise” has a great relaxing option. Good story and I’m sure many will relate to.
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Dear Jan,
While it does ring true, can you imagine “Ted” waking “Elise” for a swim? ROFL. Pass me the kleenex.
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I only wish I lived somewhere where a nighttime swim was an option! Fun story. Belated Happy New Year Rochelle, and all the best for 2020.
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Dear Iain,
If I had a pool of my own there would be swimming morning and evening…every day. 😉 Thank you re the story and a belated Happy New Year to you, too!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha I really like this story! Reminds me of me and my other half, I can’t ever fall asleep until late so have about 3 hours less sleep a night than him yet he moans when I don’t want to get up early 😂
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Dear Tasha,
My husband and I have totally different sleep schedules. I’m the early morning person, but far be it from me to wake him when I get up. I enjoy those few hours to myself in the early dark. Glad you liked my story and took the time to say so. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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PS Tasha,
I tried twice to leave a comment on your story and they both disappeared. They might’ve ended up in your spam folder.
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I’ve always been a night owl! This had me chuckling. Good one.
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Dear Genia,
Happy to know I made you laugh. I myself am a morning lark. 😉 Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, if she’s a fish, she might say “yes” … 😉
But, yeah, oy for the different sleep-cycle pairs. And … nice to have a swimming pool to jump into in the middle of the night! 😉
Left my little bitty story in the froggy’s hands.
Slash!
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
It’s possible this fish would say yes…after the shock of her husband actually wanting to go for a swim. 😉 If I had a pool of my own (with someone to keep it clean) I would be in it at all hours. It’s why I have more than one suit. Did you mean “splash?” Thank you for the positive strokes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oy! YES! SPLASH … the wet sprinkling kind! Not any of the cut through stuff kind! (typos and Freud and keyboard goblins, I’m telling ya!)
Oh, and I have more than one swim-suit, too. Well, one that’s a one piece, but all the others are combo two piece things that can be mix-and-match. And in the end I often end up with board shorts or bike-short-like ones and a halter top. 🙂
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It depends on where I swim. In the pool I wear my Speedo racing suits. Two pieces are not an option after three pregnancies. One of them a nine pounder. On the question of innie or outie, I have a prunie. 😉
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🙂 Prunie! 🙂 Love this!
My two piece are almost full coverage in that they are more tankini than bikini … I’m slim, but I’m also all about comfort and less about chasing after escapee-boobies. So … 😉
Me got an innie. My surgeon found it to be a very helpful place to enter into my abdominal cavity. Twice. All them wrinkles hide scars well … not that I care about scarring all that much. Gots enough of those as it is. 😉
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Oy from scars and wrinkles I can tell you. 😉 My prunie is also an innie. (You needed to know that, right?)
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totally needed to know that, Rochelle. My life wouldn’t be complete without knowing the prunie-innie situation! 🙂 As for the wrinkles … I don’t really mind mine, and the ones I spoke of are the ones inside one’s belly-button, where scars can easily hide (not that I really care about scarring and have gone enough of them for positive ID … 😉 But it was nice that the doctor wanted to minimize them, eh? – she’s a fab doc in all ways, so that was just part of her way – no pun … or, what the heck, pun … 😉 ).
Yay to innies and prunies and the wrinkly fingers of too-much-time-in-the-water-or-pool-or-shower.
Waving from freezy NYC … 😉
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Like it Rochelle. Hubby and I have different sleep patterns at the moment, so this could well apply!
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Dear Di,
We definitely have two different sleep patterns, although contrary to my story, I’m the morning person. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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I wish I had a pool. I don’t think I would spend much of the summer on dry land.
The biggest problem in my house is the dogs’ sleep patterns. In the summer especially, they sleep all day and want to be up all night. I used to be a night person until I moved to the desert. Now, a quarter of the year, I have to be up and get my hike in by 8 or it gets too hot for the dogs. I’ve gotten accustomed to getting up earlier. I’m still not good at going to bed early. This time of year, I practically hibernate. I’m virtually asleep right now.
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Dear Nobbin,
For the sleep patterns of your furry children, i don’t envy you. 😉 I’m not keeping you up am I? Living in the Midwest, I’d really have to have an indoor pool so I’ll just have to settle for the fitness center. Ironically, the worst time to go there is the summer when the summer school kids inhabit. They have no regard for lap lanes so I just rely on my elliptical trainer for workout and relegate my lapping to Sunday. (One day is better than no days.)
Thank you for paddling by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
It is always the way, isn’t it? They have no clue they are keeping us up so when they are all refreshed from theirs, they figure hey… Pfft!
Elise needs to tell Ted that, in the future, before whatsoever, to check the bathing suit hanging in the bathroom… wet means he disturbed her, dry means he can take his chances waking her 😉
Shalom and lotsa swimmingly wonderful love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
As we both know, the real Ted would never wake Elise for a swim. She’d be up and at it long before he crawled out. 😉 Yes, she does need to tell him to go check her suit. Thank you for the positive strokes. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Indeed 😉
And yes, he needs must learn things..
Always a pleasure to read you!
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Isn’t that just the way of it? I sometimes struggle to sleep too, and must jump through all sorts of hurdles to coax myself into sleep. Sometimes I wake up from a sound sleep to find Shey knee-deep into Instagram. You never know what’s going on while you’re sound asleep. Great stuff, Rochelle. You gave me a laugh.
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Dear Eric,
We have a guest room that I often go to when sleep refuses me. My husband often suffers with insomnia as well. He’ll lie there and then thrash about. Me? I’m not going to lie awake for hours on end. I’m happy to have given you a laugh. 😀 I’d say that makes us even this week. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s a somewhat uncomfortable thought for me that the SO would get up while I sleep, do something substantial, and then get back to bed, and I don’t realize anything. Thankfully we both have the same sleeping batter: late to bed, sleep like a log, sleep as long as possible.
Poor Elise, if that happens regularly, I don’t envy her. 🙂
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batter? Pattern!!! Now I said it, we bake at night, that must be it. 😉
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Dear Gabi,
My husband and I don’t have the same sleep patterns. I often end up in the guest room for one reason or another. I’m the early riser, though and have been known to go for early morning swims. (Any time is good for a swim. 😉 ) Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. You make your FBM smile. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hoo boy. Real life abounds 🙂
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Real life indeed, Linda 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Did her answer start with an F? Nice description of insomnia, and a late night swim.
Shalom
Penny
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Dear Penny,
I’d say you’re spot on with her answer. There might have been a small gesture to accompany that tell him he’s number one. 😉 Thank you for your kind comment re my story. I’m always up for a swim.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Typical for the hubby not to have any idea! Good story, and thank you for running the challenge.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
Husbands are often clueless, aren’t they? 😉 Running the challenge is one of my passions. You’re very welcome.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ahh, the joys of sleeping alone!
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Both sleeping options have their perks, Keith. 😉 Thanks for paddling by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She finally gets to sleep when Ted wakes her up. Maybe some sort of earmuffs would help muffle the sound of his snoring 🙂
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Dear Ali,
She’s tried ear plugs. Nothing blocks out the sound, trust me. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Wanda Gerschwitz W(T)F,
Or should I say, Loch Ness Monster of Belton? I heard you’ve been swimming in farm ponds and scaring people’s cattle. Even the snapping turtles are afraid to get in the water with all that thrashing going on.
I came from a family of snorers. The easiest way to sleep in that environment is to think of it as a snoring choir. Find your place (tenor, alto, etc.) and jump right in. I’m sure they neighbors down the road really enjoyed our all-night a cappella concerts.
Happy fishing,
Virgil Ward Gayer
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Dear Virgil,
This morning I think he rattle the paint off the walls. He says I snore, too but since I’ve never heard myself, I take it with a grain of sea salt. Remind me to reserve a couple of spots for your family concert.
We do have the one pond across the street, but it doesn’t look long enough for laps. So the stories you’ve heard are fake. I’ll not be cowed.
Happy Friday and Shalom,
Wanda Gerschwitz W(T)F
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If she gets on up, maybe she’ll be exhausted enough to get back on schedule. Or maybe she should just wake him for a late night swim, cause that sounds like fun!
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Dear Russell,
There you go! She should wake him for a late swim. 😉 Thank you for paddling by. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I guess this is true life, knowing how you love swimming. I have my own room now – no more snoring!
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Dear Liz,
We have a guest room that I often call mine. 😉 This is semi true. The last thing my husband would do would be to wake me for a morning swim. 😀 (And i prefer to swim alone.)
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thirty six years of marriage and my husband and I have opposite sleeping habits. We both snore, but he can’t sleep with my noise. Like your sleeping character, I wouldn’t know if my husband got up and went for a swim. I felt for Elise, working so hard to get some sleep only to be awakened two hours later. =) Love this snippet of married life!
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Dear Brenda,
I’m the sound sleeper in this equation although sometimes his snoring can rattle paint off the walls. I know I snore, too. So some of this story is fact and some is fiction. My husband would be the last person up for a morning swim. 😉 Thank you for the positive strokes. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i guess it could happen in real life. enjoyable read. 🙂
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Truth is stranger than fiction, isn’t it? Thank you, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hahaha oh dear. I sure hope the sleep at last mellowed you cause I’d be grumpy at that comment! A fun story!
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Dear Laurie,
This story is a mixture of fact and fiction. While it’s a fact that my husband snores and I love to swim, the last thing he’d do would be to wake me for a morning swim. 😉 As he says, he swims like a rock. Stay safe.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha very clever piece then ! I completely believed it 🤣
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My wife says I snore, its all lies! Funny stuff Rochelle, glad to be back.
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Dear Shrawlely,
My husband claims I snore and delights in telling me when I do. I’ve never heard myself so I’m not sure I believe him. My reply is often, “Good. Hope it kept you up the way your snoring does me.” 😉 Thank you and welcome back.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The thing about your husband/partner is this ignorance that makes not know whether you have to be angry, frustrated, irritated or simply ignore such conduct!
Perfect description!
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Dear Sabina,
It is a lifetime choreography, isn’t it? 😉 Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😆
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Oh what a sweet story Rochelle. I love the snoring words – shnozz – tic-shnoz. The story drawn from your experience as a happy swimmer ?
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Dear Francine,
My swimming passion definitely plays into this story. 😉 Although my husband would be the last one to want to go for a swim…at any time of day. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love to swim, but rarely do it. I felt the tension wash away with her as she entered that pool. Lovely, relatable tale.
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Dear Dawn,
Nothing eases my tension like a good swim. It’s my happy spot. But then, anyone whose been around me very long knows that. 😉 Here’s to more swims in 2020. Thank you for the positive strokes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hope the water is warm, unlike here. I enjoyed all the comments, we humans are a very variable bunch it seems.🙂
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Dear Anonymous,
No doubt the water was very warm. Reciprocation and interaction are what makes this prompt challenge fun. I’ve made some long-lasting friendships through it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Seems like a real life story to me 😉
I wanted to join but seems like the link party is over ;-(
https://subrotopant.blogspot.com/2020/01/still-waters.html
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Dear Subroto,
It is pretty close to real life. 😉 However, my husband would never get up for a morning swim. 😉 Alas. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS Headed for yours now with a link to THIS week’s prompt.
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