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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 © Ulrika Undén
For a good time, click the frog!
Genre: Nothing but the Truth
Word Count: 100
THE LITTLE OLD LADY FROM PASADENA
Growing up during the Great Depression, did Maurine Kornfeld figure she’d have already climbed the stairway to Heaven by the year 2020?
Like many Americans she retired at age 65. Although she never cared for swimming as a youngster, she joined a Masters Swim group at the YMCA to stay fit. Setting her first record at age 90, she was recently inducted into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame.
When asked her secret, she replied, eyes twinkling. “If you can’t outswim them, outlive them.”
“Mighty Mo” is my new hero. I want to be her when I grow up.
*
*
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Inspirational, Rochelle
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Thank you, Neil. 😀
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90? Wow that is amazing. Bet she ate well most her life. I worry about the younger generation and health issues.
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Dear Tanille,
I share your concern about food and health. Thank you for swimming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Seems like mermaids come in many guises, m’lady
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Dear CE,
Perhaps it takes a mermaid to truly appreciate another mermaid. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is impressive and inspiring. To be still so full of life and filled with positive expectation at her age. Many people become jaded as they get older. It’s also interesting to note that she changed with the times. Having grown up in a time when female sports might not have been acceptable.
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Dear Fatima,
I’m definitely impressed with her. It’s encouraging to think I have many more years of swimming left. 😀 Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You are never too old to start swimming. I know a person who learned how to swim at age 60 and now swims for her exercise.
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Dear Colline,
Nothing beats swimming. Nice to know a person can begin at almost any age.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I mean, come on, she has had a 33 year career, of course she is doing well since most swimmers “retire” from the sport at 33 years old 😉 That is great, 98 and going strong. Very inspirational.
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Dear Trent,
Olympic and Masters swim aren’t quite the same thing. I was told by a friend a few years back that I should get into competition in Masters since there would be fewer competitors in my age category. So Mo has a better chance in hers. I mean, how many swimmers are there over 90? Nonetheless, Maureen is an inspiration for sure. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sometimes little jokes don’t come across right in blog comments 😉 But I agree, she is an inspiration. To be that active at that age is fantastic 🙂
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Gertrude Ederle serves as a role model for all of us, Mo included! Great story. 90 doesn’t seem that old now, does it?
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Dear Josh,
I thought of you when I saw her on the news. I knew I had to write her story. 90 gets younger all the time. 😉
And now we’ve lost another icon at 103. RIP Issur.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The very first thing that popped into my head was “stairway to heaven.”
I’m going to try to think of something else 🙂
Loved this story. I love a woman who doesn’t give up.
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Dear Linda,
We are woman, hear us roar! Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Way to go, Mo! I envy any and all who can swim above water and breath while doing so. I used to swim under water, deep and silent… My Navy friends called me a seal, saying my form was similar. Now days, the pressure of the water is so painful that I don’t swim much at all.
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Dear Bear,
I do a combination of swimming on top of the water and diving under. I love snorkeling and did so in Israel. My rabbi now swears I’m half fish. Thank you for swimming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love snorkeling, too. Only wish there was a good place for it, here. The rivers are too murky, and most of the lakes are too too deep.
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Here the lakes are too murky to bother. 😉
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Inspirational! Thank you, Rochelle, you tell the story so well.
Having taken up yoga since retirement, perhaps I can hope to get flexible enough to manage the lotus position before I’m 100!
Mo is obviously young at heart, too. I love her comment “If you can’t outswim them, outlive them.”
Shalom!
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Dear Penny,
I think I’m taking up Mo’s philosophy along with my own that “Growing older is inevitable, growing up is optional.” Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Surprisingly there are many people who, in extreme old age, do so well at those kinds of things. I’ve always wished I could swim. Is that the Doors’ Peace Frog?
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Dear Larry,
I think it has a lot to do with attitude. Don’t know about the frog. I found it on a list of public domain frog images.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! That’s all, just wow!
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Wow? Wow is good. I hope that’s for both my story and the lady. Thank you, Nobbin.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great attitude!!!
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Indeed! Thanks for swimming by, Di. 😉
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I worry whether I’ll be able to get in and out of my bathtub in years to come. But a swimming pool?
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Dear Keith,
Nothing compares with swimming…in a pool, in a lake or the ultimate, swimming in the ocean. Be careful getting out of the tub. I once broke a toe doing that. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is lovely! Yay to keeping at it and proving everyone wrong! 😉
And … I’ve added mine to the froggy — will go read others’ soon and I can’t help but wonder how many ”see’ or ‘saw’ the things I had in the photo …
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
I may be swimming in Denial, but I refuse to get “old.” Know what I mean? Some people are old long before their time. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I ain’t old.
I’m seasoned.
🙂
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Rochelle, Are you sure she isn’t a selkie? Wonderful and inspiring mini-bio.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Lisa,
Whatever she might be, she’s an inspiration. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, yes she is. You’re welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Mighty Mo, or Rochelle the Rocket, I can see the headlines now!!!
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Dear Shrawley,
Rochelle the Rocket…hm. I like it. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Now that is an inspiring lady! 🙂
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Isn’t she though? Thanks for coming by, Iain. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love what you did with the prompt. Stairway to Heaven, I guess the escalator going down, those souls will be dressed in black or maybe red. Nice story, I remember seeing her on the news.
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p.s. you will have to send Mo this post.
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Dear Ted,
It would be interesting to see the down escalator. It’s a great picture. Many thanks to Ulrika for the loan. Any idea how I might contract Mo to send it? I’ve tried on occasions to contact people I’ve written about and only got a reply from Robert Moog’s daughter. At any rate, thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I will submit a story later, but a funny caption for the picture prompt would be ” And the choir used an unconventional way to ascend to heaven.
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Sounds like you have the beginnings of a story, Dave. Hope you enjoyed my story while you were in the neighborhood. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes. I always enjoy hearing about inspirational people.
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Thanks for responding to my fishing, Dave. 😉
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A swimmingly good story, Mo does right
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Thank you, whoever you are.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Times like this, I wish there was a “love” button. This is awesome. I like stories where people rise above expectations. Good for Mo, she never quit and accomplished great things. I’m with you. I want to be like her when I grow up.
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Dear Eric,
I tenaciously cling to the belief that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams and aspirations. Thank you for such a wonderful comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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like they say, age is just a number. she joins the ranks that include grandma moses and, albert schweitzer.
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I agree, Plaridel. Thanks for stopping by. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
You have introduced us to yet another mighty retiree who refuses to sit down and wait to die. Wonderful! Mighty Mo and Robust Ro! (Sorry… hard to find a similar word starting with R 😉 )
Shalom and lotsa lapsfuls of love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Robust Ro? That works. 😀 Happy to introduce you to Mighty Mo. Thank you for the stirring comment.
Shalom and lotsa dripping hugs,
Rochelle
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Glad you accept my attempt!
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Haha…love the philosophy!
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Me, too, Dawn. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good story of inspiration. I expect to watch you swim at 90. From atop my Harley.
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Thank you, m’luv. I’ll wave as I swim by. 😀
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I’m quite certain you are capable of eclipsing that record, Rochelle. 🙂
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Dear Sandra,
I’m certainly adopting her philosophy. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Quite a lady! It’s never too late 🙂
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Dear Ali,
Never too late indeed. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Age is just a number!
Outliving all and setting records makes sense! 🙂
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Agreed, Anita. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good for her!
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Yess!!! 😀
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That’s awesome! Just goes to show that it’s never too late to go after your dreams, goals, etc…
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Dear Russell,
A whole new life opened up for me after I “retired.” Nope. it’s never too late. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a legend !
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She is indeed, Laurie. 😀
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I love reading your inspiring stories! Wow, I want to be like her.
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Dear Brenda,
I think we have a good head start. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely, I’ll agree with this. Kirk Douglas managed to 103 years old.
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Dear James,
Kirk Douglas was amazing and a favorite of mine. Thank you for your affirming comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a woman— inspirational. Good to have a role model for whom age is barrier. 90 is the new 60 ?
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Dear Francine,
I don’t know about 90 being the new 60 but I do know that this lady is amazing and I hope to be able to keep swimming. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great story of an exceptional lady, Rochelle. Bless her heart. It’s marvelous to reach that age and be in such good shape. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
The moment I saw her on the news I knew I had to write about her. Very impressive and gives me hope for my own future. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She sounds like an amazing role model! Just goes to show that it’s never too late to start something new. Well-written as always, Rochelle.
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Dear Mags,
That’s my philosophy in life, you know. It’s never too late. I never dreamed when I was younger that I had a whole ‘nuther career waiting for me after retirement. Or that I’d still be lap swimming on a regular basis. However, I don’t foresee any competitions for me. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
May you continue to swim laps for years and years to come!
Shalom,
Mags
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Love that bit of history! It’s fun to find out a bout someone who touched so many with her spunk. .You say you want to be like her? You are like her now.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
A tiny bit of history and a lot of current events. Mighty Mo is still with us and still swimming. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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