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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.
The frog is far from blue. Click him anyway.
Some of you might remember the following story. It’s a retread from the summer of 2014. When it came up in conversation recently, I decided it was time to give it another run. Different photo and some know the reason why. 😉
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
WHAT’S ON THE MENU?
“There’s so much I haven’t seen, Mom.”
“It’ll keep. You’re only eighteen.”
“I’m a woman.”
“You’re still a child. The city will eat you alive.”
“It’s a full scholarship.”
Three months later, miles from parental scrutiny, Evelyn strolled into the Pratt Institute studio, virgin sketchbook under her arm.
She lowered herself onto an art bench, looked up at the statuesque model on a raised platform, held her pencil erect at arm’s length to calculate perspective and, with great relish, contemplated all that nature had bestowed upon him.
“Study hard,” her mother had said.
Evelyn smiled.
“I will, Mom, I will.”
This sounds like what you’ve told us about yourself, Rochelle. Good writing once again. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Perhaps, I’ve divulged a little. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That model has amazing powers of maintaining his pose. Your story made me laugh, Rochelle
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Dear Neil,
Mission accomplished. 😀 (The studio was chilly 😉 )
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, they all say that, but that first year? Nice one. Just one story from me today.
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Dear Anthony,
I will never forget my first figure drawing class…with a male model. I’m sure I turned every shade of red in the spectrum, while trying to maintain my composure. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha ha – naughty lady! Thanks for making me smile.
https://susan-a-eamestravelfictionandphotos.blogspot.com/2020/03/empathy-works-100-word-story.html
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Dear Susan,
Happy to give you something to smile about. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The experience of so many as they move onto the next stage in their life.
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Thanks for stopping by, Colline.
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I wonder what brought that to mind, m’lady?
Surely not the melons!
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Dear CE,
Classified information, sir. 😉 Thanks for reading.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This had me chuckling away at my desk in work. Glorious in every respect 😉
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Dear Iain,
Your chuckles are all the compliments i need. for this one. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, we all studied hard…very hard. 😀 What a great story, you made my day.
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Dear Loré,
And your comment made my day…even if I’m late getting around to replying. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I read the story through, choked, chuckled, then read it again with different eyes. Loved it!
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Dear Brenda,
Thank you for reading not once but twice. Happy to have provided chuckles. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had no idea you’d gone to Pratt! This is a great story. Oh for the days of sitting and sketching. Makes you envy Gaugin.
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Dear Josh,
Oh sorry to mislead. I actually went to the Kansas City Art Institute. So this is, of course, a work of fiction. (Wink. Wink). Thank you. 😀
Pencils up!
Rochelle
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Love this. Sturdy hard indeed!
Shalom,
Ronda
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Thank you, Ronda. 😀 grin.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, my word. She’s certainly seeing things she’d never seen before. Is she studying art or anatomy, I wonder? Thanks for the smile so early in my day 🙂
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Dear Linda,
I’d say she’s studying a bit of each. 😉 You’re very welcome for the smile. Thank you for the delightful comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We get to choose what we want in our menu.
Parental supervision makes the menu choice limited!
Great, Rochelle 🙂
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Thank you, Anita. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, those first weeks and months away from home – the things you learn! I like the way you wrote Mom’s discussion with Evelyn. She knew perfectly well that she’d lose, but felt she had to make the case anyway.
Shalom
Penny
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Dear Penny,
Yep, Mom knew her words were falling on deaf ears. I’m sure my mother felt the same. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah! Well, that’s a good lesson in controlling one’s devouring nature, I’d think … 😉 (sorry, had to) 😉
And here’s to turning all shades of pink and red AND keeping one’s composure while one admires natures ‘bestowing’ during ‘art appreciation’ class …
😀
Left my very different contribution at the froggy!
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
It was difficult to maintain my cool that first drawing class with a male model. The truth is, he wasn’t all that good looking. 😉 After a while nude model grew to be ho-hum and boring and my pencil turned to jade. Thank you for the comments and the wordplay (never apologize).
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, well, it can be a bit disconcerting for anyone during their first nude drawing class, I’m sure. Perhaps it was not a bad idea that he wasn’t “all that good looking” so you could actually concentrate on drawing … 😉
Me love word plays. 😉
Shabbat Shalom
Na’ama
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Now that’s called hanging at college… lol.
Randy
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That’s terrible, Randy. And made me laugh. 😀 Thank you for swinging by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh is this a peek into a younger Rochelle? I love it, the coming of age and the recognition of parents’ wisdom. Great stuff Rochelle
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Dear Shrawley,
Evelyn’s a little bolder than younger Rochelle. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A different learning experience than Mom was thinking of. Delightful telling of a fond memory.
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Dear Lisa,
It might be a little bit of tweaking of a fond memory. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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Ah! So, this week we learn a little about Rochelle. Now, I understand your passion for the arts.
I have zero artistic ability, but I’ve done that. It was a case of wrong/right place, wrong/right time. No one told me plans changed, so I showed up to a drawing class with a nude model. I explained that I was not an artist, but the model talked me into trying. She came over to see my drawings between poses. She seemed to like them. Other people complimented me. She even kept my drawings. For me, it was a once in a lifetime, bizarre opportunity.
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Dear Nobbin,
Some of the story is a glimpse of young Rochelle. However, I’m not sure she was quite as bold as Evelyn. 😉 I will say that my first figure drawing class with a nude male model was a bit of a shock to my naive nervous system. After a while, the nudes became business as usual and even dull.
It sounds like you have more artistic ability than you give yourself credit for. Thank you for your comments and sharing your story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice touch of humor
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Thank you, Larry.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It sounds like she might follow her nature with that statuesque man…
I wonder if there are nuts on the shelves?
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Anything is possible when you’re eighteen, isn’t it, Björn? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I liked your story because there is so much going on in it. Of course I had to google The Pratt. As with all your stories I wondered who the MC was going to be, sometimes famous and sometimes not. Now I am wondering if a certain writer I know learned to draw in Brooklyn. Interesting take on the prompt.
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p.s. I’m still looking at Roger’s photo wondering where this story came from, that’s what you call flash fiction.
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Dear Ted,
It seems I might have to make a public statement that this piece is NOT autobiographical! (Perhaps inspired by the writer herself 😉 ) The original photo I used in 2014 was one of a statue. Without fail, when I use a picture of a statue I’m inundated with stories about some poor shnook who’s soul is imprisoned in stone. So help me, this is true. So…this photo was taken in NYC…hence I went with Pratt. I actually went to the KC Art Institute. Unlike Evelyn, I was somewhat taken aback by nude models. Funny how quickly you become jaded…even bored with nudity. While my father came from Brooklyn, I was born, raised and educated in Kansas City. 😉
The tie-in with this story and the photo, is the food on shelves…what’s on the menu 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😀😃😁😁😆😅😂🤣😘You mean Roger’s photo was taken in NYC and that’s the take? Interesting. As for Art Classes, I was an art history minor in college, but I had to also take some art classes and when I signed up for life drawing I was all excited. I was disappointed in the modeling, I guess that type came in more advanced classes. And, I was not getting into any of those because I could not draw. But I did became an excellent potter.
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I never got into pottery but the figure drawing classes were part of everyone’s curriculum at the art institute. I wish now, though, I hadn’t slept through Art History classes. Keep those emojis coming. 😉
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Rochelle! I just saw your Typewriter watercolor. I love it!!!
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Thank you, Ted. Another author “put me up” to it. I really wasn’t sure I could do it. Prints and note cards available soon. 😉
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I’m going to go look at your fb page to see it better, I just saw the thumbnail on the frog link page. Oh, I forgot to link mine. Got to run.
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Dear Rochelle,
I admire all the writing proms you’ve joined.
Blessing on you and your writing,
Phyllis
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Thank you, Phyllis. 😀 My pleasure. My passion.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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In a flash I saw a cold model, and one hot girl… Nut and Melon pie.
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Dear Mike,
Mission accomplished. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love this short little story. I remember the Art Institute days. You had some strange experiences. I think you were better than most of your “instructors”. Your character listened to her Mother like you did yours. Lol.
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Aw shucks, Jan. What a sweet thing to say. I had a lot to learn in those days…about life…about art. I listened to my mother…before letting it go out the other ear. 😉
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Made me smile. Hard not to. 😁
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Dear Ellen,
Your comment makes me smile, too. 😀 Tee hee. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I am just a happy smile spreader x 😁
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😀 😀 😀
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Smart girl..
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Thank you, Violet. Happy to see you here.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She studied more than just art it seems! Thanks for my first grin of the day Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
I’m always happy to give out grins. 😀 Art is an all encompassing experience, to be studied and savored. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My comment from 2014 still stands – “Cheeky! I’m glad she’s enjoying her university education” 🙂
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Dear Ali,
And your comment is still relevant. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She contemplated him but did she draw or just gape?
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A little of both, Liz. A little of both. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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don’t worry, mom. it looks like the internet has prepared her well for whatever she intends to do. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
There was no internet when Evelyn went to art school. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Now that’s a different take on the prompt! Good one Rochelle!
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Thank you, Russell. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Now I know what eighteen year old girls concentrate on these days!
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Dear James,
Are eighteen year old girls so different from their male counterparts? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think they are apprentice manipulators.
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Loved the veiled naughtiness in this cutesy flash.
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Thank you, Neel. Glad you enjoyed. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I really like the delicate balance you describe so well, between loving parental concern and the young woman’s mission to go to art school.
Big cities can be a ‘jungle’ for an innocent young person.
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Dear Francine,
Evelyn did have a bit of a culture shock going on. 😉 Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved your story, so much said, made me smile.
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Thank you, Susan. Your comment makes me smile. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story Rochelle, the protagonist sounds like she’s a bit of a rascal, anyone we know?
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Dear Michael,
It’s just possible the protagonist is based on someone you might know. 😉 A little bolder perhaps. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m sure she is really motivated to study hard in this class!
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Dear Fatima,
She most definitely has her motivation. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I wasn’t around back then – not quite – and I love that you were able to rerun this story with a very different image… So cheeky and clever if you!
Shalom and Lotsa nature-loving love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Well we know where the other photo would’ve taken us, don’t we? 😉 Your comment makes me smile. Sometimes a girl has to get in touch with her (right and left) cheeky side. (Wisoff grin) Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa understanding hugs,
Rochelle
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That we do!
And yes, she does, doesn’t she? 😉
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Beautiful.
And that sure is a way to lose a certain kind of innocence ! 😉
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Dear Laurie,
At least it’s an artistic way to lose her innocence. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I’ve no idea where the comment disappeared to that I made days ago when I “liked” your story! Perhaps I was being a scatterbrain and didn’t click on Post Comment.
Anyway, what I said was that I loved your take on the prompt. I also said that I liked the play on words in relation to the picture, about people eating Evelyn alive. And lastly, I wonder if the story is semi-autobiographical.
So there. At least I remembered what I said, which is a start, considering how my mind is only just returning out of the dead zone after many, many months. Time to work on a project, methinks — the one I mentioned that involved you — if you’re still interested and when you’ve finished your latest book, which I’m very much looking forward to reading.
.
We’ll chat soon 🙂
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
I did check my spam folder to see if your comment might have ended up there. Nope. I understand about scatterbrained. Yesterday I mailed two prints to a customer/friend and realized as I was packaging another I’d forgotten to sign them. So now she’s going to mail them back when they get there. Too much multitasking.
I’m glad you enjoyed the play on words. I remember when I wrote it I had a lot of fun with it. In fact, I admit to a bit of an assist from Doug. And yes, the story is a tad autobiographical in that my mother and I really didn’t discuss it. And the male models at the art institute weren’t so much to look at in the aesthetic sense. In fact nude models came to bore me and I found myself sketching details of the background.
I’ve written myself into a corner with the current novel. Never know how long it’s going to take, do we? I’ll certainly let you know.
Good news. My agent stopped waiting for my publisher to reply re the next novel. She sent it to 22 larger publishing houses and reminded me that it will take time and most authors only get ONE shot. However, the first “rejection” came this past Tuesday, only a week after they received it. The publisher is Avon. The letter started with “Wow” and continued to say he/she was fascinated…the author obviously poured her heart into it…but it was too dark for them. How encouraging is that?
So…I look forward to chatting with you in the not too distant future. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I think you should see Avon’s response to your novel as most encouraging, even though it didn’t fit with their list. Personally, I’d like to receive a rejection like that, Obviously to get a “yes” is a million times better, but it says to me that Avon have at least said enough to confirm that your novel has the “wow” factor, is intriguing, and has plenty of emotional depth. I’m sure there must be one or more publishers amongst the other 21 will appreciate the darkness.
Keeping my fingers tightly crossed for you.
All best wishes,
Sarah
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My thoughts exactly, Sarah. 😀
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Rochelle, I LOVE IT! Clever!
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Thank you, Nan!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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