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.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
TALES FROM THE CRYPT
“What was it like when you were a kid, Grandpa?” asked Trevor.
John leaned back in his recliner. “We were poor. In fact, we didn’t have a TV until I was in high school. The five of us lived in an 8 foot by 40-foot trailer. No iPhones like today.”
“And you walked three miles uphill to school and back every day. And ate dirt for supper. Right?”
“Okay, wise guy. I’m done.”
“Please Pa-Pa, go on.” Gina scowled at her brother. “Are you really that old?”
“Old?” Trevor cackled. “When Grandpa was born, the Dead Sea was only sick.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Oh Rochelle, this is wonderful story. I love the last line. 😂
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Dear Sadje,
I’m glad you enjoyed. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome Rochelle.
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The last line is awesome.
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Thank you, Reena. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The idea that really captivated me was the portrait of poverty as not having a TV.
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Dear Neil,
A TV wasn’t a given back in the early 1940’s. Of course an 8 x 40 ft trailer isn’t Buckingham Palace either. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is one long lived grandpa
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Dear Michael,
Long indeed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Why did I think of Perry Block when I read that last line? 🙂 Thanks for the smile.
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Dear Sandra,
I hate to admit that Perry and I do have similarly warped senses of humor. Truthfully, I’m quoting one of our sons here…the one who’s a TV writer. 😉 Glad you smiled. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great punchline. I like the dialogue too.
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Thank you so much, Penny. (It’s based on actual conversations.)
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting conversation.
One has to be ‘sick’ before being ‘dead’. Never thought this in the context of the Dead Sea! 🙂
Our grandparents had to travel for miles and did face a lot- no iphones of Google!
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Dear Anita,
Yes, times have changed. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I am going to be giggling about that last line for a while. In my imagination, grandpa will win in the end though. Because, they usually do. Adorable banter.
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Dear Anne,
Grandpa will definitely win in the end. 😉 He has many more years of experience. Thank you for your giggles. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Poor Grandpa, no respect… Like everyone else, I love that last line.
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Dear Trent,
I’m pretty fond of that last line, too. 😉 Our son used to say that about his dad. Of course, Dad’s now a grandpa. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Children have a way of making us feel old. Innocent insults. Fun story.
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Dear Tannille,
I remember teasing my parents about being ancient, too. What goes around comes around. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ll always remember this fondly at the wit of our son when he asked me that question. I still laugh at it today.
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Dear Jan,
I still laugh at it, too. That one always did have a clever way with words. 😉 Thanks m’luv.
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Great story! The last line left me giggling. Well done.
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Dear Mason,
Mission accomplished. I was going for the giggle. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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mission accomplished indeed, well done!
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I’m going to steal that last line next time the in-laws visit the grandkids! Thanks for the chuckle 🙂
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Dear Iain,
Our middle son coined that line, I think. At any rate he loved using it on his dad. 😉 It is a great line. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a great story. Love the ending line! I’m going to be laughing about that one all day long.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
Your laughs are high praise. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Cute, Rochelle. We often joke that my Mum had to dodge the dinosaurs on her walk to school. I’ll ask her about the Dead Sea.
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Dear Jen,
Every generation loves to gig the prior one. I remember asking my parents about their horses and buggies. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a nostlagia laden story, Rochelle. Loved the last line…“Old?” Trevor cackled. “When Grandpa was born, the Dead Sea was only sick.”…
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Dear Neel,
Our son actually came up with the line when he was much younger. It always makes us laugh. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I always tell people that because my parents were both from northeastern Pennsylvania, for them that was a true story~
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Dear Larry,
I’m a bit confused by your comment. What was a true story? Walking uphill both ways?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Because my parents were both from northeastern Pennsylvania, I always say that the comment about uphill both ways, horrendous weather, etc is a true story because it’s mountainous there and winters are so cold
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Fun one, Rochelle 🙂
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Thank you, Linda. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful dialogue, so authentic! Times have certainly changed, seems like they’ve gone lightspeed in the last few years.
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Dear Earthskyair,
Sometimes I wonder what my parents would say if they were here today. I used to think they were ancient because they grew up without television or air conditioning. Things have progressed with lightning speed. And our kids and grandkids still look at us as ancient history. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ll have to remember that one! Funny!
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Dear Lisa,
It’s a great line, isn’t it? I got it from my son who said it of my husband when he was much younger. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, it truly is and it gave me a big smile. You are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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A lovely funny story!
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Thank you, Liz. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great dialogue, flow. I feel bad for laughing at that one. It’s amazing how our perspective shifts as we get older. I remember my grandfather talking about “old people” when he was in his 70s. I know I’ll never be old. I’m not doing it.
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Dear Nobbin,
Don’t feel bad. I was going for the laugh. 😉 In my head, I’m still 18. I remember thinking my parents were so old. Sadly, neither of them reached 70. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
You crack me up. And Grandpas don’t get no respect no more!
Shalom,
~🕊Dora
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Dear Dora,
Happy to crack you up. 😀 I was going for the laugh, of course. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Brilliant last line!
Here’s mine
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Thank you, Di.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😀
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Ah, the good old days when the Dead Sea had health-insurance! 😉
Fun stuff, that!
🙂
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karay,
On my first trip to Israel, our guide pointed out the mountains of salt by the Dead Sea, calling them Lot’s Wife. I did get a snoot full of Dead Sea water. Oy. Pain that threatened to bore a hole through the top of my skull. Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yeah, snorting dead sea water ain’t recommended … even paper cut … um … cut deep … 😉
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‘The Dead Sea was only sick’! What a wonderful line! It’s such a living conversation. But there’s always a wise guy, isn’t there. It’s a lovely, warm story.
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Dear Jenne,
My middle son was the wise guy in reality. We fell over laughing when he said it. 😀 It became a family joke. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A fine fun story. These kids have heard some of grandpa’s stories before maybe but I love that they still ask and listen and give him a little grief. A healthy family.
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Dear Dee,
A lot of the dialogue is factual. 😉 Glad you enjoyed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I really enjoyed this story and the last line was classic.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
Thank you for your sweet comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome, Rochelle 🙂
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That’s hilarious, Rochelle. Put grandpa in the dozens!
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Dear Josh,
Grandpa gets no respect. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
That was such a hoot. Killer last line as was said by all… Still chuckling.
Shalom and lotsa giggly love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Yes, we laugh at that line since our son coined it several years back….aimed at Jan who’s now grandpa. I wonder if my son’s daughter says things like that to him. Hmmm.
Shalom and lotsa amusing huglings,
Rochelle
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I’m sure she will, if she hasn’t started yet!
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Ha that is hilarious!
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Thank you, Lilac. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I loved this. When kids get too cheeky making fun of my advancing age, I point out at least I have survived–a bit harsh–and it returns the conversation to humour.
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Dear James,
Kids are going to be cheeky, aren’t they? This is based on factual conversations between my kids and their day. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I was grinning all the way through then laughed out loud at that brilliant last line! Brilliant.
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Dear Keith,
Mission definitely accomplished 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hee, I love Trevor’s last zinger 🙂 He should have more respect for his elders…!
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Dear Ali,
Trevor has always been a little wise guy. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful! I laughed so much about this. That last sentence is one I must remember, but use it for myself, LOL.
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Dear Gabi,
We’ve laughed about it for years. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I enjoyed the banter and the last line made me snicker as it did a number of others. Lovely to know it was your son’s own line. And, certainly, what goes around comes around. Those young ‘uns, who chuckle at their elders, as I’m sure I did when young, forget their own time will come. It is inevitable. No fighting time. Love this one, Rochelle!
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Dear Brenda,
So true. And how often we do and say the same things our parents did. The things we swore we never would. 😉 At the same time I don’t think I’m at all like my mother. (Happy Mother’s Day) Thank you for your generous comments. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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just love the bantering dialogue. i feel like i was there joining the fun. 🙂
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Thank you, Plaridel. I couldn’t ask for a better compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle 😀
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Ha! That last line was genius!
Terrific story. Great sense of relationships here.
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Dear Laurie,
Family. Gotta love it. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love the banter between the kids and grandpa, very lively, especially the last line !
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Dear Francine,
I’m glad you enjoyed my story. The last line originated with one of our sons. 😉 We still laugh at it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great story. I love the humor. That Trevor.
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Dear Athling,
That Trevor does have a quick wit. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love this! Especially that last line. hehe! I remember being “dirt floor” poor as the saying goes. Somehow, though, I think it only grew me to more thankful for the little I have these days. Annnd, to be stronger in dealing with “less than perfect” circumstances. Hubby didn’t get the job he was hoping for that would have allowed us to go back home… but then, after yesterday’s visit back home, I hate to admit that maybe it’s a good thing.
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Dear Bear,
Hubby loves to recount those trailer house days to remind us how poor he was. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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hehe!
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Good one, Rochelle. Love the dialogue & last line. Shalom!
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Thank you, Susan. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m not sure what happened, but the linky thing wouldn’t let me use the photo prompt. I got a message,
Submitted blog (URL) forbids image sharing.
For further information please contact our support.
I’ve always used the photo prompt before.
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I don’t know what to tell you, Lisa.
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So glad I happened upon your lovely story. Made me smile. Thanks so much.
Perhaps I too can participate one Friday. I’d love to. I’ll remember this story when I’m writing this one. Genius. Thanks Rochelle. Be well. I wish you miracles.
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Dear Selma,
Welcome aboard! 😉 Thank you for reading my story. Glad it made you smile and you took the time to tell me so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Shalom, Rochelle. I appreciate you already. Be well. I wish you miracles.
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Thanks for the smile on a dreary Saturday!
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Dear Lorraine.
Always happy to give smiles. Thank you for giving it back.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Gina needs to kick Trevor out of the room! A delightful tale, Rochelle.
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Dear Mags,
Trevor is something of a smart aleck, isn’t he? There’s one in every family. (Several in mine, actually 😉 ) Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, Rochelle
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Oh, Rochelle
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What can I say, Ted? Kids like to tease the older generation, don’t they? What goes around comes around. 😉 Good to see you here!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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