Like us on Facebook
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: Fiction
Word Count: 100
PHOTOGRAPHS AND MEMORIES
“Antique photographs fascinate me.” Rochelle rinsed her paintbrush. “Wouldn’t you love to know what the people in them are thinking?’
Russell scratched his chin as if deep in thought. “The kid is probably wishing the photographer would hurry up and get it over with. His father’s thirsty for a tall cold one.”
“The woman wants to loosen her corset.” Dale leaned back in her chair. “Can you imagine being imprisoned in one of those contraptions?”
“Dear me, no,” said the grandmother of nine. “I wonder what Zing and Zang would say?”
“There you go.” Rochelle grinned. “Our next photo prompt!”
*
*
*
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Theres no prompt photo today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oops. Sorry, Mason. I did this one other time. Boy is my face red. I’ve now inserted the photo prompt.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
No worries, it’s so easily done when trying to get posts out and done fast.
LikeLike
Fun story. A meta-narrative. I think that’s what this is called. The literary theorists among us will correct me if that’s wrong
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Neil,
I’ll have to look that one up. At any rate, there’s now a prompt. 😉 Someone wasn’t paying attention when she posted.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Photo prompt is the first 2 images, right Rochelle?
Interesting conversation. We’ll never know what they were really thinking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Anita,
Neither of those photos are the prompt. It seems I forgot to put it in whilst I was posting. Mia culpa.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Got confused? Which is/are the photo prompts? Or, is there none? Anyways, have taken my chances and pushed in two stories. Hope you like it, As for your story, it was very sweet, realistic to the core, a throwback to an earlier generation that connected through such sepia toned black and white images. A very sweet read, Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Neel,
You’re comments are kind and generous. At any rate, I’ve inserted the actual photo prompt now. I goofed and posted without it. I look forward to seeing the direction you took with our stories.
Now, as it’s still 0-Dark-30 here, I’m going to go put on my coffee and continue to wake up. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
An introspective glance this morning…and yet…the past holds so many secrets….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Ain,
Old photos are like little time machines, aren’t they?
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recently found out about a deaf woman who -can read lips well enough to understand what people in old WWI silent videos are saying. For people who enjoy old photographs (though no one can tell from a photograph anything like that) , she can top everyone
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Larry,
People who can read lips amaze me. When someone mouths a message to me across a room, I’m totally lost. I do love old photos and do wonder what was going through the subjects’ heads at the moment. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
Seein’s I unapologetically live in the past anyway I quite agree completely
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m right there in the past with you, Larry. 😉
LikeLike
I love the photos and your artistic renderings. I love old photos, too, especially of distant relatives. It’s fun to trace similarities down through the generations.
And I felt highly honored to be included with Russell and Dale in your gallery of philosophers, along with Zing and Zang. My two little aliens have been feeling neglected lately.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dear Linda,
I just couldn’t leave the little guys out. 😉 You’ve become a permanent FFFixture and I love it. 😀 Glad you enjoyed.
As for the photos…the ones I shared, I could see my mother’s strong resemblance to my great grandmother, the lady seated and my Uncle Norman, mom’s twin resembled Grandma Nettie. (the girl standing). And the picture of two little kids I can see my brother and my youngest son reflected in my dad’s six year old face. Such fun.
Thank you and…
Shalom,
Rochell
LikeLiked by 3 people
I had to use Zing and Zang for today’s prompt 🙂
LikeLike
😁😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the photos and the story, Rochelle. I agree with Dale about corsets too. No wonder there was so much fainting, trying to fit into one of those things!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Jen,
I’ve read horror stories about corsets. I’m glad to have been born in the post-corset era. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Here’s to old photos and older stories. How fun! I enjoyed reading the narrative, too, and I agree with Dale that corsets (even with their bust-supportive properties) were not going to be a favorite thing for me … I rather like my body bendy (or as bendy as it will allow these days). Left my little contribution with the froggy. xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Na’ama Y’karah,
I’m with you and bendy bodies. I cherish every day that I can still bend, squat, stretch and swim…all corset-free. Glad you enjoyed the story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, me like my bendies, even if they bend now less than they used to. And … I like being able to bend, squat, stretch ( a little) and swim ( a little), and walk. None of it taken for granted, for there were times I could do none of those. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rochelle,
One of the first thoughts that crosses my mind when I see photographs (old or not) is, “Hmm. What were they thinking?” Clever little piece with three of our favorite FF’s. :>)
Shalom,
Dora
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dora,
It was fun to write. I do wonder about old photos. These old photos that I painted have been around my whole life and have always fascinated me. Thank you
Shalom u’vrakha,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
The only thing missing is a photo of the four of you, preferably with Dale in a corset! Nice one, Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Keith,
I would love to have a photo of the four of us together. However, I doubt you’ll ever see Dale in a corset. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Miss Rochelle,
I was gunna call Customer Service at Addicted to Purple, but my patience paid off. Anyways, cute little story and I love the art. Well done times four.
Peace,
Bill
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Bill,
Thank you for your patience. Pobody’s nerfect. Sorry about the hiccup in the prompt works and than you for your generous comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
wour yelcome, Rochelle.
I had opened it on my iPad and decided it was not right. By the time I got to my laptop, you’d fixed it. I was all set to blame the iPad. 🙂
It’s Friday, I need to get busy reading the others.
Peace,
Bill
LikeLike
Great story but more importantly, Outstanding water color painting. You done good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, m’luv. ❤
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
Love when you implicate some of us in your stories 😉
I definitely would bring up the corsets!!
Shalom and lotsa fun love,
Dale
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dale,
I think we’ve had the conversation a time or two. 😉 It’s fun to break away from the “norm” from time to time, isn’t it? Thanks my friend.
Shalom and lotsa fun hugs,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, it definitely is!
LikeLike
Always lovely to find the gang together, and imagining how the chat would go! Good fun 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Iain,
I actually have gotten together with the funny man. Dale…only on Skype. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a conference? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I missed the early morning hoopla about missing photo for the prompt, but I have to say, the actual image is absolutely nuts! In the best of ways. These types of images are entrancing – all that is going on, so many layers. I could get totally lost in it forever – it’s worthy of many stories. So cheers and thanks for that!
And of course, old images, especially family ones, are fascinating, if one takes the time to really observe. Usually most plain, depending on the era, it’s all the small details that leave the mind wondering and wandering, trying to decipher meanings, make connections. I’m particularly intrigued by the baby carriage one – that is a complete baffle – my imagination running wild. 😅
Wonderful little flash you’ve penned – fun to sit and play, and paint, and bring another layer/dimension into the conversations we have with family and friends. 😊
Shalom
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Wild Child,
I do love the old images and have always been fascinated with the baby carriage photo. My mom and uncle were 14 when it was taken. It was hard to imagine them as playful kids. Thank you so much re my flash.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating, isn’t it. I can’t imagine my mom running and yelling and playing with her siblings either – she being the eldest of 6 – and yet in the odd moments when she did share some more personal/intimate stories, as opposed to generalities, she was a completely different person – far more human, far more generous; I guess she will always be the “other person” to me – “mom” …
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always enjoy stories that feature FF regulars as characters. This is a good take on the prompt – you’ve got right down into the detail!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Penny,
Sometimes I have to leap out of my own box. 😉 I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. Thank you for your generous compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, I enjoyed the theorized narratives of the images. You did a wonderful and careful job of recreating them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lisa,
Thank you so much for your sweet comment. Glad you enjoyed. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, you are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
LikeLike
Ha,ha. Thanks Rochelle. Yes , we do often wonder.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and commenting, Susan. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was fun, Rochelle, and the watercolors are wonderful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you on both counts, Gabi. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a fun, surreal story. Glad the prompt got sorted but I love the art based on photos too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Anne,
I love the way the earliest writers made their own prompts. 😉 Very clever these Friday Fictioneers. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
God I’d love to be able to paint, I’m guessing the photo prompt was the shop with the huge glasses in the window? Its alll so confusing, but you’re an excellent painter as well as a formidable writer! Good stuff
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Shrawley,
Sorry for the earlier confusion. Yes the window is the prompt. Thank you re my painting and writing. I do enjoy what I do. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Querida Rochelle,
Don’t we all have those moments when something we do constantly throws us a curve ball to ensure we’re paying attention? I must admit I was confused about the prompt photo but it doesn’t take much to confuse me now-a-days. 😀
Fun use of FF-ers in your story. Photographs can be heartwarming to look at from time to time. I enjoy looking at my husbands photos of his family and childhood. I don’t have any of my family. They were destroyed. Actually, I have one of me at 3 years old. I do wonder what I was thinking. Of course, I’m adorable. LOLOL
Hey, I’m early this week … well … in my mind, I’m on-time since I use Friday as the day to post. You should change the name to Wacky Wednesday Writers. LOLOL It’s a silly day for me today. Have a great weekend, mi amiga. Gracias por sus trabajos … Quidate 💜
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Querida Isadora,
I’m so sorry about your photos. Of course you’re adorable…no matter what age. 😉 It’s been suggested I change the name from Friday Fictioneers. But I leave it as I inherited it. At one time the prompt was given on Wednesday but didn’t go live until Friday. That changed a few months before I “took over”.
Gracias para sus palabras amables.
Abrazos y shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
i just watched an old film taken before the san francisco earthquake in 1906. it was fascinating to see folks walking down the streets and going about their business and imagining how they lived long before i was born. i feel the same looking at old photos, too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Plaridel,
I love to watch old films, too. I just watched one made in 1908 that had some early animation. Fascinating and it does give you a feel for the time. Thank you for reading and for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Wonderful little story for the week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Athling.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
If the photographs are old enough, the subjects are being held in position, not only by corsets and hair pins, but with metal rods and such. Exceedingly uncomfortable — but guarenteed the subject held still long enough for the exposure.
Here’s a take on why those folks aren’t smiling:
https://time.com/4568032/smile-serious-old-photos/?jwsource=cl
Interesting too, but given your talents, that of all items that make up the window display, you focused on the old photographs.
I love old photographs, and the way you render them into a picture is stunning. Not sure I have a post about this, but you know me, I had to get my five cents in. (Used to be two, but with inflation . . .)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lorraine,
I actually did know the background on why you don’t see people smiling in old photos. Thank you for your five cents. It was worth the price of admission. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Given your interest in old photographs, I should have known! Glad you feel you spent your 5 cents wisely.
LikeLike
Photos are like a time portal. They say so much but say so little too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Tannille,
I agree. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hee, fun 🙂
I sometimes looks at photos, especially old ones, and wonder what they did when the photo was taken and they went back to their lives.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ali. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle,
I’m so glad Friday Fictioneers is still going strong! Enjoyed your piece today!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lisa,
I’m about to celebrate my 9th anniversary as FFFacilitator. Who knew it would go this long? No plans to quit. Thank you re my flash.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS Good to see you back. It’s like we’ve been waiting for your name. 😉
LikeLike
Nine years! Wow! Congrats and thank you for faithfully hosting all these years!
Yes, I have a name now. Somewhere around here, I have all the Angelique stories tucked in a drawer. Haven’t quite figured out if I’m going to do something with those someday. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
What we see indeed!
Fantastic.
I wonder what they were thinking too. And what was in for the rest of their day. Cooking? Cleaning? Outdoor work? They all look so serious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Laurie,
They do look serious. Partly because it took so long for actually make a photo. One has to wonder what was going on in behind the faces. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike