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Genre: Anecdote
Word Count: 100
THE BRIGHT SIDE
Our junior high art teacher, Mrs. Spears introduced Taffy and me saying, “You two need to know each other.”
We became fast friends. Comparing our latest projects, the highest praise we gave each other was, “I hate you.”
After graduation we went our separate ways.
Forty years later I gave her a call. Since that night ten years ago, we’ve spoken or texted nearly every day as if no time has passed.
A gifted stained-glass designer, she amazes me. My favorites are her handmade butterflies.
When asked the key to her craft she says, “Band-aids. Lots and lots of Band-aids.”
You’re welcome, Taffy. He he. 😉
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
A lovely friendship!
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Dear Sadje,
It is a lovely friendship. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome Rochelle.
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You know, the key to writing isn’t that different
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I do like coloured glass, Taffy and you are gifted,
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Thank you, Michael. She’s my critique person. Often she’ll see where a sketch is off when I can’t. And I do love my lovely butterflies.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Neil,
I know what you mean. Those emotional wounds need a type of bandage, too, don’t they? Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You know “I hate you” is perfect. She is brilliant! I’m envious.
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Dear Tannille,
She is brilliant. 😀 Good times.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lifelong friendship in 100 words. Lovely.
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Thank you, Iain. Her friendship is one of the great blessings in my life. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Childhood friends always stays in our memory. It is a beautiful bond. Loved the story
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Lots of bandaids. LOL. Gorgeous collection and fun story.
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Dear Anne,
I’ve had a little nick on my thumb this week that has caused lots of pain. That’s why I do watercolor as opposed to glass. 😉 She does a terrific job, doesn’t she? One of the best I’ve seen. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, a pair of talented friends. I love her response about her art. lol Great slice of life and friendship in 100 words.
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Dear Trent,
It is a friendship that’s stood the test of time. Since we do different types of art the “I hate you” line no longer applies. However she’s wonderful for critiquing my works in progress. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good friends are forever. You two have constant communication and bounce each other’s artwork against each other. Good friends.
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Dear Jan,
You certainly know the truth of it. And you’re one of the few people who knows what she looks like. 😉 Very good friends indeed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I love that you were able to reconnect so many years later. Life is such a gift and both of you so talented, each in your own style.
Shalom and lotsa artistic love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Life and friendship are definitely gifts. I’ve been fortunate in finding Taffy. It’s like time never passed. The memories we share are so much fun. She’s lived an amazing life as well. I tell her she should write a book but she doesn’t want people to think she’s full of herself. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa memorable hugs,
Rochelle
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Absolutely. Maybe you can convince her otherwise 🙂
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Dear Rochelle,
This was a lovely story about friendship and two truly gifted people. Lots of band-aids speaks of your friend’s determination and perseverance. This resulted in beautiful art.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
I’m constantly amazed at Taffy’s gift and at our enduring friendship. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love it! Anytime I’ve worked with glass, the first aid kit is quickly emptied. Love the window in the picture.
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Dear Bear,
When I saw that sky light I had to take a picture of it. 😉 Glass would never be my medium of choice. Watercolor is safer, thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How wonderful to have such a friend. Her work is amazing! Really loved this post.
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Dear Linda,
It’s always fun to reminisce with Taffy about our school days…our favorite teachers, etc. Often one of us will say something to the effect of, “Oh I’m glad I’m not the only one who remembers that.” Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful story and delightful butterflies (and aptly-used band-aid … lots and lots of band-aids…) 🙂 LOVE this.
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Glad you enjoyed the story. Taffy is a delightful friend, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂 Yay hurray to delightful friends! 🙂 The more the merrier of those, me say!
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Count yourself among them, my delightful friend. ❤
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Yay hurray!!! Can you see my doing the DFD (Delightful Friend Dance)??? 🙂
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💃💃💃
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Yep, that one! 🙂
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Hearty friendship.
Great things need talent, time & efforts to make.
Band-aid too! Ouch…
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Thank you Anita.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha! I’ll bet she needs bandaids. The work looks great. A fun post, Rochelle. I enjoyed it!
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Dear Eric,
Glad you enjoyed my story and Taffy’s butterflies. They are amazing. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love that the highest praise was ‘I hate you’! And were the Band-Aids to protect injuries or to help hold pieces of glass together in the assembly process? What a lovely piece you’ve written to celebrate a life-long friendship.
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Dear Penny,
The Band-Aids are for the many nicks and cuts from working with glass. This is one of my many reasons for working in watercolors. 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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WOW! Those butterflies are full of awesomeness!! 🦋🦋
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Dear Lyn,
I do love those butterflies. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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butterflies are as beautiful as your friendship, no?
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Yes they are. Thank you, Arora.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha! Funny.
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Thank you, Trish. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh yes. I enjoy such stories, Rochelle.
I have never regretted making such calls, even when butterflies and band-aids were not involved.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill.
A mutual friend suggested I give Taffy a call. At the time I was going through some major challenges on the job and she turned out to be just the one to talk to. After that night, I started calling her on my way home from work, a 45 minute drive. (not to worry, I have bluetooth through the dashboard). This went on every day until my retirement in 2015. When I picked up my watercolor again in the form of illustrating a book, I’d send her the process and sometimes she would see things that were off…like a critique group in writing, only visual. I still share my processes with her and we text nearly every day and chat often. I even got to finally see her in person in 2018 when we passed through New Mexico.
This is probably more than you wanted to know. 😉 At any rate, sorry it’s taken me this long to get around to replying. Busy busy week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hey Rochelle,
I’m always here when you are ready. I know how ‘busy’ can be. 🙂
It is not more than I wanted to know. I very much enjoy stories like this and learning about the things that matter to you. I often write about my friends. Thank you for sharing. I feel special. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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Yes I can see how that would be the case. They’re so beautiful, Rochelle. Makes my fingers itch to see them. Nice one.
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Thank you, Sandra. I do love watching my butterflies hanging from my ceiling fan.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Kindred spirits. What a wonderful friendship.
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Dear Keith,
We’re most definitely kindred spirits and certainly good friends. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I just love stained glass, and your autobiographical story is sweet.
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Thank you, Liz. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Daffy (rhymes with Taffy)
Beautiful butterflies. I assume you two were roomies at Walla Walla Bing Bang. I can only hope she didn’t take up drama and become a mime too.
Happy Fluttering,
Reginald T. Wallace
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Dear Reginald T. Wallace,
Taffy was more into set painting than the drama itself. I suppose, between a mutual friend and me, she had enough drama in her life. Go Walla Walla Bing with a BANG! 😀
Shalom,
Daffy W(T)F
PS It’s come to our attention at Friday Fictioneers Central that we’re missing your submissions. If this isn’t in error get off your fluffy buns and send one in….(we miss you)
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Lovely pictures. On your story I kept thinking how a childhood rivalry becomes and adult friendship. Almost like putting a bandaid on the past.
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Dear James,
Our childhood rivalry was a friendly one. 😉 No need for bandaids on the past. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a beautiful celebration of friendship your story is, and her art is stunningly beautiful.
I so understand ‘I hate you’ – had a childhood friend like that, we had our own private drawing competitions. She later became a fibre artist but we lost track of each other long ago…
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Dear Gabi,
Taffy and I really did go in separate directions. Even by high school. She enjoyed painting and designing sets for the plays and I preferred being in the plays. She went on to New York with her passion. I’m so glad our mutual friend suggested I give her a call.
We talked the other day about the “I hate you” thing. Taffy really didn’t remember it. It was always friendly and the ultimate compliment. Didn’t last very long.
At any rate our friendship has lasted and for that I’m so grateful. 😀
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Im assuming she cuts her self a lot. Beautiful tale Rochelle, I got in touch with a chap I hadn’t seen for 20 years last year, we got on so well! Glad you did too
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Dear Shrawley,
It’s fun to reconnect, isn’t it? Glad to hear about your reconnection. Working with glass does have its hazards. It’s why I prefer watercolor. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Friendships like that are “precious and few” and give each of you double blessings.
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Dear Lisa,
So true. Thank you and thank you for the ear worm. “Precious and few are the moments we two can share.” 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are welcome x 2 🙂
Shalom,
Lisa
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A beautiful story and the butterflies are gorgeous. 40 years is such a long time and to have reconnected so strongly is amazing.
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Dear Margaret,
This particular story means a lot to me and it does to Taffy as well. I’m amazed at the long conversations we have like no time has passed. And those butterflies are gorgeous. My collection makes me smile. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your friendship with Taffy has certainly stood the test of time, Rochelle. How lovely that you made that call ten years ago, to your gifted friend, and I do like the I hate you compliment you exchanged.
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Dear Jilly,
Taffy says she really doesn’t remember the I hate you compliment. Granted, it was short-lived but still a fun memory…never ever said with malice. Thank you for your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sounds like a great friendship! I guess working with glass has its little dangers 🙂
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Dear Ali,
Yes, glass comes with occupational hazards which is why I prefer watercolor. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Those butterflies look so pretty!
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I agree, Bernadette. Thank you from Taffy…and me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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I would love to try working with glass! Right now in addition to building my miniatures I am taking pottery classes. I am not sure if I like it a lot or not. I loved glazing my pieces yesterday and of course picking them up when they are done in the kiln. Throwing pottery though is a big tricky for me.
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Dear Christine,
I’ve done very little sculpting myself. I enjoyed it but really prefer 2 dimensional art. Nonetheless I admire those who go for 3 D. One artist to another, thank you for sharing.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
Tonight I start my intermediate pottery class. I am not sure I will like it or not. Like you I love drawing and the painting part of the pottery, although not 2D really, is the best part. I am thinking about maybe trying to do some tiles or something that I can decorate and then paint. I have been drawing my Mandalas and might put them on my Etsy store.
Have a great day!
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what a blessing! it takes two to make a friendship lasts that long.
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A blessing indeed, Plaridel. I don’t take it lightly. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
Que bonita amistad 😍 It’s wonderful to reconnect with friends from the past.
I reconnected with a couple we square danced with many, many years ago when we moved to Florida. Now, it’s been 29 years not counting our SD days. Such a sweet tale to read.
Yes, my glass artist friend claims she should have stock in a band-aid company. LOL
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
I had no idea where that casual phone call would lead. Taffy and I are both glad I made the call. So many memories and things we share that are unique to us. Glad you enjoyed. Gracias para sus palabras amables.
Shalom y cariño,
Rochelle
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Reminds me of my teachers, that butterfly is so pretty
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Thank you, Pooja.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story, Rochelle. Your friend makes beautiful butterflies, indeed. You both are so talented. Shalom.
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Dear Indira,
I’m so glad to see you here with your lovely comment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for saying that. So nice of you, dear.
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Oh! Those Butterflies are gorgeous!!
Now that’s a friendship that lasts. One where you don’t see each other for decades then… it’s like they never left
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Dear Laurie,
I’m still amazed at the reconnection. We were 13 & 14 when Mrs. Spears introduced us. We often speak of her and how she shaped our lives in so many ways. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Amazing!!
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