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: Plain Ole Fiction
Word Count: 100
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Ted set up a row of chairs in the reception hall. Jessica plopped down on one and pouted. “This is all-kinds-of wrong.”
“Hey sis, ever hear of John Cram?”
“No.”
“Lemme educate you. John Cram patented the folding chair in 1855. Then in 1947 Fred Arnold created the first aluminum one and by 1957 his company was manufacturing—”
“Ooh, cram your history, Mr. Wikipedia.” Jessica gritted her teeth. Tears stung her eyes. “It’s just not fair.”
Ted hugged her. “You’re going to be a gorgeous bride tomorrow.”
“What about my garden wedding? It’s not supposed to snow in May.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
A tour de force, Rochelle: a sly historical fiction embedded within another story
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Neil,
Historical fiction? Moi? Thank you for such a lovely comment/compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Aww, poor bride to be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sadje,
I think she’ll survive with stories to tell her children and grandchildren. 😉 Thank you for the read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a pleasure Rochelle
LikeLike
Crafting such a story from a folding chair to a bride, you brought tears to my eyes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Michael,
Your tears. My compliment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
You’ve got to feel for people having outdoor weddings, and being at the mercy of the weather. I really liked Dale’s photo this week. I’ve seen snow a handful of times in person. So, it’s quite foreign to me to live with snow like so many of you do.
Hope you have a good week.
Best wishes,
Rowena
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rowena,
Winter has hung on tenaciously this year in my part of the country. It’s rare to see snow in May, but it has been known to happen. I can’t say I’d miss snow if we moved to a warmer clime. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, I frequently listen to an Irish podcaster and author, Michael Harding, and he spoke about having Christmas in the snow and with the lights shining through the darkness. It sounded so magical. We usually have really hot days and end up in my aunt’s swimming pool…a very different experience.
It rained through all our Summer so don’t know who is getting all the sunny Summer weather, although I could hazard an educated guess at Western Australia. They’ve had a few heat waves. I hope it warms up for you soon.
Best wishes,
Rowena
LikeLike
Snow in May. Yes we have had that. I can feel for her, my daughters wedding last year wemt from five guests in the garden to only being allowed twenty. (because of Covid). It turned out well. I enjoyed the history lesson.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear James,
COVID messed a lot of things up, didn’t it? I’m glad your daughter’s wedding turned out well in spite of it. History lesson? What history lesson? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
History of John Cram and the folding chair, or did you make that up?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, no, I didn’t make that up. I was just being a smart Alec. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s okay to share the knowledge even though it’s a wrong timing😊. Fun story Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Vartika,
Agreed. Ted has a lousy sense of timing even though his heart’s in the right place. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Well, I have seen snow storms in May… thing is, it is always melted by the next day, even the time I saw over a foot in May! So her garden wedding tomorrow just might happen. Though, this year? I wouldn’t bet on anything this year. Liked the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Trent,
On the other hand, even if the snow had melted by the next day, the garden would’ve been muddy. 😉 Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol, that is true, it would be a bit muddy for a formal outdoor wedding.
LikeLike
You created distinct characters, setting and tone in just 100 words…kudos! BTW – I want that chair. It’s begging me to sand it, refinish and show off its full glory.
(Not Anonymous- Accidentally pressed post without entering info)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Clare,
Thank you for such a lovely comment. As for the chair, it’s out of my control. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Ted sounds like a know-it-all. Thanks, wiki! Will he be researching during the wedding? 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Tanille,
Every family has a their own “expert.” 😉 I think Ted’s heart was in the right place by trying to take his sister’s mind off her disappointment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
A fun story with a bit of history,. I truly enjoyed it, Rochelle. Shalom 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Adele. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Rochelle 🙂
LikeLike
I didn’t realize folding chairs went back to the mid-19th century. I can see how the snow might spoil a garden wedding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Frank,
The folding chair actually goes back centuries. However it was American John Cram who got a patent for it. And snow is never good for a garden wedding. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we’ve met these siblings before, Rochelle? Mr Wikipedia sounds like he’s just trying to help though, and I suspect the bride will realise after that the fact that the wedding is the least important part of a marriage.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jen,
I think Ted, Jessica and her husband-to-be will look back on the day and laugh. Yes, I’ve written similar siblings before, different names perhaps. 😉 I have a brother like Ted. Knows it all and likes to expound. (Actually we’re very much alike.) Thank you for the read and the comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Lovely when these stories are fed by you own real live, as well as the lives of historical figures, Rochelle.
LikeLike
Life throws us curves continuously. Good story M’luv.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jan,
And all we can do when life throws us those curves is to keep on dancing. 😉 Thanks, m’luv.
LikeLike
Ha! A twist and a turn, and an note of almost self mockery detected in his story interrupted!
Here in Ukraine I am invited to spend time at a man’s house during Passover, a man who met me on the street and immediately introduced himself, telling me he spoke 5 languages, English, Hungarian, Ukrainian and Hebrew, as well as Yiddish. We conversed in Hungarian while we strolled the town and he recounted the (tragic) history of the area. His hatred of that vampire in the Kremlin so apparent…as well as his disgust…”how dare he call us nazis in Ukraine… …how……dare…….he..,” he said, almost spitting the words out. I put my hand on his back and agreed with him. The horrible bombing, the raping, executions ….but also the horrible things they say from Moscow…as for us two, new found friends, of about the same age, during this war, we have some pleasant days ahead.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Ain,
Wonderful on your Passover plans. May HaShem keep you and your friend safe. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Really, that’s good, Rochelle. Possibly your best FF. Lovely, subtle misdirection and an emotional conclusion. Poor Jessica, missing out on her garden wedding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Penny,
Thank you for such a wonderful comment/compliment. 😀 One would think May would be a safe time to plan a garden wedding. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
The only thing about the weather you can predict is its unpredictability. I feel sorry for the bride. She gambled and lost.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lisa,
One would think May would be safe. Of course, if not snow, it could’ve rained. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, you are very welcome. One would think so.
Shalom,
Lisa
LikeLike
Isn’t it ironic? Don’t ya think?
Now that that song is firmly implanted in my head for the day, great job of mixing in the history lesson into the background of the story. That was enjoyable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Nobbin,
It is ironic. Thank you for sharing the earworm. 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delightful. Hope they’ve got a back up, but these things tend to work out as people make the best of what they have!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Iain,
I’m sure they have a backup plan. No doubt it will be a story they’ll share for years to come. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
It can happen! It snowed in May when I lived in Boston one year…just about killed me, although I wasn’t planning a wedding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Gayle,
I know it’s happened here in the Midwest, too. Just when you think it’s spring…bam! Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice combo of fact and fairytale!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Trish.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Snow in May, nothing surprises me any more. A skilful blend of fact and fiction in your own masterly style.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for such a lovely comment/compliment, Sandra. It means a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
One would think that planning a wedding in May would be safe… but it can happen! Makes it more memorable. And I love that sneaking in of history as you do so with such finesse!
Shalom and lotsa happy love,
Dale
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dale,
Qui moi? Sneak in history? Would I do that? he he. 😉 I’m sure Jessica and her groom will have many years of anecdotes from this wedding. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa memorable hugs,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know… I don’t know what I was thinking… 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
A history lesson wasn’t exactly what she needed right then! Interesting though, next time I catch my finger when folding a chair I know who to blame!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Keith,
Always happy to pass on trivial bits of history. 😉 I’m sure it wasn’t at all what Jessica wanted to hear. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I can see how a history lesson might not ameliorate the situation, but I appreciated it. Hopefully the dress isn’t sleeveless. 🙂
Have a good week!
David
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear David,
Ted’s doing his best. 😉 Jessica doesn’t seem to appreciate it, does she. Someday she’ll look back on this and laugh. Right? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
A history lesson weaved into an all too real wedding detail. Only you could have made that plausible. Fun story, Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind words, Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Nice twist at the end
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sally. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Wonderful, Rochelle.
I was just talking about those miserable moments in life that end up as stories told repeatedly and laughed about, for years afterward. I’ve embraced a new idiom: ’embrace the suck.’ 🙂
Peace,
Bill
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Bill,
“Embrace the suck.” That would make a great bumper sticker. 😉 Now you have me accessing my memory for those stories. And we do all have them. I’m sure Jessica and her family will tell this story for years to come.
And once more I’m finishing up last week’s FF on Tuesday. When you can’t get it all together, procrastinate!
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Rochelle,
Stickers are available. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
LikeLike
Querida Rochelle,
I love the repartee between brother and sister.
A bit of competition on knowledge but she has the stage
since she’s the bride, despite the snow. Good story …
Have a wonderful weekend …
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Querida Isadora,
My brother and I are a little like that although I can’t remember ever getting a history lesson from him. 😉 Glad you enjoyed. 😀
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
My hubby and his sister did a lot of that when I was dating him
way back when. I guess the older you get the less that happens.
I always found the competitve banter amusing. She is older then
him. I think that may be the reason. I’m rushed for time. I won’t
be doing FF this week. It wouldn’t be fair if I couldn’t reply.
Have a super weekend. 😍🤗💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, lovely bit of sibling interaction, and we get the info on the folding chair together with the bride. We’ve had snow in May before too. These days, it’s more likely to snow in May just to spite us, and nothing all winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Gabi,
One thing we can count on not being able to count on is the weather. 😉 Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m withJessica! I still haven’t forgiven the Snow Gods for snowing on my daffodils in MAY in the Upper Peninsula! Just wrong!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Linda,
Spring is so iffy. Soon we’ll be kvetching about the sweltering heat. 😉 Thank you for coming by to read and comment. Hope you had a blessed Easter.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right. I do not look forward to the extreme heat and humidity. Still. Snow on daffodils should be illegal 🙂
We had wonderful service at church, and a tasty meal afterward. Hope you also enjoyed the weekend.
LikeLike
Ah, when realities change realities or … do they? 😉 Love this! May the May Snow Gods be with you! 😉
And, I’m happy to participate, even if late to the party. Can’t pass on one of Dale’s photos, now, can I?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Na’ama Y’karah,
And I’m even later in wrapping up my replies this week. Just a few hours until the next prompt is up. Chalk it up to gluten free matzo and charoset with horseradish for breakfast. 😉 I’m hoping that April has dropped enough snow on us and the snow gods will stave off in May. But I suspect by the end of May we’ll be kvetching and moaning about the heat. Glad you participated. Thank you for you kind words.
Shalom v’hag pesach sameakh,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
You won’t find my kvetching about the heat (she said …). Happy no-more-snow-hopes!
LikeLike
Never trust the weather. Outdoor weddings and other events are very popular in Australia, and usually our weather is perfect for them, but I’d be having a plan B too. I like how you’ve blended the story with the information about folding chairs. Very interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Margaret,
We have a lovely park in Kansas City that’s very popular for garden weddings. Indeed it is best to have a plan B. Thank you re my story. Gotta love history. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh a lovely hint of history via the emotional wringer that is weather for weddings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Laurie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
have a great weekend, Rochelle 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for the well-wishes Lady L. However putting your link on my comment page will not do you much good.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person