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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.
Genre: Friction
Word Count: 100
ENDURING FREEDOM
Relentless sun beat down on the roof of the cramped enclosure. How long could this heat last? Mopping sweat from her brow, she reminded herself she no longer had to endure incessant demands of an unreasonable ruler.
“‘I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.’”
“How much for this one?” A man pointed to a framed tricycle print.
“$30.00 plus tax.”
“Sold. My wife will love it.”
“Thank you for your business.”
As he walked away smiling, Rochelle grinned at Jan. “Another profitable day under the purple tent. This certainly beats punching a timeclock.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
A bargain all round if you ask me.
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Dear Michael,
Those framed prints sell very well with a nice profit margin. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good one.
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Thank you, Sadje.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome Rochelle
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The price of freedom. And, if your wants are simple and don’t need the money, you can take days off
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Dear Neil,
Like I said, beats punching a time clock. 😉 Although there are days I question my sanity. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m sure it is a ton more rewarding than punching that time clock…
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It most certainly is, Trent. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is a thought-provoking picture. Your story certainly did it justice 🙂
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Dear Linda,
It was the first thing that popped into my head when I saw the shelter. 😉 We’re heading into the busy season for vendors. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The sentence, “Another profitable day under the purple tent”, and the photos made me realize you do love purple.
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Dear Frank,
You just figured this out? 😉 I probably go over the top with the purple, but it seems I’ve built a platform on a color. It’s a great conversation starter in any event. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Making a living out of what you love doing is pure bliss. The purple tent is a bonus. 😀
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Dear Tanille,
I am blessed to be doing what I love and actually making a few bucks with it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS. We’re actually on our fourth purple tent. 😉
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Master of your own destiny indeed. I know for a fact that you embraced the prospect and the actuality of your retirement, as indeed did I. And what a shining example of maximum use of talent it has become.
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Dear Sandra,
I won’t lie. It’s hard work, but the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is a great story, because I know it’s true. Congratulations on another successful day under the purple banner!
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Dear Jen,
Some days under the purple banner are more successful than others. 😉 Thank you on all counts.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It is well worth each of us questioning at what price we will sell our soul, and while it also has its moments, the joy of painting and selling your work beats working 9 to 5.
I loved your painting of the trike. Just gorgeous!
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Dear Rowena,
I’ve sold many copies of that trike. 😉 Thank you. I really do love being my own boss, so to speak. My husband is master of the set up. We work well together. There are days, however, I question my sanity.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Earning money doing what you love is a dream realized. Happy you bring joy to yourself and share that joy through your artwork.
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Dear Lisa,
Not everyone is blessed to be living out their childhood dreams. (Probably not on the scale the little girl dreamt, but it works. 😉 ) Thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I just saw your new banner on fb. Very nice. Good fortune shines on you. You are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Living the dream, good for you! The purple tent was a wise investment.
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Dear Iain,
We’re actually on our fourth purple tent. Hopefully no more. Still a wise and worthy investment. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s the dream. May we all be so fortunate with our endeavors.
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Dear Nobbin,
I do consider myself among the lucky ones. 😀 It does beat decorating cakes for a grocery store.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
Su cuento me trajo muchas memorias.
Oh those … HOT … HOT … HOT days of art shows.
They were rewarding in so many ways but a lot more
difficult then people can imagine. Bravo for a story well-told.
Loved the pics especially the booth lock down one. Cute and adorable.
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
Tu sabes. 😉 The shows are a lot of work, particularly for Jan doing the heavy lifting. We do have our system for set up and tear down down to a science. But still it takes time. Some days we question our sanity. But then there are those days when the sales and people you meet are amazing. Saturday I met a little girl who loved my flamingo picture which her mom bought for her. Then the proud mom showed a me a flamingo sketch the child did in kindergarten. Truly this niña has a gift. I loved seeing it and telling her that maybe one day I’d be buying one of her pictures.
Gracias mi amiga.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
To sell things that you have created yourself must be one of the best feelings in the world! Nice autobiographical anecdote.
Shalom
Penny xx
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Dear Penny,
It is a great feeling indeed to see people buying and enjoying my prints (and a few originals) I’ve even shipped a few overseas. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I like this, Rochelle.
I can’t be of much help because I’ve never punched a time clock. Do they still have those?
My mother did (shoe factory). I recall watching people line up as quitting time approached. They could not punch out until time (or pay got docked). Then madness. A good many folks quickly found their way to a local watering hole.
While I’ve been to few art fairs and the like, it was only as a looker/buyer. Now if I go I will be watching for any purple tents. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
I haven’t seen too many other purple tents at fairs, although I’m not always the only one. As for time clocks, by the time I retired they’d done away with time cards but we still had to time in and out, ie punching in our employee numbers. I’ve no clue what they’ve gone to in the 6 years since I left. Don’t much care neither.
How did you get out of punching a time clock anyway?
Perhaps one day you’ll make your way to my purple tent. 😉 Thank for coming by the virtual one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hey Rochelle,
I never had a job where I was (actually) paid by the hour or had to punch in. I had a few jobs where I did have to fill out time sheets after the fact, but they were usually bogus or resulted in “comp time.” Just lucky I guess. 🙂
It’s been 7 years of blissful retirement for me. I loved working until I didn’t, then I couldn’t get away fast enough.
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Wow! Your business is blooming. Good take. Best wishes.
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Thank you, Indira. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure, dear. Shalom.
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That purple tent is pure magic. What a wonderful feeling it must be to see your art valued so much that people buy it.
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Dear Gabi,
It does amaze me when people praise and buy my work. Wow! It doesn’t get old. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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To have your passion become your occupation, love , hobby & “feel good” is indeed, a wonderful thing. However, your hours consume the day and your profit, broken down by hourly rates places you way below the poverty line. Your Boss is a harsh taskmaster but you don’t seem to mind. Lol. I am soooooo glad you don’t have to punch that time clock anymore. You are in a happy place. Great job M’Luv.
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Dear Jan,
I’m fortunate in having a life partner who supports and encourages my passion. I couldn’t do the shows as effectively without you. As for profit…at least the business is, for the most part, paying for itself. 😉 It’s a good thing we don’t depend on it for income, eh?
Throw in a swimming pool and I’m definitely in my happy place. Thank you, m’luv.
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Doing what you want rather than what’s required of you must be really special. If only…!
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I won’t lie, Keith. It’s an amazing feeling. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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it’s too good to be true but indeed it is. 🙂
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It has its glorious moments, Plaridel. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Booming business! And understandably so. .
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Many thanks, Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, I agree. There is also a sense of satisfaction of making a sale with human contact, a smile and a brief chat. That’s what we are best at. Lovely.
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Dear James,
Often the people are better than the sales. 😀 Some very interesting and delightful sorts. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You must be learning quickly which items sell best at different veues!
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Dear Liz,
It’s true. You do have to read the crowd and the area.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Suddenly all the heat is worth while!
I clicked to view your artwork, very cool 🙂
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Dear Ali,
There are some days and then there are others. 😉 Thank you for taking a gander at my art page.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the purple tent and the happy photos of you, Jan, and your artwork. It’s a lot of work, I’m sure, but much nicer than the daily grind. Lovely story, Rochelle!
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Dear Brenda,
While we brave the weather a lot of the time, there’s no boss hanging over my head barking at me about overtime or getting things done in a timely matter. Jan does bark…but he knows I bite. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS Thank you for the inspirational photo that took me “there.”
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There’s nothing like being your own boss. It’s not without problems, but it still feels good. Well portrayed here.
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Dear Margaret,
I’ve learned a lot over the past 6 years as my little business has grown. I’ve a lot more to learn as well. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I read this twice and still hadn’t commented! Sheesh.
I love that you are now living your passion. Punch clocks be damned! Enjoy your purple tent and all that is under it!
Shalom and lotsa love and freedom from bosses,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Whassamatta-u? No worry. You’ve had a busy week. 😉 Besides, you’ve been along for this journey since its inception. Listened to my kvetching. Let me vent…or sob on your shoulder. Thank you for all of that.
Shalom and lotsa freely given hugs,
Rochelle
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Well… there is that 😉
And sometimes, we just drop the ball, what can I say?
I’ve loved being part of your journey from afar!
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Oh, wonderful. A life lived rather than stuck in an office all day. Sounds like he got a bargain !
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Dear Laurie,
I hope he felt that way. I’ve actually sold quite a few copies of that print. Even the worst shows beat a day in the bakery. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sounds like someone is living their best life!
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Dear StepHonie,
She is most definitely living her best life. Made better, in part, by friends like you. :DI hope your granddaughter likes her giraffe. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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