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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.
PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Genre: Trivial Pursuit
Word Count: 100
HAPPY HANUKKAH
“‘The sun is shining, the grass is green, the orange and palm trees sway—’” Kent looked up from his book. “The song wouldn’t have been the same with those opening lines.”
Shelley yawned. “What song, O master of entertainment trivia?”
“White Christmas of course.”
“Tell me more. I’ll pretend to be interested.”
“Irving Berlin wrote it for “Holiday Inn,” and snagged the Oscar for best song of 1942. Bing Crosby’s recording of “White Christmas” hit the top of the charts by Halloween. Can you imagine the holidays without it?”
“He was Jewish, you know.”
“Crosby?”
“No, Einstein—Irving Berlin.”



Just for fun here’s the song with the original first verse:
And here’s the song as sung in the movie “Holiday Inn.”
Happy Hanukkah Rochelle
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Thank you, Sadje. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re most welcome
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It’s such a disappointment when you discover snow is actually cold and wet
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If it’s wet and dense enough it’s great to make snowpeople and animals. I once sculpted a cat. Too bad I didn’t take pictures.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely song.
Advance wishes for the festive season & the New Year, Rochelle!
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Thanks so much, Anita.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Holiday Inn is one of my top Christmas movies (even if they go through all the yearly holidays 😉 ) No Christmas season is complete, for me, without hearing this version of White Christmas. No matter how many do it, they can’t hold a candle to Bing. As for your story, I love how you weave in a little knowledge even while making us chuckle.
Shalom and Happy Chanukah!
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I broke down and rented “Holiday Inn” yesterday. Ah the music and dancing. And you’re right. No one can top Bing for “White Christmas.” Love that song. As for the story it’s timely in more ways than one. Today’s Kent’s birthday. 😀 Happy to make you chuckle.
Shalom and warm giggly hugs,
Rochelle
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Haha! I really should look to see if it’s playing somewhere.
Oh, it is, is it? Happy birthday to him from me!
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I think Rochelle should get an award for this.
Do they give one for gall …?
But, seriously, folks …
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Why Cuzzin Kent, whatevah do you mean? 🖖🏻😎
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Moi …??? 😀
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Oui. Vous. 😜🥸🤣
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Y’all don’t mind me… I’ll just quietly walk away whilst you “discuss”…
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Hahaha!
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And what a great song it is! Perfect for a 100f/38c Christmas day.
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Dear Tanille,
It does kind of make me chuckle when I think of how warm and unwhite your Christmases are down under. 😉 Happy holidays in any event. (I wouldn’t miss the snow, personally.)
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I spent a Christmas in Virginia. It was odd being cold. 😀. Culturally we’ve made Christmas our own. Many cards show kangaroos and Santa chilling out by the pool. Santa often wears sunglasses. Christmas lunch is often seafood (too hot for the oven).
Happy holidays R!
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Perfect for the season! Happy Hanukkah! May your celebration be blessed, white or otherwise!
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Dear Clare,
Thank you so much for the well wishes. 😀 I could live without the snow. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I do like the full version better. Many of the classic holiday songs are like that, a nostalgia for a different, simpler time. Happy Hanukkah!
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Dear Trent,
To me, no one tops Bing Crosby for the song. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As to singing yes, but it is incomplete without the beginning. One of the other big name crooners did the full version, but I don’t remember who, I just know it is buried in my itutnes someplace and so I hear it every year or two around this time of year.
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Actually it was Irving Berlin himself who tossed the first verse. 😉
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Hmmm. I know I’ve heard it. I’ll have to search my itunes to see who it was – maybe it was a modern version and not a crooner…
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We just loved to repeat all the songs that are part of the season as they provide both certainty and comfort. Thank you, Rochelle.
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Dear James,
The old songs and movies do provide comfort. My pleasure to share them.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good story. Snow is beautiful in a picture or in the window but, I would rather be on a white beach. Lol. Bing does do the best vocal version. Not a fan of many modern versions.
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Dear Jan,
Total agreemnent here. How about white Christmas on a white sandy beach? Works for me. 😀
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Love it. Crochet seems to be the order of the day for me. Whilst looking at patterns I’ve discovered many people crochet different things and make them into ornaments for their Christmas trees. I think maybe I need to make you some crocheted latkes, sufganiyot and hannukiahs for your tree next year. It’s beautiful and so is the story 😊 🕎
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Thank you, Andrea.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Like so many classics, it’s hard to imagine hearing that song for the first time. Did they know how definitive it would become? I’ve heard it with and without the verse; I think it adds an extra dimension, but I can’t say whether that’s an improvement or not.
Happy Hannukah to you and yours, Rochelle, and to old Irving himself.
Jen
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Dear Jen,
I only recently found out about the original first verse. Opinions seem to be divided on whether or not the song needed it. In any event, it was reportedly Irving Berlin’s choice to delete it. And either way, it’s a classic. I doubt that anyone knew what a classic it would become. Rather like the movie classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It was originally a box office flop. Go figure.
I hope your Christmas was magical. Happy New Year.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Well, he did live in LA where the grass is green and the orange/palm trees sway on Christmas! Oh how funny! I won’t forget this little bit of trivia while listening to crooning Bing. 🎅
Shalom,
Dora
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Dear Dora,
Although it’s a lovely song, I wouldn’t mind spending Christmas among the palm trees. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve known that first verse as long as I can remember–I don’t know why :). This is truly a classic, isn’t it? Anything that stands the test of time, as this song has, is certainly deserving of being named a classic.
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Dear Linda,
It’s such a beautiful song and no one sang it like Bing. 😉 Hope your Christmas was wondeful. Happy New year.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I always learn from you, Rochelle. Happy Hanukkah!
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Dear Lisa,
What a lovely thing to say. Happy Merry Christmakkah and a Happy New Year.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are very welcome and I love your Christmakkah!
Shalom,
Lisa
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I didn’t see a link on the site
https://rugby843.blog/2022/12/21/revenge/
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The link is directly under the frog picture which is under the prompt. At any rate, I added you to the Link list. https://fresh.inlinkz.com/party/45395549b35644269681ddb464b1df5e
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The conversation between you two is too funny, and we even learn something. Even I know that song. 😉 And this time I’m getting it right… Happy Hanukkah!
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Dear Gabi,
Glad you enjoyed the conversation and it’s such a great song. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Now, I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. Season’s Greetings to you and yours Rochelle!
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Dear Keith,
We had a white Christmas here and one of the coldest ones on record. Personally a white sandy beach would be the perfect white Christmas in my book. Thank you. Hope your Christmas was wonderful.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent piercing story, Rochelle.
Irving Berlin’s life is another interesting American rags to riches success story. Yes to the song and the movie. Great memories.
Kent seems to be a patient chap given Shelley’s penchant for (hoping for sibling) snarkasm. 🙂
Wishing you a Happy Hanukkah and much Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
Actually Shelley and Kent are cousins. Although my brother and I have the same kind of conversations. 😉 (Yeah, I confess to being Shelley). Snarkasm. I like that word…so fitting.
As for Irving Berlin…he was an amazing talent. I’ve written of him before. https://rochellewisoff.com/2020/05/20/22-may-2020/
A happy upcoming new year. May it be a healthy one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle.
My current knowledge of Irving Berlin comes from my reading about the Simon family (ala, Carly).
I have often been accused of being snarkastic.
Have a wonderful last week of 2022 and may 2023 be better than ever.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Rochelle,
Nice to be reminded of this masterpiece of popular music!
Happy Hannukah.
Shalom
Penny xx
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Dear Penny,
Always lovely to see you here. Thank you. Hope your Christmas was merry.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember, in a previous life, I too wished for a white Christmas. I was so brave then.
Funny, I did know that Irving Berlin was Jewish but the irony that he wrote this song never occurred to me.
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Dear Dawn,
There are a few stories concerning the song. And while Mr. Berllin was Jewish, his wife was Catholic. No doubt they celebrated. Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That song now makes so much more sense with the original introduction!
Happy Hanukah.
Miranda
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Dear Miranda,
The song does make sense with the original intro. I love it either way. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Who doesn’t love ‘White Christmas’ ❤
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Agreed Angela. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A little editing can go a long way. My autocorrect reminds me daily of how easy it is to completely change the meaning of something. Happy Hanukkah!
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Dear Nobbin,
I just edited a trainwreck of a short story the writer considered “ready to go.” Not sure she’ll be speaking to me after she reads my comments and suggestions. But yes, a little editing can completely change the meaning. 😉 Hope your holiday was wonderful. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember listening to Christmas songs when we were living in South Africa. How strange it was, yet still so very Christmassy eating our Christmas dinner on the stoep beside the pool in scorching heat. Happy Hanukkah, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
Personally I wouldn’t mind Christmas by the pool in the heat. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Thanks for the trivia about the classic song, “White Christmas.” It looks like we’re having one here in Canada. Can you believe I have never watched the movie? Maybe this year, I will.
Happy Hanukkah to you and your family.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
This season I watched “White Christmas”, “Holiday Inn” (the movie where the song originated) and “It’s a Wonderful Life..” Loved every minute of it. In our house we celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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so, there’s really a movie called “holiday inn.” never heard of it until today. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
The chain of motels known as Holiday Inn was actually inspired by the movie. It’s a sweet movie. I watched it again last week. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Merry Xmas and thanks for a very wonderful song!
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Happy New Year to you, Neel. You’re quite welcome for the song. I’m happy to share.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Happy (late) Hanukkah Rochelle
Oh I do love this song, how strange with that first verse!
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