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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: Pure Fiction
Word Count: 100
YOU CAN GET ANYTHING YOU WANT
After fifty-five years Alice still missed Johnny who’d been drafted and died in Vietnam. Their daughter Sunshine, a successful lawyer in Manhattan had little time for Alice.
One day, Alice texted Sunshine. “Leaving for Australia. Going to open a restaurant.”
“Mom, are you smoking weed again?”
***
Pushing a lock of long white hair from her forehead, Alice flipped veggie burgers on the grill in her thriving café. She gazed at the mountains kissing the cerulean sky outside the window. Her town—peaceful Alice Springs—three hours or less from anywhere in Australia and thousands of miles from the Divided States.
Alice Springs, Australia
And if you have 19 minutes to spare CLICK HERE to enjoy Alice’s Restaurant.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I’m glad she found the courage to step out and live again.
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Nicely done. Good on her for making the move. Alice Springs is magical place, as is all of the Red Centre.
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Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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A woman comfortable in her own skin
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Yes, Neil. She is. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the essence of this story, R. Sounds like she found herself.
Unfortunately, Alice Springs has a lot of social problems that the mainstream media in Australia has been highlighting lately (for political reasons). Alcohol restrictions have been put in place to help curb out-of-control crime and anti-social behaviour. Probably not the best place to visit at the moment.
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Dear Tannille,
I confess to cutting a story down that I wrote for What Pegman Saw four years ago. Every week a location was given as a prompt. The place was Alice Springs. Obviously it’s a place I know nothing about. 😉 Thank you re my story and for the disturbing info.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hmm, I wonder if they celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia. I’m sure your answer will be, “Go ask Alice, I think she’ll know…” lol, Love the different references in the story.
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Dear Trent,
When men on the chess board get up and tell you where to go…;)
Glad you enjoyed. I had fun with it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Every once in a while I’ll listen to “Alice’s Restaurant” again.
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Me, too, James. It just doesn’t get old.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’d often wondered how that town got its name. Thank you. Nicely done, Rochelle.
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Thank you so much, Sandra.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great story of realizing a dream later on in life. We can all learn from that.
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Dear Jan,
It’s never too late to realize a dream, is it? 😉
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No. It’s never too late. I think we are showing that. Lol
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Funny how my girl’s at the start of life figuring out her dreams and yours is on the flip side realising them! I hope Sunshine wakes up one day and figures out Mom had the right idea.
Lovely slice.
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Dear Jen,
I guess it’s easy for our kids to compartmentalize their parents and not see them as people with dreams and aspirations. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dreamy story, Rochelle. I enjoyed it very much and like your theme with aligned music 🙂
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Dear Lisa,
It’s nice to know I’m not recording my stories in vain. Thank you for your kind and encouraging words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are being heard by many. You’re welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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A fresh start like that takes some courage. Her daughter underestimates her, but perhaps she has good reason to. Nicely done.
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Dear Iain,
Our children often see us simply as parents or delivery systems for their needs. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have always wanted to go to Australia. I have a friend who has lived there 2 different times but we couldn’t get out schedules lined up to go see them while they were there. Maybe someday we will get there. Great story… ❤
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Dear Kimber,
I would dearly love to visit Australia and have friends who live there. Alas, it hasn’t happened. thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a huge move to make in her retirement years!
PS> I tried to comment on Rowena’s blog but cannot do so without joining WordPress or allowing Jetpax access to my FB or Twitter details. Can you say thanks for the photo on my behalf, please? There are still a few blogs I can’t comment on for the same reason 😦
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Dear Liz,
It’s never too late to pursue your dreams.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What fun! Alice never lost her derring-do, so good to see an “older person” making such a big change and succeeding.
Loved the video. So funny.
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Dear Linda,
It’s never too late, is it?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good for Alice. Though I fear she might find the grass is not always greener on the other side. I think division is an ingrained pandemic.
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Dear Nobbin,
From our Australian FFrs I’m learning that Alice Springs isn’t the best destination at the moment. Ah well. I liked the name. 😉 As I keep repeating, it’s never too late to pursue a dream. thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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These ‘just do it’ inspirational stories always make me dream…what would I do if…A nice read!
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Dear Clare,
Just do it! 😉 It’s never too late if you’re still breathing. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So funny. I almost wrote a tale about aging hippies smoking weed in this alley. I’m glad they can get a burger after they stop at “Happly” down the way.
Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
Ah, aging hippies. Oh my friend, we’re older but no wiser for in our hearts the dreams are still the same. 😉 Thank you for reading and commneting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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good for her. never tell her she’s past her prime. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
Most definitely NOT past her prime. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for hosting Rochelle. I enjoyed your story, interesting. 🙂
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Thank you, Kitty.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story. Kudos for her bravery.
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Thank you, Athling.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Good for Alice. Waiting for others to make your life your own never succeeds. It takes courage and some crazy to up and leave and go to the other side of the world to create that life that you have been dreaming of! Nicely done, my friend.
Shalom and lotsa independent love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
It’s never too late, is it? Of course going to the other side of the world might be a little extreme. 😉 At any rate I applaude, albeit fictitious, Alice. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa self-motivated hugs,
Rochelle
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No, it is not (as she keeps dreaming of something to light her own fire…)
Fictitious, this might be but there are those out there who have done stuff like this later on in life 🙂
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It’s never too late to start anew. Nice one, Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
I’m a firm believer in it’s never too late. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent!
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Thank you, Dawn. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
A wonderful story. Of course, the time invested in the musical story by Arlo G is worth it. After reading Tannille’s comment, I’ll stick with these disunited states.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
When I posted this story the first time it was probably more peaceful in Alice Springs. Funny, just this morning, one of the lap swimmers on my Lap Swimmers Facebook page posted a picture of his beautiful pool in Alice Springs. At least, someone has found peace there. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is good, Rochelle.
Many find peace in storms.
Peace to you,
Bill
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Not so peaceful, peaceful Alice Springs atm.
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Dear Trish,
Sometimes the magic works and sometimes it doen’t. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sometimes we need to say goodbye to certain people and places.
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Dear Chioma,
My motto is that as long as we’re on this side of the grass it’s time to pursue our dreams. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, thank you for this delightful spin on Arlo Guthrie’s song. Wishing you a pleasant week-end.
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Thank you for your kind words, Susan.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story everyone needs a fresh start 🙂
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I agree, Angela. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very uplifting, good for her.
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Thank you, Gabi. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nicely done, and I’ve always got 19 minutes for Alice’s restaurant!
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Dear Shrawley,
I never get tired of Alice’s Restaurant either. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely！
Certainly a desert change this one. Tho the Alice isn’t all that peaceful these days.
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Dear Laurie,
You’re the third Aussie who’s let me know that things aren’t all that peaceful in Alice Springs. Sigh. 😉 Sometimes the magic works and sometimes it doesn’t. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It was still a beautiful piece though! And it probably is that magic in parts. It’s just been in the news a bunch lately for some not great stuff.
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On the upside, one of my Lap Swimmers Around the World (Facebook) buddies posted a picture of his lap pool in Alice Springs. 😀
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Nice!!
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Sunshine was very wrong. Just goes to show, don’t mock your mother because she knows what she’s doing.
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Dear Brit,
Sometimes it’s hard for children to see their parents as people with their own dreams and ambitions. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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