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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 © Ted Strutz (MIA but still snapping photos. ❤ You are missed, Ted!
Dear Friday Fictioneers,
Lately some weird things seem to be going on with Word Press. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been receiving “anonymous” comments that I’m pretty sure are from other Friday Fictioneers. In fact, my own husband’s comments show up as anonymous. So, when you leave a comment you might leave your name. 😉 And a few other comments consistently go to my spam or trash folder. Chances are if you leave a comment that disappears, that’s where it went. Very frustrating.
Shalom,
Rochelle
On that note, here’s my story. If it looks familiar, it’s a rerun from six years ago. 😉
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
THE MANLY ART OF GIVING
The bars clanked behind me. My pulse thudded in my ears.
My first interviewee, a hulk you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley, put me at ease.
“It gives ya peace of mind.” DeShawn looped pink yarn around his sausage-sized fingers. “This gonna be a blanket for my niece.”
Several tough-looking inmates showed off scarves and hats they’d made for inner city kids for Christmas.
“It don’t change what we done, but I hope it makes up for some of the hurt we caused.” DeShawn’s ebony eyes gleamed. “Every strong man should have a pair of knittin’ needles.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Hi Rochelle, I must agree no matter what your life is like, progress and change happens one stick at a time. A careful constructed piece of craft can equally be appreciated as a well formed society.
James.
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Dear James,
Thank you for reading and commenting. I wonder if there is such a thing as a well formed society?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s such a heart-warming story, Rochelle. I’m sure it’s true somewhere. In some prison, there are men knitting, crocheting and making beautiful stuff.
WordPress is indeed behaving strangely. I have to login to comment. Very frustrating!
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Dear Joy,
Since this is based on a true story, I’m sure there are men knitting in prison. 😉 Thank you.
WP is very frustrating right now.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How awesome is this story. Thanks for sharing Rochelle 🩷
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My pleasure, Sadje. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🤗❤️🤗
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I can’t help but mischievously note that a knitting needle, secreted up a sleeve, makes a handy weapon. But that would not be in the spirit of your lovely story of redemption
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Dear Neil,
I believe these knitters are carefully monitored, if not vetted before being allowed in the program. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When you make a comment, you have to sign in. For me, that means clicking the blue W below the comment box.
Right now, though, it is not letting me move to a new line, so another oddity!
People are people. I’m sure having them knit is good for everyone involved.
Nice story.
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lol, the new lines that weren’t showing up as I typed came out in the actual comment!
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Dear Trent,
I’ve noticed the crazy changes in the comment boxes. Craziness. Wish I knew the answer. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story, I think we like to imagine prisons improve people without giving a lot of thought to how. Little projects like this are bound to make a difference.
WP is definitely being weird. I would say it eats many of my comments but then posts them as repeats if I hit send again. As ever, we are slaves to its vagaries.
Jen
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Dear Jen,
Yes, WordPress is being hard to get along with. Glad you liked my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love this. I’m a knitter, and I can just imagine the “sausage-sized fingers” working yarn up into a blanket for a young niece. Maybe if someone had taught these guys such a craft earlier, they wouldn’t be in their present situation. Or not. But there’s no time like the present.
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Dear Linda,
A good thought. Who knows where these guys would be if they’d learned their craft earlier? Better late than never. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A story of change for the good. We can all use that as inspiration. Good story.
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Dear Anonymous Jan,
It’s nice to know read a positive story, isn’t it? That’s why we love Steve Hartman. 😉 Thank you.
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That’s such an inspirational story, Rochelle. I know that if I was behind bars, I’d need something creative to do just not to go crazy. Better outlet for pent up energy than some things. Have a great week.
-David
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Dear David,
I’m sure knitting beats breaking rocks. 😉 I know what you mean. My hands always have to be busy or I’ll go nuts. Thank you and hope you have a good week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I have heard of this wonderful thing (and cannot help wonder how it passed, considering knitting needles could be used as weapons…) More and more men are realising the benefits of knitting. Of course you would find the right story for this image and give us a little lesson at the same time.
Lotsa love and good-looping love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Sheesh. Here it is the day before the next prompt and I’m waaaaay behind in reading, commenting and replying. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. I imagine these guys are vetted before entering the program. 😉 I admire them. I never could knit or crochet. My fingers just won’t behave. Thank you for reading and commenting, my friend.
Shalom and lotsa knitted and purled hugs,
Rochelle
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😉
I’ll let it slide. I had planned to write one myself but time is not in abundance, lately!
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Great story!
John Burton
(I was anonymous last week)
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Thank you, John. Glad you enjoyed and declared yourself as well. You weren’t the only one. This anonymous thing is annoying.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Precious and healing this meditative practice for the caged. It doesn’t “fix” them, but it does give them the experience of feeling calm and needed, which lets them know such things are possible for them. Beautiful story, Rochelle. (this is Lisa)
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Dear Lisa (you’ve never come across as anonymous, but thank you for the heads up. 😉 )
For me, knitting is anything but relaxing. My fingers would never behave. Give me water or watercolor any day. In any event, thank you for your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I’ve tried knitting a few times and it just didn’t work for me. Crochet is another matter and I’ve made lots of things over the years, but that was before I started to feel arthritis in my fingers. Same with counted cross-stitch. I’m glad you found your forte with watercolor 🙂
You are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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What a beautiful story, Rochelle! The “Knitting Behind Bars” program sounds like an incredible way for the inmates to have something positive to occupy their minds and their hands. Such a simple yet effective way for them to feel productive and calm. I love this! Thanks for sharing it. Take care, Brenda
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Dear Brenda,
I’m happy to share and re-share. 😉 Glad you enjoyed. Thank you so much for reading, commenting and identifying yourself…even though your name came across. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I assume those aren’t the violent offenders. I know knitting needles are pretty blunt, but if one puts enough force behind one… Shank you very much. I’m all for programs like that. Anything that allows people to be productive instead of discarded despite their indiscretions is a good thing.
WordPress has been a nussiance lately. Like other, I have to log in constantly. It used to just be pressing a W logo. Now, it’s a full log in sometimes.
-The Annonymous Mr. Nobbinmaug
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Dear Annonymous Mr. Nobbinmaug,
I’ve no doubt the knitting inmates were vetted before being accepted into the program. Thank you for your kind comments. And thanks for hanging in despite Word Press’s indiscretions.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I loved this story of rehabilitation. Our society is so quick to just throw away people and not realize that everyone has worth and value. And I’m also receiving some ‘anonymous’ comments on my blog. They’re not spam, they just show up at anonymous.
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Dear Michael,
Happily, you don’t show up as anonymous. I don’t know what the deal is but it is annoying.
If only there were more programs like the knitting one. It is sad that some people are regarded as human detritus. Thank you for reading and commenting. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Knitting needles can be weapons. But that aside, I have read knitting can help with addiction. It gives the hands something to do and slows the mind. Kudos to these men for giving knitting a go. I like the thought of tough men knitting.
– Tannille
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Dear Tannille,
I loved the image of these rough inmates knitting. I’m glad you did, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great idea. The men learn a useful and satisfying craft, they get to contribute to others and they experience the calming effect of working with yarn. I can just see those ‘sausage sized fingers’ working the knits and purls. Great photos too. From Margaret.
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Dear Margaret,
Thank you for identifying yourself although your name and picture came up. 😉 Glad you enjoyed my story and took the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I imagine knitting to be calming and therapeutic. Good for them as well as the people who receive their creations. An interesting story, Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
For me knitting is anything but therapeutic. It does seem it is for these guys. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i wouldn’t have expected that knitting can be manly after all. what an inspiring story!
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Dear Plaridel,
I find there are more men out there who knit than I would’ve imagined. Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love this!
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Than makes me happy, Dawn. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is such a lovely story Rochelle. Knitting gives me peace as well. But typing leaves me no free time 😛 WordPress has been acting strange, insisting I login even when I am logged in. Grrr…. Best Dahlia 🙂
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Dear Dahlia,
Thank you for identifying yourself or I would’ve wondered who left me such a nice comment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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hi Rochelle, This is non-anonymous me, your nutty friend from NYC! 🙂
Here’s to knitting, and the meditative joy of creating and making something that will clothe and warm besides.
Hugs
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
I’m glad you’re not anonymous, but nutty…my favorite kind of friend. Thank you for your warm comments. This reply comes with prayers and safe thoughts going out to you and your mishpakhah and friends.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you. These are such very difficult, heart-wrenching times.
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Change has to happen a little at a time. Well done.
Connie
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Thank you, Connie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m having a problem imagining some of the inmates of our prisons being given a knitting needle. I’d like to think it would be a therapeutic exercise… but my brain just won’t get that far. Lovely story though.
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Dear Sandra,
You just can’t make up some things. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love your story, Rochelle!
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Many thanks, Nancy.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Breaking the chains with yarn and “purls” of wisdom. Well done!
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Thank you so much, whoever you are. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story on giving back. I see the heart in this. Nicely told.
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Thank you so much, Brit. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
What an inspiring story. Nothing like crafts or some sort of program to help inmates to rehabilitate and start a new chapter in their lives.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
I wonder if some of those inmates are out now and knitting for their families and friends. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh this, this is a lovely story worth sharing. And you told this so sweetly as well. Laurie (solothefirst)
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