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
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
THE GOOD LIFE
Kneading the dough of his latest creation, Cato gazed at Salonia. No longer a slave, but his young wife, great with his child. She had been his solace after the death of Licinia. It was hard for him to believe he would soon be a new father at the seasoned age of eighty.
“What are you making, husband?” she asked.
“I call it Placenta.” *
She took a deep breath through her nose. “An aroma fit for the gods. You are a marvelous cook, Cato. What’s in it?”
“Cheese, ground spelt, wheat, and plenty of honey. As sweet as my bride.”
*Pronounced pla-CHEN-ta and has nothing to do with afterbirth. 😉
Here’s a link to the RECIPE et al
To know more about the man CLICK
******************
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I wonder if Cato, who so much hated all things Greek, would have consented to call it placenta, whose roots are in the Greek word for cake
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Hard to say, Neil. I just writes em as I sees em. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Always good to relearn historical knowledge, you carried me back to Ancient Rome. Lovely
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Anonymous is Mike Humphris
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Dear Michael,
Thank you for identifying yourself. And thank you for a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Glad for the history comments as I was ignorant of the ancient meaning of the word!
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Dear Anonymous,
The pronunciation is pla-CHEN-ta and is a dessert, layered with honey and pecorino cheese. Not to be confused with the not so pleasant other. Thank you for reading and commenting, whoever you are.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve never heard this meaning of the word, but I like the love you show between them.
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Dear Jen,
Would you be the anonymous commentor as well? At any rate, I wonder if it’s a matter of pronunciation? Thank you re your comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not guilty! But no, I’ve only heard the afterbirth version.
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This placenta is pronounced “pla-CHEN-ta” and is a honey cheese cake. Not to be confused with the other 😉
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Ah, I didn’t know that. But then I often leave here wiser. Good one. And in case I’m coming up as anonymous, it’s Sandra. That’s if I come up at all, it’s been a bit hit and miss this morning.
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Dear Sandra,
This story is what happens when one Googles the history of pies. 😉 Putting it into a story is the challenge. Happily, you did come up as yourself. 😀
Last week my husband tried three times to leave a comment before just giving up. WP is more and more of a challenge all the time, isn’t it?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Amazing when you think how easy it used to be before it got “improved”. Click to comment, click to send. A thing of the past.
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and that was me.
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Oy. What a pain.
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A beautiful love story for a scene that could have went so awry, what with all the knives on the wall. Had to enlarge the pic to fill the screen to screen to see what was going on. My eyes aren’t as keen since I was in hospital last fall. Think all the drugs they pumped into me trashed them. Grr… will sit a little and think on this one. Will do what I can while online today, then it will be at least Sunday before I’m able to get out.
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Thank you, Bear I presume?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There is nothing like good baking and food to keep people sweet. I am sure being a father at his age will keep him busy.
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Dear James,
Sadly he only lived another five years. Nice to see that baking goes back many centuries, isn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So, eating placenta is not as unpleasant as it sounds! Nice one, Rochelle!
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Dear Keith,
And this is why I record things. Clarification, if it makes a difference…This placenta is pronounced “Pla-CHEN-ta.” Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a wonderful review of the book! She did right by you in it.
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Dear Lisa,
It is an amazing review and she’s an author I look up to. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
You’re welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Rochelle,
Kathleen’s review is wonderful!
As to your story… boy did you go way back in history this time! Who knew? Now? All of us, thanks to your diligent research and wonderful way of teaching us.
Shalom and lotsa learned love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I can’t help but be jazzed about Kathleen’s review. She really is an author I look up to. (And not just because she’s taller than I. 😉 ) Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom and lotsa flaky and sweet hugs,
Rochelle
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Hyuck! Hyuck! Hyuck! But yeah, it’s a great review.
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Like Cato’s wife, a sweet story. I like trying to make bread but this one is too complex for me. And then I can’t get past the name. I like these little history lessons. Here I was thinking Cato was the sidekick of the Green Hornet!
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Dear Michael,
If you use the Italian/Latin pronunciation of plaCHENta, it’s not so bad. Although, the recipe is way too complicated from me. I wish I’d been as fascinated with history in school. I might’ve passed. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You sound like me in high school! Band and English and the rest was a waste of time. If only we knew then…
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I enjoyed how you crafted the love and kindness between the two fascinatingly connected characters! There are, I’m sure, so many stories that could be told about their lives. And thanks for the clarification about the name. The food sounds lovely, but the name? Not so much! -Angela
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Dear Angela,
It would be interesting to know more about these people. As it is, I’m amazed that I could find out as much as I did. The rest, of course, is fiction. 😉
The pronunciation of the cake/pie is plaCHENta, if that helps. Thank you for your kind words and for indentifying yourself.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh my, placenta sounds delicious. (I never thought I would say that. haha) Thanks for the clarification, and of course, for the recipe. Yum! Your story was as sweet as the pastry must be. Lovely! ~ Brenda
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Dear Brenda,
After the first two comments I realized I needed to clafify the pronunciation. Thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Congratulations on the wonderful reviews. And thanks for another history lesson, and vocabulary building. Who’d have thought?? A father at 80! That would be a challenge. You’ve brought these historical people to life, once again.
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Dear Margaret,
I was pretty gobsmacked by a review like that coming from an author i totally admire.
The only problem with being a new father at 80 is not getting to see that child grow up. He only lived five more years.
Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Every week I get to know some fascinating story, thanks to you. Great read there.
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What a lovely thing to say, Meha! Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a difference a syllable can make!
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Pronunciation is everything. Thank you, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nicely done, Rochelle. A lovely tale but I’m a bit squinchy at his age. 80 is a tad old to be a father chasing a youngen. But nice that he would treat her well. Interesting sounding desert.
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Dear Laurie,
After checking out the recipe, I don’t think I’ll be trying to make it anytime soon. 😉 80 is old to begin parenting, isn’t it? Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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