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 © Lisa Fox
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
QUEEN OF THE WAVES
Twenty-year-old Gertrude Ederle’s heart pounded as she waved to her adoring fans who thronged Manhattan’s streets shouting, “Trudy! Trudy!”
Slathered in lanolin and olive oil, she’d conquered twenty-one miles of frigid waters.
President Calvin Coolidge dubbed her America’s Best Girl.
When asked her thoughts on being the first woman to swim the English Channel, she shrugged. “I just knew it could be done, it had to be done, and I did it.”
Not only did she do it, but she did it in fourteen hours and thirty-one minutes, beating the records of the five men who swam it before her.
Of course, Trudy is one of my heroes. I’ll never go the distances she did, but I’ll forever applaud her for her role in history. For more of her story from her own mouth, friends and family CLICK HERE and HERE. (Parts 1 and 2 of a documentary.)
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Inspirational!
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Thank you, Neil.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So inspirational! I like her no-nonsense approach too.
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Dear Joy,
I’m sure she was a force to be reckoned with. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful achievement! It all starts with an idea and belief, and of course confidence and efforts.
Bettering past records & creating history in style as it can and must be done! So happy she did it!
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Dear Anita,
Others have done it since, but Trudy was the first woman. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can’t imagine having that level of self-belief. Good for her!
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Dear Jen,
She was determinied, wasn’t she? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I am always blown away by the determination of these athletes. Wonderful way to give us some learnin’
Shalom and lotsa happy waves,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I’m good with the measely one to two miles I do at a time. I am amazed at athletes like Trudy. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa drippy hugs,
Rochelle
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Nothing measly about your one or two miles!
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming. 🐟
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I am actually of the opinion that given your determination and swimming skills at your age now, you could have achieved any swimming goal at that age. Good story and history lesson,
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Dear Jan,
Thank you for your vote of confidence, m’luv. Thank you re my story, too.
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Reminds me of my friend Diana Nyad! These women are made of somethin’ else! Tough as nails!
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Another of my heros. Although I was a little disappointed when she didn’t reply to my Instagram message a couple of years ago. Oh well, she probably gets them all the time. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can understand being disappointed. I don’t know how much she responds in general on social media. xx Hugs my friend! May there be good tidings in these crazy times!
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Nicely told.
This may be on interest to you… I live in Deal, on the Kent coast in England. From here I can see Calais on a clear day. Just a short walk up the road (well, beach) brings you to Kingsdown where people set off (and arrive) for their cross-Channel swim!
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Dear Mr. B,
I do find that of interest. I love the way blogging has shortened the distance between us all. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She inspired so many others to swim in her wake. It took so much courage to attempt something not previously done. I live a few steps away from the English Channel – swimming out 100 yards is more than enough for me!
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I’ve suddenly become anonymous – Keith’s Ramblings by the way!
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Dear Keith (thank you for identifying yourself),
My long swims are 4000 yards…a little over two miles. However I won’t be coming over to swim the Channel anytime soon. Ms. Ederly was determined and amazing. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story! I kinda feel like I’ve just finished that swim. Moving is done! Keys turned in. Unpacking is done, and all done with a broken foot, and an extra fall that broke the ankle attached to it. So there’s going to be much sitting for the next few weeks at least. ~Shalom, Bear
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Dear Bear,
Glad you enjoyed the story and also glad you’ve gotten moved.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS My publisher who released Last Dance with Annie is interested in taking a look at What the Heart Wants.
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Dear Rochelle –
Not sure how you find such incredibly inspirational stories but you never fail, week after week. This is amazing!
Thank you!
Shalom,
~ Nancy
🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
Sometimes these historical pieces take me by surprise. I’ll start the Google search looking for one thing only to take a detour and find something I didn’t know. I love it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We love it, too, Rochelle. Always very interesting and often inspiring. Don’t stop; you have a winning way about you!
Shalom
🕊️
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“I just knew it could be done, it had to be done, and I did it.” These are words to live by. Wonderful story about an inspirational woman.
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Dear Gabi,
Thank you for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve crossed the English Channel more times than I can remember, and most times I look out there and wonder what it must be like to swim for that length of time. These days it’s a busy shipping channel, so the cold and distance is not the only hazard. Good story.
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Dear Sandra,
That’s never been something that’s tempted me…to swim the English Channel. Too cold, too long and doesn’t look like fun. I like my swims to be fun and relaxing. Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Attitude *is* everything.
“I just knew it could be done, it had to be done, and I did it.”
Great story, Rochelle, and I can see why she is one of your heroes.
Happy you chose my pic to write to this week ❤
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Dear Lisa,
A friend of mine used to be fond of saying, “Attitude determines altitude.” Thank you for the photo and kudos on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, A very good one. You are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Call me a pragmatist, but swimming the English Channel doesn’t necessarily seem like something that “had to be done.” I would argue that it’s just sitting there, not bothering anyone. Play like the Beatles and let it be.
Of course, that is an amazing feat that I would only attempt if I really needed to bathe and that were my only option.
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Dear Nobbin,
Your comments made me laugh out loud. Yeah, I’ve never felt like swimming the English Channel was something I had to do. Nor did I ever want to. But, yeah, gotta admire her. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a woman! I’ve seen the channel, it’s wretched and the busiest shipping channel in. the world, kudos to her; a great hero.
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Dear Shrawley,
She was a amazing. I’ve only seen the Channel on film. I wouldn’t mind coming to your side of the pond and seeing it in person. But jump in and swim? No thanks.
Thank you for your comments. .
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You and me both, the idea fills me with anxiety!
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I absolutely love the last line, ‘beating the records of the five men who swam it before her’.
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Dear Clare,
I love that she beat those men’s records. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m not much of a sports guy but I do like inspirational athletes who (to me) are the athletes who didn’t win the birth lottery, but who are the people who do the things that no one else is doing for reasons beyond money and fame. Or the things no one thought could be done. I have none of the drive or motivation to look at a body of water, or a mountain, or anything really, and think I have to do it because it has to be done.
Signed,
Mr. Lazy
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Dear Michael,
My challenge is swimming 80 laps in a 25 yard pool in under two hours. I like to swim in the ocean, but not for distance. There are those who inspire though.
When I was in junior high and high school I was one of the least athletic kids. Didn’t care about football or basketball. Joined the art and drama clubs. We all have our callings, don’t we?
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We do. It was music and writing for me. Too bad we didn’t go to the same schools because we could have challenged each other for least athletic kids! 🙂 But the past is the past…
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Amazing courage.
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Indeed, James. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love stories of brave women. Thank you.
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Dear Dawn,
Happy to oblige. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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she undoubtedly made waves in her day—in a positive way, of course.
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I see what you did there, Plaridel. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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she was one determined lady
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The above anonymous comment was posted by Michael Humphris
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Dear Michael,
Thank you for identifying yourself. She was determined.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a champion
Brave and strong. Someone to admire
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amazing wow! What an achievement!
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