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 ©Sandra Crook
Genre: Non-Fiction
Word Count: 100
It’s one of those “the muse is tired and not speaking much.” Holidays on the horizon and my mind is going in too many directions. So I revamped an oldie from the Weekend Writing Prompt. 😀 Enjoy.
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
My parents bought a single-story house in 1956. Moving from a tiny apartment with two small children, the house seemed like a palace.
When mom and dad passed, Jan and I bought my brother’s half of our inheritance and moved in with our three rambunctious sons.
At the time it seemed like a good idea since it was a nicer part of town with better schools.
After twenty-five years, we moved from the nine-hundred-fifty-square-foot cracker box and declining neighborhood.
When asked why empty nesters would buy a house three times larger, with vaulted ceilings we grin and reply, “Breathing room.”
A few pictures below. Mostly taken four years ago. But you get the idea.
Three times the size of that little house, to us, this place is a castle. We bought it 17 years ago and I still love it!
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I’m with you on the breathing space
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Dear Neil,
And now when the kids are able to come home, we have room for them. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Exactly
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I know what you mean. Our last house had more breathing space, and now I feel I didn’t appreciate it as I should. Our current house is something of a compromise, the breathing space is right outside the windows with its rural views and proximity to the sea. Indoors? nah, not so much. But I wouldn’t go back. I’ve always loved the glimpses of your house I’ve seen over the years. So much character. Have a nice Christmas!
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Dear Sandra,
I think the great view is a pretty good trade-off. Ours isn’t too bad as there’s a picturesque farm with a traditional red barn and pond across the street. I have the best view of it from my upstairs office. We also see a lot of deer.
Thank you for chiming in as well as providing the great photo.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
what a lovely, slightly nostalgic story. I love the pictures too.
I’m not sure I can write something this week, I’m a bit out of flash fic ideas lately, but wanted to wish you and your family Happy Hanukkah, and a happy, peaceful, safe New Year.
Love, Gabi
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Dear Gabi,
I understand about being out of ideas. I drew from an old story that I posted four years ago for another blog challenge. I’ve fallen back on nostalgia lately. Might be an age thing. 😉 Lots of memories to share.
Thank you for your Holiday wishes…sending them right back to you.
Shalom meine freund,
Rochelle
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There’s no place like home! Your house looks lovely, but I’m certain it is the joy of life that you and your family fill it with that makes it so sweet.
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Dear Clare,
We love the house. What’s sweet is that before we moved, when the kids would come to town with their spouses they’d stay at a hotel because there just wasn’t enough room. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I get it. Ironically, I had bought my parents’ house and was content to stay within it but Mick needed more space. Boy did we get it. Sometimes I wish I had kept the big one after he died but then, would my kids still be underfoot? Haha!
Lovely share this week.
Shalom and lotsa lofty love,
Dale
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Dear Dale
I did live to regret taking my parents’ house. At the time it seemed a step up. It wasn’t. Thank you re my share.
Shalom and lotsa wide open hugs,
Rochelle
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Ah well … Some lessons are more difficult…
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Here’s some more purple for you! https://judydykstrabrown.com/2024/12/18/purple-prose-2/
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Dear Judy,
I’ve added your link to the inLinkz list. This way others beside myself will see it and read. Hope you read my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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14 years ago I moved from a large house to the little loft I live in now! It’s compact and bijou, and suits me just fine!
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Dear Keith,
Glad you found your happy place.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is the 4th house we have bought and by far the best. Of course it was brand new so we made it our own by carving out our own spaces that we both needed. No regrets.
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Dear Jan,
It is a grand house. I’ve been so happy here. Thanks for the hard work for all these years to get us here, M’luv.
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Nice home, Rochelle!
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Thank you, Lisa.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Breathing room, for sure. We live in a 24×40 double-wide with 4 adults. When we purchased it, we thought it would be perfect for the two of us. It might have been. I think that happened for almost a year.
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Dear Linda,
It’s great to hear from you. Yeah a double wide could get cramped with four adults. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom and Merry Christmas,
Rochelle
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It took us less than 25 years to destroy our neighbourhood. You and Jan were obviously goody-goodies.
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Dear Patrick,
I don’t know that I’d call us goody-goodies. But it was time to flee the deteriorating neighborhood.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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lovely pictures…i somehow like small houses…large houses are nightmare to manage…but yea breathing space is imp too..
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Dear Nandini,
The small house always seemed cluttered. Although I must say, more space has meant more room for clutter. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful home, and I’m a sucker for personal stories <3. Breathing room is key. I don’t know if I’d be able to keep a big house clean, but maybe someday!
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Dear Angela,
Sorry this reply is tardy. It’s been a busy time. Actually we’ve found that in some ways the larger house has been easier to keep clean than the small one. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Funny how so much is comparative. I agree, breathing room is important. I’m glad you’ve found it.
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Dear Jen,
The breathing room has been important for us. It’s made us a much happier couple. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Breathing space is great ! Especially for an artist I imagine ❤
Laurie
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Dear LLaurie,
I’m really not trying to snub you but it seems I’m tardy in a few replies to you. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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All forgiven! 😀
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I’m so glad you love your house Rochelle! Enjoy every second of time spent there!
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Dear Carol Anne,
I won’t say this is the house I always dreamed of, but it’s pretty darn close. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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