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: Missing-you-Ted-Fiction
Word Count: 100
TED TALK
“Ethel,” Cheryl rolled her eyes. “Are you going to play, or aren’t you?”
“I’m just not in the mood for cribbage.”
“What then, are you in the mood for?”
“Let’s talk about Ted.” Ethel whispered. “Do you think he’s forgotten us?”
“Never! We’re his ladies.” Cheryl curved her arm around Ethel’s shoulder. “I miss him, too. But y’know, he’s still snapping great photos and posting them on Facebook.”
“He’s always smiling in his pictures.”
Cheryl swallowed a rising lump. “I’m sure he misses us, too. Have you noticed the twinkle in his eyes? He still has a lot to say.”
*He is still sending photos. Ted Strutz joined Friday Fictioneers before I did. Cheryl and Ethel were his characters. He was encouraging to me when I took over the FF challenge. Four years ago he suffered a stroke. Like Cheryl said, there’s a twinkle in his eye and he still has a lot to say. ❤
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
How lovely Rochelle! What a lovely tribute to Ted! Xx
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Dear Carol Anne,
Thank you. He deserves it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sweet of you to write this. I hope he sees it.
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Thank you, Dawn. I suspect he will, not just because I tagged him on FB. I’ve gotten many blog likes from him so I know he reads them.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Social media connects when other channels are drying up.
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Dear Reena,
Thanks to social media…blogging in particular…I have friends I’d never have met otherwise. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Absolutely right. I owe my present version to the internet. I was just a boring banker before the advent of the internet.
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A lovely tribute, Rochelle
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Thank you, Neil.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I didn’t know any of that. Well done.
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Thank you, James.
If you’d care to reach out to him, email me and I can give you his snail mail address.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
This is a wonderful tribute to our beloved Ted! I’m sure you’ve made his day!
Shalom and lotsa thoughtful love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I hope he likes it. ❤ Just seemed right. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa loyal hugs,
Rochelle
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I’m sure he’ll be thrilled. It’s always good to see news of him on FB. Loved your story.
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Dear Sandra,
Obviously he’s still snapping away. And now we’re text buddies as well. 😀 Glad you liked my story. I hope he does, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Twinkling tribute to the man with a twinkle. His pictures & our words speak.
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Thank you, Anita.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I didn’t know all that about Ted! Thanks for sharing the info.
I was trying so hard to remember the name of a game this picture could have portrayed, but it just wouldn’t come. And then I read your post. Cribbage, of course. Since I’ve never played, it’s just not familiar to me!
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Dear Linda,
He had the stroke four years ago. I made an announcement then to the group. The offer still stands of shooting out his snail mail address to send notes and cards. He really appreciates them. https://rochellewisoff.com/2021/05/19/21-may-2021/
I don’t know anything about cribbage either but thought I recognized the case.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Just lovely, Rochelle, and I feel like Ted’s still got Ethel and Cheryl babbling in his ear!
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Thank you, Jen. No doubt Ted still has Cheryl and Ethel on his mind.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a nice shout out to Ted! I hope he is keeping up with your blog and knows how much we are enjoying the use of his photos!
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Dear Violet,
I know for a fact that Ted’s keeping up with FF. In fact he has commented this week. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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if those are recent pictures, it sure looks like he’s doing alright, all things considered. i wish him well.
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Ethel & Cheryl… miss those ladies! Rochelle!
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This must be Ted! I join Ethel and Cheryl in missing you, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It is I!
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❤️🥰😘
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This is wonderful, Rochelle! Not just the lovely story you wrote but the human connection that continues through Friday Fictioneers!
Brava, cara Rochelle!
🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
Ted was always supportive…from the time I joined FF and then when I took it over. He deserves nothing less.
Thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A heart warming personal tribute, and appreciation of moments we all treasure.
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Thank you, James.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful piece Rochelle
That twinkle sure lights in a room
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Thank you for a lovely comment, Laurie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi – excellent story that could stand on its own as an interesting read (and my sister’s name is Ethel but she has gone by a knick name for decades because she does not like it that much) – anyhow, when you added the connection to Ted, it was even better. Oh and lobe the play on the “Ted Talk” phrase as this really was talk about Ted compared to those educational Ted talks. I also did not realize you too this challenge on – I thought you began it = hmmmm – do you know who first started it?
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Dear Yvette,
I’m so glad you picked up on the Ted Talks title.
I joined Friday Fictioneers in April of 2012. It was then facillitated by its creator Madison Woods. I fell in love with the challenge and quickly made some good friends. When Madison announced she was stepping down and opening it to anyone who wanted to take it over. Three different people, one another FFr I’d become close to suggested I take it. I argued that I wasn’t qualified. I’m not a leader. But between my husband, cousin and friend they convinced me. I emailed Madison and begged. I reasoned that I hadn’t missed a week since I’d started…so what would change? (And that’s a whole ‘nuther story!) Long story short I took over in October 2012.
Madison has told me more than once that after I adopted her baby I took it further than she ever would have.
There’ve been times I’ve considered quitting but I just can’t let it go.
Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂🙂🙂
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Simply delightful, Rochelle.
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THank you, Keith.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for the story, the challenge, and the introduction to Ted.
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Dear Kathy,
And thankj you for reading and commenting. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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