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 © David Stewart
Genre: Fiction
Word Count: 100
OPPOSITES DISTRACT
Jane and Michael walked hand in hand past Victorian homes lining the street. They stopped in front of one that was surrounded by a picket fence. Its turret windows sparkled in the afternoon sunlight. Jane imagined sipping lemonade on the sprawling front porch.
“It’s like something in a romance novel, isn’t it? Wouldn’t you just love to live here?”
Michael kissed her forehead and said in a soft whisper, “Nope. Do you have any idea the cost of upkeep on an old barn like this?”
She scowled. “You certainly have a knack for finding the cloud in every silver lining.”
**********************************
I had some fun with last week’s prompt. 😀




Nice word picture and lovely last line.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Joy.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
An authentic conversation and I love the flip of the saying- ‘cloud in the silver lining’.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Clare, I’m so glad you enjoyed my turn of a phrase. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
‘Twould seem we have similar couples except his horror is $$ related 😉
Shalom and lotsa dreamy love,
Dale
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dale,
Did you ever see the movie “The Money Pit” with Tom Hanks?
We did indeed take similar paths. 😉 GMTA
Shalom and lotsa hugs that dreams are made of,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you know… I think I have not. It’s one of those movies that you see so many snippets ofm, you come to believe you did but I am pretty sure not.
And that we did. Different but similar 😉
LikeLike
I’ve met this man. You’ve summed up the yin and yang of marriage. Tracey
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Tracey,
I’m married to this man. He read the story and laughed. He knows who he is. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Realism is so unromantic. 😀 There’s nothing wrong with dreaming a bit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Gabi,
Jane is a little on the romantic side. On the other hand, Michael could have played along. Just sayin’. 😉 Thank you for understanding.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least his put-down was delivered with a kiss! A lovely little story, Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Keith,
I suppose the kiss is a consolation. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Ah, these practical types … 😉 They can be annoying, for sure, but no one better to call when the pipes burst or some other thing needs practicality … 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Na’ama Y’karah,
I suppose someone has to be practical. But it sure can take the wind out of the dreamers sails. 😉 Glad to see you here this week. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Thank you, Rochelle. I join when I can, and am always happy to! And … yay to the practical sorts. To be fair, I can be such one, though I try to be stealthy (i.e. tactful?) about it. Whether I succeed or not, is for others to claim … 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Men. You gotta love ’em- or you could just do this thing on your own…..
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Violet,
We romantics need a partner who’ll keep us grounded, don’t we?
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some people are more practical-minded and others are dreamers. You show those differences so well in your story.
Your painting is so cute, just right for a nursery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lisa,
Welcome to my world. Although my husband is a bit of a romantic dreamer himself, he’s definitely more practical than I.
Thank you re my painting. I had a great time with it. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, I think it’s generally a good thing to have such balance between two. You are welcome on the painting ❤
Shalom,
Lisa
LikeLike
A slice of life! Good writing, Rochelle.
I love that house!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Susan. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
In every couple there’s a Jane and a Michael. This story felt so familiar I had to check it wasn’t a rerun – mostly be the homely comfort of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jen,
Nope, not a rerun. But definitely a slice of my life. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Rochelle, that sounds like a perfect pairing, the romantic and the pragmatic tempering each other. 🙂 I think I’m a bit more like the man, although I’m enough of a romantic to think I’m up to the challenge. 🙂 Thanks for picking my picture this week. Have a great 4th tomorrow.
-David
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear David,
Thank you for the loan of the picture. 😉 I fell in love with that house. I’m definitely more like Jane and my husband is like Michael. He’s a bit of a dreamer, too, but then will stop himself with a reality check. 😉
Thank you for reading and commenting. (We did have a nice 4th)
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I liked the play on the pharse with the “cloud in every silver lining” – and that resonated with me because Micheal is SO RIGHT about the money pit with old homes. Whewwwww – and hopefully Jane will have her views and knowledge, but also listen to any advice and not have to learn the hard way!
In our area, there is a 5,000 square foot house for sale for 89,000 (and they’d porbably take 50 grand) but it looks like a complete remodel (or tear down) and would cost a million or more.
Oh and I liked your art for last week’s prompt….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Yvette,
It costs nothing to dream, does it? Reality is a different thing entirely. I can only imagine what that 5000 square foot fixer-upper will cost to renovate. 😉
Thank you re my art. That painting was just plain fun. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
we were out walking and I grabbed a photo of the house for sale – with huge red doors – I will share it later.
And wishing you a nice week –
LikeLike
well, he could be right. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Plaridel,
Yes, he could. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
The line about the cloud in every silver lining made me chuckle.
LikeLike
Dear Astrid,
Mission accomplished. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great dialogue. Hits close to home 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Will,
From my home to yours. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Men do have that way of bursting bubbles – great story Rochelle 😅
LikeLike
sorry the anonymous bursting bubbles was me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Angela,
Yes, men can be bubble bursting buzz kills, indeed. 😉 Thank you for identifying yourself. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am with Michael on this – a lovely slice of life. And your painting is simply awesome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dahlia,
Thank you so much for the comments and compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well he is not wrong.
A Debbie Downer, but not wrong. lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dawn,
Nah, he’s not wrong. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, he sure is a downer and not the least bit romantic.
I enjoyed your story, Rochelle.
Shalom,
🕊️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Nancy,
I agree. He was a downer. It’s not like he couldn’t have played along. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I like the relationship you’ve described here. Sweet. But perhaps he needs to see the world through her eyes occasionally
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Laurie,
It would’ve have been nice if Michael had tried to see her POV. Ah well, Men. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Leave it to reality to ruin a perfectly good fantasy. Isn’t it always the way? Great last line.
LikeLike