EMERGENCIES OF A DIFFERENT SORT

Published November 9, 2013 by rochellewisoff

A few days ago I managed to burn the roof of my mouth on a baked potato. Please don’t ask for details, it’s embarrassing. If that’s not bad enough, the burn turned into rather nasty aphthous stomatitis. Mouth ulcer.

By Friday I couldn’t eat, because the tiniest nick caused so much pain I wanted cut off my head. After getting my boss’ okay to leave the bakery early I went to a close-by pharmacy with an urgent care.

This particular store refers to this as a “minute clinic.” There I waited over two hours to be seen by the solitary, overtaxed nurse practitioner.

“Why am I seeing you today?”

“My mouth hurts.”

While she entered my particulars into her data base, I went on to explain how I’d injured myself and how much it hurt.

What I expected next was that she would look at my poor mangled mouth, write a prescription and send me to the pharmacy counter to have it filled. And, of course, that’s not what happened.

She had to take my vitals.

“Blood pressure is a little high, but pain will do that.”

Then she listened to my heart for a full minute.

“Have you had heart problems?”

“No.”

“Your heart rate is too low. It’s between 40 and 44.”

“I work out. It’s always been low.”

“This is dangerously low.”

After scaring me into thinking I would soon be corpse du jour, she informed me that she was sending me to ER and no way would she allow me to drive.

“Do you have dizziness or pain.”

“Yes. I haven’t eaten all day because my mouth hurts.”

“I’m more concerned for your heart. They will give you lidocaine at the hospital.”

At her insistence I called my husband to share my news. I could hear the controlled terror in his voice. Then I sat for another forty minutes until he arrived. He took me to the hospital close to our house. Another forty minutes of evening wasted.

“You feeling okay, honey,” he asked.

“No. I’m starving and my mouth hurts.”

When we reached the ER, I was quickly ushered to an examination room, changed out of my icing-crusted uniform into one of those famed hospital numbers of song and story.

This time the nurse hooked me up to a heart monitor, automatic sphygmomanometer and stuck little rubber contacts all over me to prepare for an EKG. Then the interrogation began.

“What meds are you taking? Any allergies?”

I answered each question to the best of my ability. Then the doctor came in and asked more questions.

“Are you having any pain?

”

“My mouth hurts.”

By then, I’d played “Who’s on First, What’s on Second” with at least four professionals.

The doctor shined her little flashlight in my open mouth. “Yep. I advise using Anbesol. I don’t have any so you’ll have to go to Walmart.”

Then she told me she was going to hook me up to an IV, take some blood and check my electrolytes.

The whole ordeal took another two hours culminating with the doctor telling me everything looked great and that I just have a low heart rate.

“I’m sending you home.”

As the nurse wrapped up the visit she asked me if I had any pain.

“My mouth hurts.”

8 November 2013

Published November 6, 2013 by rochellewisoff

- WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS.
- As always, writers are encouraged to be as innovative as possible with the prompt and 100 word constraints.
  
  Henry David Thoreau said it best.
  
  “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
  
  THE CHALLENGE:
  
  Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the count.)
  
  THE KEY:
  
  Make every word count.
  
  THE RULES:
  - Copy your URL to the Linkz collection. You’ll find the tab following the photo prompt. It’s the little white box to the left with the blue froggy guy. Click on it and follow directions. This is the best way to get the most reads and comments. MAKE SURE YOUR LINK IS SPECIFIC TO YOUR FLASH.
  - InLinkz has seen fit to change the format of the link box and automatically pastes the story title into the second box. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF YOU WOULD DELETE IT AND TYPE IN YOUR NAME SO THE REST OF US KNOW WHO THE AUTHOR IS. Thank you.
  - While our name implies “fiction only” it’s perfectly Kosher to write a non-fiction piece as long as it meets the challenge of being a complete story in 100 words.
  - - ***PLEASE MAKE NOTE IN YOUR BLOG IF YOU PREFER NOT TO RECEIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.***
    - REMINDER: This page is “FRIDAY FICTIONEERS CENTRAL” and is NOT the place to promote political or religious views. Also, you are responsible for the content of your story and policing comments on your blog. You have the right to delete any you consider offensive.
    **Please exercise DISCRETION when commenting on a story! Be RESPECTFUL.**
    
    Should someone have severe or hostile differences of opinion with another person it’s my hope that the involved parties would settle their disputes in private.
  - Like us on Facebook
  - - My story follows the photo and link tool. I enjoy honest comments and welcome constructive criticism.
    - Shalom,
    Rochelle
  - Copyright-Al Forbes

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Genre: Literary Fiction

Word Count: 97

MERCURY RISES

Of all the gods, Hermes, the messenger sent from Heaven to visit Earth, fascinated me the most. My adoration took wing the moment we met. How had I, a mere mortal, been so fortunate?

We played hide-and-seek in the sunlight and danced when there wasn’t any music. Once he spirited away my favorite necklace and hid it. I seethed until he returned it, twined around the stems of a fragrant bouquet.

Nyx casts her shadow across our efflorescent valley.

From his IV jungle of tubes and catheters, my Hermes whispers with a breathless rasp, “Mom, it’s time.”

1 November 2013

Published October 30, 2013 by rochellewisoff

WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS.

As always, writers are encouraged to be as innovative as possible with the prompt and 100 word constraints.

Henry David Thoreau said it best.

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

THE CHALLENGE:

Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the count.)

THE KEY:

Make every word count.

THE RULES:

Copy your URL to the Linkz collection. You’ll find the tab following the photo prompt. It’s the little white box to the left with the blue froggy guy. Click on it and follow directions. This is the best way to get the most reads and comments.
MAKE SURE YOUR LINK IS SPECIFIC TO YOUR FLASH. (Should you find that you’ve made an error you can delete by clicking the little red ‘x’ that should appear under your icon. Then re-enter your URL. (If there’s no red x email me at Runtshell@aol.com. I can delete the wrong link for you).
While our name implies “fiction only” it’s perfectly Kosher to write a non-fiction piece as long as it meets the challenge of being a complete story in 100 words.
- ***PLEASE MAKE NOTE IN YOUR BLOG IF YOU PREFER NOT TO RECEIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.***
- REMINDER: This page is “FRIDAY FICTIONEERS CENTRAL” and is NOT the place to promote political or religious views. Also, you are responsible for the content of your story and policing comments on your blog. You have the right to delete any you consider offensive.
**Please exercise DISCRETION when commenting on a story! Be RESPECTFUL.**

Should someone have severe or hostile differences of opinion with another person it’s my hope that the involved parties would settle their disputes in private.
Like us on Facebook
My story follows the photo and link tool. I enjoy honest comments and welcome constructive criticism.
Shalom,

Rochelle

Copyright – Douglas M. MacIlroy

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

FAT MAN

“Ichiro is honorable,” said Okasan. “He’ll be a faithful husband.”

“He’s too fat and reeks of fish.”

“Instead you’d rather shame your family and become a prostitute?”

“Geisha. They are artists.”

“So your father says.”

Since dawn Yuki had tried to reason with her mother, but, no matter what she said, Okasan’s face remained an obdurate fortress, damaged by years of sorrow and betrayal.

“It’s after 11:00. I’ll be late.”

“Please, my only child, don’t leave your home.”

Yuki turned her gaze to the calming garden pond.

“Nagasaki’s no longer my—”

Savage-radiance seared brilliant koi colors into her eyes.

.

August 9, 1945

25 October 2013

Published October 23, 2013 by rochellewisoff

WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS

For me this week marks a significant anniversary. One year ago, Madison Woods passed the FF baton on to me. It’s sometimes been a wild ride. I’m particularly thankful for the friends I’ve made. To read my transitional story click Ron Pruitt’s photo below.

(Scroll down for this week’s prompt.)

……….

***Now back to matters at hand. ***

As always, writers are encouraged to be as innovative as possible with the prompt and 100 word constraints.

Henry David Thoreau said it best.

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

THE CHALLENGE:

Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the count.)

THE KEY:

Make every word count.

THE RULES:

Copy your URL to the Linkz collection. You’ll find the tab following the photo prompt. It’s the little white box to the left with the blue froggy guy. Click on it and follow directions. This is the best way to get the most reads and comments.
MAKE SURE YOUR LINK IS SPECIFIC TO YOUR FLASH. (Should you find that you’ve made an error you can delete by clicking the little red ‘x’ that should appear under your icon. Then re-enter your URL. (If there’s no red x email me at Runtshell@aol.com. I can delete the wrong link for you).
While our name implies “fiction only” it’s perfectly Kosher to write a non-fiction piece as long as it meets the challenge of being a complete story in 100 words.
- ***PLEASE MAKE NOTE IN YOUR BLOG IF YOU PREFER NOT TO RECEIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.***
- REMINDER: This page is “FRIDAY FICTIONEERS CENTRAL” and is NOT the place to promote political or religious views. Also, you are responsible for the content of your story and policing comments on your blog. You have the right to delete any you consider offensive.
**Please exercise DISCRETION when commenting on a story! Be RESPECTFUL.**

Should someone have severe or hostile differences of opinion with another person it’s my hope that the involved parties would settle their disputes in private.
Like us on Facebook
My story follows the photo and link tool. I enjoy honest comments and welcome constructive criticism.
Shalom,

Rochelle

copyright – Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

get the InLinkz code

Genre: Biographical Fiction

Word Count: 98

THE BEAT GOES ON

“What’s the matter, Princess?”

With his thumb Bob brushed a tear from Laura’s cheek.

“I’m flunking kindergarten.”

“Why?’

“I don’t know howta skip.”

“Can’t let that happen. Follow me.”

Outside, in the driveway, he showed her how to hop from one foot to the other.

Haltingly she followed his lead. Then he played a tune on his synthesizer, his recent invention, to accompany her.

“Find your beat.” Gradually, he increased the tempo.

Her heart pounded with excitement. “Look at me! I’m skipping!”

Historians remember Bob Moog as the Edison of electronic music. Laura remembers him, simply, as “Dad.”

For more Moog

Robinson Crusoe has a message for us

Published October 12, 2013 by rochellewisoff

I had to share this from a magnificent writer, Valerie Davies, in New Zealand. I urge everyone to read and enjoy.

Shalom,

Rochelle

valeriedavies

My grandmother collected beautiful china and old books. My memories of the china was that it actually wasn’t beautiful… At eight I found her collection of Staffordshire figurines rather clumsy, and her Meissen angels and other pieces a bit gutless and wishy-washy. (I think I still do – but give me Chinese blue and white, Japanese Imari, old Chelsea, and I’d feel differently.)

Her old books were heavily bound in leather, and were often large quarto volumes. I skimmed Foxe’s Martyrs, was appalled by the despair in the picture of the Slough of Despond in Pilgrim’s Progress, but was very taken with Robinson Crusoe. All these books were illustrated with engravings, protected by a flimsy piece of what seemed like tissue paper.

I hadn’t learned to take liberties with books back then, so I solemnly plodded through Defoe’s dense prose, until I came to the picture of Crusoe seeing…

View original post 1,106 more words

11 October 2013

Published October 9, 2013 by rochellewisoff

WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS.

As always, writers are encouraged to be as innovative as possible with the prompt and 100 word constraints.

Henry David Thoreau said it best.

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

THE CHALLENGE:

Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the count.)

THE KEY:

Make every word count.

THE RULES:

Copy your URL to the Linkz collection. You’ll find the tab following the photo prompt. It’s the little white box to the left with the blue froggy guy. Click on it and follow directions. This is the best way to get the most reads and comments.
MAKE SURE YOUR LINK IS SPECIFIC TO YOUR FLASH. (Should you find that you’ve made an error you can delete by clicking the little red ‘x’ that should appear under your icon. Then re-enter your URL. (If there’s no red x email me at Runtshell@aol.com. I can delete the wrong link for you).
While our name implies “fiction only” it’s perfectly Kosher to write a non-fiction piece as long as it meets the challenge of being a complete story in 100 words.
- ***PLEASE MAKE NOTE IN YOUR BLOG IF YOU PREFER NOT TO RECEIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.***
- REMINDER: This page is “FRIDAY FICTIONEERS CENTRAL” and is NOT the place to promote political or religious views. Also, you are responsible for the content of your story and policing comments on your blog. You have the right to delete any you consider offensive.
**Please exercise DISCRETION when commenting on a story! Be RESPECTFUL.**

Should someone have severe or hostile differences of opinion with another person it’s my hope that the involved parties would settle their disputes in private.
Like us on Facebook
My story follows the photo and link tool. I enjoy honest comments and welcome constructive criticism.
Shalom,

Rochelle

Copyright – Sandra Crook

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 99

ROSE OF SHARON

Annetta’s blonde hair, blue eyes, and well-turned figure kept her alive for the worst part of two years at Ravensbrück.

A year after the liberation, she accepted an invitation from Gershom, a Treblinka survivor, to join him and his friends in Palestine.

At Kibbutz Ein HaNatziv they planted olive trees. Amid the date palms Annetta felt her spirit revive.

One day while strolling through Beit She’an’s ancient ruins, Gershom led her to sit on one of the amphitheater’s stone steps and then knelt. “Marry me.”

“You’d marry a…whore?”

“No…you…” With calloused hands he caressed her cheeks. “…are altogether lovely.”

.

For the history behind my pound of fiction click here.

Ancient amphitheater in Beit She’an, Israel.
Copyright- Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Founders of Kibbutz Ein HaNatziv- 1946

4 October2013

Published October 2, 2013 by rochellewisoff

WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS.

This is NOT the prompt! This is Friday Fictioneers creator Madison Woods on her wedding day, Sunday, September 22. A hearty congratulations to the happy couple.

*********

Now back to our regularly scheduled program. 😉

As always, writers are encouraged to be as innovative as possible with the prompt and 100 word constraints.

Henry David Thoreau said it best.

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

THE CHALLENGE:

Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the count.)

THE KEY:

Make every word count.

THE RULES:

Copy your URL to the Linkz collection. You’ll find the tab following the photo prompt. It’s the little white box to the left with the blue froggy guy. Click on it and follow directions. This is the best way to get the most reads and comments.
MAKE SURE YOUR LINK IS SPECIFIC TO YOUR FLASH. (Should you find that you’ve made an error you can delete by clicking the little red ‘x’ that should appear under your icon. Then re-enter your URL. (If there’s no red x email me at Runtshell@aol.com. I can delete the wrong link for you).
While our name implies “fiction only” it’s perfectly Kosher to write a non-fiction piece as long as it meets the challenge of being a complete story in 100 words.
- ***PLEASE MAKE NOTE IN YOUR BLOG IF YOU PREFER NOT TO RECEIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.***
- REMINDER: This page is “FRIDAY FICTIONEERS CENTRAL” and is NOT the place to promote political or religious views. Also, you are responsible for the content of your story and policing comments on your blog. You have the right to delete any you consider offensive.
**Please exercise DISCRETION when commenting on a story! Be RESPECTFUL.**

Should someone have severe or hostile differences of opinion with another person it’s my hope that the involved parties would settle their disputes in private.
Like us on Facebook
My story follows the photo and link tool. I enjoy honest comments and welcome constructive criticism.
Shalom,

Rochelle

Copyright – E.A. Wicklund

get the InLinkz code

Genre: Literary Fiction

Word Count: 99

DUEL

“You’ll see, dear, in the end you’re all better off without me. I can’t…” Marie stopped typing and swallowed four sleeping pills.

“Mommy, whatcha writing?” Her seven-year-old son climbed onto her lap. “Can I read it?”

“No!” She minimized the document screen. “Go back to bed.”

“Uh-uh. I’m scared. I dreamed they put you in a big box and buried it. Daddy cried.”

“It was just a bad dream.”

“Promise…”

“I can’t—”

“…you won’t die.”

“You pathetic fool,” whispered the voices. “Just do it!”

“I can’t.” She swept the bottle beside the keyboard into the wastebasket. “I promise.”

Voice of a Spanish Dancer – You’re Never Too…Anything

Published September 30, 2013 by rochellewisoff

YOU’RE NEVER TOO…ANYTHING

Between 17 August and 1 September, two events touched my life as few others have. The first was watching 17-year-old Leahi Camacho become the youngest swimmer to swim the 26 mile Moloka’i channel from Moloka’i to Oahu. The second was Diana Nyad’s triumph in her 103 mile swim from Cuba to Key West.

Through a mutual friend of her father I was able to access a tracking map to follow Leahi’s progress. Although she’s unaware of it, when I swam my laps that day I went a mile with her.

While she had a lot of support, I wonder how many well-meaning friends or relatives told her she was nuts. Long swim for someone so young. Think about it in a few years, when you’re older. Stronger. More mature.

If this was the case, I’m happy she didn’t listen. She knew the risks involved and dove in headfirst to follow her heart.

On the flip side, when are you too old to dream? Is it when you turn 60? Or maybe when you’ve blown out the candles on your 65^th birthday cake and are eligible for Medicare?

It’s my personal belief when you’re too old to dream and learn you might as well plan the funeral. You’re already dead.

On that note, I turn to a new role model in my life. Diana Nyad. Four times she tried and failed to swim from Cuba to Florida. Did she give up? Not a chance. At the tender age of 64 she achieved her goal.

Does this mean I’m going to attempt a long distance swim, like my two heroes? I don’t think so, but the thought is in the realm of possibility. But, for the time being, I’m happy to swim laps in a much smaller body of water.

The pool is my think tank. Unfettered by gravity, my mind is free to tell me stories. With each stroke I’m closer to reaching my goals. To dream. To write.

“It’s never too late to be who you might have been.” T.S. Eliot.

27 September 2013

Published September 25, 2013 by rochellewisoff

WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS.

As always, writers are encouraged to be as innovative as possible with the prompt and 100 word constraints.

Henry David Thoreau said it best.

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

THE CHALLENGE:

Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the count.)

THE KEY:

Make every word count.

THE RULES:

Copy your URL to the Linkz collection. You’ll find the tab following the photo prompt. It’s the little white box to the left with the blue froggy guy. Click on it and follow directions. This is the best way to get the most reads and comments.
MAKE SURE YOUR LINK IS SPECIFIC TO YOUR FLASH. (Should you find that you’ve made an error you can delete by clicking the little red ‘x’ that should appear under your icon. Then re-enter your URL. (If there’s no red x email me at Runtshell@aol.com. I can delete the wrong link for you).
While our name implies “fiction only” it’s perfectly Kosher to write a non-fiction piece as long as it meets the challenge of being a complete story in 100 words.
- ***PLEASE MAKE NOTE IN YOUR BLOG IF YOU PREFER NOT TO RECEIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.***
- REMINDER: This page is “FRIDAY FICTIONEERS CENTRAL” and is NOT the place to promote political or religious views. Also, you are responsible for the content of your story and policing comments on your blog. You have the right to delete any you consider offensive.
**Please exercise DISCRETION when commenting on a story! Be RESPECTFUL.**

Should someone have severe or hostile differences of opinion with another person it’s my hope that the involved parties would settle their disputes in private.
Like us on Facebook
My story follows the photo and link tool. I enjoy honest comments and welcome constructive criticism.
Shalom,

Rochelle

Copyright – Rich Voza

get the InLinkz code

As we pass through life we walk through many doors. One is the unavoidable door that opens onto puberty.

Today it’s 1968. The Vietnam War, protests , civil rights marches and assassinations dominate the news. Peace signs, love-ins and psychedelic rock make the scene. Beehive hairdos and feminine curves are out. Ultra thin boyish figures and straight hair are in.

Submitted for your approval: one adolescent’s story.

Genre: Literary Fiction

Word Count: 99

LEAVE IT LIKE IT IS

“Hurry, you’ll be late for school!” Mom called from downstairs. “And your breakfast is getting cold.”

“Give it to the dog!”

“Don’t make me call your dad.”

“Go ahead.”

Jolene spread her long curly hair on the ironing board, laid a damp towel over it and then pressed it straight with the iron on the hottest setting.

Then, to hide what Mother Nature had too generously endowed, she donned her brother’s sweater. Other girls her age had stick figures, like Twiggy. She tugged her jeans over her hips and scowled at her reflection in the full-length mirror.

“Hello, Ugly.”

___________________

As an epilogue to my story, I urge you to listen to the videoed song that follows. I think you’ll understand why.

Remember when…?

copyright – Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

20 September 2013

Published September 18, 2013 by rochellewisoff

WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS.

😀 A hearty congratulations goes out to Madison Woods, Friday Fictioneers creator, who is marrying her beloved on the 22nd of this month! A blessing on your head! Mazel tov! Mazel tov! 😀

As always, writers are encouraged to be as innovative as possible with the prompt and 100 word constraints.

Henry David Thoreau said it best.

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

THE CHALLENGE:

Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the count.)

THE KEY:

Make every word count.

THE RULES:

Copy your URL to the Linkz collection. You’ll find the tab following the photo prompt. It’s the little white box to the left with the blue froggy guy. Click on it and follow directions. This is the best way to get the most reads and comments.
MAKE SURE YOUR LINK IS SPECIFIC TO YOUR FLASH. (Should you find that you’ve made an error you can delete by clicking the little red ‘x’ that should appear under your icon. Then re-enter your URL. (If there’s no red x email me at Runtshell@aol.com. I can delete the wrong link for you).
While our name implies “fiction only” it’s perfectly Kosher to write a non-fiction piece as long as it meets the challenge of being a complete story in 100 words.
- ***PLEASE MAKE NOTE IN YOUR BLOG IF YOU PREFER NOT TO RECEIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.***
- REMINDER: This page is “FRIDAY FICTIONEERS CENTRAL” and is NOT the place to promote political or religious views. Also, you are responsible for the content of your story and policing comments on your blog. You have the right to delete any you consider offensive.
**Please exercise DISCRETION when commenting on a story! Be RESPECTFUL.**

Should someone have severe or hostile differences of opinion with another person it’s my hope that the involved parties would settle their disputes in private.
Like us on Facebook
My story follows the photo and link tool. I enjoy honest comments and relish constructive criticism.
Shalom,

Rochelle

Copyright – John Nixon

get the InLinkz code

Genre: Swap Meet

Word count: 99

IF WORDS COULD MAKE WISHES COME TRUE

“This looks real old, Grandpa,” said nine-year-old Noah.

Edmond set down a piano-shaped teapot to look at a dog-eared book his grandson was leafing through. “Well, I’ll be! It’s Tom Swift and his Airship.

“Seventy years ago Pop got me an almost identical copy at a flea market like this. It was old even then.” Edmond took it from him. “His last day of leave. A month later the telegram came from the war department.”

He opened to the first page. The cramped handwriting blurred.