3 November 2023

Published November 1, 2023 by rochellewisoff

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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 © Dale Rogerson

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Genre: Anecdote
Word Count: 100

PHOTO PHINISH

Like so much of the population these days, I spend more time on Facebook than I should. To my defense, it’s how I’ve managed to ~~steal~~ find some great pictures to use as Friday Fictioneers prompts.

Fictioneers, David Stewart, Sandra Crook, and Dale Rogerson are talented photographers, so I often peruse their pages. I promise that I will always ask permission. Well, almost always.

Last week Dale posted this beautifully lit photo. Stunning, isn’t it? In fact, I thought it would make a nice painting—if I could pull it off.

This is my story and I’m sticking to it.

1 September 2023

Published August 30, 2023 by rochellewisoff

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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 © Dale Rogerson

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Genre: Partly Fiction
Word Count: 100

In 1953 Gasoline (Petrol to our folks in the UK) was 20 cents a gallon. You could mail a letter for 3 cents and go to the movies for 70 cents. And the list goes on. A few influential people were born that year, including Tony Blair, John Malkovich, Mary Steenburgen and Yours Truly. 😉 September 4 is the actual day which I do share with Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs. of Welcome Back Kotter fame.

AGING IS ANOTHER WORD FOR LIVING

“Seventy,” I say, trying to wrap my head around it. “Seventy? Really?”

“Careful,” says Dale with a twinkle in her eye. “A lady never tells her age.”

“Why?”

“Dunno. It’s just a saying, like ‘lightning never strikes twice.’”

I once wrote a flash about swimmer Maurine Kornfeld or “Mighty Mo” who’s still breaking records at one-hundred-and-one.

Last week my ninety-year-old friend Ernie shared his lap lane with me.

“Big plans for your day?” asks Dale.

“Yep. I’m going to start my day by swimming my usual two miles while I ponder what I want to be when I grow up.

*Three years ago I wrote about Mighty Mo. CLICK here to read about this amazing lady.

4 August 2023

Published August 2, 2023 by rochellewisoff

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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 © Liz Young

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE WRIGHT WAY

“Do you really think you’re going to fly like a bird?” Fifteen-year-old Katharine giggled as she set steaming bowls of soup on the table.

“Someday you’ll eat those words, Kate,” said nineteen-year-old Orv.

The years zipped by. While her brothers never let go of their dream, Katharine kept their books and managed their bicycle shop. She became their staunchest supporter and spokesperson.

Katharine’s heart fluttered as the Wright brothers’ Model A Flyer left the ground. Who would have dreamt she would see France, let alone soar over it?

“Kate,” Wilbur squeezed her hand. “You are the wind beneath our wings.”

CLICK here to know more about this lesser known Wright sibling.

28 July 2023

Published July 26, 2023 by rochellewisoff

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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 © Jennifer Pendergast

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

A NICE JEWISH GIRL FROM BROOKLYN

“Daddy, listen my new song.” Four-year-old Carol’s blue eyes twinkled.

Firefighter, Sid Klein sank down beside her on the piano bench, weary from extinguishing one blaze after another.

He marveled. “I see Mommy’s making sure you practice your lessons.”

“Far from it.” His wife Genie shook her head. “Our baby girl has a rare gift.”

____________

Nearly seventy years and numerous compositions later, Sid Klein’s daughter, singer- songwriter Carole King thrilled as Aretha Franklin belted out “Natural Woman” at the Kennedy Center Honors.

“I’ve had a remarkable life,” Carole told an interviewer “I sum it all up in one word—gratitude.”

Inductee Carole King performs onstage during the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio.

5 May 2023

Published May 3, 2023 by rochellewisoff

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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 © Dale Rogerson

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May already? As this is being posted, I’m preparing a trip out of country, so for the next couple of weeks, Friday Fictioneers will be on “auto pilot.” I will try to read and comment on your stories when I get a chance.

Meanwhile…

Genre: Colorful Faction
Word Count: 100

DIFFERENT STROKES

Clara looked up from her canvas. “Why do you do watercolor, Elise? It’s so hard to control.”

With a wide brush Elise swept cerulean onto the wet paper. Then she sprinkled coarse salt into the pigment. Color splayed into fascinating patterns. “Watercolor is fluid. It makes its own path.”

“Fine for you. I prefer my acrylics.”

When the background dried, Elise took a smaller brush and added stamens to purple flowers in the foreground. “It’s all about knowing when to pay attention to the details and when to take a risk and let go.”

“Sounds a lot like life.”

“Exactly.”

I love watercolor. 😀

31 March 2023

Published March 29, 2023 by rochellewisoff

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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 © Amanda Forestwood

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE LANGUAGE OF EMOTIONS

“Mrs. Powell, I’ve never seen such a gift in a child so young,” said Mr. Lewis. “But your daughter is bound to encounter difficulties in the music world.”

Cradling her violin, ten-year-old Maud poised the bow over the strings. As she played, a lilting melody filled her ears and blotted out the grownups’ conversation.

In that moment there was only Tchaikovsky.

Eight years later, in 1885, eighteen-year-old Maud boldly interrupted a rehearsal of the all-male New York Philharmonic and demanded a hearing with America’s foremost conductor Theodore Thomas.

He hired her on the spot and dubbed her his “musical grandchild.”

CLICK to learn more about Maud Powell

18 November 2022

Published November 16, 2022 by rochellewisoff

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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 © Starsinclayjars

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The following story is 100% true. Should you care to read the expanded blog post from 2014 CLICK HERE (Boring really). At any rate this is my sordid story is inspireded by Stars’ photo.

Gnere: Embarrassing Anecdote
Word Count: 100

FRACTURED FLICKERS

Until eight years ago I’d never broken a bone. Not even a pinkie finger. Sometimes I felt cheated. I never got a nifty cast for friends to sign.

One morning, heading to the kitchen for coffee I stubbed my big toe. After work I made a beeline for the doctor’s office.

An X-ray showed a fracture at the top joint.

To add injury to injury, before the left toe had a chance to heal, I fractured my right toe getting out of the bathtub.

They don’t set broken toes, but I did get a nifty orthopedic sandal and a boot.

27 May 2022

Published May 25, 2022 by rochellewisoff

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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.

Genre: Friction
Word Count: 100

ENDURING FREEDOM

Relentless sun beat down on the roof of the cramped enclosure. How long could this heat last? Mopping sweat from her brow, she reminded herself she no longer had to endure incessant demands of an unreasonable ruler.

“‘I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.’”

“How much for this one?” A man pointed to a framed tricycle print.

“$30.00 plus tax.”

“Sold. My wife will love it.”

“Thank you for your business.”

As he walked away smiling, Rochelle grinned at Jan. “Another profitable day under the purple tent. This certainly beats punching a timeclock.”

Click to check out my ART PAGE

18 February 2022

Published February 16, 2022 by rochellewisoff

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**Note: PLEASE leave your link on the inlinkz rather than my comment page!!!**

February is Black History Month in the States. It amazes me how many noteworthy people history has shamefully glossed over. I recently learned of this lady.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

WRINKLE IN TIME

Sarah scanned the words in her McGuffey’s Reader. For most of her life they’d meant nothing to her. Literacy was a privilege reserved for white folks.

She lifted the book to her nose and breathed in its aroma. Like cloth for a new dress, it thrilled her. It smelled of freedom.

Now she would be able to understand her clients’ written instructions and fill out receipts.

More importantly, she could read to her babies.

“Mrs. Boone, would you like to read the next sentence?”

“Yes sir!” She grinned at the teacher and read haltingly, “‘Come, kitty, my own little kitty…’”

***

Sarah Boone – One of the first African American women to be awarded a patent.

To read more about this highly motivated woman CLICK HERE

28 January 2022

Published January 26, 2022 by rochellewisoff

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is another-hightway.jpg — Like us on Facebook

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.