7 November 2026

Published November 4, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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 © Nancy Richy

Today’s lovely photo from the Elephant’s Trunk is a nighttime scene. Lights and trees line the street in the background. There’s a building in the background to the right. In front is a circular fountain. The water, a beautiful shade of blue is lit from the bottom. We see colored lights through the streams of water.

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The photo prompt is new but my story has been around the blog a few times. As I post this a day ahead, it falls on election day. With seemingly a bazillion things to do I hope you’ll forgive this rerun.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

FINAL SOLUTION

“These madmen take everything,” cried Leah. “They brand us like cattle because we are Jews and you do nothing?”

“How does one fight a pack of rabid dogs?” Avraham rubbed a painful lump on the back of his head. “Finish packing. We set sail in the morning while we still can.”

“They cannot have my grandmother’s bracelet.”

“Leave it! What’s a bauble when our people are being exterminated like cockroaches?”

Letting the bracelet fall from her fingers, she collapsed into his arms. “España is our home.”

“Querida, you are my home. 1493 in Portugal—it will be a better year.”

**Note the round badges on their clothing to identify them as Jews. There’s nothing new under the sun.**

23 October 2026

Published October 21, 2026 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 © Nobbinmaug

Setting sun is shining dramatically through clouds silhouetting houses and trees. A bit of light is reflecting off of two cars in the foreground beside the house to the right. If you look closely, you can make out a garage door.

This week marks my 14 year anniversary as Friday Fictioneers Facilitator. A handfull of you were here before I came aboard. Thank you for sticking with me. 😀 Shalom, Rochelle.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count:100

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE

“Whatcha inventing now, Pop?”

Young Dick watched his father nail a bedsheet between two trees in front of his automobile on which he’d propped a Kodak movie projector.

“I’m building an outdoor theater for Grandma.”

The boy tilted his head. “Because she hates sitting in seats in the theater because she’s so y’know…mm…big?”

Pop chuckled. “She’ll be more comfortable watching movies from ol’ Suzabelle here.”

“May I sit in the car with her?”

“Why the whole family can pile in.”

Not long afterward Pop, Richard Hollingshead, found investors and on June 6, 1933, opened the first 400-acre drive-in movie theater.

A little more info.

2 October 2026

Published September 30, 2026 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 © Sandra Crook

This week’s photo features a castle nestled in green rolling hills. There’s a bush of red flowers in the foreground.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

A TWIST OF FATE

“Please help us abort,” begged the desperate father.

Irene refused. “If the baby dies, Hitler wins. He’s murdered enough Jewish children already”

The young Polish housekeeper had harbored twelve fugitives in the cellar of Major Rügemer’s grand home for two years.

One day he came home early and met his uninvited guests.

Despite his anger and fear, he agreed to keep Irene’s secret in exchange for certain favors.

When Rügemer’s family rejected him after the war for his part in saving Jews, the baby’s parents took him in. Little Roman Haller knew the former Wehrmacht officer only as Zaydeh—grandpa.

CLICK to know more about this valiant woman. (It’s worth the watch).

It’s hard not to have mixed feelings about Major Rügemer. Here’s more of his story.

11 September 2026

Published September 9, 2026 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 © A member of the Fields Family who didn’t care to be Identified. 😉

This week we’re looking at the front of a two story building with a classic facade. The front door is covered by a colonial style roof and pillars. Behind it to the right is a red brick building. The windows are multi-paned rectangular and arched at the tops. The yard in front is green.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

AUGUST 18, 1790

Jacob squirmed on the wooden seat between Papa and Grandpapa Aaron. “Why are we in synagogue today? It’s not Shabbat.”

Grandpapa patted Jacob’s knee. “I came to this colony of Rhode Island to escape oppression in Brazil when I was your age.” He pointed to the man sitting in the seat of honor. “This day you’ll remember for the rest of your life.”

Years later, Jacob told his own son, “I will never forget the day President Washington spoke these words in this very place, ‘The government of the United States gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution, no assistance.’”

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21 August 2026

Published August 19, 2026 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 © Lori Wilson

The prompt this week is the front porch of an old hotel in Missouri. There are stone arches in front. Double wooden doors welcome the guests. There is a light over the front doors. Through the glass on the doors and the windows you can see the pleasant lobby. Welcome! Enjoy your stay! 😉

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

BLACK THURSDAY

Henry had a lucrative position with a Kansas City bank, a dream home, and a beautiful wife. The world was his oyster.

He’d booked a room in Booneville at the Frederick Hotel where they’d spent their wedding night. It was a crisp October day. Perfect for celebrating their first anniversary.

As he was packing the telephone rang.

Tears blurred his vision that night at dinner. How can I tell her we’ve lost everything?

As he groped for the right words, Ginny blurted out. “Oh Henry, 1930 is going to be the best year ever! You’re going to be a daddy!”

14 August 2026

Published August 12, 2026 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 © Lisa Fox

This week’s photo is of ten nesting cups with images of Russian buildings engraved on them. They go from large and detailed to teeny tiny. They looking to set in order on a wooden table.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

POETIC INJUSTICE

“I adored the stage,” said Bubbe Gittel of her time in the Moscow State Jewish Theater. “I had a crush on the director, Shlomo Mikhoels. A gifted poet.”

I switched off the TV. My grandmother’s stories beat summer reruns.

“During the war Mr. Stalin kept us safe from Hitler and made Shlomo the head of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee.”

Bubbe’s smile faded. “The war ended and with it, Stalin’s favor.”

“They called it an accident, but I saw it with my own eyes. A KGB monster shoved Shlomo in the path of a speeding truck.”

“Why, Bubbe?”

“Need you ask?”

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Shlomo or Solomon Mikhoels

17 July 2026

Published July 15, 2026 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 © Carol Carr

In this week’s prompt we’re looking down a hallway. The walls and floors are made of stone. There are iron doors open along the way to a back door. There’s a table and chair in the left side of the foreground. Light is streaming through the door at the end of the hallway.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

INCURABLE

Elizabeth lay on her cot counting the stones on the ceiling.

Had she not had the audacity to disagree with her husband’s theology, she would be tucking in her babies at this very moment.

This was insanity. If a woman dared to displease her almighty husband, it was his legal right to banish her for her “incompetence.”

After three years in Jacksonville Insane Asylum, it took a jury seven minutes to declare her to be of sound mind. Elizabeth Packard left the courtroom a free woman.

They had called her mad but all she did was refuse to be silent.

Click for More of her story.

10 July 2026

Published July 8, 2026 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.

This week’s prompt is from a playground. At the top of a double slide is a big orb with a smiley face. There is a railing with little sculpted children betweeen the bars. The sky is blue and there are green trees in the background.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

LITTLE WANDA WITH THE BRAIDS

The SS guard smiled at the girl with tearful blue eyes. “Is there something I might help you with, Fraulein?”

She blushed and twirled the end of one of her blonde braids. “I-I need to see Corporal Gruber…a personal matter.”

“Ach.” The guard held the office door for her and winked. “I’m sure he will be most happy to see you, schatzi.”

Moments later, Corporal Gruber and two other officers fell to floor. Dead. Niuta Teitelbaum tucked her revolver back under her apron.

As she left, she waved at the guard, batted her eyelashes, and whispered, “Heil Hitler, you bastards.”

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26 June 2026

Published June 24, 2026 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.

The photo was taken from the passenger’s seat driving through New Mexico. There are mountains in the background as the road curves. A lot of sand and sage. Some green over to the right behind the guardrail.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
(Word count does not count the title, in case you wondered.;) )

“HELLO THERE, WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU.”

“I was just a sprout in 1950—three years old—when Ralph Edwards challenged any American town to change its name to Truth or Consequences after the game show.” Patsy’s eyes shone.

“Of course it was a publicity stunt. But our town council went for it, and it put us on the map. Mr. Edwards was the nicest man. Why, he came to town every year for our fiesta til he was in his 90’s.”

“He sure did know the power of the gimmick.” Patsy shook her head. “Kids today with their smart phones and social media will never understand.”

When I saw that sign I had to research the town. 😀

A LITTLE MORE INFO

And if you can spare the time, here’s what Truth or Consequences, both the show and the town looked like in 1950…

19 June 2026

Published June 17, 2026 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.

Today’s photo features a sky with some interesting clouds. The lower part of the photo is fairly dark. To the right we see buildings that appear to be apartment complexes beside a road. There’s a line of cars parked on the right side. To the left there are trees and a wall. There are mountains in the background.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

HOMESICK

“You and your children will have a chance for a better life in San Fancisco,” said the blue-eyed Indian agent. “All you have here on the reservation is filth and poverty.”

Filth? Eleven-year-old Wilma saw only broad skies and beauty.

Stepping off the train in California, screeching city sounds assaulted her. She clung to Edoda. “Please, take us home.”

Twenty years later Wilma Pearl Mankiller returned to Oklahoma with her two daughters. Peace and Cherokee pride filled her. A pride that would fan the flames of her determination to help her people as the first female chief of her tribe.

*Edoda is Cherokee for Father