2018 ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE: BLOGGERS FLOOD THE INTERNET WITH HAPPINESS AND POSITIVITY

Published January 1, 2019 by rochellewisoff

How did 2018 go by so quickly? As has become a tradition, I’m joining Dawn Landau’s positive affirmation challenge (my words 😉 ) You can find the directions here on her post. Do set your timer. I did and was surprised that in 15 minutes I exceeded 50 things I was thankful for and when the timer went off I really wasn’t finished. I named a few names but could name so many more. The number order has nothing to do with importance. This is totally stream of consciousness.

I dare you to join the fun. I double dare you!!!

CLICK HERE TO LINK

Thank you, Dawn for doing this again. 😀

And for another perspective here’s my friend Susan’s list.

My re connection with my brother in 2018
Healthy food
Water in which to swim
I’m 65 and can still do a cartwheel
Dancing
Good friends
Blogging friends
Going on 7 years of Friday Fictioneers
A car to drive
A comfortable bed to sleep in
My sons
My daughters in law
My granddaughters
A computer on which to write
Jigsaw puzzles online
My elliptical machine
My God who loves me, and understands me when I’m at my worst
A cell phone that keeps me connected
Languages – I wish I were more fluent in Spanish and Hebrew than I am
My new book of illustrations and short stories –My dream book
Watercolors
My rapidograph pen that has never failed me.
The friends I’ve made through blogging
The ability to write
The ability to paint
Art fairs
Being alive and still pursuing dreams
Breathing
Eating
My imagination
Great hats
The color purple, of course
Books to read
Chaim Potok
Did I mention my brother with whom I made a major reconnection this past year?
Spending the holiday with my youngest son in Chicago
The ability and opportunity to read Torah from the scroll
Teaching Hebrew
My Hispanic Hebrew students who help me with my Spanish
Gluten free options for pizza
Coffee, strong and black
Cheese which goes great with wine
Soft sheets on my bed
Scented candles – patchouli is my favorite
My desktop easel that serves me well
My husband Jan of 47 years
Ozarks Writers League where I’ve met agents and found wonderful mentors
My sister in law who has put up with my brother for over 35 years.
The opportunity to visit them in North Carolina this past year
Drawing and painting with granddaughter Olive
My 5 speed 2011 Chevy Cruz that’s paid for and still running
Being retired from cake decorating and sign making
The friends I’ve made and kept from those years of working at Hy-Vee grocery
Days I don’t put on makeup and stay in my PJ’s all day
Skype that allows me to chat with friends overseas
The internet that has made the world a little smaller and given me the opportunity to connect with people of other races and belief systems
Potatoes
Chocolate
My wonderful female doctor who I’ve been seeing for 20 years
Continued recovery from major depression and anorexia (a little too recovered)
Paper to paint on
Good neighbors to share wine and laughter with, Bud and Cindi you know you are
My beautiful home
Fresh herbs that add so much to food
My hunky dory best friend, Regina

NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM?

Published December 30, 2018 by rochellewisoff

After being MIA from Pegman for a while, the muse struck. 😉 Now that the dust is settling a bit from the holidays. In any event, the Google trail took to an irresistible place in Zimbabwe History. The year is 1894 and Zimbabwe was known as Rhodesia. The following year a small band of Jewish refugees would build a synagogue in Harare.

As always, thank yous to Karen and Josh for hosting. Follow the link below to read other stories or to add your own. Remember reciprocation is half the fun.

Harare Synagogue

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 150

NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM?

“An adventure he says,” whispered Fayga to her three-month-old Yankel. “Your papa is a meshuggeneh vants.”

She missed the synagogue in Lithuania, with its beautiful woodwork and intricate carvings on the Holy Ark.

More than anything, she missed her family. But, if she were back at home she would still miss them. Murdered. What difference did it make from where she mourned?

Yankel sneezed and squirmed on her lap. She waved a fly away from his nose. “Such a shayna punim.”

The tent juddered. A warm breeze wafted over her as the cantor sang, “Here oh Israel, Adonoi our God, Adoni is one.”

“Don’t you see? We’re no longer safe here, my beloved?” He packed his books into a trunk next to her Sabbath candlesticks. “The Messiah will find us no matter where we go.”

Who knew their journey would take them from Eastern Europe to Bulawayo in faraway Africa?

*meshuggeneh vantz – crazy bedbug

*shayna punim – pretty face (It was one of my mother’s nicknames for me 🙂 )

28 December 2018

Published December 26, 2018 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.

As always, please be considerate of your fellow Fictioneers and keep your stories to 100 words. (Title is not included in the word count.) Many thanks.

PHOTO PROMPT © Randy Mazie

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For those who celebrate, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Another rerun this week. For those who have written for this prompt (and you know who you are) feel free to post a repeat as well. This is my story from July 12, 2013 . Time flies, doesn’t it? Thanks to all who have hung with me for the past 6 years. I’d list them, but I’d be sure to leave someone out. Hard to believe this is the last Friday Fictioneers post for 2018! A HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL! Shalom, Rochelle

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

BRIGHT BLESSED DAY, DARK SACRED NIGHT

Life in 1907 New Orleans made Rebecca Karnofsy question the “land of the free”. As in Russia, they were still persecuted. Scapegoats.

After circling her hands around the candles, she recited the Sabbath prayer, ending with, “Omayn and Gut Shabbos.”

“Gut Shabbos.” Louis’ smile eclipsed his midnight-brown face.

“A fine boy.” Bernie patted his head. “Already he’s repaid my loan.”

One of the Karnofsky boys sniffed. “He just bought a dumb old horn.”

Eyes wider than wide, Louis jumped up from his chair. “Someday dis whole wonderful world gon’ hear my trumpet an’ know my name is Louis Daniel Armstrong!”

Young Louis Armstrong with his mother and sister.

Amen.

****

ANNOUNCING:

My Coffee Table book A STONE FOR THE JOURNEY is now available on Amazon KINDLE or Paperback. Hardcover is available at Barnes & Noble.com

The print version is also available on Amazon.co.uk. Amazon Australia and India have the Kindle version only. I’m not crazy about the formatting job they did on the Kindle, but it’s all there. 😉

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21 December 2018

Published December 19, 2018 by rochellewisoff

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Please be considerate of 70 or more participants and keep your story to 100 words. Thank you.

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.

Copyright – Adam Ickes

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Another week of reruns. This is a story I posted 5 years ago 13 December 2013 Click the link to see who was with us then. A few of you may have written a story for this prompt. If so, feel free to post your own rerun.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

UNEXPECTED GIFT, UNEXPECTED TIME

Charli’s hiking boots are caked with dried mud that defies my cleaning efforts.

From her first cry, I dreamed of dressing my firstborn in pink pinafores with ruffled lace. But, before she turned two, Charli made it clear she detested pink.

Since then, I’ve given birth to another tomboy and a son who happens to love pink. Go figure.

After the accident on her thirteenth birthday, the boots were the only part of Charli I didn’t sell, toss or donate.

I listen for the doorbell. In a moment I’ll meet the girl to whom I gave my daughter’s untamed heart.

14 December 2018

Published December 12, 2018 by rochellewisoff

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As always, please be considerate of your fellow Fictioneers and keep your stories to 100 words. (Title is not included in the word count.) Many thanks.

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.

Copyright –Douglas M. MacIlroy

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The holiday season is upon us and I find myself to be busier than a one-armed paper hanger. Between the mandatory gifting, my husband’s birthday the 15th, book signings/art shows, and working on a new novel that’s taking up quite a bit of head-space, I’ve taken the liberty to craft this dreadful run-on sentence and also to post some reruns this month. The photo and story are from December 14, 2012 Some may remember it. For those of you who wrote a story for this prompt, feel free to post a rerun. The photographer of this prompt has been MIA for a while, but I assure you, our disc flinger is alive, well, and happy.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

UNHOLY BONDS

Somewhere between “I do” and diapers Gavin’s winsome bride turned into a nattering, self-centered shrew. Everything he said or did she took as either an affront or lack of caring.

If he brought her flowers she accused him of seeing another woman. If he made overtures she accused him of treating her like a sex object.

Eventually he gave up trying to fix their relationship and escaped to his garage sanctuary.

One afternoon Lois stood over him, packed suitcase and their three-year-old son in tow. “I’m leaving.”

“Pick up a quart of milk.”

“For good.”

He smiled. Peace at last!

7 December 2018

Published December 5, 2018 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.

As always, please be considerate of your fellow Fictioneers and keep your stories to 100 words. (Title is not included in the word count.) Many thanks.

PHOTO PROMPT © Dawn M. Miller

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

JOURNEY TO THE FRONT OF THE ROOM

“Tell me ‘bout when you was a boy, Daddy.”

Henry hugged little Hattie, the baby of his thirteen children. “Last time I got sold I mighta been nine, maybe ten.”

“Play your banjo, Daddy.” Her huge eyes shone. “Please.”

“Only if’n you sings along.”

***

After performing in carnivals and minstrel shows, Hattie McDaniel set her sights on Hollywood.

In the 1940’s and 50’s the NAACP criticized the Oscar winning actress for her servile screen roles. She defied her accusers saying, “Until you offer a better alternative, I’d rather portray a maid for $700 a week than be one for seven.”

Going for a Read

Published November 29, 2018 by rochellewisoff

Although I’ve never met Dr. Paul Reeves face to face, I come to see us as old friends. Other authors who have interviewed with him say the same thing. He has a knack for making a person feel at home. A month ago, after the release of my long awaited coffee table book, A STONE FOR THE JOURNEY, he invited me back for a second go around on Dr. Paul’s Family Talk.

Dr. Paul Reeves

I hope you’ll check out all four books of the Trilogy.

After we signed off, he invited me to return to his show in a month to talk some more about the new book and to read a few of the stories. Again, we had much to talk and laugh about. Below is the week’s interview. The other two interviews can be found in the side bar to your right. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Here are the stories I shared:

23 November 2018

Published November 21, 2018 by rochellewisoff

Fun times with Russell Gayer at Ozarks Writers League Conference. November 17, 2018 (Not the prompt 😉 )

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As always, please be considerate of your fellow Fictioneers and keep your stories to 100 words. (Title is not included in the word count.) Many thanks.

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.

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Genre: Historical Fiction based on an actual survivor’s account.

Word Count: 100

PERSPECTIVES

Holding her granddaughter’s hand, Marta shut her eyes. “Doesn’t the water make a beautiful sound?”

Barely six, Segol fidgeted beside her. “It’s just water, Savta.”

“No. It sings the song of eternity.” Opening her eyes, Marta pointed to Segol’s new dress. “Your ema tells me you couldn’t decide between this blue one or the green one. She said you cried and cried.”

Segol hung her head and muttered. “Yes.”

“Such a choice. When I was six, I had to make a choice, too. Should I go with my mother to Auschwitz or flee to the convent? I cried and cried.”

***

Happy Thanksgiving this week to my American friends. I thought of reposting this story I shared 3 years ago. It’s a different perspective re Thanksgiving. The story is called “Keshagesh” which is a Cree word for “Greedy Guts.” Since many of you read and commented on it then, I’m just posting the link for the curious. https://rochellewisoff.com/2015/11/25/27-november-2015/

16 November 2018

Published November 14, 2018 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.

As always, please be considerate of your fellow Fictioneers and keep your stories to 100 words. (Title is not included in the word count.) Many thanks.

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Genre: Historical Fiction circa 1955

Word Count: 100

DEATH OF A NATION

Catherine Sunrise and her friend Douglas gathered stones called Apache tears to honor Old Mrs. Coonie’s passing.

Catherine waded into the stream to search. The ripples sparkled in the afternoon light. “Grandfather says she spoke fluent English, but I never heard her utter a word, did you?”

“Nope.” Douglas picked up a shiny stone. “She fought alongside Geronimo but ratted him out to the Cavalry. They rewarded her with 27 years in prison.’”

“Maybe that’s why she clung to Apache ways when she came home.” Catherine raised her hands. “Farewell, Dahteste, Grandmother Warrior. Soar on the spirit of the wind.”

CLICK

9 November 2018

Published November 7, 2018 by rochellewisoff

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Please be considerate of 70 or more participants and keep your story to 100 words. Thank you.

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.

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Genre: Hysterical Faction

Word Count: 100

ILLEGITIMI NON CARBORUNDUM*

At the beginning of my writing career, one of my mentors warned me. “The greatest thing an author can develop, besides a good story, is a thick skin.”

The reviews of my novels on Amazon have been mostly favorable—until yesterday.

“Amateurish,” the reviewer spewed. “Clunky. No story arc. The characters are caricatures.”

Paralyzed by the scathing words, I doubted everything I ever wrote.

“Pffft,” said my friend. “Every author’s received bad reviews and haters are gonna hate. You can’t take it personally.”

This morning I found two 5-Star reviews. Did my writing change? Guess I won’t quit just yet.

*Don’t let the bastards grind you down.

Here’s a page from my latest book A STONE FOR THE JOURNEY- the companion to Havah’s Trilogy