WOOLGATHERING

Published February 2, 2019 by rochellewisoff

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in the comments.

Word Prompt

Thank you, Sammi Cox for this word prompt challenge that keeps sending me down Memory Lane. 😀

My 4^th grade teacher, Mrs. Smith, scrawled a big question mark on my report card next to “pays attention.”

“Wool-gathering in class.”

Once upon a time…

I’d retreat to my happy place

and tell myself stories.

*****

Mrs. Smith was one of my favorite teachers. Although I’m sure I frustrated her with my messy desk and my daydreaming, she never belittled me. I remember her with great fondness. ❤

HELTER-SKELTER

Published January 26, 2019 by rochellewisoff

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in the comments.

Thanks to Sammi Cox for the challenge.

HELTER-SKELTER

When I decorated retirement cakes in the bakery I dreamt of ocean cruises or relaxing strolls in the park.

Three years ago, I walked out of said bakery for good. I don’t miss the helter-skelter of appeasing fussy customers. Nor do I miss genuflecting before managers who expect the case to be filled with twelve dessert cakes, fifteen flowered sheets and thirty dozen cupcakes in five hours—by one decorator.

Retirement has given me more time to devote to painting and writing, to facilitate a blog challenge, enter art shows, sign books and serve on a writers’ league board. I’ve no complaints, mind you. This kind of helter-skelter is my passion.

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

Unnecessary Bakery Uniform

A recent watercolour.

25 January 2019

Published January 23, 2019 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.

I must make mention here, that in the going on 7 years I’ve hosted Friday Fictioneers, this is one of the few Ted actually sent for use as a prompt. Usually I just ‘borrow’ them (with express permission, of course. 😉 Thanks, Ted. 😀

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

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Genre: Historical Faction

Word Count: 100

MCMLIII

“What’s so special about 1953?”

For one, Bob Wisoff bought his first car. A ’53 Chevrolet Bel Air.

September 4, he and Evalyne welcomed their second child.

On the same date, West Indian native, Clothilda Jacobs delivered her 5^th child, Lawrence. It was the twelfth day of New York’s longest recorded heatwave.

The Chevy is long gone.

Lawrence went on to delight audiences as Sweathog Freddy “Boom-Boom” Washington with a cocky grin and, “Hi there.”

Bob’s daughter, Rochelle, married and raised three sons. She still creates art, literature, and, occasionally, a bit of havoc.

It was a very good year.

FURROWED

Published January 19, 2019 by rochellewisoff

Once more I’m participating in Weekend Writing Prompt. For instructions on how to join the fun, click HERE. Thank you, Sammi, for something different to challenge and fire the imagination. Today’s mother’s reflection is brought to you by the word:

Do you believe in love at first sight?

I do.

I believed it then.

I believe it now.

When you curled your tiny fingers around mine

You furrowed an unfathomable trench in my heart

That has only deepened with time.

This was taken several winters ago when school was called on account of snow.

18 January 2018

Published January 16, 2019 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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Ever have one of those weeks where the prompt doesn’t spark a single viable idea? No thesaurus in the world can help. We all have them. Here’s the result of my brain freeze.

Genre: Hysterical Fiction

Word Count: 100

STREAM OF UNCONSCIOUSNESS

To Whom it May Concern,

I cannot write today. My imaginary friends won’t speak to me. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. Mine are broken. All the duct tape in the world won’t put Humpty Dumpty back together again. The face in the mirror is blank. No reflection on you, of course. Have I reached 100 words? Nope. Thirty-three and a third to go. That’s an LP you know. They were vinyl CD’s back in the days before stereo was king. And nothing rhymes with orange. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Shalom,

Rochelle

SILHOUETTE

Published January 13, 2019 by rochellewisoff

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in the comments.

Many thanks to Sammi for the prompt.

These word prompts seem to be taking me down Memory Lane.

Remember those school projects meant to be gifts from students to their parents? Black cutouts on white paper.

How old was he? Eight, maybe?

I shake my head in wonder. How did his teacher manage to make him sit still enough to draw his silhouette?

Staring at the crumpled keepsake, carelessly tossed in a drawer, I’m in awe of the man he’s grown to be.

Note – The picture is clip art and not my son. In fact I have three sons. These 65 words apply to all three of them. 😀 Shalom.

FOUNDATIONS

Published January 5, 2019 by rochellewisoff

Last week I joined Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt Challenge on whim. After all it was only 17 words. This week it’s 91. The word is ‘Foundations’ which stirred a memory for me.

For the rules and to join the fun CLICK HERE

***

FOUNDATIONS

It was the required course at the Kansas City Art Institute. In 1971, three instructors, Al, Steve and Jim presented freshmen with new ways to think about art.

Foundations.

I found Jim austere and intimidating.

Steve, who had an easy smile, bummed cigarettes from those who smoked.

In one memorable class, Al stripped before his stunned pupils. Straightaway he redressed. To this day I’m not sure what I was supposed to learn from the experience.

In retrospect, I don’t believe I had a clue. I’m not sure I have one now.

4 January 2019

Published January 2, 2019 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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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 Friction

Word Count: 100

PILLAR OF FAITH

“Hurry, wife. The city’s crumbling around us.” The aged patriarch bent to fasten his sandals, and straightened with a groan. “Oy. I’m too old for this.”

“Do you prefer the blue tunic or the beige?” She held them up. “I think the blue brings out my eyes.”

“Woman! Are you meshuga? An angel warns us of the incoming wrath of God and you’re concerned with clothes?”

“No fashion sense.” She rolled her eyes. “You really believe this judgement mishegoss, don’t you?”

“Don’t you?”

“Angel shmangel.” She shrugged. “Lot, my love. I take everything you say with a grain of salt.”

*For those unfamiliar with Old Testament Bible stories, when God delivered Lot and his family from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the angel had instructed them not to look back. Lot’s wife did and turned into a pillar of salt.

***

ANNOUNCING:

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

I’m not crazy about the formatting job they did on the Kindle, but it’s all there. 😉 I’ve yet to see the paperback version so I reserve opinion. Nor do I understand why the paperback and hardcover are the same price.

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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

Weekend Prompt #87 -Ignite

Published December 29, 2018 by rochellewisoff

It’s all Dale’s fault. She’s been doing this challenge for a while now. I thought, “17 words, I can do this, right? Of course right.” If you’d like to try it, it’s led by Sammi Cox