8 December 2023

Published December 6, 2023 by rochellewisoff

Dear Friday Fictioneers,
Our Word Press woes continue to challenge us. Some report not being able to comment on some posts at all. If you think you might be missing someone’s comments, check your spam or trash folders. I’ve found quite a few in mine. Also, many of my commentors are showing up as “Anonymous” or “Someone.” If there’s a doubt, please identify yourself. Sorry I can’t be of more help in these situations. I’m merely a user, not a tech. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle

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PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

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Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100

SOLE OF A WOMAN

Growing up in the Amish community, Rebecca had adhered to the strict dress code without question. During the warmest months she and her fourteen older siblings went barefoot.

She learned to eschew the worldly clothing of the English.

“Their ways are evil,” Papa intoned as he slipped his hand under twelve-year-old Rebecca’s skirt.

At sixteen, she left home with nothing but the simple cotton frock on her back, plain black oxfords on her feet and recurring nightmares in her head.

Today Becki’s a fashion designer. Her flamboyant wardrobe boasts every color, and her favorite shoes are red-sequined high heel pumps.

1 December 2023

Published November 29, 2023 by rochellewisoff

Dear Friday Fictioneers,
Our Word Press woes continue to challenge us. Some report not being able to comment on some posts at all. If you think you might be missing someone’s comments, check your spam or trash folders. I’ve found quite a few in mine. Also, many of my commentors are showing up as “Anonymous” or “Someone.” If there’s a doubt, please identify yourself. Sorry I can’t be of more help in these situations. I’m merely a user, not a tech. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle

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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 PROMOT © Fleur Lind

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Genre: Speculative Fiction
Word Count: 100

ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE

Couched in complacency, we never saw it coming.

The first few hours weren’t bad. We figured the electric company would remedy the problem while we enjoyed sandwiches by candlelight. Breaking from social media to actually communicate was nice.

After a month we were still in darkness and the grocery shelves were bare.

My car with its solid-state circuit for a brain is a useless hunk of metal.

Local doctors are at a loss to treat the simplest ailments.

Real books are in demand.

We’re learning to live off the land, but the internet is dead and silence is deafening.

24 November 2023

Published November 22, 2023 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

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This week in the USA we celebrate the holiday known as Thanksgiving, which is usually characterized by watching parades, football and eating oneself into a coma. On that note, I want you all to know how thankful I am for you who participate in Friday Fictioneers. Some of you were part of the challenge before I joined. Some of you are newbies and others fall somewhere in between. A hearty THANK YOU, MUCHAS GRACIAS, DANKE SCHÖN, MERCI, MARAMING SALAMAT, TODAH RABBAH to all of you.

Genre: Anecdotal Fiction
Word Count: 100

DAUGHTER OF VOICE

For two years I saved to travel to the Holy Land where I dreamt of walking in the footsteps of the great Bible prophets.

After five days of touring ancient ruins and being dragged into schlock shops, I’d had no transcendent revelations and didn’t feel any closer to heaven.

On the sixth day I encountered the violinist. No crowds gathered around her, yet she performed with captivating passion that would’ve humbled Paganini. I dropped several coins into her open case. And there…

…in Jerusalem’s Cardo, amid patrons and peddlers, I came face to face with the unpretentious countenance of God.

17 November 2023

Published November 15, 2023 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

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Genre: Fiction
Word Count: 100

DEFENSE MECHANISM

Elise hated it when her parents fought. Daddy would say the most horrible things to Mommy.

Elise would hide. Shutting her eyes tight, she would make up stories in her head.

When she was seven, she would imagine herself in lead roles in her favorite TV shows like Bonanza or Dr. Kildare.

Elise grew up. Mom and Dad continued to shout at each other. Elise no longer felt the need to crawl under her bed. She became quite adept at hiding within the confines of her own mind.

Elise moved out.

Her parents passed away.

Today Elise is an author.

10 November 2023

Published November 8, 2023 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © David Stewart

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November 9 marks the 85th anniversary of the pogrom known as Kristallnacht or Night of Broken Glass. It’s hard to capture the horror of it in a mere one hundred words. Could it happen again?

Genre: Hysterical Fiction
Word Count: 100

WASH. RINSE. REPEAT.

“Tomorrow is November 10^th, and I will be six.” Shifra kissed Papa as he tucked her in. “And all my friends will bring presents to my party.”

“Sweet dreams, my birthday princess,” said Mama.

Without warning a brick crashed through the window. Mama shielded her from shattering glass. Trembling in terror, Shifra clung to her.

Papa looked outside, tears streaming. “They’ve set the synagogue on fire!”

****

October 7^th. A month shy of her ninety-first birthday, Shifra clung to her great-grandson. Outside she heard the screams all over the Kibbutz. Trembling, she bowed her head and braced herself for another Kristallnacht.

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.

27 October2023

Published October 25, 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 © Lisa Fox

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Good news! I finished the recent round of edits for my upcoming novel, LAST DANCE WITH ANNIE. Not so good news. I really couldn’t come up with anything new this week. So, as not to leave a blank spot on my blog, I repeated a story from 2017. Thank you for your understanding. 😉 BTWm this week marks my eleventh year as FFFacillitator. 😀

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME

“No, Poppa, don’t fence me-e-e-e i-i-in,” sang Ellen Cohen, her pudgy hands on her swaying hips.

Bess marveled at her seven-year-old daughter who looked at home under the bright lights. “Imagine, Phillip, our little girl at the Hippodrome.”

“Kate Smith couldn’t sing it better.” He grinned. “Today Baltimore, tomorrow Hollywood.”

After the show, anger drilled Bess when a stranger pinched Ellen’s cheek and said, “What a voice. Too bad she’s,” the woman lowered her voice, “on the zoftig side.”

The future Cass Elliot stuck out her tongue. “Someday I’m going to be the most famous fat girl in the world.”

*****************

Ellen Naomi Cohen aka Cass Elliott
September 19, 1941-July 29, 1974

20 October 2023

Published October 18, 2023 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100

HATIKVAH

Hoping for safety in the bomb shelter, Adeena closed her eyes and prayed while missiles exploded overhead.

Stories of butchery filled the airwaves. Whole families had been murdered in their homes.

Adeena’s thoughts turned to her Savta who had come to this land as a young woman after surviving Ravensbrück and Bergen Belson. She and Saba had risen above the horror and made a life for themselves and their children on a Kibbutz.

Murmuring the words of the Kaddish, Adeena’s heart ached for her grandmother, slaughtered only yesterday while cradling her newborn great-grandchild.

“Never again,” Adeena whispered, “is happening now.”

Hatikvah means “The Hope” and is the title of Israel’s national anthem.

13 October 2023

Published October 11, 2023 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Non-Fiction
Word Count: 100

ON THE EDGE

She stands on the edge of the pool, her head filled with the events of the weekend. Terrorism. Rage. How long can her world exist?

Securing her goggles, she calculates the distance. Twenty-five yards each way. Fifty yards is one lap. Thirty-six laps equal one mile.

Earlier this morning she messaged her cousin who has been in and out of bomb shelters, sleeping in her street clothes.

Reports of atrocities bombard the internet and fill the swimmer’s head. Life goes on as planned on this side of the planet.

She dives in, and for a while, she’s immersed in peace.

6 October 2023

Published October 4, 2023 by rochellewisoff

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Dear Friday Fictioneers,
Lately some weird things seem to be going on with Word Press. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been receiving “anonymous” comments that I’m pretty sure are from other Friday Fictioneers. In fact, my own husband’s comments show up as anonymous. So, when you leave a comment you might leave your name. 😉 And a few other comments consistently go to my spam or trash folder. Chances are if you leave a comment that disappears, that’s where it went. Very frustrating.
Shalom,
Rochelle

On that note, here’s my story. If it looks familiar, it’s a rerun from six years ago. 😉
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE MANLY ART OF GIVING

The bars clanked behind me. My pulse thudded in my ears.

My first interviewee, a hulk you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley, put me at ease.

“It gives ya peace of mind.” DeShawn looped pink yarn around his sausage-sized fingers. “This gonna be a blanket for my niece.”

Several tough-looking inmates showed off scarves and hats they’d made for inner city kids for Christmas.

“It don’t change what we done, but I hope it makes up for some of the hurt we caused.” DeShawn’s ebony eyes gleamed. “Every strong man should have a pair of knittin’ needles.”