11 October2024

Published October 9, 2024 by rochellewisoff

he 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 © Mr. Binks

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THREE STEPS AND A HOP

Ettore patted Jerry’s head. “How’s it going small fry?”

Twelve-year-old Jerry squared his shoulders, stretched to his full four-foot-three-inches, glaring up at his six-foot-tall eighteen-year-old brother. “Who you calling ‘small fry’?”

The youngest of eleven siblings, he’d always be the shortest.

Over the years his lack of height served him well as an actor and a stuntman. His hand and footprints appear in front of the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

Puffing on his cigar, eighty-year-old Jerry Maren reminisced about his part in The Wizard of Oz. “Great times. That mangy mutt made better money than us Munchkins did.”

4 October 2024

Published October 2, 2024 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 © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

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Genre: Science Fiction
Word Count: 100

GORT! KLAATU BARADA NIKTO!

My brother has always had a vivid imagination and a penchant for fabricating tall tales. This time I thought he’d gone too far.

“Too many sci-fi comics, kiddo,” I said. “If extraterrestrials had arrived on this planet, it would be all over the news.”

“I saw their spaceship land. They’ve set up weapons of mass destruction.”

At his insistence, we hiked to the site where I expected to have the last laugh. But now both of my hearts stand still as I watch the two-legged creatures in shiny suits lumber about their craft.

“Perhaps they come in peace,” I whisper.

And just for fun:

27 September 2024

Published September 25, 2024 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

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Genre: Histrionic Fiction
Word Coutnt: 100

TWIXT WOOD AND LAUGHTER

Mae West said I was all wood and a yard long. Don’t remember her? Use your little fingers and do a Google search. That is, if you’re smart enough to use a computer.

(And they call me the dummy).

I don’t say much these days. I just watch the passersby at the Smithsonian Institution. I miss my buddy, Edgar who passed away in 1978. He treated me like a son. Some say he treated me better than his own daughter. To be fair, he only included one of us in his will. I’d be upset, too, if I were her.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Edgar Bergen

20 September2024

Published September 18, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox

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The following is a repeat and if you remember it, bless you. It means you’ve been on board the FF bus for seven full years! 😀

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

RADIUM DIAL

“Jinny was barely growed. 1914-1934” Her lower lip quivered as she traced the dates on the headstone with a frail finger. “She earned $17.50 a week painting them glow-in-the-dark clock numbers.”

Wind gusting across St. Columbus Cemetery chilled me. “Let’s get you home, Mrs. Abbot.”

“Not yet. I want you to see.” She seethed and brandished a Geiger counter probe over her sister’s grave. “Jinny took sick. Strange. Her jaws done crumbled. Died like the other girls at her factory. The doctors made lame excuses. Damned liars is what they was.” The machine sputtered. “That sound like Diphtheria to you?”

To know more…lots more CLICK HERE.

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13 September 2024

Published September 11, 2024 by rochellewisoff

Please, please, sign your comments! Most of your names are coming through but there were at least five last week that were marked “Anonymous.” I really like to know to whom I’m replying. 😀 Thank you for your participation and reciprocation. 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 PROMPT © David Stewart

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THE BOX HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD

Dale folded a blanket and laid it in a box of linens. “I hate moving.”

Rochelle taped the top of another box and labeled it Bedroom with a marker. “Ever wonder who invented them?”

“Invented what?”

“Cardboard boxes.”

“No.”

“Robert Gair, who came to the United States in 1853 from Scotland on a ship by himself. He was only fourteen at the time. Can you imagine what that must’ve been like? Later he fought in the Civil War and after that, he worked in a paper factory.”

“So how did he invent the box?”

“Sorry, I’m fresh out of words.”

CLICK for a lot more about Robert Gair

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It’s still summer! 😉

6 September 2024

Published September 4, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

AND THEN ALONG COMES MARY*

“Papa, where’s Baby Abigail?” asked four-year old George.

Despite his success in business, Colonel Zadock Pratt had little success in marriage.

After a few months, his first love, Beda had succombed to consumption. He’d then found solace in the arms of her sister Esther, only to lose her two years later.

Zadock sat his son and two-year-old daughter Julia on his lap.

Seven years with their mother (Abigail Sr.) had not been long enough. She had passed away three months before, ten days after giving birth.

Heaving a tearful sigh, Zadock whispered, “Baby Abigail’s gone to heaven to be with your Mama.”

*Note: A year later he married Abigail’s sister Mary. 😉

There’s so much out there about Zadock Pratt’s life that boiling any part of it down to only one hundred words was quite the challenge. CLICK HERE for more.

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30 August 2024

Published August 28, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox

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Genre: Anecdote
Word Count: 100

GLASSMITH

Charles was a glassblower at the amusement park called Worlds of Fun where I spent a summer as a caricature artist. I loved to watch him create his glass menagerie.

Years later I visited his shop in a local mall.

“Such beautiful work,” I said. “You’ve only gotten better.”

“Are you still drawing?” he asked.

“Of course.” Then, I saw a figure on a shelf—a dancer. “I’ve sketched her many times! I must have her.”

Instead of selling me that one, he crafted another on the spot—just for me.

Her fluid choreography will forever grace my whatnot shelf.

23 August 2024

Published August 21, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE GOOD LIFE

Kneading the dough of his latest creation, Cato gazed at Salonia. No longer a slave, but his young wife, great with his child. She had been his solace after the death of Licinia. It was hard for him to believe he would soon be a new father at the seasoned age of eighty.

“What are you making, husband?” she asked.

“I call it Placenta.” *

She took a deep breath through her nose. “An aroma fit for the gods. You are a marvelous cook, Cato. What’s in it?”

“Cheese, ground spelt, wheat, and plenty of honey. As sweet as my bride.”

*Pronounced pla-CHEN-ta and has nothing to do with afterbirth. 😉

Here’s a link to the RECIPE et al

To know more about the man CLICK

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A REVIEW TO RELISH

16 August 2024

Published August 14, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

HEART OF GOLD WITH A SHMEAR

Bronia loved Kansas City. Who would have dreamed she would have such a home and business.

She loved her customers at M&M Bakery and never forgot a name.

“Do you hate the Germans?” People would ask her.

“You cannot condemn a nation. What will hate give me? I’d be a miserable, bitter person.”

One afternoon, a man burst into her deli wielding a gun. “Give me all your money or die!”

Undaunted, heart racing, Bronia stuffed a donut in his mouth. “You think I’m afraid? Hitler couldn’t kill me. No robber will kill me either!”

The would-be thief fled emptyhanded.

A bit more about this amazing woman and her legacy:

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9 August 2024

Published August 7, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE GOLDEN GOOSE

Clarabella climbed onto Alfred’s lap. “Tell me about Jacob, Grandad.”

“I was a lad in 1842, not quite nineteen, serving with the Coldstream Guard in the Canadian colonies. One of me mates had rescued a goose from a fox whilst on sentry duty. After that, the bird made himself quite at home, so we named him Jacob.”

Clarabella clapped her hands. “One night, Jacob spied some French rebels sneaking through the snow to attack. He squawked and flew at them. Your regiment showed their gratitude by making hiim an officer.”

“I’ve told you this story before, haven’t I?”

“O-Yes, Grandad.”

Some things you just can’t make up. CLICK HERE to meet the real Jacob