20 March 2020

Published March 18, 2020 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 © J Hardy Carroll

Green, not blue, click on the frog anyway. (You were expecting maybe poetry?)

A little snippet about Claudette Colvin not COVID 😉 Another woman history glossed over.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

WRITE ME DOWN IN HISTORY

“’Thy kingdom come…’” The fifteen-year-old girl huddled on the musty cot, gazing through jail cell bars. Her arms ached from brutal policemen’s hands, gauging and yanking. “’…Thy will be done…’”

“Stand strong,” whispered Sojourner Truth.

“You shall overcome,” sang Harriet Tubman.

Now in her 80’s, Claudette Colvin recalls that fateful Wednesday, March 2, 1955, when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white woman.

“If she’d been an elderly white woman, I might have given her my seat.”

Few know or remember it was a child who inspired Rosa Parks and led her people out of bondage.

*

CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE

13 March 2020

Published March 11, 2020 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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 © Ceayr

The frog’s not blue, but will be if you don’t click her.

Genre: Women’s History

Word Count: 100

FROSTED YELLOW WILLOW

“Wong Liu Tsong often played hooky from school to see movies at the Nickelodeon.” Lily Wu read her report aloud. “When she grew up, she changed her name to Anna May Wong and overcame many obstacles to become a famous film star.”

Tim Wu rolled his eyes. “If it’s a great Chinese actor you want, write about Jackie Chan.”

“It’s Women’s History Month. Now—one of Anna’s biggest disappointments came in 1935 when Hollywood passed her over for the role a Chinese woman in The Good Earth.”

“So?”

“The role went to a Caucasian actress. What’s wrong with this picture?”

*Frosted Yellow Willow is the literal translation of Wong Tsiu Tsong.

CLICK FOR MORE

6 March 2020

Published March 4, 2020 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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 © Roger Bultot

The frog is far from blue. Click him anyway.

Some of you might remember the following story. It’s a retread from the summer of 2014. When it came up in conversation recently, I decided it was time to give it another run. Different photo and some know the reason why. 😉

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

“There’s so much I haven’t seen, Mom.”

“It’ll keep. You’re only eighteen.”

“I’m a woman.”

“You’re still a child. The city will eat you alive.”

“It’s a full scholarship.”

Three months later, miles from parental scrutiny, Evelyn strolled into the Pratt Institute studio, virgin sketchbook under her arm.

She lowered herself onto an art bench, looked up at the statuesque model on a raised platform, held her pencil erect at arm’s length to calculate perspective and, with great relish, contemplated all that nature had bestowed upon him.

“Study hard,” her mother had said.

Evelyn smiled.

“I will, Mom, I will.”

28 February 2020

Published February 26, 2020 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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

Click the froggy if you can!

Another tribute for Black History Month. 😀

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

LA VAILLANCE

Pride filled Deborah as she put the finishing touches on her fifteen-year-old granddaughter’s costume. “You’ll be the spittin’ image of the courageous lady you’re named for. She was about your age when she danced her way out of St. Louis.”

Josie slipped into the sparkly garment. “Was she pretty?”

“Gorgeous. Mama saw her in the Ziegfeld follies in 1936. I got to see her in Miami in 1951. First time I ever sat next to a white lady. Miss Josephine Baker was my idol—black, rich and spoke French.”

“Tell me more, Grandma.”

“Sorry, sugar, Rochelle’s run out of words.”

***

Josephine Baker was a woman who defied being summed up in 100 words. At the age of 20 she took Paris by storm and starred in three French motion pictures. She spied for the French resistance and performed for the Allied troops in WWII. In 1963 she marched on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Denied natural offspring, she adopted twelve children of different nationalities and races, calling them her rainbow tribe.

CLICK HERE to watch a short video of her life.

21 February 2020

Published February 19, 2020 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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 © Dawn Miller

CLICK THE FLYING FROG TO JOIN!

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

February is National Black History Month in the States. There are so many amazing people, history ignored. I enjoy meeting people I should’ve learned about in school.

QUEEN BESSIE

Bessie surveyed the Waxahachie, Texas Fairground. She never dreamed she’d be performing in her childhood town. Shielding her eyes, she gazed up into the sky. The only place she could truly be free.

The entrance to the park read, “Whites Only.”

Head held high, pounding with indignation, she stormed through the gate and barged into the manager’s office.

“I didn’t go all the way to France to earn my license for this. Am I not the first colored pilot in America?”

“Yes, Miss Coleman, but—”

“If my people aren’t treated with respect, there’ll be no show. Understood?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

*Note: I call this fiction because, while I know the incident is fact, I don’t know the exact words Miss Coleman used to get her point across. 😉

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

CLICK HERE to learn more

14 February 2020

Published February 12, 2020 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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

Click the Frogs (who aren’t blue) to Hop Along

Genre: Histrionic Fiction

Word Count: 100

OVERDOSE

It’s an icy Missouri day that makes me want to swaddle myself in flannel, sip hot chocolate and watch ancient black and whites.

I flip through the channels. There. “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. Love me some Gary Cooper.” I settle in.

All at once, one of my favorite movie moments where Longfellow Deeds expresses his admiration for Mary Dawson is interrupted by a drug advertisement. An adorable toddler chases after an irresistible puppy while the announcer rattles off the possibly fatal side effects.

Aromatase inhibitors? Sulfonylureas? Cosentix? Eliquis? Methotrexate?

I’d walk a mile for an old fashion cigarette commercial.

*Note: I don’t know if this is a United States only lament but it seems there’s a new drug on the market every day. It’s not like we can go to the local pharmacy and get these without a prescription so I don’t know why we’re bombarded with annoying advertisements.

CLICK HERE for more info

7 February 2020

Published February 5, 2020 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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 © Ulrika Undén

For a good time, click the frog!

Genre: Nothing but the Truth

Word Count: 100

THE LITTLE OLD LADY FROM PASADENA

Growing up during the Great Depression, did Maurine Kornfeld figure she’d have already climbed the stairway to Heaven by the year 2020?

Like many Americans she retired at age 65. Although she never cared for swimming as a youngster, she joined a Masters Swim group at the YMCA to stay fit. Setting her first record at age 90, she was recently inducted into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame.

When asked her secret, she replied, eyes twinkling. “If you can’t outswim them, outlive them.”

“Mighty Mo” is my new hero. I want to be her when I grow up.

*

CLICK HERE to meet Mighty Mo

31 January 2020

Published January 29, 2020 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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.

JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT, CLICK THE FROG

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

In the Talmud it is written, “To save the life of one man is to save the world.”

TO SAVE ONE LIFE

Pain seared through the fifteen-year-old’s leg. “I’m so clumsy.”

“The snow is slippery. Needless to say, you won’t be dancing for a while, ma chérie.” The doctor’s kind eyes brimmed. “It’s a severe break. You need to be in hospital.”

“No, the SS—”

“Without medical care, one leg will end up shorter than the other.”

“Better to limp than be dead.” Huguette moaned.

“Then you’ll stay here—in my chalet.”

Today, Huguette is petitioning Yad V’Shem to recognize Dr. Frédéric Pétri of Val d’Isère as one of the Righteous among the Nations. Ken Y’hi Ratzon. May it be so.

To read more CLICK HERE. Thank you, Dale for sharing this with me.

No reason to include this video with this story. No reason.

24 January 2020

Published January 22, 2020 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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.

Click Frog and Enjoy!

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

TRIBUTE IN CHOCOLATE, VANILLA AND COFFEE

“Rose, try my new flavor. It’ll be a sensation!” Reuben Mattus scooped a white dollop into a bowl. “How fortuitous that my injection pump should malfunction.”

“Nu?” His wife looked up from her ledger. “It’s vanilla ice cream. You’ve been making it for over forty years.”

“Not like this.”

The dense confection sent shivers of delight through her. “Oy, you’re right.”

“What do you think of Häagen-Dazs for a name?”

“What’s it mean?”

He shrugged. “Nothing. But it sounds Danish.”

“Why Danish?”

“To thank Denmark for its kind protection of our people from that mamzer who called himself the Führer.”

CLICK to know MORE

10 January 2020

Published January 8, 2020 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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.

Click the Camping Frogs to Add your Link!

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

FREESTYLE INSOMNOLENCE

The clock beside the bed ticked. Zero-dark-thirty. 3:00 AM.

Sleep refused her while loons mocked. Ted snored away what remained of the night.

Snozzzz. Tick-snozz. Tick-tick. Snarzzzzzz.

“I give up!”

Elise slipped on her swimsuit and stepped outside. Campground lights reflected off the pool water. She dove in and swam until tension floated from her shoulders.

Ted snored his welcome when she tucked back in beside him. Deliciously drowsy, she checked the clock before drifting off. 5:00.

Two hours later, he shook her. Sun poured through the windows. “Hey lazybones, gonna sleep all day? How ‘bout a nice invigorating swim?”