Thanks, Rochelle, for posting yet another photograph for our merry band to ponder then jot down the 100-word story that pops into our mind. I find I’m getting a little down in the dumps about the state of the world so I tried to go on the lighter side again this week. Thanks to all who read and comment. Cheers!
26 June
My Dearest Loraine,
No paper available. Using the flip side of a wine label.
We are stationed in Paris. Nazis everywhere.
Gregor is dead.
At least he died smiling.
Screams of the wounded are driving me mad.
Kiss the babies for me.
Love, Ted
Loraine shifts Barbara Sue on her hip. Kisses her baby-soft hair then reads the note for the fourth time, doing her best to make out what Ted had truly written.
Samuel tugs the hem of her skirt. “Mama?”
“Ah, Sam,” she says, “I fear the censors may have too much time on their hands.”
Up From the Ashes 
How very annoying, people reading and applying their own limitations to someone else’s communications. Good take, Alicia. Chin up! 🙂
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Thanks! This is a combination of some truth ~ Donn’s dad was in WWII and they actually ran out of writing paper and he used some very inventive ways to write to Donn’s mom and, although his letters weren’t censored, they didn’t say much more than “I miss you. I love you. Kiss the kids” because he couldn’t tell her where he was.
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Really enjoyed reading your imaginative take on the photo prompt!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks so much. Staying on the light side is kinda’ difficult for me even when things look bright. I appreciate your stopping by. Lish
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Very clever, Alicia, love what you did there
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Thank you for your comment and the interesting picture. I hope you’re staying busy in these crazy times.
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Ah! Redacted words… Very different take, Alicia.
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Thanks for reading and commenting.
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That made me smile
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Good! That was the point. Thanks for reading, Neil.
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Excellent, Alicia! The story really sold the prompt and vice-versa. But, I like how you got the message across. Very cool! Good to see you again.
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Ah, thanks. Good to be back. Since I’m not teaching nor taking a class on Wednesday morning right now, I plan to keep coming back.
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I just got back after two years, so, all this is fairly new to me.
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Good take Alicia. Amazing how unsuccessful the censors have been over the years – not once have they managed to stop a scandal emerging or a conspiracy theory developing.
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Right? No matter how hard they try. Thank you, Iain.
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Dear Lish,
These days it’s hard not to get a little down, isn’t it? Even when I think I’m doing just fine…At any rate I loved your take on the prompt.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know. Lately, I’ve been spontaneously seeping tears. And I’m definitely NOT a crier. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
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Bless you, Lish. Sending hugs.
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Wonderfully written. The letter feels very authentic – and so do the censor’s bizarre efforts.
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Thanks so much
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This was interesting, Alicia. I liked your take on the prompt.
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Thanks, Ted!
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So frustrating to be on the receiving end of such a kryptic letter, and with two small children distracting you in the process of trying to figure it out!
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Thanks for reading and catching the distraction of the children.
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You’re welcome, Alicia.
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Nice take. This reminds me of Catch-22 when Yossarian got bored censoring letters and played games with how he censored. He would pick out random words to censor.
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Gads! I’ve never read Catch-22. Must put it on my list. That’s exactly what this censor was doing. Thanks
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😲! Catch-22 is among my favorites. It’s a brilliantly biting satire. I highly recommend it.
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Geez! What kind of censors do they have? I love your take here. Very unique. 😀
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Ah, thanks!
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Coming soon to the internet near you (censoring).
Inventive way to tell a story.
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Right?
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I meant censorship like this may be the future of the internet, blacking out words. Anyway I liked the style of the story.
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Must have been hard to write anything of consequence with the censors reading every word. But then family at home got to hear the most important thing – they were alive and well enough to write. Well done Lish
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That’s very true. Donn’s father and uncle both ended up in Iwo Jima, one in the navy, one in the army. Donn’s dad would send letters home that basically said, “Love you. Kiss the kids.” Thanks for reading.
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Always my pleasure, Lish
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Ha, they didn’t leave much did they? 🙂
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I think this censor was just having too much fun. Thanks, Ali
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I feel you, Alicia. Even the most up upbeat persons are starting to feel rather ragged. Excellent and original take on the prompt.
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Thanks, Dale. The sad part is, I have nothing to complain about so I should just keep on keeping on.
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Doesn’t matter, Alicia. We all have those moments of sadness, worry, stress. The important thing is to acknowledge them and then move on. There will eventually be an end to this! Hopefully not too soon so that we don’t get a second wave…
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for sure, a lot of room for the imagination sort out. 🙂
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Thanks! Glad you stopped by.
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A snapshot of a different time that left the women at home with conflicting thoughts- putting on a face to be proud of their man for his contribution to the war and full of dread and fearful for his life.
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Well said, James. Thank you!
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I enjoyed this, Alicia, well done. The minutiae of war is often more interseting than the big stuff and certainly more pertinent to the ordinary soldier and individual waiting back home.
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Thanks, Michael. I do believe you’re right. Stay well. Lish
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Where’s Wikileaks when you need ’em?
I loved the format you used this week. A clever and innovative way to tell the story.
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Thanks, Russell!
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Censorship is evil in all its guises. It is a nebulous entity deciding what everyone else should know, and what they should think about it. This is such a good example of the lengths to which it can be taken.
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Thanks!
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Very creative and interesting too! No paper, censorship, confused communication. Well done. =)
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Thank you! I had fun with this one. Cheers.
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This is a really clever take using the old bugaboo of censorship during the war. I was also reminded of “Catch-22”!
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Thanks so much.
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I like the way Loraine is kept grounded by her two infants.. Busy, busy life – I hope her mom is around to help.
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I bet she is. Thanks, Penny
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