Our gracious host, Rochelle, is asking us to get
creative in 100 words or less using the photo
seen below. Welcome to Friday Fictioneers.
This is where the prompt took me.
Every morning, the same ritual. Coffee, fruit, juice, and Great-grandpa Ernest propped up on the iPad, presiding over the table like he always did. The old B&W photo was taken sometime in the ‘40s, brush in hand, squinting at whatever he was painting that day. Nobody remembered the painting but everyone remembered that squint.
He never owned a smartphone; wouldn’t have trusted it, anyway. But he would have had a good laugh at the idea of becoming a breakfast companion decades after his death.
Click. The photo was taken. Great-grandpa Ernest captured again, still squinting, still painting, and still there.
NAR©2026
100 Words
This is “Kodachrome” by Paul Simon
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Wonderful story. This sentence especially lends it a realistic tone: Nobody remembered the painting but everyone remembered that squint. Perfect detail.
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Thanks for wonderful comment. I think many of us have a family friend or a relative with a certain charming or quirky characteristic that’s difficult to forget. Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts.
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The Kodachrome song was a perfect pairing with your cool story (you do this so well)
Also, your story really let me feel the painter that was captured – so stately – in the photo – and this line resonated: “Nobody remembered the painting but everyone remembered that squint.”
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Yvette, thank you for what you said about the music; finding the right song to go with my stories is half the fun!
I love that line in my story and I’m very glad you picked up on it. I think Great-grandpa Ernest would be happy knowing how much he’s missed and how much of an impact he’s had on his family, even the little things that came so naturally to him. Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts.
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wishing you a great day and some virtual coffee ☕☕
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Dear Nancy,
A poignant story. We don’t realize how much we care about someone until they’re gone, do we? I’m flooded with memories these days of my sister-in-law who passed away in January. Thank you for a l;ovely read and a great song.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So very true, Rochelle. We experienced the same thing when my husband’s twin brother passed away very suddenly. There was ever a time in my husband’s life when he thought about his brother not being here; from the womb, he was such a constant presence. One day he was here and the next, gone. We can’t take anyone or anything for granted. Thank you for your gracious comments; I appreciate them greatly. My condolences on the passing of your sister-in-law.
Shalom
🕊️
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Oh what a lovely way to miss someone. I really liked what you did here. A sweet story
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Thanks for a very nice comment, Laurie. Much appreciated.
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Croissants and nostalgia, the way to start a day!
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Oui! N’oublie pas le café. ☕️
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A lovely little tale, Nancy. And I adore that song!! Perfect – got the vinyl.
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I’m so pleased to know that, Chris.Thank you very much
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like they say, a loved one continually lives for as long as we remember him.
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That’s a lovely sentiment plaridel. Thanks for sharing.
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Lovely nostalgic feel to this one!
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Thank you, Jen. Much appreciated.
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Very clever story- and an absolutely perfect song to g with it!
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Thanks! I really do love this catchy Paul Simon song.
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That’s how great-grandpa will always be remembered. What more can we hope for than be remembered? A lovely, and original, story, Nancy.
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Thanks very much, Dawn. It really does have a catchy tune, doesn’t it?
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Thanks very much, Gabi. To be remembered with fondness, love and a few good laughs. That’s what I hope for!
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Cute story, and thanks for the ear worm.
That always was one of those songs that would get stuck in my head.
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Love it!
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Thanks, my friend! A little touch of nostalgia. 📷
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Love this Nance – he was a great grandfather in mine too 😃
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I saw that, Ange, and I thought we might be going in the same direction, but we didn’t. It always amazes me how many different stories are inspired by the same image. Thanks so much, my friend. 😌
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Yes it is quite amazing where our thoughts wander 🩷🩷🩷
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I have a breakfast ritual too, but it’s nothing like that!
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Mine is nothing like this either! The last thing I want at my dining table is a phone or an iPad!
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Loved that movie. Love taking pictures. **click** 📷
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A match made in heaven! Thanks so much, Lois. 🎬 ♡
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Interesting take Nancy. Photo within a photo.
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Thanks very much, Sadje. This was an interesting image.
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It sure is !
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Nothing like a good old nostalgic family photo to warm the cockles of one’s heart, my friend.
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Yes indeed! Great music! For a long time, I thought this was a Pat Benatar song; good to see the video and hear this song again. Thank you, my friend. 🩵 🎶
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I’m old enough to remember Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome” released in 1973.
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Hahaha!! I remember songs from 1943! Thanks, James.
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A lovely thought 💜🐱🐱
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So glad you think so, Willow. Thanks so much. 💜
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a ghost of a ghost for higher dimensional hauntings?
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Works for me! Thanks very much, Neil.
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