Tara Rocks

Choices

Posted on March 19, 2026 by Tara Jo

As I stared at the road sign, I realized it seemed to mirror a decision I had been putting off for too long. The path I walked every day or turning down a new, daunting path.
The black arrow might as well whisper ‘Keep things the same, you know them, you are comfortable with them!’ while the crazy red arrow shouted ‘It is time for something new! Be bold! Explore!’

The black arrow was to remain the same; red, changing everything. I looked into my heart, then up at the sky and slowly eased the car toward the red arrow.

As always Rochelle has helped inspire me to exercise my creativity a bit. Thank you! and Dale for the great (and very confusing) picture for inspiration

https://rochellewisoff.com/2026/03/18/20-march-2026/

A Glimpse

Posted on March 4, 2026 by Tara Jo

The café window shimmered with the reflections, but something caught her eye. In the window’s reflection, the man sat alone with a coffee, head bowed, fingers tapping as if lost in thought. He looked familiar but she couldn’t quite place him, an old coworker or someone from college, perhaps. The man in the reflection looked up and met her eye. She turned to walk toward him and ask if they had met before. As she turned, she felt a cool breeze go by her arm and the table was empty. No coffee cup, no plate, no man in the chair.

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PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

Join me for some short story writing every week at Friday Fictioneers
https://rochellewisoff.com/2026/03/04/6-march-2026/

Posted in 100words, friday fictioneers | Tagged 100words, friday fictioneers | 11 Comments

Grama’s Tea

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Tara Jo

PHOTO PROMPT © Jen Pendergast

Grama’s custom tea blends and that little pot had been with me as long as I could remember, first on weekends and holidays at her house, then college, my first foray into adulthood. Every Friday, like clockwork, a small package arrived in the mailroom. I’d head to my room, start the water, and open it. She always knew what I needed: a pick-me-up after a bad date, comfort after a tough exam. No package was ever the same, but each one healed something invisible. Her teas weren’t just blends. They were love, wisdom, and care, steeped into every soothing sip.

Posted in 100words, friday fictioneers | Tagged friday fictioneers | 3 Comments

Summer Time

Posted on July 6, 2023 by Tara Jo

How many times have we discussed this, the tent, the chairs, everything has its place.

Why is there a chair in the trees?

No one has set up the camp kitchen!

The fire hasn’t even been set up, forget actually lit and ready to use.

Do you people even camp!?

And now we have to get out the bumbershoots because the rain has started.

But more importantly. No. Most importantly! The outhouse tent does not go this close to the living space! We are going to sleep and relax and fix meals right here!

This is just not right.

PHOTO PROMPT © AJ Wilson

Posted in friday fictioneers | Tagged 2023, friday fictioneers | 2 Comments

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Tara Jo

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister is a beautifully written celebration of the power of fiction to enrich and transform our lives. The novel follows nine diverse readers who are each impacted in unique ways by Alice’s debut novel, a work that shares her own struggles The characters include a teenager hiding a secret, a widower dealing with grief, and a free diver facing struggles of his own.

Bauermeister’s writing is evocative and heartwarming, as she explores the ways in which reading can offer solace, hope, and new perspectives to those who need it most. The novel is a testament to the enduring power of literature to connect us to one another and to the world around us, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression on any reader.

Overall, No Two Persons is a beautifully crafted and deeply moving tribute to the magic of literature. It is a must-read for book lovers of all ages and is sure to inspire readers to pick up their next great read. So, it is highly recommended.

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The time had come

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Tara Jo

She could see it across the yard, she knew she had to, but that didn’t make it any easier

She knew what waited, it wasn’t her first time heading to the shed
Every few weeks it was required of her, the expectation had been set for years

She slowly walked across the yard, dragging her feet through the grass listening to it swish against her converse sneakers

She slowly reached out toward the door, one last beseeching look toward her father, but no, he would not give way, she would have to get the mower and deal with the lawn

Join me for some short story writing every week at Friday Fictioneers
https://rochellewisoff.com/2022/08/31/2-september-2022/

Posted in 2022, friday fictioneers | 6 Comments

Family Recipes – Griddle Cookies

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Tara Jo

Griddle Cookies

You make these on a griddle, and the dough freezes well.

3 1/2 c sifted flour
1 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 c. shortening
1 egg
1/2 c milk
Cut shortening into dry ingredients, beat egg, mix with milk then add and stir til all ingredients are moistened and dough holds together.
Roll out to about 1/4 inch thin and cut with 2 inch cookie cutter
Heat griddle pancake hot, oil it lightly and place cookies on it. As bottoms brown tops puff up, flip over and brown other side. Makes about 4 dozen

Posted in cookies, cooking, family, familyrecipes | 1 Comment

I must explain

Posted on September 26, 2020 by Tara Jo

As she walked around the curve in the road, she slowed, dragging her feet through the gravel and dust.

She could handle it, she thought, the note weighting down her backpack. How would they react?

She knew if she could just explain first, they would understand why she had to do it. She HAD to do it; they must realize that.

As she neared the house, she could smell the garlicy sauce, she would make the spaghetti to go with the sauce, she and Grama did their best talking in the kitchen, it was going to be OK after all.

Join me for some short story writing every Friday at Friday Fictioneers
https://rochellewisoff.com/2020/09/23/25-september-2020/

Posted in 100words, 2020, friday fictioneers, writing prompts | 5 Comments

Final Notice

Posted on September 19, 2020 by Tara Jo

I hear the shuffle of steps below but can’t make out the quiet conversation. It is too late or maybe too early for visitors.
I slip out my window and look over the porch rail, but it is too dark with the streetlights shot out in the alley.
I’m not supposed to be out on the porch or have my window open at night, but it was hot and stuffy, my fan not working.
A crash and some shouts, then unnerving quiet.
I slip back inside.
As the sun comes up, I see the results of an ignored final notice.

Join me for some short story writing every Friday at Friday Fictioneers https://rochellewisoff.com/2020/09/16/18-september-2020/

Posted in 100words, 2020, friday fictioneers, writing prompts | 8 Comments

The store

Posted on September 12, 2020 by Tara Jo

She pulled against Mom’s hand as they walked down the street, eager to reach their destination. She had seen the sign as they drove by to setup their camp on the beach. The store had been there every year, but never open when they were in town for their yearly vacation. Her mom had finally agreed to let her go and spend the allowance she had been saving for months for this trip. All those summers of only being able to peek in the windows at the treasures inside!

Then the realization the sign did not say open after all.

loosely based on summer trips to the beach where i never got to spend as much time or money as i might have liked in the tourist shops haha

Join me for some short story writing every Friday at Friday Fictioneers
https://rochellewisoff.com/2020/09/09/11-september-2020/

Posted in 100words, 2020, friday fictioneers, writing prompts | 8 Comments