* MY DEAR FRIEND, CATHY C. HALL... *

As I skimmed through Facebook this evening, I was shocked and saddened to read that my dear writer/friend Cathy C. Hall's husband just passed away. I am still in shock because I had no idea he was ill.

 

Cathy always referred to her husband, in both speech and writing, as "the beneficent Mr. Hall." I asked her a long time ago why she did that and she replied because he was such a compassionate and big-hearted guy....

 

In July of 2011, I had the pleasure of visiting with Cathy C. when I traveled to the Atlanta, Georgia area to visit family. Her lovely husband was kind enough to drive her quite a few miles to meet with me one afternoon. Cathy and I talked and laughed like we'd known each other "in person" for years and years. Although it was much too short of a visit, it will always be a favorite memory of mine.

 

 

I'm so glad I was able to meet "Joe-the-beneficent-Mr.-Hall."

He took this and a couple other photos of Cathy C. and me that day

 acting like our usual, normal selves!

(Oh, and she also brought along Cathy-on-a-Stick!)

 

 

I've included Joe Hall's obituary below:

 



Obituary for Joe Kenneth Hall

Joe Kenneth Hall, 63, died Sunday, June 19th after a brief illness. Joe is survived by his wife, Cathy, his brother, James W. Hall (Capricia Hall) of Cumming, and his three children, James Joseph (Joey) and Lane Elizabeth (Laney) of Atlanta and John Crider Hall of Sandy Springs.

Joe was born in Sandersville, Georgia and graduated from Washington County High School, before he received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at University of Georgia.

He had a life-long passion for music, and he pursued that passion through a ten-year career in radio as DJ, Dave “King Kong” Kelly. While working at WNEX in Macon, Georgia, Joe met his wife of thirty-six years, Cathy.
Joe left radio to work for TV Guide and moved to Lilburn, Georgia. He spent the next twenty-five years in magazine distribution, retiring recently as Director of Distribution and Marketing at CoMag with Hearst Magazines. He was kind and humorous and always put the well-being of his family before his own. He was an exceptional father, brother and husband who will be greatly missed.

There will be a Memorial Service to Honor and Celebrate the Life of Joe K. Hall at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Lilburn, GA, on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 11:00 AM. Fr. Sunny Punnakuziyil will serve as celebrant of the service. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel, Snellville, GA. In lieu of flowers, please remember Joe with a contribution to your favorite charity or St. Vincent de Paul

Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company, Snellville Chapel 770-979-3200 has been entrusted with the arrangements.

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." -- Anais Nin

* Nostalgic Sundays *

It's time for another Nostalgic Sunday.

Meeting Pen-Pals in Person for the First Time!

On my July 10th post, I wrote about having pen-pals when I was young, and how I've begun sending snail mail letters and note cards to family and friends again. It's been wonderful, too. There's something magical about grabbing mail from the mail box, and finding something other than bills and advertisements.....an envelope with my name and address handwritten on it! ☺

Well, when I was in the Atlanta area last week, I had the extraordinary opportunity to meet some "pen-blog-pals! I can't say enough about how much it meant to me for these wonderful gals to drive quite a distance to come and see me. And on top of it all.....they brought gifts! Whew...thank goodness I thought to do the same!

First I had lunch with Linda from A La Carte and Sandie from Chatty Crone.

I'm on the left, Linda is in the back right, and Sandie in the front right.

We had a marvelous time at Ted's Montana Grill (owned by Ted Turner).

We talked and laughed as if we'd known each other for years!

Sandie gave me this adorable Santa ornament! She remembered about my small collection of statues of people/critters holding books. How thoughtful! She also gave me a package of scrumptious Ghiradelli Twilight Delight! Yum! (I shared these with family, so there wasn't any to bring home!)

Linda presented me with a lovely journal on the left, and the book on the right.

I began reading "Lost & Found" while still in Georgia, since I'd just finished reading "Best Staged Plans" by Claire Cook. (very cute book and good summertime read!)

"Lost & Found" begins with a tragic event. That's about all I know right now! I've been in such a constant writing mode, I haven't taken the time to read. I'll have to start fitting that into my schedule!

After lunch was over it was time to say goodbye to Linda and Sandie, and meet up with my other two pals from the area: Miss Cathy C. Hall and Lisa Ricard Claro. We were to meet at the same place (talk about making it accommadating for me!) and Cathy arrived in time to meet L & S before they left. Unfortunately, Lisa was stricken with the flu and had to stay home. Although I was disappointed to not meet her, I certainly understood and was so sorry she was sick.  (I'll be down South again sometime, Lisa!) Cathy and I went over to Chik-fil-A and I had to have one of their luscious peach milk shakes...yummy! (Don't even talk to me about calories!)

Here is Cathy with her ever present, Cathy-on-a Stick!

Cathy's hubby, the Beneficent Mr. Hall, took some photos of us. These are the only two we didn't have to pose for. These are the real us.

And here we are....posing!

Cathy brought along a couple of awesome presents that were from both Lisa and her.

Who doesn't need and want a Redneck Dictionary?? I didn't have one yet and here it's Volume III already. Cathy inscribed it, "Becky, may you always talk (and write!) gooder than anybody!" Wow, Thanks, Y'all! Also, these lovely linen napkins are just perfect. They are hand-embroidered, too, not by a machine. I think I might display them on my dining room wall. I'm not sure yet.

I can't say enough about how wonderful these women are! Yes, you too, Lisa! ☺

I feel as if we've all been friends for years and I'm truly grateful to know them.

I'm feeling nostalgic already.... 

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." -- Anais Nin