* 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

* Nostalgic Sundays *

It's time for another Nostalgic Sunday.

Thanks to Toby Speed's blog post of May 19th, "Things I miss about the low-tech life", I've begun writing snail mail letters/note cards again. And, it was the inspiration for my Nostalgic Sundays, too.

When I was a young girl, I had lots of pen-pals. I loved writing and receiving letters. How exciting to open the mail box and find envelopes addressed to me. As an adult, I wrote to my mother, sisters, brother, friends, etc. when I lived out of the state or country. Shopping at a stationery store was one of my favorite things. The boxes themselves were lovely, and then all the varieties of beautiful paper: parchment, onion skin, papyrus, vellum....all with matching or coordinating envelopes. Some women love shoes. Some love purses. I love paper!

The note cards above are the three I've received in the past month or so. The one on the left is obviously a beach scene. Ahhhh, beautiful and restful. The one in the middle is Nurse J. Rosebeetle, a wheelchair and a cliff. It came from a box titled: Neglected Murderesses. (isn't that a hoot?!) And finally the one on the right is a handmade card with tissue/parchment paper art. (And Patti, I couldn't find yours at the moment. I apologize. I will blog about it later, ok?!)

So, on this nostalgic Sunday, if you would like to receive a handwritten note from me, just send me an e-mail with your mailing address, and I will be happy to write one! (my e-mail is on my profile page)

P.S. It didn't occur to me until recently that writing letters WAS writing! Especially since I write personal essays and memoir. So, I guess I have been a writer for many years...and didn't even realize it! And....although I did type this blog post and I do type 99% of my writing...I believe I can handle both centuries!

** Also welcome to my newest followers: septembermom and Jo W. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

“I can envision a small cottage somewhere, with a lot of writing paper, and a dog, and a fireplace and maybe enough money to give myself some Irish coffee now and then and entertain my two friends.” --

Lt Richard Van de Geer