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After several days of traveling from Flintstone, MD, I am met in Canton, GA
by my host Hitty Jan and the Sixes Community Hittys.
I experienced an increase of about 20 degrees difference in the weather.
There is also quite a different dialect of
American English here. I'm sure the United Kingdom subjects would be alarmed
and say that the King's English is murdered in this part of the world. Even
the name Canton, is prounounced without a sound of the "t". It sounds more
like "Can't-nun". People use ya'll instead of you, and use "fixing to" in a
weird fashion when they are doing something. I've heard, "I'm fixin' to
start supper."
The Sixes Community Hittys are very friendly and excited about my stay here.
They all talk at once, and I have heard mention of places and people that I
will meet.
I will send further information as it plays out in Georgia. Meanwhile, after
our fixin' to supper, I have been told that I will retire in a new bed
straight from the workshop of John & Hal. Good night to all. HNB.

Nellie Bly arrived at the Sixes Community Hittys' home on Friday Dec.
7, 2007. I, Hitty Jan, would be the hostess to oversee Nellie Bly's
visit with us. All of us Hittys were waiting in the window for the
package with Nellie Bly inside. The package came, then we had to wait
for Celia to come home to bring it in and open it. We gathered around,
helping to open it, and out came Nellie Bly. I introduced myself to
her and to all - Hitty Rose, Sara, Brucie, Magnolia, Joey, and baby
Alle. We had tea in our house kitchen and talked until Nellie said
she needed to write in her journal, and get to bed, because she was
worn out from the trip from Flintstone, MD. I saw to it that Nellie
was comfortable in bed, and then left her to get some sleep. The rest
of us sat around the house talking about the excitement we felt with
Nellie Bly here.
Sincerely, Hitty Jan and the Sixes Community Hittys.

Today the weather was very warm in Ga.
Celia took us shopping at the biggest
store I have ever seen. It was in Woodstock,
GA, and the store was named Wal-Mart. Hitty Jan & I
had our picture made with a very friendly
Santa in the store. Celia told him that I had arrived from
Flintstone, MD yesterday. She explained
about Hitty Travel Dolls, and told him
my famous story of Nellie Bly from the early 1900's.
He was fascinated.
Later today we went to Canton where Celia &
her husband Kenny had hair cuts. I wanted to
try the chair that pumped up & went down. Deborah
thought I wanted my hair cut, but she realized
my hair is wooden. Hitty Jan & I watched from
the counter, and looked out the shop door at
the beautiful sunny and warm day.
Nellie Bly reporting from Canton, GA

Today, Hitty Jan accompanied me to the Mental Health Center in Cobb
County where Celia works as a counselor. I met her co-workers and some
of her patients. I decided to go through the intake process just for
the experience of treatment. So I signed in at the front window with
Ely, we sat in the waiting room, and I was called to be checked out by
the nurse Loyce, who took my pulse and listened to my wooden heart.
She allowed me to study their book of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), & get
very close to a injection needle. I was in an assessment with Celia,
in her office, and later watched her on the computer keyboard, and
discovered the fauna in her office window. I visited the Crises Line
Center and met Renee who was on a call. The end of the day came & I
was tired. We went by the nursing home to see Celia's mother-in-law,
Dottie, before coming home. Hitty Sara had her picture made with
Dottie (had hip replacement). On my next assignment, I meet family pets.
Faithfully yours,
Nellie Bly

Today I returned to Celia's office to complete the gathering of
information for my evaluation of the services for mental health.

I was seen by Clinical Nurse Specialist Jean, who evaluated me for
Medication. Her decision was that a wooden doll is happy just as she
is. I was happy for that decision! Then the psychiatrist, Dr. William,
MD, & I had a nice chat. He seems like a competent doctor. He was
interested in hearing my story, and then asked for the original Hitty
website, for his granddaughters, which I was more than glad to
provide. Nurse Marsha, then took me to her office for blood work
procedures. She discovered that my arm was to tough for a blood draw.
But she showed me her office dolls. I was thrilled to shake hands with
the Tin Man, and to ride her wooden carved dog. All the dolls were
hospitable, just like the people in the south have been.
I have enough information about the center now to compile my evaluation.
Will report during the week.
Faithfully yours,
Hitty Nellie Bly

Yesterday we visited Celia's friend Barbara, and got some beautiful
pictures. See me with Pharmacist Pemberton, who invented CocaCola, in
front of World of Coke, at the GA Aquarium, in Centennial Park, and the
CNN center. What a change news has made since I wrote for the World
Newspaper in NY, in 1900.
Yours faithfully,
Nellie Bly

Hitty Jan kindly introduced me to
the household pets at Celia's.
First Omar the Cat. "This cat hunts
nightly. You should see the animal
gifts he brings in. Once he even grabbed
for me," said Hitty Jan. "Thank goodness
someone saw that and saved me from his
sharp claws & teeth. Even though I did get
a small scratch." "He's a predator, so
do not try to get near him alone."
He looks gentle & sweet to me, but I know
how wild cats can be. So I will heed her
warning.
We then found Roscoe the dog asleep on
his bed. He awakened when we neared him,
but just gave us a glance. "Now here's the
sweet, gentle giant. He's getting old now
so he sleeps a lot. He would never bother
you."
I also wanted to have a special moment with
someone very special here - Baby Alle. This little
kidlet was carved by the same artist that carved
me as a wooden doll. We were both hand made by Michelle
DeValle. That gives us a unique bond.
I hope you all of my readers are enjoying my reports &
pictures from Canton, GA.
Faithfully yours,
Hitty Nellie Bly

It's raining & turning cold in N. GA
today. It doesn't dampen the Christmas
Spirit, though. Everyone is so happy
to have the rain, they are rejoicing.
Celia & Kenny are up early for a Saturday,
and cutting up fresh fruit to take to
Anne & Steve's for a party of old neighborhood
friends in Smyrna. I met a little girl, Abby, who
felt in love with me and Hitty Sara. She took
us around to meet folks at the party.
As usual, everyone was interested in me &
Hitty Sara. One reason is that everyone there
is an artist in one way or another. It's makes
a very close up look at us, and for most
interesting conversations.
Faithfully yours,
Hitty Nellie Bly

Today, Celia took my hostess, Hitty Jan & I to downtown
Atlanta to visit the home of Joel Chandler Harris in West End, and to
the apartment of Margaret Mitchell in midtown Atlanta, where she wrote
most of the material for her book, Gone With The Wind. Both of these
writers once worked as journalists for the Atlanta Constitution. These
visits were interesting to me, because I was also a journalist in
Pennsylvania & in New York.
The Joel Chandler Harris home is called the Wren's Nest, because he
had a wooden mailbox that wrens nested in. In the home, Hitty Jan & I
sat on the lap of Uncle Remus, and had our pictures taken with Brer
Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Brer Bear. Celia also took our picture in the
Harris home kitchen with our tour guide, Ms. Nannie Thompson. She has
been a guide there for 12 years. She got a kick out of our Hitty
heritage stories, and gave us some extra privileges on our tour.
In between going to the Wren's Nest and the Margaret Mitchell House,
we stopped for lunch at the world's largest drive up restaurant, The
Varsity in downtown Atlanta. Celia said she grew up eating there. I
think it must be an e-quired taste.
Soon I will be leaving Atlanta for my next stop on my travels. I will
miss the area because of the southern hospitality, and their
gentleness with visitors.
Faithfully yours,
Hitty Nellie Bly

And here she is. She was a bit stunned
to see us all standing around awaiting her.

Then Nellie got out her typewritter,
a hostess gift from Wonder Wizzy, to make notes about her trip

So Hitty Jan & I just watched Deborah
Cut Celia's hair.

From our spot on the counter

More pictures from Celia can be seen here. (Only hittygirls members can access this page.)

I am still traveling from Marietta GA where Celia put me on the USPS
trip north. I arrived in Atlanta last night, and from there I left for
WI.

While traveling I am remembering my visit with Celia's quilting friend
Barbara C, who lives and works in downtown Atlanta. Barbara is an
interior decorator. First I went to her home where Barbara & her
husband, Bill, showed me their interesting possessions. I sat under
their table Christmas Tree, in Barbara's child's chair with her doll,
in her high chair to see their big tree, in a beautiful blown glass
piece, in Bill's ship, and amoung their blue & white china collection.

I then spent the night in the doll house that Barbara's Dad made her
when she was a child. I had my own bedroom and bath. I took a bath in
her bathtub, and brushed my teeth over the sink. I put my journals on
the dresser beside the bed, and retired to bed for the night.

The next day, Barbara took me to her decorating office. Her office is
very near Centennial Park, and her views of the Atlanta Skyline are
magnificent. She then took me to the places around her office during
the afternoon. Celia had posted pictures earlier at the GA Aquarium,
the World of Coke, and Centennial Park.

We then went with Celia to Cumberland Mall, and I came home to my
hostess home in Canton. It was a very busy day & night. But the
accommodations were superb.

The weather is getting colder as we get closer to the USA Northern
part of the country. Surely I will be arriving in Monona soon.
I have heard that there is a snow storm coming there tomorrow. Let's
hope I am not stuck in a circling airplane before we can land. Oh me,
what if they close the airport, where I will be landing to go by land
to Monona. Who knows what adventures I may have before I reach
Kathie's home.

Faithfully yours,
Hitty Nellie Bly

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Dear Hittygirls...

Well, fortunately, my plane was able to land, as we came in last
night. This morning I was picked up by a postal bus and Mailman Mike
decided to deliver me early to the home of my hostess, Kathie. He
said he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to get up the hill if he
waited until the regular time of the mail delivery. Kathie had been
worried that with the dramatic change in weather, I would be nearly
frozen to death. Aha, but Hitty Jan and Celia had made sure that I
was snug and warm in a very nice little flannel sleeping bag,
complete with a pillow and all. My journey was quite comfortable.
I am off to take a rest right now, but I will be joining all of you later.

Sincerely,
Hitty Nellie Bly