While recently in Atlanta I went to dinner with the Belatti’s.
Dinner in Atlanta at the Four Seasons restaurant with my wonderful friends Frank and Cathy Belatti
Frank was the CEO of AFC (America’s Favorite Chicken, a company which also includes Cinnabon, Seattle’s Best Coffee and Popeye). He was on the G-CAPP board as Vice Chair for many terms and we became friends. He “retired” from the corporate world and now teaches classes at his beloved alma mater, Notre Dame (I spoke in his class at the very beginning). They are classes that prepare students to be able to teach and facilitate the establishment of microfinance projects in the Global South as well as low income communities in the U.S. They help people determine what sort of businesses are needed, how to get permits, financing, etc etc. Cathy Belatti helped start Women Build, a division of Habitat for Humanity that has women building homes for women. They are both special people.
While in Atlanta I took Vanessa, my grandchildren, Laura Turner Seydel (Ted’s daughter) and her 3 children, Laura Elizabeth, Vasser and John R, out to lunch at a most unusual restaurant…R Thomas on Peachtree St. I filmed John R’s birth and now he is about to leave for college in Denver where he wants to study business and biology in the hopes of helping to save the planet. Laura is an avid environmental activist and consumer advocate. Vassar is a varsity cheerleader. Enjoy the pictures.
*click photos to enlarge
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Reese Mitchell
What nice friends and I absolutely love the restaurant you guys went to. It have been so much fun and learning experience for the younger ones. Learning young how to respect animals is gift that ‘does’ keep on giving.
I’m glad you’re enjoying your life and sharing it with us, your fans. You be all that AND a bag of chips. All my Love, Peace and Chicken Grease. ♥
Carolyn Patterson
Such a fan of yours and this restaurant! On my list….
lyn
Lovely family you have there, I’m a great fan of yours , I do think you get treated unfairly ,you show courage, through this,being a animal lover my self ,love birds it, was especial delighted to see these photos.
bill starkey
john and Laura will have extreme challenge with seven Billion people reported yesterday…
Timothy Dougherty
Hello Jane,
That picture of the French Toast, does look like the best in the world.
“Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation” Someone once wrote. I feel the Joy of family is measured in the heart , or in your heart. I feel that for you family has been a place in the heart. Thinking on one of my favorite films “Places in the Heart” 1984 drama, and Sally Field won an Oscar for Best Actress. It is an emotionally affecting film about struggling through adversity and living with hope, and about family , it did connect the dots.
with love and care,
heatherleehusteadbailey
you are blessed!
Kendra
Hi Jane,
I know this has nothing to do with today’s blog but I just finished reading your book ‘My Life So Far’. I learned a lot especially about the Vietnam War which I didn’t really understand at the time since I was too young. I have to say that I thought your book was amazing. I actually miss not being able to read it anymore. haha It’s like missing an old friend. It’s funny how you can feel like you know someone when you’ve never even met them. I do identify with you in many ways and it is incredible how strong, capable & outwardly confident women can be such pleasers. I want to say that you are a very impressive person and kudos to you for being so candid in your book and also taking advantage of your status and celebrity to spread goodness in the world with your many causes. You are the real deal, Jane.
I do have to say that whatever you did regarding Vietnam that has been criticized is explained beautifully in this book and anyone who still has issues with you should READ IT. You really didn’t do anything wrong intentionally and I do believe that what you DID do intentionally or unintentionally made a difference in ending that war. It’s usually harder to forgive ourselves than forgiving others. But you’re right, forgiveness is one of THE most important and hardest things to do. I love the saying….Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person gets sick.
Being a ‘sane’ Christian, I was happy to see that you had become one (a sane one, haha). Assuming you still are, I want to commend you for being able to see the difference between the various man-made religious doctrines and the teachings of Jesus and the way the early church behaved. Jesus is really the only one to base this faith on. Unfortunately, there are so many people out there that give Christianity a bad name. It’s a stumbling block I deal with constantly when trying to explain my faith and own relationship with God to my friends who have been hurt by their church, religion or by individuals who claim to be Christians and have hurt them deeply in very un-Christian ways. Have you read any of C.S. Lewis’ books on Christianity? They are excellent. Anyhow, don’t want to come off like a Christian nut so I’ll stop now.
By the way, my mom said to me once when I was a teenager that “Jane Fonda is the best actress of our time.” That was in the 70’s. I understand why you don’t act anymore but we miss ya anyway. God bless you and keep up the good work.
E. Susan Davis A.
wow , you have very awesome looking family Jane … and you still are amazing !! so glad i started Pilates , im a newbie , but wow they work wonders … so happy for you indeed … God Bless always always , Elayne
deanna
Dear Janie,
Hello from Kansas.
Grands are the best!!!
Sweet Summer Blessings to you,
d
yone kegler
Grandchildren is one of the greatest Joy in life,and all of you who have it are the happiest and blessed people in the world! I will never know this happiness, as my only adored and beloved son, passed away in New York City in october 1993.I miss the grandchildren I will never have.But I enjoy see the pictures of you and yours! God Bless! Best regards from your fan in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.