The Cat Ladies of Halifax
The following is a personal story that I believe will make readers want to visit the cat ladies of Halifax Farmers Market and all the other vendors waiting there.
My Sister and Cats
My sister always had a soft heart for animals, especially dogs and cats. I don’t remember a period in her life when she didn’t have at least one of each. At one point, she owned two indoor cats, an outdoor dog, and was feeding 15 or 20 feral cats that had found their way to her. When she and her husband moved back into our family home, which she had renovated, only the two house cats came with her. She continued to trek back daily to her old place to feed the cats left behind until she could make arrangements for their relocation.
As she was advancing in years and caring for her husband, who had lost his sight, she focused on her two aging cats. The two cats passed away, leaving her without animals to feed. In February of 2020, her husband of 56 years passed from a stroke, and she found herself alone. But not for long. First, one cat found its way to her back door, and then a couple more followed. Soon, the door to her garage stayed propped open, and cat food was once again on her grocery list. I am not sure how many different cats found that open door over the next four years, but each one was welcomed and fed. At age 87 and in declining health, she made the trek from her kitchen door to that garage over 100 feet away twice a day to feed whatever cats showed up.
Late one Saturday afternoon last March, I stopped by to check on her, as had become my routine. By this time, she had given up driving, so I tried to check in daily to see how she was and if she needed anything. From the state of the house and her demeanor, something was obviously wrong.
She was hospitalized at UNC-Chapel Hill and was determined to have had a slight stroke. Over the next couple of days, she had all types of neurological testing, as her behaviors and conditions indicated more than a slight stroke. By Friday, her condition improved, and she no longer required hospitalization and was released to a rehab facility. It was while she was in rehab that I met two cat ladies at the Farmer’s Market in Halifax. Three months later, I met a third.
I Meet the Gemini Gypsy
I had planned a trip to the market in March to see some of the Master Gardeners I was working on a story about (see Spring Issue 2025). But I had gotten my Saturdays mixed up and went one Saturday too soon. This was a week after my sister had entered rehab in Hillsborough. Thwarted in my original purpose for this visit, I decided to look around. I wandered into a corner booth in the back and found cats everywhere – painted ones, not real ones. A voice called out, “Let me know if you see anything you want. This isn’t my booth, but I will be glad to take your money.” As I had the perfect gift to cheer up my sister in my hand, I quickly agreed to give her my money for the octagonal-shaped birdhouse covered in brightly colored cats. As she took my money, she introduced herself as Shelby and said to stop by her booth on the way out.
Shelby’s Story
Shelby’s booth is the first one on the right by the front door. As I passed it on the way in, I noticed many colorful pieces and representations of cats that had caught my eye. I could easily see how these brightly colored objects were created by the person in front of me. If I were to believe in auras, I would swear there was a bright, glowing light like sunshine emanating from her. She engaged my wife in conversation. As she works as a caregiver, chauffeur, companion, or whatever to meet the needs of those needing care, Shelby sensed my wife’s state as she continues her journey with PPA (Primary Progressive Aphasia). When we left her about an hour later, she had pinned a painted cat pin to my wife’s t-shirt – a simple act, telling me much about her.
A self-proclaimed doodler with no formal training, her first artistic endeavor was painting on denim while living in Colorado. She then spent several years in real estate, caring for her parents, and owning a vintage store on Main Street in South Boston. It was there, in that vintage store, on a rainy, depressing day in February that she created her painting Tears on Main: From Darkness to Light. She did it for herself with no intention of ever selling it. It was a dark, depressing day and evidently there was a leak in the building, for as the rain fell she painted with raindrops. Not as a gimmick to sell it, but as therapy for herself. She put it aside until days later when a lady asked if it was for sale and told Shelby how much she loved it. She sold the woman that painting and she was hooked. She realized that what was once her therapy and a cleansing of her soul had become a way to bring light to the darkness of others. Standing there surrounded by her whimsical, colorful expressions, I found myself smiling. In fact I can’t walk into that booth without smiling.
Rhoda’s Story
On the way from the back corner, almost in the center of the market, something else caught my eye. It was a circular piece of two cats in the yin-yang position. Already clutching the birdhouse, I thought this was a perfect representation of my sister and me. It was there that I met Rhoda. Rhoda doesn’t paint; she scrolls. Her booth is not colorful, as most of her pieces are in their natural wood tones, but she is very much the artist and skilled craftsperson.
When Rhoda’s husband, Mitchell, came home from Iraq in 2005, he needed something to keep his mind busy. His uncle did scrolling, making intricate and detailed curves and patterns in wood for jigsaw puzzles and decorative items. When Mitchell tired of it, Rhoda took over the scroll saw. When not working or taking care of their three kids, she would practice scrolling. The more she practiced, the better she became, creating more intricate and detailed products. Her booth at Halifax Farmer’s Market showcases her varied interests and incredible talent. Christian-themed projects and animals seem to be her favorites, but she definitely does not limit herself to these two.
Originally from Nicholas County, West Virginia, she and her family relocated to Halifax after a massive flood devastated their hometown. They found a new home here where everyone made them feel like family. Then, eight years ago, she found another branch of the family at the market. “Everyone in the market is family and some of the best people you could ever meet,” she said. Rhoda loves hearing people tell stories about the items they have purchased and given to others. I certainly love the puzzle cat she made. When you fit the pieces together, the cat appears to be walking. It has a special place on my desk and is very colorful, because Shelby painted each piece a different color. Visit Rhoda’s Creations on Facebook to see more of her work and read about her candy-making skills as well.
Prudence’s Story
On my last trip to Halifax, I met Prudence. But I already felt I knew her. At least I knew how much my sister liked that birdhouse and that it had brought her something bright in the darkest of her times. Prudence planned, arranged, and painted every inch of the birdhouse. Her booth in that back corner is an eclectic wonderland. Her paintings (she also does commissions) are like a big hug and balm to a troubled soul.
Hanging over the desk in her booth is my favorite piece. It is a diverse collection of faces with various skin tones, hair types, shapes, and sizes. In the center of the painting is what appears to be a blank space, but it is really a mirror. When you stand at just the right place, you find yourself in the painting.
Prudence has been painting since she was a little girl. For most of her adult life, she worked as an office manager while living on a small farm in Connecticut, where she also ran a small gift shop featuring her artistic endeavors. When she retired and moved south to Halifax, she was able to devote all of her time to her creative passions. She became a part of the market, and has grown to play a significant role in it. The back wall of the market is covered with a mural that she designed and painted. It contains 126 of everyone’s favorite cartoon characters. Everyone from Waldo to Mr. Potato Head to Casper and Buzz Lightyear waves to you from the wall. I can’t think of a more delightful way to spend some time on a Saturday morning than with a young kid looking for their favorite character and meeting the lady who put them there. Prudence also painted the designs on the floor in front of the mural. She says that she loves to paint anything and everything, and this is certainly borne out by the variety of things in her booth and featured on her Facebook page, “Paintings by Prudence.”
Prudence and Shelby also offer a variety of workshops on Sunday afternoons at various times during the year. More information is available by visiting them or by calling the Halifax Farmer’s Market.
For A Reason and For Life
These three ladies came into my life during its darkest time. I was seeing my only sister, my only sibling, going from hospital to nursing home. I knew I was losing her. Shelby enabled me to purchase the colorful cat-covered birdhouse created by Prudence, which made my sister smile. She enjoyed seeing it on her mantle at home and brightening a nursing home room. Rhoda created that beautiful yin-yang scrolled piece that perfectly represented my sister and me. She was able to enjoy seeing them sitting on her mantle for about a month before passing. My sister also made me promise to continue feeding her cats after she passed. Those may have been her last words to me.
Those two pieces remain on the mantle of her house, which is now mine, and maybe one day I will move there. But until that time, I will go out each day to feed her cats. I will go in and see those two pieces on the mantle and smile. It is sometimes a misty-eyed smile, but a smile all the same. I think of these three very special ladies who made my darkest time brighter. They are lights that came into my life when, at 76, I thought I had met all the special people in my life. They came into it by cats, but they will stay forever. Go to Halifax one Saturday morning and see for yourself. I warn you, though – be ready to smile and spend some money, because I know you will find something that just has to go home with you. Also, ask them to tell you why they have so many works relating to cats. They can tell their stories much better than I .
The Halifax Farmers Market is located on Main Street in Halifax. It is open year-round from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. This story focuses on just three of the vendors, simply because I spent so much time with these three that I never got around to visiting the others. But I will. And if you go hungry, The Majestic Barn can fill your bread and sweets needs. The dark chocolate raspberry scones alone are a reason to make the trip. Or take the bread and sweets home and have lunch at Vinny’s Italian Restaurant adjacent to the Market. The best lasagna within 200 miles. I think Garfield even eats there.
209 S Main St
Halifax, Va. 24558
(434) 476-2343
www.TownOfHalifax.com
