Author Archives: sandrapaldrich

About sandrapaldrich

Sandra P. Aldrich, author and popular speaker, loves the Lord, family and all things Appalachian. Isaiah 41:9-10

When You Don’t Want to Smile

Posted on June 16, 2016

            March 12, 1963–Cumberland River Flood, Harlan County, Kentucky  I left for the airport in plenty of time, but I wasn’t looking forward to this trip. After I had accepted the speaking assignment, the town … Continue reading →

Posted in God's presence, helping others, humor, prayer

The Breathin’ Part

Posted on April 8, 2016

Nancy Bingham Farley Years ago, when my beloved grandmother Mama Farley died at age ninety, my husband, Don, and I decided our then five-year-old daughter, Holly, and six-year-old son, Jay, would attend the Kentucky funeral with us. During the long … Continue reading →

Posted in a child's wisdom, aging, ancestors, Appalachia, children, confidence, encouragement, faith, families, funerals, grief, heaven, Kentucky

Warm Blackberry Cobbler for a Cold Day

Posted on March 16, 2016

Most of the nation is enjoying spring blossoms now, but this morning I awakened to snow in my Colorado yard. Thus, a warm Kentucky cobbler is a perfect dessert for a day like today. Large, juicy blackberries grow wild in … Continue reading →

Posted in Appalachia, Book: Zetta's Dream, Coal Camps, Kentucky, old-time desserts

Zetta’s Coal Camp Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2015

After a restless night, Zetta dressed quietly and slipped into the kitchen. The snow still was falling. She watched the soot absorb the flakes, then picked up an orange from yesterday’s school party and breathed deeply of its fragrance before … Continue reading →

Posted in Appalachia, Book: Zetta's Dream, children, Christmas, Coal Camps, families, Kentucky

Asking for Help

Posted on August 18, 2015

For varying reasons, I often find it difficult to ask for help. Maybe you nodded at my confession because of your own previous requests that resulted in a scolding or rejection. But we all need help at one time or … Continue reading →

Posted in children, prayer, Psalm 46:1, rescue, single mothers, single parenting, single-parent families, widows

Trusting in Another’s Help

Posted on July 30, 2015

As a friend lamented her estranged son’s absence, I remembered a time when I had protected someone else’s child. I promised to pray for the same help for my friend’s son. Years ago I was in Jerusalem’s Old City, marveling at the … Continue reading →

Posted in children, helping others, Jerusalem, prayer, rescue

A Perfect Rainy Day Dessert

Posted on July 24, 2015

I hope you are enjoying a lovely summer. But where is the time going? Here we are heading toward the end of July already. Lately, Colorado has been experiencing more than its share of thunderstorms, so I often have to … Continue reading →

Posted in Appalachia, Book: Zetta's Dream, Kentucky, old-time desserts

A True Appalachian Dessert

Posted on July 4, 2015

A True Appalachian Dessert What’s your favorite dessert? One of my many is strawberry shortcake, so I enjoyed making that last evening. But even as I served the dish to friends, I thought about the “sweets” Zetta Berghoffer, the main … Continue reading →

Posted in Appalachia, old-time desserts

Lazarus, Light Bulbs and Trust

Posted on March 27, 2015

Excerpt from Day 3 of Heart Hugs for Single Moms Do you ever wonder what is your part in each day and what is God’s? I have. Often. In fact, when I became a single mother years ago, that was a big … Continue reading →

Posted in confidence, courage, faith, God's presence, perseverance, prayer, single mothers, single parenting, single-parent families

Life Among the Dinosaurs

Posted on March 4, 2015

Have you ever experienced a moment when you realized you are older than you thought? I had one of those recently as I read a children’s book from the early 1990s to my young grandson, Noah. One of the characters … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, children, grandchildren, grandmothers, phones