Category Archives: Kentucky

The Breathin’ Part

Posted on April 8, 2016 by sandrapaldrich

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 | Leave a comment

Warm Blackberry Cobbler for a Cold Day

Posted on March 16, 2016 by sandrapaldrich

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 | Leave a comment

Zetta’s Coal Camp Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2015 by sandrapaldrich

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 | Leave a comment

A Perfect Rainy Day Dessert

Posted on July 24, 2015 by sandrapaldrich

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 | Leave a comment

Believing Makes It So

Posted on December 9, 2014 by sandrapaldrich

Even though I’m a card-carrying member of AARP, I still ponder the wisdom my maternal grandmother, Mama Farley, possessed. The world undoubtedly saw her as a simple Appalachian mountain woman, but her strength and understanding of life rippled out to … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestors, Appalachia, appreciation, confidence, counting blessings, courage, education, encouragement, faith, families, grandmothers, Kentucky, mentors, perseverance, self-esteem, self-talk | Leave a comment

The Naming of a Beloved Community

Posted on November 13, 2012 by sandrapaldrich

I was born in southeastern Kentucky–deep within the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Our little community originally was named Four Mile and was split by a skinny two-lane highway. Several houses, including that of my grandparents, were built on the narrow strip … Continue reading →

Posted in Appalachia, Community names, Kentucky | 4 Comments