Sandy Peden

 Sandy’s family and mine were neighbors growing up near Green Forest.  Her brother, Billy, was in my class.  Sister Helen went to M D Anderson with her when she had treatments there just so she wouldn’t be alone.   So many are going too soon.

Obituary

Sandra “Sandy” Kay Peden, age 67, of Springdale, Arkansas passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. Sandy was born January 3, 1954 to Ira Owen and Delta Pearl Besse Peden.

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Wilford “Pete” Peden. She is survived by her daughters: Kristie Dearien (Lance) and Julie Shook (Jimmy); five grandchildren, Connor, Collin and Carter Dearien and Hayden and Hannah Shook; two beloved dogs, Ellie Mae and Henry Hudson; three brothers, Jackie, Billy (Jeanie) and Joe Benny (Iris) Peden, several nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends.

Sandy loved her daughters, grandchildren, and dogs deeply. She enjoyed cooking (specifically fried chicken), watching her grandchildren at sporting events, spending family vacations at the beach, fishing, loving on her dogs, and being a loyal friend to many. She was an amazing mom and GiGi and will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Monday, August 30, 2021, Cross Church Chapel 1701 Johnson Road Springdale, Arkansas 72762. Memorials may be made to Hope Cancer Resources or Circle of Life Hospice.

Walking Last Day of August

Johnny and June come to visit when I walk along the fence.

 If you would have your child to walk honorably through the world, you must not attempt to clear the stones from his path, but teach him to walk firmly over them - not insist upon leading him by the hand, but let him learn to go alone.   Anne Bronte

Manchi is safe in the corral Astrid and Logan updated from Pop's old shed built in 1985.

June likes the corral.

Logan calls her Wrangle but I call her Star.

I'm starting to like the black crows as they chase the chicken hawks.

When I got back to my porch perch, I could see cob webs all in my wind chimes just like in my old brain.  They'll be back tomorrow and I probably won't even notice them.

I zoomed in and could see lots of pretty Black Gum leaves.  Soon they will be dark, dark crimson.

Star has pride.   She isn't worn out like me.  
 

Foxglove

Laura’s foxglove still blooms but little else.  Soon I’ll be looking at all the pretty orange, yellow and red leaves.  For everything there is a season.

Helen is a great grandmother.   Ralph and  Mackenzie Boston have a little girl, Wrenley,. She weighed 5 pounds and 7 ounces and was 19 inches long. She was born August 30, 2021 in Washington.
 

Sunday School

Laura and I walked early leaving at 4:30.  She is dedicated.  I bought us head lamps to help out in dark spots.  Erin shared her Sunday school lesson with me.  If one has a good teacher, S S is better than church.  

Erin shared 10 lessons for living from Ecclesiaste authored by  the wisest man who ever lived..  Every human achievement disappears like our breath.  Only God’s work is lasting.  So do His work.  We can find meaning in life only through our faith in our Lord.  All other things are dead ends.  They finally dwindle out and we tire of them.  Use our time to do good as time is God’s gift.  It can be snuffed out in an instant.  Keep our promises to God and others.  Don’t be wishy washy, but obey.  Trust in the Lord and pray for His will to be done in all things.  Be humble.  He forgives our sin.  We should forgive others.  Life is short.  Don’t wait to do God’s work.  Labor for Him today.   Enjoy today and count your blessings, one by one.  Fear God.  He’s sees all we do.  He knows our mind.  Don’t just wash your hands, wash all those thoughts that aren’t Godly from your brain.  We are held accountable for our actions.  He forgives our sin but the consequences remain.  Wow, I can’t do all this, but I’m trying.

I’ve had my blessing for today.  This morning it was really hot for our early walk, but at 8:30 I went to get chicken feed and was surprised by coolness to the air.  My Red Maple is bursting with vibrant colors framed by blue skies and pillowy clouds.   God is good all the time.

And Erin showed me that God keeps his promises.  He’s the best friend to have in times of trouble.  My biggest wish is for His loving protection to cover Greta and Ada.  They are too young to get the vaccine.  

 

Rainbow Halo

 And the Lord sent a rainbow and with that rainbow a promise…

Side Affects

Can’t believe Larry been gone a year and half.  I still struggle.  I am better because one just gets used to how things are.  When I was filling in as Ada’s caretaker because the nursery was quarantined again, I picked up a picture album from Erin’s bookshelf and looked at the pictures.   I don’t recall her taking these two, but I loved seeing them and remembering our life.  This was when we still ordered pictures from film.

The photo on the front porch with the newspaper reminded me how we both loved reading the newspaper.  I was trying  to read the Courier as he’s holding it.  This drove him crazy.  He couldn’t stand anyone reading over his shoulder either.   We took the AR Gazette which later became Ar Demo Gaz and the local paper.  He loved the want ads and I turned first to the obituaries.  I did the crosswords in both.   He loved the word search.

Our lives were not perfect as neither of us were.   Nothing will ever be the same, but I still rejoice in what was and what will be.  God has a plan for me and I want to continue to walk forward trying to do a few good things.  I praise my Lord today as I am not alone.

Before talking horse wormer, one should consider some serious side affects occurring.

Dock of The Bay

 Yesterday, was warm for our walk at Lake Dardanelle but I rested on the pier before finishing.  It made me think of the Otis Redding song that was a hit when I was in High school.

Sittin’ on the dock of the bay

Watching time roll away

Wasting time, wasting time

Sittin' in the mornin' sun 

I'll be sittin' when the evenin' comes 

Watching the ships roll in 

Then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah…

Picture of a Thief

 

I’m really tired of these red tailed thieves.  I’m back at it.  This rascal now lives in an old grave yard with lots of oak trees.  Happy new home.  I’m happy you moved.

Who’s In Charge

 Who’s in charge?  We tried to figure it out.  Ada was most of the time.  When she napped, I got a turn.

Hay Bales

Hay bales are dotting Galla Meadow.  I will get to go there tomorrow evening.  I miss the green cathedral but enjoy being here with the littlest angel.  

 

Three Sisters’ Lunch

Three Sisters ate lunch together yesterday celebrating Helen’s birthday.  We’re not good selfie group takers so it’s just the two and they were eating delicious food Sister Helen prepared—steak, baked potatoes, home grown sliced tomatoes and Italian bread.   Home made cinnamon rolls were dessert.  Glad they came!  I’d planned to stay with them this weekend, but Phinnie is ready to go home to Galla Meadow 

 

Hot Shooting

 

Last night was so hot and humid but Greta Ann wanted to practice her shooting. Greg bought her a new goal.  She’s tried out for special team!  I hope she makes the cut. She’s already a tall girl for a 5th grader.   She has a decent shot for a 10 year old.  Those two hearing devices don’t slow her down.  Last year some mean kids made fun of her speech but after Auntie Laura got her in speech here she’s advancing.  At school, when they tested her, they wanted to deny her “because she is smart”.  That’s sort of the way the world works today!  Laura told Erin what to respond.  And..more important than all this Greta loves the Lord and has the kindest heart. Tonight she practices soccer and loves that too.  Maybe they’ll let me go watch?!

August Blue Moon

My new flock of chickens are thriving.  I came out on the back porch at 4:30 and spied the August Blue moon.  A blue moon is the second full moon of the mouth.  If you look closely, you can see many tiny flecks of light—heavenly stars.  My new little flock of chickens are in my pen and are so pretty.  By winter I will have lots of eggs.  Sister Patsy got new chickens yearly.  I keep mine until they die of old age or the coyotes kill them.

August's full moon is traditionally called the Sturgeon Moon, after the giant sturgeon fish of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, which were most readily caught during this time of the summer, according to The Farmers' Almanac.

I am leaving shortly to stay with Ada as her daycare is quarantined again.   

 

Plans

Things don’t always work out as planned.  Yesterday I  saw this one sprinkler just watering the side walk.  I suppose it got hung when it kicked on.  Going to stay with Ada this week as the daycare is quarantined again.  Not as planned but I am excited to fill in and get to be with her all week.  Make the most of undone plans is my advice.

L

 

What Would Jesus Do

He’d wear a mask! 

Sigrid’s Design

 

Sig’s the Student Council secretary at RHS.  Each class has a T shirt.  Sig is on this panel with all males.  She told Principal Al that the feminine voices of her class were silenced and said rather than the small panel choosing the shirt, the entire class should.  Al agreed and they will vote.  I hope Siggie doesn’t cry “ rigged election”. If her shirt doesn’t win.

Finding Joy

Laura carried me to Lake Dardanelle and I walked 2 1/2 miles.  Lord gave me a life lesson along the way.   I saw a big boat with men fishing.   I saw a little boat with men fishing.   I saw two old men fishing from the bank carrying their bait in a bucket.  Who received the most pleasure?   We find our own joy.   I hope you have a little joy in your life today.