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Kentucky Hills

@meliakelley.bsky.social
2.1K followers 899 following 8K posts

Living with my family in the beautiful hills of Kentucky Love foraging and growing culinary mushrooms, bird watching and literature

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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Watching an interview with Timothy Snyder discussing "How Tyranny Rises. And Falls." Interesting food for thought and one of the things that I have heard from multiple experts is that we need to be using this time to plan what things will look like once power is taken back.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Every now and then a package will show up from a Kickstarter campaign my husband got in on a while ago. This one may be one of my more favorite ones he's done. The book is gorgeous.
Scary Book of Christmas LoreChristmas Spiders
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
One of the things I have enjoyed about having bird feeders is how the wild birds and our free range flock interact. When the flock sees a bird at the feeder they tend to run over to get any seeds that fall off the feeder platforms.
Bird feeder with cardinal and a couple chickens below.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
You. Guys. I cannot tell you how long it's been since I got this giddy from a movie trailer. I LOVE the UK Ghosts show. youtu.be/iLKGXt5JHKk?...
youtu.be
Ghosts: The Possession of Button House - Official Trailer
YouTube video by LionsgateFilmsUK
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Finally got some of my small paintings on the wall. We have wood and stone on all the walls of the front room, so the paintings are one of my ways of trying to brighten things up. But now I am semi-obsessing over the idea of doing a painting that can cover the TV when it isn't in use. Hmmmm.
Wood wall with buffet, flat screen tv, display plates and three small paintings.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Enjoying the last bit of hummingbird visits before the stragglers start the journey South. I am looking forward to what other birds may visit feeders when the weather gets colder. I miss seeing goldfinches and tufted titmice especially. But I do appreciate that Cardinals are consistent visitors.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I just saw a post talking about someone having the intelligence of a fungus (derogatory). I couldn't comment on the post, but I do feel compelled to point out that we are finding out fungi have a type of intelligence that we are only beginning to understand. scitechdaily.com/no-brains-no...
scitechdaily.com
No Brains, No Problem: The Surprising Intelligence of Fungi
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
One of my favorite things about having free range chickens - apart from the truly amazing eggs - is that occasionally one will suddenly pop up with a bunch of chicks I wasn't even aware they were incubating. Had two hens show up with at least a half dozen. I suspect they were sharing brood duties.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I think about this quite a bit. bsky.app/profile/inte...
Software engineer thoughts on Elon.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Husband and daughter went out for a walk in the woods and came back with some tree leaves with what looked like a berry attached. We didn't recognize it, but had fun chasing it down. Excited to find out it appears we have cucumber magnolia trees in our patch of forest.
Tree leaves and berryDescription of tree
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
So, food supply things are starting to feel a bit spooky right now so I wanted to post a reminder that seeds can stay viable for YEARS, especially when stored correctly. Stocking up on seeds may help some feel more in control and could even start a new hobby. Store in a cool, dry, dark place.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
And now Tim Curry. Where Dolly was bubbliness and light, Tim was snarky subversion without apology. I think a movie marathon this weekend may well be due.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Heaven got a beautiful angel today, and I don't say that lightly. Dolly Parton was an icon, and her talent and genius was only a part of that. Her philanthropy was impressive and inclusive. What a truly good human who did so much to make the world a better place for many.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
No Kings has frogs. A Thiel protest brought out the Gandalfs. My fellow theater/Con nerds... We trained for times such as these without even realizing it. www.msn.com/en-us/money/...
msn.com
MSN
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
A Modest Proposal America obviously needs its own version of Count Binface. Obviously with its own name and background, etc. but taking inspiration from the original. (Think of the successful trajectory of the US spinoff of The Office as a proof of concept that this can be done.)
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Things are a bit weird with fresh greens right now. If you want to grow your own but don't want to wait for a full garden I can highly recommend sprouts. I have two types going right now. Traditional microgreens and a more protein heavy option. These are just a few days into the process.
Sprouting in mason jars.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
I was hit by connectivity issues due to a faulty Internet line and boy did that play havoc with my mental health not being able to check in here. So glad to be back with good people.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
My husband found some of my favorite mushrooms today. Lactarius indigo, inky milk caps. The blue color is absolutely stunning in person, but my tablet had a hard time picking it up. Edible, though not considered choice, I still always get a thrill when I see them.
Lactarius indigo, a blue mushroomLactarius indigo, a blue mushroom
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
These flowers just outside my door continue to surprise me every time they bloom. HUGE and gorgeous. The bloom lasts less than a day, but it sure makes an impact.
Large pink flower with spread hand showing size.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
We need good people to run in every race. Yes, even the ones that seem like longshots. And while this specific tactic isn't something I'd advise for everyone, this UK candidate is at least having fun and getting free press. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
independent.co.uk
The surprisingly moving story behind Count Binface, the man taking on Farage
As the main parties refuse to take part in the Clacton by-election, only one candidate has stepped forward to challenge Farage – and he’s dressed as an alien and dons a tin bin. Katie Rosseinsky takes...
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
I am excited today! We used to be visited by deer so regularly I left corn out for them to enjoy. But since getting our Great Pyrenees he has kept them at bay and I missed their visits. But I think our Pyr is getting up enough in age that the deer have decided to return. I need to get some corn!
View from inside a house of trees and meadow with a deer in the mid ground.Close up of view from inside a house of trees and meadow with a deer in the mid ground with a red arrow pointed at the deer.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Six hummingbirds at one feeder. They are out in force today. Picture is at a distance because if I come any closer with my tablet the little divas fly off. The stained glass Cardinals are much less flighty.
Red hummingbird feeder with multiple hummingbirds on or around it, slightly out of focus.  Stained glass cardinal pair in the foreground and greenery in the background.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
If AI is bad, how do you explain *this*?
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Food is how I celebrate. Cheeseburger cooked on the grill with sauteed mushroom and spicy guacamole. Happy 4th, to the patriots out there.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
One of the more hopeful takes I've seen lately was that though we are going through a tumultuous time now is the time to start thinking about what we want moving forward. One policy I think we should be fighting for is UBI. Paying for it via AI dividends makes sense. bsky.app/profile/scot...
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Kids are getting brownie points by going out and foraging a bunch of wild raspberries. They are beautiful.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
I get a kick out of how various birds react to getting their feeders filled. Cardinals perch expectantly in a nearby bush. Ducks get very vocal to alert the flock there are goodies. Hummingbirds probably have the most to say, though. I get scolded quite loudly (for them) that it's taking so long.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Found a new spot for the camera hummingbird feeder that I like quite a bit but now need to trim some bush branches to get a clearer view. Other birds still stopping by and husband dutifully bought 50 lb bag of the good seed for them today. He's a good guy.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
I am back after an account compromise had me locked out of my account. I sure missed it here!
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Ignore my yard that is currently in transition into an English garden, and instead check out the gloriousness of a hummingbird camera feeder! I can never snap them on my own, so this may be the clearest shot I've ever gotten.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
New (to me) backyard bird spotted at a feeder! Looks like an American goldfinch. I'm leaning towards male since they are brighter colored, but I'm not totally sure. Sorry the pic isn't great. Snapped by my tablet from inside the house. I have a decent camera but need to keep it actually ready.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Kiwi berry vine is going nuts! We've been growing them for over a year now if I remember right and they are loving this weather. Kiwi berries are different from kiwi fruits and I've never actually eaten one, but I'm excited to try. Once they start producing they are prolific.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
One of my favorite things about mornings is how it makes stained glass look in my windows.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Mini rant... (Apologies in advance) I do not understand accounts who don't let people who follow them comment on their posts. What's the point of social media if you remove the social aspect of it? What is so scary about conversations?
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Sometimes it can be exhausting and disheartening when accounts come out of the woodwork to be denigrating or doomer maximizing. But that makes me appreciate those who are uplifting, who have open conversations, who exchange ideas and who truly care even more. Thank you, shining lights on my feed.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Shout out to the lone hummingbird who flew past my window this afternoon. It is my first sighting of the season and I REALLY needed something beautiful and hopeful today. And I'm glad I had a couple feeders ready for it. They need to be refreshed tomorrow, so the timing worked great.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Happy Easter to all who celebrate! Today I find myself thinking about things I heard from @hcrichardson.bsky.social about rebuilding our country and renewal after we get through our current trials. Her thoughts on this are some of the most uplifting things I've heard on the subject.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
My pale pink flowers of early Spring have made way for joyful brights. Green is also creeping into the landscape but is a bit behind these beauties.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
With Spring in the air I got the itch to bring out the Depression glass. Named so because it was primarily produced during the Great Depression, this type of glass typically has rich colors and often sport imperfections that make them unique. Nice to have an extra splash of color!
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
I know people are saying that April Fools is canceled, but my 20-something son just showed up in the kitchen in a bright pink feet-to-floppy-ears bunny costume. And it made my day. If you can find some whimsy today, enjoy it!
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Hoping for some feedback from fellow book lovers. I have a small collection of mostly leather bound books that are currently near the front door because I love to have them on display. However, I am getting concerned about photochemical degradation because our front door is mainly glass.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Bumblebees are perfectly ridiculous and delightful. One is doing a derpy air dance outside my front door but I know I'll never be able to catch a pic.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Today for breakfast I had homemade lasagne. Even the noodles were from scratch from our free range eggs. I am following it up with blueberries over freshly whipped cream. Not a traditional breakfast, but I can highly recommend it regardless.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
I did something that I'm kinda torn on but that I'm hoping is worth it. I unfollowed accounts that post pictures of beautiful and luxurious houses in exotic looking locations. I have nothing against beautiful architecture, but I found myself feeling resentful unprompted.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Is there any dessert as wonderful and decadent at this time of year as fresh berries and whipped cream? Especially if you whip the cream yourself so you control sweetness and texture... One of life's loveliest simple pleasures.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Happy St Patrick's Day, everyone! This year I am thinking about how the celebration of this day in America came about because of the need for Irish Americans to acknowledge their heritage and push back against discrimination.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
I just finished washing eggs the kids gathered. Looks like the hens are picking up again. This pic doesn't quite capture the colors, but the eggs are blue, green, brown, and speckled. No dyes used, colors are all direct from the hen. And since we free range it's pretty much an egg hunt every day.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
I get that Spring is still *technically* a few days away, but did Winter really have to remind us it is still here to this degree?
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Happy pi day to all who celebrate! May your crusts be flaky and your filling flavorful.
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Kentucky Hills @meliakelley.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
More Spring blooms and even a touch of green leaves. I am loving this! Son, who appears to have developed hayfever this year, is slightly less enthusiastic.
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