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Sanctuary Life
Kelly
Sep 4, 20234 min read
A Greenhouse Made from Pallets and Second Chance Rose Garden
For many years, I lived on a small urban farm called Rose Hill Farm. When I first moved in, there was nothing but weeds. In fact, the...
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Kelly
Aug 27, 20232 min read
A Day in the Life at the Sanctuary
It's 98 degrees today but I won't complain because 101 degrees has been forecasted for tomorrow. I'll save my complaints for then. When...
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Paul
Aug 23, 20232 min read
Hurricane Hilary
When Hilary came to town, Kelly and I played scrabble and ate pasta. We also watched a movie about the end of the world. It seemed suited...
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Kelly
Aug 12, 20233 min read
This and That: Frodo Update, the Summer Garden, and Where Do We Get Our Money From?
Early misty mornings soften the landscape and bring about a sense of peace at Rivendell. As I type, I can hear a rooster crowing in the...
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Kelly
Aug 10, 20232 min read
Just like that...
One minute you are heading to your car to leave for work and the next, you see this dirty little polar bear face peeking around your...
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Kelly
Aug 6, 20232 min read
With a lump in the throat, it all began.
Paul tells me I've been too quiet. I don't protest the idea as I know he is right. It's been difficult to know where to begin. We moved....
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Kelly
Apr 11, 20232 min read
The Hardest Hue to Hold
The title of this post belongs to Frost. Have you ever read his poem, Nothing Gold Can Stay? Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest...
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Kelly
Feb 10, 20232 min read
A Season of Superblooms and a Prayer
This past week, I discovered Southern California's superbloom season has arrived at Rivendell. I had no idea that the neon green blanket...
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Paul
Feb 3, 20235 min read
California is Thirsty!
California is thirsty. The drought conditions of the last 22 years are worse than the last 1200 years! Sixty-six percent of California,...
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Kelly
Jan 25, 20232 min read
A Life with Coyotes
As a child, I despised the Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoon. When I saw it appear on my little black and white television, I would,...
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Paul
Jan 18, 20236 min read
A Simple Test of Kindness: CA Farm Animal Confinement Initiative
“No man shall exercise any Tirranny or Crueltie towards any bruite Creature which are usualie kept for man’s use.” Massachusetts Bay...
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Kelly
Jan 9, 20233 min read
The Shoemaker
As a young child, I loved the story of the poor shoemaker and the elves. The shoemaker, not having enough money nor materials to make...
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Kelly
Dec 30, 20223 min read
Hello, 2023!
For the past couple of months, Freya has been waking me up each day around 2:30 am. No matter the time, when she scratches at the door, I...
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Kelly
Dec 22, 20223 min read
To Be Weightless, If Only for a Moment
In the blink of an eye, the citrus groves around us, have come alive (as have the weeds, which we shan't discuss). Their green lushness...
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Kelly
Nov 7, 20223 min read
Leaves Chattering in Chilly Breezes
Autumn is my favorite time of year. Leaves chattering to one another as chilly breezes flow through them. The white lean trunks of the...
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Paul
Oct 18, 20222 min read
Et Cetera, Et Cetera
Vision. Friend or foe? Here's how it works for me: A vision is a source of fuel. When I conceive of what I am working for, what it shall...
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Kelly
Oct 9, 20223 min read
Preparing for What's to Come
Paul said I'm no longer allowed to post videos that start with one of our glorious Rivendell sunrises. He thinks I may have an issue and...
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Kelly
Sep 11, 20223 min read
The Days of Overcooked Pasta
Heat waves. High humidity. Explosive wildfires with our sister sanctuaries requiring evacuation of all animals. Unprecedented drought. I...
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Kelly
Aug 29, 20222 min read
Permaculture Farming
Permaculture. Syntropic agroforesty. Biodynamic farming. Regenerative farming. Biodiversity. Paul and I completely geek out on these...
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