CAPSULE OF TIMES —— Since this long-abandoned home was raised, overlooking floodplain fields of Annapolis River, a lot has changed. Directly behind me was the regular rattle... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 11, 2026 Bridgetown, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6667 of my daily journal.

A KIND OF GRAVITY —— There's something wonderful in the wildness of untamed land within town limits. Out by the river and the water treatment, wrong side of the long-gone... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 11, 2026 Bridgetown, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6667 of my daily journal.

HEARS AND REPEATS —— If a river is anything I can't quite hop across, then the upper reaches of LaHave still qualify. Midsummer will settle this all back down to a trickle... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 10, 2026 Cherryfield, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6666 of my daily journal.

STRANGE LANGUAGES —— I'll be sober ten years this summer. A decade has passed since I left behind a world that only brought me misery, despite the brief sparks of joy it... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 10, 2026 Springfield, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6666 of my daily journal.

I'm wildly excited to announce the upcoming release of my latest book, coming mid-April 2026! Keep an eye out for a book launch event and speaking tour this spring, dates TBA. Now available for preview and pre-order at www.etsy.com/shop/SteveSkafte

RATTLE AND CRASH —— The warm orange cliffs of a last winter light are always welcoming to me. Standing on a shore that few traverse, looking out on a cold evening coming... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 9, 2026 St. Croix Cove, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6665 of my daily journal.

WHITE RIBBON —— Picking my way along this precarious clifftop, I spot something manmade through the trees. I have a certain sense for anything unnatural in nature, after... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 9, 2026 St. Croix Cove, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6665 of my daily journal.

SHADOWLANDS —— Deep in this here frozen forest, you'll be rare to spot anything fully frozen. A little steady agitation prevents the trickle of Delancey's Brook from closing... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 7, 2026 Nictaux West, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6663 of my daily journal.

TALL TALES AND TRUE —— There is a great lack of respect for solitude. I first realized this as a quiet kid in church, hearing all those stories of pilgrims and wanderers in... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 7, 2026 Nictaux West, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6663 of my daily journal.

CLOSE TO WEIGHTLESS —— After a dread expanse of grey days run together, I start to spot sleepy shades showing in the monochrome. They shimmer despite the dullness... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 6, 2026 East Margaretsville, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6662 of my daily journal.

PROSPECTS —— I'm a naturally frustrated person, a position I've learned to accept. Channeling impatience with time slow-passing into things that make it more worthy... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 6, 2026 East Margaretsville, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6662 of my daily journal.

AWAY TO A WAITING —— The frozen towers of the forest are the soul of winter for me. Ever since I first discovered the lonesome monoliths of ice, it's what I anticipate each... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 5, 2026 St. Croix Cove, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6661 of my daily journal.

A BRIDGE FOR —— What could be beautiful like a baby cave, still forging a connection from side to side? Not sure if it'll all stay standing for long, but that's a decision... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 5, 2026 Victoria Beach, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6661 of my daily journal.

RESTRAINT OF PLACES —— To be truly relaxed, I like to go somewhere that feels like time doesn't exist. This old railway culvert from circa 1890 seems to fit. Nothing has... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 4, 2026 Upper Clements, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6660 of my daily journal.

WANDER BEYOND —— Walking up a creek from the Annapolis River, I spotted this little log cabin through the trees. Too small to reside by any estimation, just a shelter for... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 4, 2026 Upper Clements, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6660 of my daily journal.

EACH FLIGHT ESCAPED —— The wide open sky has been such a rare occurrence lately, a sight so uncommon that I almost doubt it. Seems insane to believe such things. Keep... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 3, 2026 Victoria Harbour, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6659 of my daily journal.

I often write about historic stuff, so half my readers at any given time are elderly. That's pretty awesome, as they were my favourites growing up. Unfortunately, it's terrifying from a career standpoint to have 10% of your audience die yearly. Luckily, new old folks are being born all the time.

MOTHER SHORE —— I've been feeling so sharply in need of colour lately, so much of it all buried in white. An hour out on the red sandstone shore sure seemed relieving. The... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 2, 2026 North Medford, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6658 of my daily journal.

GREAT UNKNOWING —— Sometimes I think I'm being watched. Perhaps the only difference between me and those with questionable sanity is that they're certain of it. Most of us... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 2, 2026 North Medford, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6658 of my daily journal.

Mom's dad always wondered why I wasn't bothered by my wife earning more than me. Look, Grandpa — I'm a writer, unpaid interns have more purchasing power. Last summer, my 13-year-old nephew ran a part time canteen at the local pool, and I was like: "Woah, kid, slow down. I can't compete with this."

SHAPES OF THE PAST —— It's fascinating overlooking a place like Paddy's Island, thinking how they once felt the need to give it a name on the map. What little remains is in... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 2, 2026 North Medford, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6658 of my daily journal.

LINGERING UNDER —— It was a desolate day to go visiting Paddy's Island. The beach close in to shore was choked with ice and small, stranded bergs. A loose and uncertain... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 2, 2026 North Medford, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6658 of my daily journal.

The most important part of becoming a writer is to stop confusing it with writing things down. For most of human history, those we now call "writers" were a vast array of orators, historians, philosophers, poets, songsmiths, playwrights, and comedians — all of whom were once illiterate. (1/3)

FOR THE BLUING —— When I'm down in a hollow and a home or cabin appears above, it's always this strangely revelatory experience. Am I being watched? There could be eyes I'd... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 1, 2026 Nictaux Falls, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6657 of my daily journal.

THE PRESSURE OFF —— I used to think that I was the only unsure soul in the room. Sometimes, I'd even have proof. I remember teenage dances spent sitting on the sidelines... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] February 1, 2026 Nictaux Falls, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6657 of my daily journal.

SLOW LOSSES —— It's a rare beauty finding abandonment left to a natural conclusion. No vandalism, arson, or demolition ever found the Anderson homestead. No renovation, either... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 31, 2026 Litchfield, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6656 of my daily journal.

SAILOR'S REST —— There's not much left of the Anderson homestead, circa 1870s. An open face stares straight through to a collapsed back half, all the weight of history coming... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 31, 2026 Litchfield, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6656 of my daily journal.

What could be wonderful like receiving a handwritten postcard each month in the mail? I've got a whole stack of them ready to go out to my supporters for February! $8 in Canada, $10 worldwide. Sign up for as long or as little as you like: www.patreon.com/SteveSkafte

OVER THE TROUBLES —— There are new worlds entire in winter. Places invented that were never before, and will never be again exactly the same. I slip behind the St. Croix... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 30, 2026 St. Croix Cove, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6655 of my daily journal.

Like waterlogged spaghetti, I might have to be restrained.

NOT FINITE —— Nothing freezes faster than a howling sea breeze. I should know, I lost a good chunk of my body heat just standing here. What the wind does in patterns is unparallel... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 29, 2026 Outram, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6654 of my daily journal.

HOLY PLACES —— The vast canvas of colour in wild ice makes me more eager with enduring the cold. Mineral content and tannin dyes drip down slowly to towering icicles, bars on a... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 29, 2026 Outram, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6654 of my daily journal.

SIGHING WELCOME —— Watching ice overtake the river always feels like the coldest possible sight. More so somehow than actually frozen over, it's the knowledge of that open water... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 28, 2026 Nictaux, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6653 of my daily journal.

SO FAR INWARD —— The last few falls of snow weigh almost nothing. It's always my happiest feeling in winter, wading knee-deep through a world too soft to cause me harm. In a... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 28, 2026 Middleton, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6653 of my daily journal.

TAKEN TO TANGIBLE —— Out of all the things that don't matter, dereliction is what matters to me the most. When I reach out and run my hands over industrial memories trapped in time... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 27, 2026 Weston, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6652 of my daily journal.

STARTS TO BITE —— There are few places colder than those that never see sun. These old railway culverts were quite welcoming last summer, escaping from a naked sky to walls of cool... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 27, 2026 Weston, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6652 of my daily journal.

WAS IN TOTALITY —— There's nothing more important to me than remembering. In my younger years, I was always wandering back through my personal history, telling stories to... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 26, 2026 Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6651 of my daily journal.

CALLED TO THE COLD —— I've spent countless hours at the Port Lorne wharf through the years, mainly because it's so often deserted. If not currently mooring the two boats that... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 25, 2026 Port Lorne, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6650 of my daily journal.

HARBOUR SOME SECRET —— I've always aimed for emotional resonance, to worm my way into human hearts in ways that subvert. But the challenge for a writer lies as much in what's... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 25, 2026 Port Lorne, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6650 of my daily journal.

FURIOUS CREATURE —— I get used to a life without sunlight, it seems. Even when it breaks, I'm lucky to be under. More likely is a bit of clear sky shining somewhere distant... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 24, 2026 Cottage Cove, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6649 of my daily journal.

TIME IN THE CHILL —— I've often said how the struggle with capturing cold in an image is that cold looks like nothing. Ice itself can't tell the story of a polar vortex howl... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 24, 2026 Cottage Cove, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6649 of my daily journal.

CAPTAIN INTENDS —— Two words is all that's left on the back of this boat by way of a name, "Rusty" and "Charles". So in the absence of knowing what's missing, that's what I call... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 23, 2026 Port Wade, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6648 of my daily journal.

NOT REMOTELY —— There's something I've always struggled to say without offending anyone — I find most people's concept of friendship rather off-putting. Often, a wonderful... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 23, 2026 Port Wade, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6648 of my daily journal.

CALL OF THE OPEN —— Few things make me happy like an old boat cemetery shining in the sun. On days when Digby Neck is calling, but I haven't got much time, I often end up at the... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 22, 2026 Rossway, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6647 of my daily journal.

PLACES GOING SLOW —— The dead wharf at Rossway hasn't been active in my memory, but things exposed to the sea weather faster than you'd think. So perhaps it hasn't been as long as... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 22, 2026 Rossway, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6647 of my daily journal.

WINTER CALL —— The scattered traps all freezing solid, sticking to the wharf with icy spray. Won't be long before the coming chill will lock them tight in position. In that... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 21, 2026 Margaretsville, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6646 of my daily journal.

THE BITTEREST —— Nothing reminds me of frozen salt spray. It's slick a little like slush, but not. Strange and opaque, soft yet solid, like if snow were a non-Newtonian... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 21, 2026 Margaretsville, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6646 of my daily journal.

Who are your favourite songwriters? Even though I'm not one myself, it's always been my main source of inspiration as a writer. Here are 3 songs from each of my favourites. Some are famous, some are dead, but most are still very much alive and struggling, and could use your support. Have a listen!

AS A SEAFARER —— I've admired this home for a whole lot of years in passing, hidden in a veil of natural noise. Young birches, wild roses, and if that's not enough, all the phone... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 20, 2026 Karsdale, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6645 of my daily journal.

PULL WILD THROUGH —— I live in a land that feels close in most places not near the sea. That suits me well, as someone fascinated by the joys of tangled nature. But here and... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack] January 19, 2026 Spa Springs, Nova Scotia Year 19, Day 6644 of my daily journal.