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Diary of Abandonment

@thequeenofrust • 46,039 subscribers

A visual journal of forgotten America.

Shorts

Revolutionary War Patriot headstones get the special treatment. 🇺🇸

Revolutionary War Patriot headstones get the special treatment. 🇺🇸

482,423 views

Somebody toss me some bread and water. I’m going to be here a minute

Somebody toss me some bread and water. I’m going to be here a minute

124,903 views

Kirwin Ghost Town Wyoming📍

Kirwin Ghost Town Wyoming📍

65,495 views

You’d never know how many American towns are barely hanging on unless you go see it for yourself. My husband and I have traveled cross country six times in the past two years, and I can tell you from firsthand experience, our country and our history is in trouble!

You’d never know how many American towns are barely hanging on unless you go see it for yourself. My husband and I have traveled cross country six times in the past two years, and I can tell you from firsthand experience, our country and our history is in trouble!

41,520 views

Signing off for the night…sleep well!

Signing off for the night…sleep well!

32,293 views

✨ When we bought our home, built in 1948, the stairwell leading down to the basement already had shelving installed. I like to imagine a grandmother lived here before me, filling those shelves with jars of canned goods, just as I do now. I recently decorated this cozy little space, and it brings me joy every time I head down to the basement.

✨ When we bought our home, built in 1948, the stairwell leading down to the basement already had shelving installed. I like to imagine a grandmother lived here before me, filling those shelves with jars of canned goods, just as I do now. I recently decorated this cozy little space, and it brings me joy every time I head down to the basement.

77,976 views

Buffalo Bill is part of my family tree, and ever since I was a little girl, I’ve carried a special pride in that connection. I even wrote a report about him in the fourth grade (I still have it). Being here in Cody, Wyoming, walking where his story is still remembered and learning more about his remarkable life feels like a bucket-list moment come true. Buffalo Bill Center of the West Cody, Wyoming📍

Buffalo Bill is part of my family tree, and ever since I was a little girl, I’ve carried a special pride in that connection. I even wrote a report about him in the fourth grade (I still have it). Being here in Cody, Wyoming, walking where his story is still remembered and learning more about his remarkable life feels like a bucket-list moment come true. Buffalo Bill Center of the West Cody, Wyoming📍

23,264 views

I’m a big fan of Edgar Allen Poe so I made some ravens in my next series of ornaments.

I’m a big fan of Edgar Allen Poe so I made some ravens in my next series of ornaments.

20,309 views

✨ I never travel alone, especially when I’m alone. 2A everyday.

✨ I never travel alone, especially when I’m alone. 2A everyday.

40,463 views

F35s circling overhead got me feeling all kinds of warm and fuzzy. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Salt Lake City, Utah

F35s circling overhead got me feeling all kinds of warm and fuzzy. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Salt Lake City, Utah

18,940 views

In 1800, a two-story log cabin was built in a part of Virginia still known as “The Wilderness.” The upstairs once served as a small school. Siding, porches, and paint were added later as the home evolved, but the massive, hand-hewn beams remain, visible in the stairwell leading up to the attic.

In 1800, a two-story log cabin was built in a part of Virginia still known as “The Wilderness.” The upstairs once served as a small school. Siding, porches, and paint were added later as the home evolved, but the massive, hand-hewn beams remain, visible in the stairwell leading up to the attic.

33,227 views

I recently attended the grave marking for Revolutionary War Patriot John Rockett , placed by my chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I had the honor of cleaning his headstone just before the ceremony. It was so neat to see the fife and drums Because the exact year of his birth isn’t firm (born April 16, 1761/1764 in Virginia), it’s not known how old he was when he volunteered to enlist in the American Revolutionary War in early 1778. He gave just under four years of service in defense of our independence.

I recently attended the grave marking for Revolutionary War Patriot John Rockett , placed by my chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I had the honor of cleaning his headstone just before the ceremony. It was so neat to see the fife and drums Because the exact year of his birth isn’t firm (born April 16, 1761/1764 in Virginia), it’s not known how old he was when he volunteered to enlist in the American Revolutionary War in early 1778. He gave just under four years of service in defense of our independence.

35,648 views

I’ve been pressure washing everything I could get my hands on today. The driveway, sidewalk, fence, rock wall, even the house. By the time I finished, I looked like Pig Pen from Charlie Brown, but with 90s tan lines. 😆 And somehow, rinsing the dirt off my legs with a water hose in the backyard still feels exactly like summer did when I was a kid.

I’ve been pressure washing everything I could get my hands on today. The driveway, sidewalk, fence, rock wall, even the house. By the time I finished, I looked like Pig Pen from Charlie Brown, but with 90s tan lines. 😆 And somehow, rinsing the dirt off my legs with a water hose in the backyard still feels exactly like summer did when I was a kid.

17,651 views

🌛I’m working toward my goal of my grandkids thinking I have the most magical house in all the land. Today I added trees to the room they sleep in and bought a projector that makes nighttime feel like camping. When the lights go down, it feels like sleeping under the stars.

🌛I’m working toward my goal of my grandkids thinking I have the most magical house in all the land. Today I added trees to the room they sleep in and bought a projector that makes nighttime feel like camping. When the lights go down, it feels like sleeping under the stars.

32,155 views

Change isn’t hard. You just have to get involved. When I found out a veteran wasn’t allowed to fly an American flag on his property due to HOA rules, I joined the board and changed it.

Change isn’t hard. You just have to get involved. When I found out a veteran wasn’t allowed to fly an American flag on his property due to HOA rules, I joined the board and changed it.

28,831 views

🎻I couldn’t love my roots more. Every August, the hills around Galax, Virginia come alive for the Old Fiddlers’ Convention — a tradition that’s been carrying the sound of Appalachia since 1935. I go with my mom, to the same patch of ground her family once called home. Every time, it feels like we’re stepping right back into our family history.

🎻I couldn’t love my roots more. Every August, the hills around Galax, Virginia come alive for the Old Fiddlers’ Convention — a tradition that’s been carrying the sound of Appalachia since 1935. I go with my mom, to the same patch of ground her family once called home. Every time, it feels like we’re stepping right back into our family history.

36,933 views

Concerned Citizen I was on the road all night last night and never saw Venus get much closer to the moon than this (this was in Nebraska). I did happen to catch a trail of Starlink in the sky at the same time, which is always neat to see.

Concerned Citizen I was on the road all night last night and never saw Venus get much closer to the moon than this (this was in Nebraska). I did happen to catch a trail of Starlink in the sky at the same time, which is always neat to see.

53,669 views

Listen to these bellowing beauties. 🥰 I spotted this home in Grayson County, Virginia. First settled in 1800, when the area was known only as The Wilderness.

Listen to these bellowing beauties. 🥰 I spotted this home in Grayson County, Virginia. First settled in 1800, when the area was known only as The Wilderness.

22,566 views

Would you choose to let go of this home if it sat on your land? Or would you do everything you could to save her? For most of us, the expense alone would be too great. Not because we don’t care, but because preservation often asks more than we can give. North Carolina📍

Would you choose to let go of this home if it sat on your land? Or would you do everything you could to save her? For most of us, the expense alone would be too great. Not because we don’t care, but because preservation often asks more than we can give. North Carolina📍

17,013 views

These stones are often the last physical record of a life lived. Names, dates, symbols, and stories that may not exist anywhere else. When a marker falls or erodes beyond reading, a piece of history goes with it. Preserving cemeteries means choosing remembrance, respect, and care for the people who came before us. Catawba County, North Carolina📍

These stones are often the last physical record of a life lived. Names, dates, symbols, and stories that may not exist anywhere else. When a marker falls or erodes beyond reading, a piece of history goes with it. Preserving cemeteries means choosing remembrance, respect, and care for the people who came before us. Catawba County, North Carolina📍

19,171 views

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I went to my father-in-law’s house tonight and watched VHS tapes from our high school prom. I’m the blonde, on the right. A group of us from church went together as friends, and one of them would later become my hubbs. 1994 feels like a lifetime ago with how much the world has changed since then.

I went to my father-in-law’s house tonight and watched VHS tapes from our high school prom. I’m the blonde, on the right. A group of us from church went together as friends, and one of them would later become my hubbs. 1994 feels like a lifetime ago with how much the world has changed since then.

Diary of Abandonment

587,083 views • 7 months ago

Butte, Montana is so beautiful and rich with history, but there’s SO many abandoned buildings and quiet streets.

Butte, Montana is so beautiful and rich with history, but there’s SO many abandoned buildings and quiet streets.

Diary of Abandonment

150,542 views • 2 months ago

Exciting things are happening! I launched my headstone cleaning business, Grave Conditions, and it’s really starting to take off! 🐦‍⬛ So I made my first big investment in the business and purchased the PetraTools HD5000 Pro sprayer to make our cleaning easier and more efficient. We put it to work on a big job recently, and I’m already wondering how I ever cleaned without it. Having a continuous spray without constantly stopping to pump made such a difference, especially when rinsing large headstones. Definitely money well spent. 10/10 recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Exciting things are happening! I launched my headstone cleaning business, Grave Conditions, and it’s really starting to take off! 🐦‍⬛ So I made my first big investment in the business and purchased the PetraTools HD5000 Pro sprayer to make our cleaning easier and more efficient. We put it to work on a big job recently, and I’m already wondering how I ever cleaned without it. Having a continuous spray without constantly stopping to pump made such a difference, especially when rinsing large headstones. Definitely money well spent. 10/10 recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Diary of Abandonment

30,542 views • 15 days ago

🐝 On top of the wasp nests hanging from light sockets and in the corners of the ceilings, I didn’t realize until later that there was a massive feral honeybee hive inside the walls of the upstairs bedroom. That explained all the buzzing. I was hoping for a few fun treasures in the attic, but it was clean as a whistle. The same day this video was shot, I also filmed an interview with WBTV News on the front porch of this house. The abandonment made the perfect backdrop.

🐝 On top of the wasp nests hanging from light sockets and in the corners of the ceilings, I didn’t realize until later that there was a massive feral honeybee hive inside the walls of the upstairs bedroom. That explained all the buzzing. I was hoping for a few fun treasures in the attic, but it was clean as a whistle. The same day this video was shot, I also filmed an interview with WBTV News on the front porch of this house. The abandonment made the perfect backdrop.

Diary of Abandonment

282,803 views • 7 months ago

Got a handful of negative comments on this one, so I edited it to please the Karens. 😆 They wanted to make sure I knew stacked stones are illegal (we didn’t stack them) and that I should be wearing sunscreen, completely missing the point of the video. Which version do you like better?

Got a handful of negative comments on this one, so I edited it to please the Karens. 😆 They wanted to make sure I knew stacked stones are illegal (we didn’t stack them) and that I should be wearing sunscreen, completely missing the point of the video. Which version do you like better?

Diary of Abandonment

87,810 views • 2 months ago

I’m helping my uncle stain his deck today. And as much fun as no one thinks staining a deck is, I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting.

I’m helping my uncle stain his deck today. And as much fun as no one thinks staining a deck is, I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting.

Diary of Abandonment

75,746 views • 2 months ago

On my way to clean the headstone of a Revolutionary War soldier, in preparation of him receiving his official plaque from the Daughters of the American Revolution. 🇺🇸 Preserving history is my favorite endeavor. ❤️

On my way to clean the headstone of a Revolutionary War soldier, in preparation of him receiving his official plaque from the Daughters of the American Revolution. 🇺🇸 Preserving history is my favorite endeavor. ❤️

Diary of Abandonment

271,979 views • 11 months ago

Growing up, three things shaped me early on: patriotism, history, and a deep appreciation for those who came before us. Elementary school in Texas fostered my love of American history and patriotism. Later, attending school in Pennsylvania meant early mornings playing The Oregon Trail with my friends, planting a seed of fascination with the settling of the American West. And being raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave me a deep appreciation for family history, genealogy, and the sacrifices of the pioneers. So when I finally stood at the wagon ruts in Guernsey, Wyoming, it felt like all of those threads came together. Running my hand over grooves carved by thousands of wagon wheels and standing where so many pioneers once walked was far more moving than I ever expected. It truly felt like walking on hallowed ground.

Growing up, three things shaped me early on: patriotism, history, and a deep appreciation for those who came before us. Elementary school in Texas fostered my love of American history and patriotism. Later, attending school in Pennsylvania meant early mornings playing The Oregon Trail with my friends, planting a seed of fascination with the settling of the American West. And being raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave me a deep appreciation for family history, genealogy, and the sacrifices of the pioneers. So when I finally stood at the wagon ruts in Guernsey, Wyoming, it felt like all of those threads came together. Running my hand over grooves carved by thousands of wagon wheels and standing where so many pioneers once walked was far more moving than I ever expected. It truly felt like walking on hallowed ground.

Diary of Abandonment

39,811 views • 1 month ago

Clicking my heels together three times and saying, “There’s no place like the cemetery. There’s no place like the cemetery. There’s no place like the cemetery.”

Clicking my heels together three times and saying, “There’s no place like the cemetery. There’s no place like the cemetery. There’s no place like the cemetery.”

Diary of Abandonment

27,779 views • 1 month ago

Ok, time for some ice and ibuprofen. 🧊💊

Ok, time for some ice and ibuprofen. 🧊💊

Diary of Abandonment

21,402 views • 27 days ago

This video is 3:27 long. Drop a heart if you made it to the end so I know who really loves me. ❤️😆 Thank you all for the well wishes. I’m humbled by your words of support. 🥰🥰

This video is 3:27 long. Drop a heart if you made it to the end so I know who really loves me. ❤️😆 Thank you all for the well wishes. I’m humbled by your words of support. 🥰🥰

Diary of Abandonment

23,062 views • 1 month ago

In the middle of a South Dakota cornfield stands a church built in 1883 to serve the area’s growing Czech and Bohemian community. I don’t know how long it’s stood empty, but l was grateful to find it untouched. No graffiti. No broken windows. Just some happy little birds singing praises in an empty chapel. South Dakota📍

In the middle of a South Dakota cornfield stands a church built in 1883 to serve the area’s growing Czech and Bohemian community. I don’t know how long it’s stood empty, but l was grateful to find it untouched. No graffiti. No broken windows. Just some happy little birds singing praises in an empty chapel. South Dakota📍

Diary of Abandonment

33,892 views • 1 month ago

I tucked a little Charlie Brown Christmas tree into the corner of my kitchen. I used an old metal mop bucket—already filled with soil and a plant—as the base, then added a few simple touches: lights, berries, and snowflakes from Hobby Lobby (maybe $15 or so total). The finishing detail was a bird’s nest I once found in an abandoned house. What do you think?

I tucked a little Charlie Brown Christmas tree into the corner of my kitchen. I used an old metal mop bucket—already filled with soil and a plant—as the base, then added a few simple touches: lights, berries, and snowflakes from Hobby Lobby (maybe $15 or so total). The finishing detail was a bird’s nest I once found in an abandoned house. What do you think?

Diary of Abandonment

99,237 views • 8 months ago

🎶 What’s one song that takes you right back to childhood? John Denver was a staple in our home growing up. I always thought he was so handsome. My mom owned every album he ever recorded, and I remember sitting with those records in my lap, just looking at the cover while the music played.

🎶 What’s one song that takes you right back to childhood? John Denver was a staple in our home growing up. I always thought he was so handsome. My mom owned every album he ever recorded, and I remember sitting with those records in my lap, just looking at the cover while the music played.

Diary of Abandonment

26,909 views • 2 months ago

One, maybe two more jobs before surgery on Monday if I can help it.

One, maybe two more jobs before surgery on Monday if I can help it.

Diary of Abandonment

17,316 views • 1 month ago

That time my soul left my body for a second in the tunnels of the old Montana State Prison. We had no idea they also offer a haunted Halloween tour, so when we wandered past some of their props, my brain was not prepared. 🤡🎈

That time my soul left my body for a second in the tunnels of the old Montana State Prison. We had no idea they also offer a haunted Halloween tour, so when we wandered past some of their props, my brain was not prepared. 🤡🎈

Diary of Abandonment

12,579 views • 28 days ago

Hi, I’m Laura. Photographer behind Diary of Abandonment, artist behind the scenes, and headstone preservationist by way of a side gig. I spend my time exploring forgotten places, celebrating American history, and preserving the stories of people who came before us.

Hi, I’m Laura. Photographer behind Diary of Abandonment, artist behind the scenes, and headstone preservationist by way of a side gig. I spend my time exploring forgotten places, celebrating American history, and preserving the stories of people who came before us.

Diary of Abandonment

19,537 views • 1 month ago

Did you ever dream of traveling Route 66 and seeing all the iconic roadstops? Same. But somewhere along the way, we let it die. Now it’s nothing more than shells, dust, and spray painted ghosts.

Did you ever dream of traveling Route 66 and seeing all the iconic roadstops? Same. But somewhere along the way, we let it die. Now it’s nothing more than shells, dust, and spray painted ghosts.

Diary of Abandonment

38,103 views • 4 months ago

I bought an outfit for a 250th event I’ll attend later this year. The video would’ve been way too long to show the dress and putting the boots on, so I had to break it up. I cannot begin to describe to you how fabulous these shoes by American Duchess are! I’ll post the dress next.

I bought an outfit for a 250th event I’ll attend later this year. The video would’ve been way too long to show the dress and putting the boots on, so I had to break it up. I cannot begin to describe to you how fabulous these shoes by American Duchess are! I’ll post the dress next.

Diary of Abandonment

41,185 views • 5 months ago