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Diary of Abandonment

@thequeenofrust • 43,479 subscribers

A visual journal of lost Americana | Photographer | History | Travel & Adventure | Cemetery Preservationist | Artist | LDS | DAR 🇺🇸

Shorts

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

118,274 Aufrufe

Revolutionary War Patriot headstones get the special treatment. 🇺🇸

Revolutionary War Patriot headstones get the special treatment. 🇺🇸

482,188 Aufrufe

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 Aufrufe

✨ 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 Aufrufe

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

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

40,463 Aufrufe

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 Aufrufe

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 Aufrufe

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 Aufrufe

🌛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 Aufrufe

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.

22,184 Aufrufe

🎻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 Aufrufe

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 Aufrufe

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📍

16,558 Aufrufe

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 Aufrufe

I’ve got a full day of headstone cleanings lined up today. Tell me what your Friday looks like!

I’ve got a full day of headstone cleanings lined up today. Tell me what your Friday looks like!

19,098 Aufrufe

What’s so interesting about photographing old homes from one coast to the other, is the different style of homes you’ll find across the states. The homesteads out west look vastly different than the old farmhomes common in North Carolina and Virginia. It’s an interesting subject to study through photography. The first video is in Idaho and the home was built in the mid 1800s. The second video is in North Carolina and the home was built in the early 1900s. 2,000 miles and about 65ish years apart.

What’s so interesting about photographing old homes from one coast to the other, is the different style of homes you’ll find across the states. The homesteads out west look vastly different than the old farmhomes common in North Carolina and Virginia. It’s an interesting subject to study through photography. The first video is in Idaho and the home was built in the mid 1800s. The second video is in North Carolina and the home was built in the early 1900s. 2,000 miles and about 65ish years apart.

14,515 Aufrufe

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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

585,659 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

🐝 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 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

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 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

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

37,924 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

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

98,502 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

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

40,732 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

Even though I’ll be 50 soon, I still like doing carefree things like we did as kids. Jumping rope is one of them. I’ve been practicing high knees for a few months because it’s such good cardio and it kind of makes you feel like Rocky. My goal was 100 rotations without tripping. I finally did it. 🥊🏆

Even though I’ll be 50 soon, I still like doing carefree things like we did as kids. Jumping rope is one of them. I’ve been practicing high knees for a few months because it’s such good cardio and it kind of makes you feel like Rocky. My goal was 100 rotations without tripping. I finally did it. 🥊🏆

Diary of Abandonment

20,145 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

While participating as a reenactor in the 161st Anniversary of the Battle of Wyse Fork in Kinston, NC, I was given permission to step off the trail for a closer look and to point out trenches still visible in the woods. These are known as earthworks, the standard term for Civil War field fortifications. Soldiers built them by digging directly into the soil to form embankments, parapets, breastworks, and trench lines. During the battle, Confederate forces along Southwest Creek were described as holding entrenched lines and earthworks, and here at Wyse Fork you can still see the surviving mounds, ridges, and shallow depressions in the forest floor. They’re the remains of defenses dug by hand more than 160 years ago. Organizations like the Wyse Fork Battlefield Commission and the American Battlefield Trust work to preserve these fragile pieces of history, including miles of Confederate trenches and some hastily built Union ones. Standing among them, you’re looking at the actual ground soldiers shaped during the fight. Grateful for the chance to see them up close and help share their story. 🇺🇸

While participating as a reenactor in the 161st Anniversary of the Battle of Wyse Fork in Kinston, NC, I was given permission to step off the trail for a closer look and to point out trenches still visible in the woods. These are known as earthworks, the standard term for Civil War field fortifications. Soldiers built them by digging directly into the soil to form embankments, parapets, breastworks, and trench lines. During the battle, Confederate forces along Southwest Creek were described as holding entrenched lines and earthworks, and here at Wyse Fork you can still see the surviving mounds, ridges, and shallow depressions in the forest floor. They’re the remains of defenses dug by hand more than 160 years ago. Organizations like the Wyse Fork Battlefield Commission and the American Battlefield Trust work to preserve these fragile pieces of history, including miles of Confederate trenches and some hastily built Union ones. Standing among them, you’re looking at the actual ground soldiers shaped during the fight. Grateful for the chance to see them up close and help share their story. 🇺🇸

Diary of Abandonment

41,170 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

It took me three hours to make this video. Please say something nice. 😅

It took me three hours to make this video. Please say something nice. 😅

Diary of Abandonment

38,887 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

This dress (from Victorian Choice on Etsy) definitely requires two people to put in on properly. I ordered a medium (I’m 5’6” and 142lbs). I may order a small as well and see if it’s a better fit. Either way, I’ll have to do some minor alterations to the skirt, but otherwise, I love it. It’s SO well made!

This dress (from Victorian Choice on Etsy) definitely requires two people to put in on properly. I ordered a medium (I’m 5’6” and 142lbs). I may order a small as well and see if it’s a better fit. Either way, I’ll have to do some minor alterations to the skirt, but otherwise, I love it. It’s SO well made!

Diary of Abandonment

25,478 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

I grew up with a mom who made all of our Christmas gifts, and I learned to do the same. My grandkids love playing in the woods, which made proper walking sticks feel necessary. I made them up as I went, using art supplies I had on hand.

I grew up with a mom who made all of our Christmas gifts, and I learned to do the same. My grandkids love playing in the woods, which made proper walking sticks feel necessary. I made them up as I went, using art supplies I had on hand.

Diary of Abandonment

54,376 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

It’s me, not Ai. Here’s a Proof of Life video, taken the same day as the photo below. I was excited about my outfit. 🙃

It’s me, not Ai. Here’s a Proof of Life video, taken the same day as the photo below. I was excited about my outfit. 🙃

Diary of Abandonment

59,623 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

This is the first time I’ve hung Christmas lights since moving here. Nothing fancy, just enough to make it glow. Chicken-n-dumplings in the crockpot, grandkids on the way. I can’t wait for them to walk in and see it all lit up.

This is the first time I’ve hung Christmas lights since moving here. Nothing fancy, just enough to make it glow. Chicken-n-dumplings in the crockpot, grandkids on the way. I can’t wait for them to walk in and see it all lit up.

Diary of Abandonment

61,159 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

This is the story of my friend Andy the Great, a true American hero and veteran of WW2, and the small miracle that occurred right before he passed. I served as his volunteer genealogist for the 2.5 years preceding his death, and our love for genealogy helped foster the most unlikely, influential friendship I’ve ever had. We accomplished big things together, and even though he’s been gone for a few months now, I feel certain he’s still smiling big at what we made happen when it came to preserving his heritage. Before he left this Earth, I told him I looked forward to giving his mom, dad, sisters, and wife a big hug on the other side someday, honored to have “known” them through his stories. I sure miss my time with him. 🇺🇸❤️🫡 #ww2history #ww2veteran #wwii #ww2stories #greatestgeneration

This is the story of my friend Andy the Great, a true American hero and veteran of WW2, and the small miracle that occurred right before he passed. I served as his volunteer genealogist for the 2.5 years preceding his death, and our love for genealogy helped foster the most unlikely, influential friendship I’ve ever had. We accomplished big things together, and even though he’s been gone for a few months now, I feel certain he’s still smiling big at what we made happen when it came to preserving his heritage. Before he left this Earth, I told him I looked forward to giving his mom, dad, sisters, and wife a big hug on the other side someday, honored to have “known” them through his stories. I sure miss my time with him. 🇺🇸❤️🫡 #ww2history #ww2veteran #wwii #ww2stories #greatestgeneration

Diary of Abandonment

103,171 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

This was my outfit I wore today volunteering as a docent. Also, I like wearing it to church. :)

This was my outfit I wore today volunteering as a docent. Also, I like wearing it to church. :)

Diary of Abandonment

16,440 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

I recently traveled a large section of Route 66, and after stopping at ghost towns and vandalized buildings along the way, I was shocked at how much of America’s iconic history has been erased. Smashed, spray-painted over, stomped into the ground—obliterating the most iconic era in America’s story: the booming post-war years when the country was on the move. Route 66 originally stretched 2,448 miles across eight states, lined with diners, motels, dance halls, zoos, taverns, swimming pools, and roadside attractions that kept small towns alive. I can’t help but wonder why more measures weren’t taken to preserve such nostalgic places? The skeletons scattered along the Mother Road now stand as a reminder of how quickly history can vanish.

I recently traveled a large section of Route 66, and after stopping at ghost towns and vandalized buildings along the way, I was shocked at how much of America’s iconic history has been erased. Smashed, spray-painted over, stomped into the ground—obliterating the most iconic era in America’s story: the booming post-war years when the country was on the move. Route 66 originally stretched 2,448 miles across eight states, lined with diners, motels, dance halls, zoos, taverns, swimming pools, and roadside attractions that kept small towns alive. I can’t help but wonder why more measures weren’t taken to preserve such nostalgic places? The skeletons scattered along the Mother Road now stand as a reminder of how quickly history can vanish.

Diary of Abandonment

62,787 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

It took me one hour to scrape the stone and two hours to make this video. Like, comment, and share so I feel better about the imbalance, please. 😆 Scott - thank you for putting together the workshop so we can all learn how to be better stewards of our history. 🙌🏻

It took me one hour to scrape the stone and two hours to make this video. Like, comment, and share so I feel better about the imbalance, please. 😆 Scott - thank you for putting together the workshop so we can all learn how to be better stewards of our history. 🙌🏻

Diary of Abandonment

23,031 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

Teaching kids the importance of historic preservation this morning at Fourth Creek Burying Grounds in Statesville, NC. The event was hosted and taught by Scott Stevenson and he did a great job of teaching them the correct methods of cleaning headstones. This was a good way to start the day!

Teaching kids the importance of historic preservation this morning at Fourth Creek Burying Grounds in Statesville, NC. The event was hosted and taught by Scott Stevenson and he did a great job of teaching them the correct methods of cleaning headstones. This was a good way to start the day!

Diary of Abandonment

21,308 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

This was 2019, a few years before I embraced aging naturally and let my grays come in. Strange to look back and see how much I’ve changed since then. About this abandoned Boy Scout camp…We’d stumbled across it while at the coast, right in the middle of summer. The humidity hung as thick as the spider webs in the trees. Mosquitoes felt as big as’ spiders, and I’m sure snakes were aplenty. As much as I love my boots and overalls now, I can’t believe I walked through all that in tennis shoes and ankle socks. What a rookie I was. 😆

This was 2019, a few years before I embraced aging naturally and let my grays come in. Strange to look back and see how much I’ve changed since then. About this abandoned Boy Scout camp…We’d stumbled across it while at the coast, right in the middle of summer. The humidity hung as thick as the spider webs in the trees. Mosquitoes felt as big as’ spiders, and I’m sure snakes were aplenty. As much as I love my boots and overalls now, I can’t believe I walked through all that in tennis shoes and ankle socks. What a rookie I was. 😆

Diary of Abandonment

15,041 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat