Reveling in the Genius of David Bowie’s “Quicksand”
“I’m sinking in the quicksand of my thoughtAnd I ain’t got the power anymore” – David Bowie, “Quicksand” (1971) “Quicksand” may be the greatest song that David Bowie ever wrote. This song is the 6th track on Bowie’s December 1971 album “Hunky Dory.” Bowie often explored the boundaries of identity, reality, and artifice, and “Quicksand” […]
Self-Esteem and Learning Your True Worth
Self-esteem has always been a challenging and elusive companion for me. Even now, I can think of many moments at which my self-worth felt nearly non-existent. The struggle with self-esteem is a deeply personal one, often hidden behind the façade of everyday smiles and accomplishments. Yet, I’ve come to realize that the path to building […]
I Awoke With Purpose Renewed
Amelia Phoenix Desertsong shares her powerful and inspiring story of finding renewed purpose after a long and difficult journey.
Easternmost
In this excerpt from Amelia Desertsong’s upcoming memoir Cloud Pieces, we take a trip to Eastport, the easternmost city in the United States, where she reflects on the many summers she spent in the area and finds closure with her complicated past. In spring, with snow still on the Downeast Maine ground, I pay a […]
Moss Glen Falls and the Retirement of a Film Warrior – Photophile Musings
Nestled between a quiet state highway and the serene woodlands of Granville, Vermont, Glen Moss Falls offered a moment to capture pure, unaffected beauty. This moment now is immortalized as one of the last breaths of a faithful companion – a Fujifilm medium-format film camera. This photograph is a testament to the camera’s enduring legacy, […]
A Visit to the AMTRAK Train Station at White River Junction – Photophile Musings
As I stood on the platform at the AMTRAK train station in White River Junction, Vermont, the vibrant red of a vintage caboose captures the gaze and imagination. Once a ubiquitous sight at the end of a freight train, this caboose now rests quietly, juxtaposed against the backdrop of modern railroading. Stationed behind the Boston […]
Kids Actually Do Have It Tough These Days
I began watching a particular YouTube content creator for his Star Trek related content. But it turned out that, for the most part, I’d agree with him on a lot of his views on politics and society, too. While he’s far more left-wing than I am – I’m more of a centrist, unaffiliated with any […]
Boston & Maine Engine 494 – Photophile Musings
The Boston and Maine Engine 494 represents not just a piece of machinery but a living fragment of history, a testimony to the industrial era’s achievements. Imagine if we could see this engine in action. Alas, it’s today on display at the AMTRAK station in White River Junction, Vermont. Its once powerful form is now […]
I Get All the News I Need From the Weather Report
This short essay was inspired by a Simon and Garfunkel song, and while I’m not keen on even posting much anymore, this needed to be said. Thanks to Thomas for reminding me of this line because it brought up some things that I’ve been meaning to write about. I Get All the News I Need […]
The Life and Times of a Rambling Soul
On October 2nd, 2022, I embarked on yet another of my well-intentioned writing projects. It was inspired by a 30-day challenge by a writer on Substack. In turn, these writer’s notebook entries were meant as content for that writer’s platform. Of course, like many of my projects, I often begin them with just a kernel […]