Steve Skafte
@steveskafte.bsky.social
Ardent explorer of misplaced memories. Uninterrupted daily journal since 2007. These are excerpts from the full posts on Instagram, Facebook, Patreon, and Substack.
Signed books here:
etsy.com/shop/SteveSkafte
Signed books here:
etsy.com/shop/SteveSkafte
My daily journal began November 2007. At least one daily shot since the start has been a self-portrait, because it was the art form that made me most uncomfortable. It's now 6,500+ days, 18 years later. I'd just turned 20 then, now I'm 38. Never missed a single day, never will until the day I die.
This video took me 18 years to make.
YouTube video by Steve Skafte
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:50 AM
My daily journal began November 2007. At least one daily shot since the start has been a self-portrait, because it was the art form that made me most uncomfortable. It's now 6,500+ days, 18 years later. I'd just turned 20 then, now I'm 38. Never missed a single day, never will until the day I die.
DEEPEST EMBERS —— It's been exactly one month since the last new hotspots cropped up in the West Dalhousie Wildfire. It's a desolate expanse of wasteland left, with no... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 8, 2025
West Dalhousie, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6572 of my daily journal.
November 8, 2025
West Dalhousie, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6572 of my daily journal.
November 10, 2025 at 10:06 PM
DEEPEST EMBERS —— It's been exactly one month since the last new hotspots cropped up in the West Dalhousie Wildfire. It's a desolate expanse of wasteland left, with no... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 8, 2025
West Dalhousie, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6572 of my daily journal.
November 8, 2025
West Dalhousie, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6572 of my daily journal.
WHAT FIRE TRIED —— There's something uneasy in the rainslick ebony of charred wood gone cold. It's the closest I've ever felt to walking through a cemetery in nature, which... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 8, 2025
West Dalhousie, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6572 of my daily journal.
November 8, 2025
West Dalhousie, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6572 of my daily journal.
November 10, 2025 at 10:04 PM
WHAT FIRE TRIED —— There's something uneasy in the rainslick ebony of charred wood gone cold. It's the closest I've ever felt to walking through a cemetery in nature, which... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 8, 2025
West Dalhousie, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6572 of my daily journal.
November 8, 2025
West Dalhousie, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6572 of my daily journal.
ENDLESS WAYS —— There's a prevalent lie that you can run out of things to say. But in a world where someone is always saying something new — speaking, singing, or writing... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 7, 2025
Granville Centre, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6571 of my daily journal.
November 7, 2025
Granville Centre, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6571 of my daily journal.
November 9, 2025 at 10:04 PM
ENDLESS WAYS —— There's a prevalent lie that you can run out of things to say. But in a world where someone is always saying something new — speaking, singing, or writing... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 7, 2025
Granville Centre, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6571 of my daily journal.
November 7, 2025
Granville Centre, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6571 of my daily journal.
NO QUALMS —— A drought can't end overnight. Even though the autumn rains eventually arrived, record lows in lakes and reservoirs are slow to rise and recover. On the upside... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 6, 2025
Graywood, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6570 of my daily journal.
November 6, 2025
Graywood, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6570 of my daily journal.
November 9, 2025 at 10:01 PM
NO QUALMS —— A drought can't end overnight. Even though the autumn rains eventually arrived, record lows in lakes and reservoirs are slow to rise and recover. On the upside... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 6, 2025
Graywood, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6570 of my daily journal.
November 6, 2025
Graywood, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6570 of my daily journal.
My yearly "Abandoned Nova Scotia" calendar always gets rave reviews! Makes a great gift, for you or someone else. $30 each plus shipping. Order direct from me at etsy.com/shop/SteveSkafte — or if you're in Annapolis County, send me a message to arrange free in-person pickup or delivery.
November 9, 2025 at 2:29 AM
My yearly "Abandoned Nova Scotia" calendar always gets rave reviews! Makes a great gift, for you or someone else. $30 each plus shipping. Order direct from me at etsy.com/shop/SteveSkafte — or if you're in Annapolis County, send me a message to arrange free in-person pickup or delivery.
FROM NOWHERE —— It's been almost a decade since I first stumbled into this secretive grove of trees. Hidden from the path, out of sight unless you wander off by chance. Nothing... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 6, 2025
Graywood, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6570 of my daily journal.
November 6, 2025
Graywood, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6570 of my daily journal.
November 8, 2025 at 10:06 PM
FROM NOWHERE —— It's been almost a decade since I first stumbled into this secretive grove of trees. Hidden from the path, out of sight unless you wander off by chance. Nothing... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 6, 2025
Graywood, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6570 of my daily journal.
November 6, 2025
Graywood, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6570 of my daily journal.
WHOSE PASSION —— Nothing brings me back like a calendar. It's a pretty strong suggestion for the final year of occupation. After all, who keeps one out of date? The nearby wood... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 6, 2025
Graywood, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6570 of my daily journal.
November 6, 2025
Graywood, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6570 of my daily journal.
November 8, 2025 at 10:05 PM
WHOSE PASSION —— Nothing brings me back like a calendar. It's a pretty strong suggestion for the final year of occupation. After all, who keeps one out of date? The nearby wood... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 6, 2025
Graywood, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6570 of my daily journal.
November 6, 2025
Graywood, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6570 of my daily journal.
I wrote this poem at the end of my twenties. Now I'm at the end of my thirties, and still feel it just as deeply now. From my 2017 poetry paperback: Gregarious Introvert. Grab yourself a signed copy here: etsy.com/shop/SteveSkafte
November 8, 2025 at 2:32 AM
I wrote this poem at the end of my twenties. Now I'm at the end of my thirties, and still feel it just as deeply now. From my 2017 poetry paperback: Gregarious Introvert. Grab yourself a signed copy here: etsy.com/shop/SteveSkafte
THE BENDS
ever since the wildfire
the smell of smoke
makes me nervous
and the forces of resistance
with their lights and sirens
I find somewhat more alarming
so I've been charm... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 5, 2025
Millville, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6569 of my daily journal.
ever since the wildfire
the smell of smoke
makes me nervous
and the forces of resistance
with their lights and sirens
I find somewhat more alarming
so I've been charm... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 5, 2025
Millville, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6569 of my daily journal.
November 7, 2025 at 10:03 PM
THE BENDS
ever since the wildfire
the smell of smoke
makes me nervous
and the forces of resistance
with their lights and sirens
I find somewhat more alarming
so I've been charm... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 5, 2025
Millville, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6569 of my daily journal.
ever since the wildfire
the smell of smoke
makes me nervous
and the forces of resistance
with their lights and sirens
I find somewhat more alarming
so I've been charm... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 5, 2025
Millville, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6569 of my daily journal.
BEING THE WATCHER —— Out by the former railroad is where the buildings seem most timeless. Industrial structures, hard-working hulks long past their purpose. Whatever got a... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 5, 2025
Aylesford, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6569 of my daily journal.
November 5, 2025
Aylesford, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6569 of my daily journal.
November 7, 2025 at 10:01 PM
BEING THE WATCHER —— Out by the former railroad is where the buildings seem most timeless. Industrial structures, hard-working hulks long past their purpose. Whatever got a... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 5, 2025
Aylesford, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6569 of my daily journal.
November 5, 2025
Aylesford, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6569 of my daily journal.
EVER HALF-AWARE —— Eight lost children is the reason why Evergreen House is standing. Escaping from the sickly and crowded conditions of Halifax city life, Harriet Hawthorn... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 4, 2025
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6568 of my daily journal.
November 4, 2025
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6568 of my daily journal.
November 6, 2025 at 10:09 PM
EVER HALF-AWARE —— Eight lost children is the reason why Evergreen House is standing. Escaping from the sickly and crowded conditions of Halifax city life, Harriet Hawthorn... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 4, 2025
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6568 of my daily journal.
November 4, 2025
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6568 of my daily journal.
INDIVIDUAL HEART —— There's often something lonesome about being in the city alone. Far as I'm concerned, there's nothing bad about that. There are calm considerations to call... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 4, 2025
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6568 of my daily journal.
November 4, 2025
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6568 of my daily journal.
November 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
INDIVIDUAL HEART —— There's often something lonesome about being in the city alone. Far as I'm concerned, there's nothing bad about that. There are calm considerations to call... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 4, 2025
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6568 of my daily journal.
November 4, 2025
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6568 of my daily journal.
Got stopped by a reporter outside the grocery store today, and asked for my opinion on a current political situation. I started, then stopped myself. Because my aim isn't telling you how to live, but to help folks love life like I love mine. I don't want to make you think, I want to make you feel.
November 6, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Got stopped by a reporter outside the grocery store today, and asked for my opinion on a current political situation. I started, then stopped myself. Because my aim isn't telling you how to live, but to help folks love life like I love mine. I don't want to make you think, I want to make you feel.
NOT AGAINST —— Few sights inspire me like nature accidentally suited for human use. Cutting tracks through the tangled forest and picking a direction, some random break... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 3, 2025
Gulliver's Cove, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6567 of my daily journal.
November 3, 2025
Gulliver's Cove, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6567 of my daily journal.
November 5, 2025 at 10:20 PM
NOT AGAINST —— Few sights inspire me like nature accidentally suited for human use. Cutting tracks through the tangled forest and picking a direction, some random break... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 3, 2025
Gulliver's Cove, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6567 of my daily journal.
November 3, 2025
Gulliver's Cove, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6567 of my daily journal.
PARTIAL FACES —— I'm often sure I'm seeing faces. That's a sweet little sign of getting in touch with my wilder parts; rising from a time when feeling like being watched... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 3, 2025
Gulliver's Cove, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6567 of my daily journal.
November 3, 2025
Gulliver's Cove, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6567 of my daily journal.
November 5, 2025 at 10:18 PM
PARTIAL FACES —— I'm often sure I'm seeing faces. That's a sweet little sign of getting in touch with my wilder parts; rising from a time when feeling like being watched... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 3, 2025
Gulliver's Cove, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6567 of my daily journal.
November 3, 2025
Gulliver's Cove, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6567 of my daily journal.
SEEM TO BE —— Several years ago, I made a short film about some old hippie houses, long abandoned. In it, I said: "Their stories are now our stories." That's really what made me... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 2, 2025
Perotte, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6566 of my daily journal.
November 2, 2025
Perotte, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6566 of my daily journal.
November 5, 2025 at 2:38 AM
SEEM TO BE —— Several years ago, I made a short film about some old hippie houses, long abandoned. In it, I said: "Their stories are now our stories." That's really what made me... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 2, 2025
Perotte, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6566 of my daily journal.
November 2, 2025
Perotte, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6566 of my daily journal.
WHILE IN ONE —— Though it's always a long time coming, the last week of colour seems sudden. There will still be leaves lingering in sheltered stead, slower to shake loose. Also... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 1, 2025
Welsford, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6565 of my daily journal.
November 1, 2025
Welsford, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6565 of my daily journal.
November 5, 2025 at 2:36 AM
WHILE IN ONE —— Though it's always a long time coming, the last week of colour seems sudden. There will still be leaves lingering in sheltered stead, slower to shake loose. Also... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 1, 2025
Welsford, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6565 of my daily journal.
November 1, 2025
Welsford, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6565 of my daily journal.
THE INLETS —— This great concrete tunnel draws little attention, and that's what's so lovely and lonesome about it. There was a very brief time when it was the most important thing... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 1, 2025
Weston, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6565 of my daily journal.
November 1, 2025
Weston, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6565 of my daily journal.
November 3, 2025 at 10:29 PM
THE INLETS —— This great concrete tunnel draws little attention, and that's what's so lovely and lonesome about it. There was a very brief time when it was the most important thing... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 1, 2025
Weston, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6565 of my daily journal.
November 1, 2025
Weston, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6565 of my daily journal.
WHEN I RECALL —— Erosion is an element of what I love most. All forms of entropy; rot, rust, corrosion define me. Give some concrete eleven decades to wear away, and it's just... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 1, 2025
Weston, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6565 of my daily journal.
November 1, 2025
Weston, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6565 of my daily journal.
November 3, 2025 at 10:27 PM
WHEN I RECALL —— Erosion is an element of what I love most. All forms of entropy; rot, rust, corrosion define me. Give some concrete eleven decades to wear away, and it's just... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
November 1, 2025
Weston, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6565 of my daily journal.
November 1, 2025
Weston, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6565 of my daily journal.
Painters can reference my photos — I don't say no. But it's important to understand that their work tells my story, borrows my experience. Places I've discovered, moments frozen in my memory. Painting scenes you never saw can't carry that weight. I've told you where to look, but where will you turn?
November 3, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Painters can reference my photos — I don't say no. But it's important to understand that their work tells my story, borrows my experience. Places I've discovered, moments frozen in my memory. Painting scenes you never saw can't carry that weight. I've told you where to look, but where will you turn?
FOR A SECOND —— I feel like everyone should have somewhere that makes them feel at home in a lonesome sense. An out-of-place belonging that keeps on calling back. That's how... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
October 31, 2025
Mount Hanley, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6564 of my daily journal.
October 31, 2025
Mount Hanley, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6564 of my daily journal.
November 2, 2025 at 10:02 PM
FOR A SECOND —— I feel like everyone should have somewhere that makes them feel at home in a lonesome sense. An out-of-place belonging that keeps on calling back. That's how... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
October 31, 2025
Mount Hanley, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6564 of my daily journal.
October 31, 2025
Mount Hanley, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6564 of my daily journal.
CARRY THE WEIGHT —— If your idea of hiking is keeping a steady pace on slightly rugged terrain, then my daily wandering wouldn't hold much appeal. There are rarely any paths... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
October 31, 2025
Mount Hanley, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6564 of my daily journal.
October 31, 2025
Mount Hanley, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6564 of my daily journal.
November 2, 2025 at 10:01 PM
CARRY THE WEIGHT —— If your idea of hiking is keeping a steady pace on slightly rugged terrain, then my daily wandering wouldn't hold much appeal. There are rarely any paths... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
October 31, 2025
Mount Hanley, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6564 of my daily journal.
October 31, 2025
Mount Hanley, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6564 of my daily journal.
MEANS OF SURVIVAL
there's a great gasp of life
in the fields gone feral
now everything gets
all the light it wants
and new growth taunts
the shadows sullen
with ugly... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
October 30, 2025
Arlington East, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6563 of my daily journal.
there's a great gasp of life
in the fields gone feral
now everything gets
all the light it wants
and new growth taunts
the shadows sullen
with ugly... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
October 30, 2025
Arlington East, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6563 of my daily journal.
November 1, 2025 at 9:07 PM
MEANS OF SURVIVAL
there's a great gasp of life
in the fields gone feral
now everything gets
all the light it wants
and new growth taunts
the shadows sullen
with ugly... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
October 30, 2025
Arlington East, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6563 of my daily journal.
there's a great gasp of life
in the fields gone feral
now everything gets
all the light it wants
and new growth taunts
the shadows sullen
with ugly... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
October 30, 2025
Arlington East, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6563 of my daily journal.
LIKE A SANCTUARY —— I still feel haunted by my very first visit, on a cool September evening in my mid-twenties. In those days, a matching home stood much nearer to the... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
October 30, 2025
Arlington East, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6563 of my daily journal.
October 30, 2025
Arlington East, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6563 of my daily journal.
November 1, 2025 at 9:05 PM
LIKE A SANCTUARY —— I still feel haunted by my very first visit, on a cool September evening in my mid-twenties. In those days, a matching home stood much nearer to the... [Read More: IG, FB, Patreon, Substack]
October 30, 2025
Arlington East, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6563 of my daily journal.
October 30, 2025
Arlington East, Nova Scotia
Year 18, Day 6563 of my daily journal.