25 Articles

The best of this newsletter so far

Thank you to everyone who has subscribed to this newsletter — my only regret is that I did not start it sooner!

When it launched in October 2023, I had no idea what would happen. I’m grateful that my old readership stayed with me, that new readers found me, and for the thoughtful feedback folks have left in the comments section and in emails.

I am especially grateful for the paid subscribers who make it possible for me to keep writing. As I’ve said, I will always keep this newsletter free, because I don’t believe in paywalls during times of political crises and economic hardship.

I want my work open to all. I’m therefore very appreciative of the generous subscribers who pay what they can so that everyone has equal access.

One benefit of working alone is that I can write whatever I want. I’m known for writing about politics and history. But over the last few months I’ve written on art, music, nature, and my travels around the US. There is a natural reason for the diversity of topics: it is impossible to separate politics from everyday life.

Our lives are not policy props or election fodder. Our lives matter in their own right. You matter in your own right.

In my book HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT, I write about living under impending autocracy: “I cling to what cannot be predicted or controlled: love, imagination, originality. I try to live in a way that would break an algorithm. I pray to the unexpected.”

I’m still praying for better times. But at least I broke that algorithm.

*          *          *

I’ve gained thousands of readers since my first post, and I assume you all haven’t read everything I wrote. I’m about to take a few days to edit my next book, THE LAST AMERICAN ROAD TRIP, and I don’t want to leave you hanging.

So here is every article from this newsletter, sorted by category, so you can read what you want when you want. Sometimes you may crave an expose of dark alliances destroying American democracy. Sometimes you may prefer a description of pretty leaves in the woods. Sometimes you get both! If you’re gonna blow someone’s mind, it’s good to soothe their soul.

I’ll be back soon! Thank you all again so much: your support means the world.

Politics

Between a Rock and a Hard Place (2/21/24)
The Night Whitney Houston Died (2/13/24)
Fearing the Reapers (1/31/24)
America’s Legal Soap Opera (1/20/24)
Iowa Whole Lotta Nothing (1/13/24)
Trail of Tears (1/11/24)
Christ of the Ozarks (1/6/24)
Welcome to Boomland (1/2/24)
Servants of the Mafia State (11/16/23)
Behold, a Pale Horse Race (11/5/23)
Bearing Witness to the Disappearing World (10/29/23)
The Rise of Global Authoritarianism (10/25/23)
At the Junction of F and U (10/23/23)
When the Devil Is Your Own (10/16/23)
Frost Flowers (10/12/23)

Nature

Between a Rock and a Hard Place (2/21/24)
The Fog (1/26/24)
Wandering the Ruins of the American Dream (11/21/24)
How to Get Lost (11/11/23)
Frost Flowers (10/12/23)

Music

The Night Whitney Houston Died (2/13/24)
Driving in Circles (2/5/24) [Tracy Chapman]
Fearing the Reapers (1/31/24) [Blue Oyster Cult]

Art

The Fog (1/26/24) [Andrew Wyeth]
Iowa Whole Lotta Nothing (1/13/24) [Grant Wood]
A Note of Gratitude to My Readers (11/24/23) [The St. Louis Art Museum]

Places I’ve Been

Fearing the Reapers (1/31/24) [Indiana]
Iowa Whole Lotta Nothing (1/13/24)
Trail of Tears (1/11/24) [Oklahoma, Mississippi]
Christ of the Ozarks (1/6/24) [Arkansas]
Welcome to Boomland (1/2/24) [The Missouri bootheel]
Last Chance Ride (12/15/23) [Highways to heaven and hell]
The Mourning Moon (12/1/23) [Eastern Illinois]
Behold, a Pale Horse Race (11/5/23) [New Orleans]
At the Junction of F and U (10/23/23) [Eastern Kansas and Western Missouri]

TV

America’s Legal Soap Opera (1/20/24) [Guiding Light]
Trail of Tears (1/11/24) [Reservation Dogs]
Out of Words (12/9/23) [Breaking Bad]

Thank you again! If I have time, I’ll write something new this week. If not, see you in two weeks! I’m hoping to add more newsletter features — Q & As, for example— once my schedule is freed up. Stay tuned!

With gratitude,

Sarah

Two roads diverged…