Grayson Felt

My domain host has been throwing rocks at my window, reminding me that my yearly renewal payment for this website is in just 3 days! Sure... let's do this again.

What have I been up to in these 362 days? Here are some notable travels:

• Helsinki. Many visits made with my dear friend Della to explore this utopia.
• Keila. A nearby oasis.
• Krakow. I spent Christmas there in a monastery by Tyniec.
• Tbilisi. Celebrated a friend's birthday, and mourned every moment I waited to journey there.
• London. A few times, with friends and family. I've been there enough.
• Edinburgh. This revisit made me reconsider—what a great city!
• Haapsalu. A funny town in western Estonia which feels like a quirky museum.
• Riga. Celebrated a friend's wedding.

How was your summer? Something was blocking my sun. I am hoping to snatch the last few remaining rays in Greece next month as repayment.

Did you read anything you liked / hated lately? I only finished a few books, of which Blood Meridian was my favorite. I hated A Little Life.

I still miss you all, come say hi!

In 1560, a man named Blachius Hochgrewe was slain while defending Tallinn from Muscovite invaders. Not long after, a limestone cross was raised at the site of his death, a testament to his bravery and sacrifice.

It is a quiet monument, standing in the shadow of the old town, a reminder of the country's turbulent past. Blachius is shown kneeling before the cross, his helmet and shield laid at his side. On the back, a message in Low German is carved into the stone:

In the year 1560, on September 11, Mr. Blasius Hochgreve was mercilessly killed here by the Russians. May God have mercy on him and grant him a joyful resurrection to eternal life on the last day. Amen.

This weathered stone has borne witness to 465 years of repeated invasions, occupations, and wars. Somehow it was spared the worst of time, and now it stands as a symbol of resilience and endurance.

I stumbled across this monument last year, just a few streets from my apartment. It was startling to realize how easily history hides in plain sight, especially in a city as steeped in heritage as Tallinn. I've since returned to it many times and have grown to appreciate its quiet significance. Yet the monument itself is in dire need of care. Graffiti stains its base, trash gathers around it, and the stone is cracked with age. This, despite the fact that it is the oldest surviving monument in Tallinn.

Today, Estonia marks its Restoration of Independence Day — the end of Soviet occupation and the beginning of a new era. I am grateful to the Estonian people, who have endured so much and remain so resilient.

The history around me is endless, and I'm still only beginning to uncover it. I owe Estonia for its hospitality, its universities, its opportunities, and above all, its people.

Here's to continued peace and prosperity for Estonia, and to the memory of Blachius Hochgrewe and all who died protecting this country.

Below is a drawing I made in tribute.

I am lucky to have collected a few pious objects around Estonia which now sit above my desk. I have also digitally painted my perspective of it below. Here's to collecting!

My weekend finds: a pewter tray, silver brush, solemn portrait, corduroy pants, frames, metal candlesticks, and a curious cat.

The sale was steep, the luck was decent, and now I'm playing curator in my own apartment. Hope your weekend brought you something small and good.

A running list of things I want to come back to.

• Pilgrim badge archive — Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
• A plaid blazer
• Every Man for Himself and God Against All: A Memoir — Werner Herzog
• Blasius Hochgrewe Monument — 59.41419650176886, 24.73707592961039
• Tim Hardin 1 — Tim Hardin
• Western European 17th Century Steel Gorget — $3,007.25

I have republished my website, with a few blog entries for now. I much prefer sharing the things I care about through a website—it gives me complete control over the format and aesthetic, which, as you can see, I enjoy manipulating.

In the near future, you might find posts about my hobbies. I may also write about my adventures here in Estonia, the memories I create travelling, or simply the things I care about.

Who knows, if I continue learning Estonian you might have to start translating!

I miss you all, and I hope you are doing well. Come see me in Tallinn, the summer is beautiful here. I have an apartment (with a free couch) outside of the old town, and I am surrounded by wonderful friends.

I hope to see you soon.