One Bit of Thread - Ancestry
Stories, art, and fragments from the fabric of a life.
My maiden name was always incredibly important to me.
My great-grandparents were Molokans, a Spiritual Christian sect that was persecuted, starting in the 18th century, by the Tsarist Russian government and the Russian Orthodox Church. The Molokans were punished as heretics, and government policy pushed them to outlying areas to prevent them from influencing peasants in central Russia.
They were pacifists, similar to Quakers and Mennonites, and believed in the philosophy of communal organization and spiritual meetings.
In 1906, my great-grandparents fled persecution in Russia in search of religious freedom in the United States. They joined the developing Molokan community of Potrero Hill in San Francisco and eventually bought a farm in Santa Rosa.
My grandpa was born in the United States and, in his later years, was known as “Mike the Egg Man,” delivering farm-fresh eggs to homes throughout Santa Rosa and San Francisco. Imagine your traditional milkman, only with eggs.
Growing up, I was told that our name, Loscotoff, meant “Little Bits of Thread.”
This is where my publication name comes from—honoring part of my family tree. I think this part of my lineage meant a great deal to me, in part because it felt so close. The family samovar and hand-spun sewing machine—both brought on the boat from Russia—still sit in my parents’ home.
We jumped in the hay at my grandpa’s farm and sometimes slept in the little house where my great-grandparents (and later, my dad) had slept. That little house often scared me; there were spiders in the corners and dark shadows on the walls. There was still an outhouse on the property, although modern plumbing had been installed before I was born. As we got older, we slept in an added-on bunkhouse with cousins, or on the old fold-out couch.
It was a small farmhouse with deep history.
But of course, that is only one strand in a much larger tapestry.
This is not to negate all the other threads that make me who I am. I am fascinated by the line of ancestors who brought me to this point, a line that connects me to the Mayflower and the Revolutionary War, to one of the earliest pioneers of Wisconsin, and to family who lived in California before it was a state, to my great-grandma—an Irish businesswoman who ran her own store in San Francisco.
I am Irish and Scottish and English and Welsh, Ukrainian and Russian, French and Rhinelander and Austrian, with a tiny bit of Italian and Portuguese thrown in.
These are my little bits of thread that make me who I am.
And this newsletter is also woven from the threads that make me me—art, storytelling, photography, gardening, animals, life.
Little Bits of Thread…
I’ve recently fallen in love with the little snippets of creativity I see in other people’s lives. My friend Bridgette sends out photographs; others share their art or the books that inspire them.
This space is my own personal journey—what strikes me in the moment, a journal of sorts. It’s not replacing the stories I’m working on, more of a creative space to think. It might include some of my favorite recent photographs as the seasons change, or creative works in progress.
I have no timeline, and I’ve chosen not to force myself into an artificial schedule. Sometimes it’s just too beautiful outside and I must garden, or go for a walk, or play with the kitten who adopted me. (More on her next time.)
So please, join me here if the fancy strikes you. Tell me about your life and what’s going on with you.
Some of these posts might be long with an abundance of photos, and email is notorious for cutting them short, so consider reading them through the link at the top or bottom (through your browser or the Substack app.)
The world feels far too disconnected these days, and it seems that stories, creativity, and art are a rebellion against that.
Photo Album
Some of my favorite recent photos. Welcome to autumn.
Do you have a favorite?
Writing
A few weeks ago, I experimented with the idea of telling a story in serial form—as if it were unfolding in real time. I was inspired by the concept of the Rapture, and by the prediction circulating on social media that it would occur on a specific day in September (specifically September 25th, 2025) .
I used a story originally written for my old website and gave it new life here, editing and expanding it as I went. I also added pen and ink illustrations, drawn as the story developed. It was an opportunity to explore what’s possible on Substack and to learn more about its features.
It wasn’t a great success in terms of visibility, but it was a great success in understanding why I create. I create because I love the puzzle of it—the process of figuring out how something fits together. It challenges me to think differently and keeps my mind active. When I’m creating, I slip into a quiet focus where time disappears. It enriches my life, and I hope, in some small way, it enriches the lives of those who encounter what I make.
It felt wonderful to be drawing again. It was fun to revisit an old idea and bring it forward in time. I also learned the difference between using Notes and Posts, and enjoyed experimenting with the rhythm of a daily story told in real time.
If you enjoy apocalyptic imaginings or stories that play with time and faith, I’d love for you to start here with Day One.
This was so fun to read. Your family story is delightful and beautiful and the photos following it were a special cherry on top. I absolutely adore this news thread and can’t wait for more ❤️
Your family history is so fascinating, and what an incredible photo of your great grandparents. It's so incredible to think about how our families arrived in this country and what history happened to shape who we are. I'm so glad my photos have inspired you to share more of yours—what a treat for everyone! Your photography is magical. I didn't know someone could make grasshoppers look so beautiful. The muted colors of the dahlia show off the incredible shapes. All the animals made me smile, but particularly the toad. Oh, and that jumping spider! I'm excited I'll get to see more of the world through your eyes.