Essay
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Selfie truths
‘So that desire — to see, be seen, decide where we belong and document it — existed long before the quick-shot world of today.’ Read more
The “A” word
“I didn’t mind the checkout guy’s patter. It was rote, but not meaningless. It gave a rhythm to our interaction, moved things along.” Read more
Nov 11, 2024
Letter from a childless cat lady
In this month’s essay, Rebecca Jamieson declares “I’m a childless cat lady who cares about our future.” Read more
Oct 7, 2024
What’s the rush?
“Listening to slow talkers can indeed be exasperating. Fast talkers sometimes try to finish our sentences, occasionally helpful when a word is hard to recall, but also annoying.” Read more
Sep 12, 2024
There once was a tree that lived on top of the factory
“Garver Feed Mill wasn’t always a nice spot to take your family or get some work done. It was once an abandoned building, but one that teemed with life, a playground for those brave enough to enter.” Read more
Aug 7, 2024
Teacher’s lounge
“That’s when I decided that the teachers’ lounge is like a cruise ship where, once you get into international waters, you can do anything you want.” Read more
Jun 11, 2024
Climbing the rock
“Hidden from sight, I was on my own. Standing on the relatively flat base of the rock, I gazed at the ocean, the endless surge of water so lonely and awe-inspiring.” Read more
May 8, 2024
8:00 AM
The blood-stained wedding dress
Our friends came over for a costume party — we still had a basement full of liquor from our wedding to get rid of—and we proudly showed off our costumes, including the bloodstains.’ Read more
Apr 13, 2024
8:00 AM
Walk this way
‘The isolation I’d sought near the edge of town began to feel a bit too isolating. I chafed at the need to hop in my car nearly any time I wanted to meet up with friends.’ Read more
Mar 13, 2024
8:00 AM
Anxious in the liquor store
“It wasn’t that hard, but it stopped being fun at some point. Soon I noticed the smell of wine on my mom’s breath when she would lament to me about ‘being too sick to do anything.’ I was young, not stupid.” Read more
Feb 6, 2024
8:00 AM
Warm blanket
”My presence at the desk was, in fact, both an affirmative action initiative and a desperate ploy to address dwindling enrollment.” Read more
Jan 10, 2024
8:00 AM
Tiny Tiger, big love
“When I met No. 72631, he sat on the far edge of a desk in a meeting room and stared at me. Slowly, he inched closer. Closer. I offered him Easy Cheese on the tip of my finger. It was the first time I’d felt the warm, rough tongue of a cat.” Read more
Dec 12, 2023
8:00 AM
In the December issue
One child, $463,000 per year
A Department of Corrections request would nearly double costs to incarcerate Wisconsin youth. Read more
Madison development spurs investments in public art
The city of Madison is growing and changing quickly. Advocates of public art say it's important to include art in development plans, saying it can transform a place and the people who occupy it. Read more
The year in Wisconsin books 2024
Wisconsin writers can’t seem to help themselves. They love setting their novels here and exploring the state’s rich history. Read more
Renovations on the Atwood Music Hall begin
After first seeing the inside of the building in 2020, Toffer Christensen bought the building in September 2023. Renovation financing for the Atwood Music Hall was finalized this fall. Read more
‘Our university does not respect us back’
UW-Madison track and field athletes — and their coaches — aren’t sure where they’ll be practicing this winter. Read more
