Essay
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Fish story
“In Wisconsin, you either fish or you know someone who does. It’s a cultural touchstone, like hunting or the Packers.”
Never do for a boy…
One of Joe Steen’s favorite sayings guided a significant chunk of my youth: ‘Never do for a boy what a boy can do for himself.’
May 7, 2025
Life in transit
“Before long, my Taos turned into a rolling confessional. A sanctuary for late-night truths. Strangers poured out their lives in the quiet anonymity of the dark.”
Apr 9, 2025
Living with the living building
The very phrase ‘living building’ seemed a clever combination of words, softening the idea of brick, mortar, and glass with the word ‘living,’ evoking a natural landscape.
Mar 14, 2025
What is important?
“Given the pressure to get the rent paid, I agreed to let someone move in despite my gut feeling that they were going to be difficult. On each occasion, I was right, and we ended up dealing with that person’s problems for months or years."
Feb 12, 2025
Old friends
‘But what young person thinks about their later years? Who thinks a conversation with an older person about their losses and challenges sounds like fun?’
Jan 9, 2025
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.’
Dec 10, 2024
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.”
Nov 11, 2024
8:00 AM
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.”
Oct 7, 2024
9:00 AM
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.”
Sep 12, 2024
8:00 AM
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.”
Aug 7, 2024
8:00 AM
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.”
Jun 11, 2024
8:00 AM
In the June issue
SummerTimes 2025
Don’t squander it! Isthmus wants you to enjoy your summer, because what else is summer for? South central Wisconsin is beckoning.
Pressure mounts on UW animal research
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are claiming victory in forcing UW-Madison’s Food Research Institute to create a separate fund for corporate donors that don’t want to support research that uses animals.
The cheese tour
You are in Green County — cheese country. You’ll find a surprising variety of cheese for sale as well as beer, pastries, meat sticks and clever gift-ables in homage to cows, cheese and Wisconsin.
All the state’s a stage
Wisconsinites don’t have much time to enjoy their summer, so it makes sense that theater, like dining, moves outdoors. Here’s a roundup of plays presented al fresco throughout the state.
Lavender farms thrive near Madison, and midsummer’s the best time to visit
Visiting a lavender farm means vibrant color, soothing aromas, scenic beauty and maybe even a lavender latte.
