Grist From the Mills

A rocky red landscape is dotted with low, bushy green trees and a bright blue sky overhead.

In the Land of Enchantment

Vol. 84 In This Issue: ESSAY | NOW READ THIS | PHOTO GALLERY There’s been a lot on my mind lately. Hard to know what to focus on long enough to write about. So much pain and stress and suffering in the world around me. People everywhere under threat, all of

Close-up shot of a person using a hot iron to put text on a black t-shirt. The text reads, "Abolish ICE."

No more police cooperation with the ICE agenda

This post originally appeared at The Recombobulation Area, part of the Civic Media network. FUN NEWS: A column I wrote for the RC last year has won a Milwaukee Press Club award for "Best Single Editorial, Statement of Editorial Position or Opinion" category! Many thanks to Dan for

A white man carries a Confederate battle flag through a lobby inside Congress during the January 6 insurrection.

The Trump regime doesn’t need to import its form of terrorism. It’s an American original.

Vol. 82 In This Issue: Essay | Take Action | Now Read This | Final Frame | REMINDER: I'd be very grateful if you'd take a few moments to fill out this quick survey about this newsletter. It'll help guide my work for you going forward! Thank you.

A flyer taped to a light pole shows a photo of Renee Good with the caption, "RIP Renee. Murdered by ICE." An electronic votive candle flickers below.

I believe that we will win

Vol. 81 In This Issue: ESSAY | TAKE ACTION | NOW READ THIS | IN PERSON | FINAL FRAME REMINDER: I'd be very grateful if you'd take a few moments to fill out this quick survey about this newsletter. It'll help guide my work for you going forward!

A sign that reads "LEGALIZE" and has illustrations of pot leaves on either side is hoisted in the air in front of the Wisconsin State Capitol building dome.

It's high time for Wisconsin to legalize it

Vol. 80 In This Issue: Essay | Now Read This | Take Action/Donate | Please Take My Survey! | Final Frame This essay was originally published by The Recombobulation Area, part of the Civic Media Network, on Dec. 22. Since publication, there’s been a curveball thrown into the mix that only confuses

A view looking out over a drum set, with band members on stage in front, speakers overhead, and a crowd beyond.

Refuse to evacuate your life

Vol. 79 In This Issue: ESSAY | FAVORITE MUSIC OF THE YEAR | WISCONSIN NEWS | NOW READ THIS | FINAL FRAME If you’re at all online in December, it’s likely you’ll come across a friend or relative posting their Spotify “Wrapped” lists. This annual tradition gives people a chance to

A group of four large buffalo runs across an open field.

Gratitude and good news

Vol. 78 In This Issue: ESSAY | NOW READ THIS | LISTEN UP | TAKE ACTION | FINAL FRAME I’ve started and stopped writing this newsletter something like five times over the past month. My writer’s block often manifests as too many ideas and not enough time or mental bandwidth to sit

Two cops stand watch over a line of protesters holding giant inflatable palm trees outside the Wisconsin State Capitol building in winter.

Frogs, palm trees, and humor as resistance

Vol. 77 In This Issue: ESSAY | NOW READ THIS | FINAL FRAME I’m sure you’ve seen it by now: People showing up to protests against ICE and Trump wearing big, silly, inflatable animal costumes. It began when one person in Portland faced off with federal goons in a blow-up

An old black and white photo shows a solder dressed in a Union Civil War uniform, with a musket on his shoulder.

Chasing queer history

Vol. 76 In This Issue: ESSAY | NOW READ THIS | RESOURCE LIBRARY | GOOD THINGS | FINAL FRAME For at least the last ten years, when people ask me what I’m working on, I’ve sighed and said, “my novel.” The earliest date on a document related to the project is from

A freckled orange butterfly perches with wings open on top of a purple coneflower.

Sowing and reaping, etc.

Vol. 75 In This Issue: ESSAY | NOW READ THIS | IN PERSON | FINAL FRAME The last two weeks have been rough. I threw out my back at the gym and then hobbled home to the news about professional conservative troll Charlie Kirk being shot and killed during a speaking event on

The Progress Pride flag flies underneath the Wisconsin and U.S. flags on a pole over top of the ornate facade of WI State Capitol building.

Wisconsin needs a candidate for governor who will defend LGBTQ people

Vol. 74 IN THIS ISSUE: Essay | Now Read This | Get Outside This essay originally appeared in The Recombobulation Area, part of the Civic Media Network. With Tony Evers’ announcement last month that he will not be seeking a third term in office, the field for governor is wide open. As

A bar with large round weights mounted on either end, set on top of black gym mats.

Lifting Heavy Things

Vol. 73 In This Issue: ESSAY | NOW READ THIS | RESOURCES | FINAL FRAME One of my favorite arguments against the use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude is this: You don’t go to a gym and use a forklift. The point isn’t just to move heavy things