Wisconsin – Page 2 – Write on the World

Last night began the Fall 2011 Writers Series sponsored by the English department at Mount Mary College. I had the pleasure of joining many of my classmates for this event in Mount Mary’s beautiful Stiemke Hall. Milwaukee Magazine editor, Bruce Murphy, spoke at length about his own freelancing experiences in the Milwaukee area. Murphy, who was instrumental in breaking the Milwaukee County pension scandal a few years ago, shared some interesting insider stories, along with tips for working as a freelance writer in the area.

In his discussion (and in his online bio,) Murphy refers to himself as a “fiscally conservative liberal contrarian.” I took this to mean that he likes to play the devil’s advocate, a favorite role of my own, so I enjoyed the talk. And, who can complain about the free food Continue reading “Writers on Writing at Mount Mary College” →

Poetry by Mandy Webster

A poem for Sweetest Day

October 15, 2011October 15, 2011 Mandy Webster

Happy Sweetest Day! (.289/365) — Image by Miss Sydney Marie via Flickr

I’d never even heard of Sweetest Day before I moved to Wisconsin. So for years, I’ve largely ignored it. It’s always seemed to me like just another fake holiday developed by the jewelry and flower industries to generate revenue right before the big holiday push. This year, I am observing the day with my sweetest. However, likely without jewelry or flowers. And with that, here’s a little poem I hope will make you think twice before blowing your hard-earned cash on roses this year.

Bring Me Weeds

If you’re going
to bring me flowers,
bring me weeds. Continue reading “A poem for Sweetest Day” →

Amtrak, Grand Canyon

Amtrak and the Grand Canyon: What You Should Know

June 25, 2011June 25, 2011 Mandy Webster

Amtrak Missouri River Runner train#313 pulling... — Image via Wikipedia

First off, the Grand Canyon trip I was planning via Amtrak is a scratch. I’ve got a new plan in place now, but I’ll get to that in a future post. At this point, I feel the need to put some info out there to help out future vacay planners. So, here are a few things I’ve learned about planning a trip to the Grand Canyon via Amtrak. Continue reading “Amtrak and the Grand Canyon: What You Should Know” →

Planes Trains and Automobiles, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Automotive Museum

May 16, 2011May 16, 2011 Mandy Webster

Saturday morning, I took my son out to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford, WI. This Wisconsin Automotive Museum is home to one of the largest collections of one of the only “true classic” cars made in the United States: The Kissel Kar.

Upon entering the museum, you’re immediately met by the sound of train whistles, as model trains zip by on one of the largest model train displays I have ever seen. The museum also boasts a 1913 locomotive. Continue reading “Wisconsin Automotive Museum” →

Flowers, Illinois

A weekend in Southern Illinois

April 25, 2011April 25, 2011 Mandy Webster

Just got home from a weekend in Southern Illinois, where it stormed and rained all weekend. An F3 tornado hit the St. Louis airport, which is just an hour East of my family (I was visiting for Easter.) Anyway, I got some really pretty pictures I want to share with you. It wasn’t exactly a huge vacation, but it was travel all the same!

So, I pulled off I-57 at the Watson/Mason exit Thursday and was greeted by a long line of stopped cars waiting for a road crew to let traffic pass. They were resurfacing the road in between storms. Anyway, I snapped a few pictures of the overflowing Little Wabash River while we were stopped. It’s funny how the river ebbs and flows… one day, it’s flooded, the next day you can see the fields again… and still one day later, it’s flooded once more.

There was still snow on the ground when I left my home in Wisconsin Thursday, so I couldn’t believe just how green everything was once I got down south. I’m back home today, and we still don’t have any green trees here yet!

Continue reading “A weekend in Southern Illinois” →