Author Archives: Katherine Wikoff

About Katherine Wikoff

I am a college professor at Milwaukee School of Engineering, where I teach literature, film studies, political science, and communication. My blog is a space for playing with ideas about creativity, innovation, lifelong learning, and the nature of "insight."

Tight squeeze: a tree grows in Milwaukee (photo)

Posted on May 14, 2013

Seems like I’m always looking up.  Does that make me an optimist?   Here’s what I saw during this morning’s coffee run. From this angle, doesn’t the tree remind you at least a little of Samson pulling down the temple?

Posted in Milwaukee, Photos and video, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Magnolia blossoms (and aggressive sparrows)

Posted on May 11, 2013

Our magnolia is in that transition between buds and leaves.  So many springs we hit the flowering stage just in time for stormy weather to send the blossoms pelting to the ground before we’re able to enjoy them.  When it started … Continue reading →

Posted in Natural world, Photos and video | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Beautiful allergy season (photo)

Posted on May 8, 2013

I’m allergic to tree pollen, and birch trees are just about the most allergenic.  Plus I hate the way fallen pollen adheres to our shoes and gets tracked into the house every spring.  But I do love the look of … Continue reading →

Posted in Natural world, Photos and video, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

“Criss-cross” (photo)

Posted on May 7, 2013

Really liked the intersecting lines and distorted angles of the condensation trail, power lines, and downtown buildings.  So I had to take a photo   Just finished teaching and am ready to call it a day.  Happy Tuesday evening!

Posted in Milwaukee, Photos and video, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

First Food Truck Friday!

Posted on April 26, 2013

I spotted the first food truck of the season in front of Red Arrow Park on Water Street shortly after 1:00 this afternoon.  I didn’t notice any customers, so maybe it was just a practice run.  Such a happy sight, … Continue reading →

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Marbleized shadow (photo)

Posted on April 24, 2013

What is this? Maybe this will help. I stopped at the store on my way home from teaching last night and parked under one of those tall, bright lights at the edge of the lot.  As I pulled out my grocery … Continue reading →

Posted in Natural world, Photos and video | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The banality of evil (Boston Marathon bombing)

Posted on April 22, 2013

A death in Milwaukee last week got me thinking about the nature of evil. Patrick Kennedy (NOT evil), the Milwaukee police detective to whom serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer (evil) confessed his heinous crimes, died last Thursday of an apparent heart attack.  … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Life, Milwaukee | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

#iphoneography

Posted on April 20, 2013

I just discovered a terrific Twitter hashtag: #iphoneography.  (There are also parallel hashtags #iphonegraphy and #iphonography.) If you love photography, you’ll enjoy following this “conversation.”  You probably already know about it, in fact.  I’m usually late to the party. Basically #iphoneography, … Continue reading →

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Downtown Milwaukee fog (photo)

Posted on April 19, 2013

Remember my “Leading Edge” photo from Tuesday evening?  I took this picture after my film studies class ended last night, from basically the same spot. Thunderstorms the past two days, with rising temps up to about 60 degrees.  I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Milwaukee, Natural world, Photos and video | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Water soccer? (photo)

Posted on April 18, 2013

I know there’s such a thing as water polo.  How about water soccer?  As this photo I took from my car this morning shows, the Menomonee River has overrun its banks, flooding a nearby soccer field.  In some places the … Continue reading →

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