Author Archives: Katherine Wikoff

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About Katherine Wikoff

I am a college professor (PhD in English, concentration rhetoric) at Milwaukee School of Engineering, where I teach film and media studies, political science, digital society, digital storytelling, writing for digital media, and communication. While fragments of my teaching and scholarship interests may quite naturally meander over to my blog, this space is intended to function as a creative outlet, not as part of my professional practice. Opinions are my own, etc.

Little Free Library #6 – London Calling

This mini-library replica of a British red telephone box . . . . . . is at its best during the night, when it is lit up by a focused spotlight. Its red glow can be seen from a few … Continue reading

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Another post on America’s role in the Middle East (or lack thereof)

I just picked up this morning’s Wall Street Journal and was surprised to see an article on the front page of the “Review” section that echoed my own thoughts about what’s happening in the Middle East right now. (It made me … Continue reading

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Russia, Syria, Ukraine, and Turkey: And so it begins

I hardly know where to start with this post; so many bits of knowledge are swimming around in my head. First, I think something really significant is happening in the Middle East right now. Lots of pieces that have been … Continue reading

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Little Free Library (#5) – Stained Glass

Milwaukee’s older homes are characterized by beautiful woodwork and built-in cabinetry, often accented with leaded stained-glass windows. This mini-library box mimics what is probably a standard feature in the neighborhood it occupies.  

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Thoughts on Patti Smith

Patti Smith was a little before my time. Definitely WAY outside the bounds of my Midwestern sensibilities by the time I became aware of her during my high school years. Smith was that punk performer, the one in New York who urinated onstage and … Continue reading

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Coffee Break (another “magic of light” post)

Friday was a cloudy, blustery day. Very strange, in fact, to look up and see clouds racing from east to west. Normally our weather moves in the opposite direction. But there’s currently a high-pressure system to our north and east that … Continue reading

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Little Free Library (#4) – Haunted Schoolhouse

This “schoolhouse” mini-library asks that people leave only children’s books for others to borrow. Right now the library box is decorated for Halloween, so you can’t see it very well  beneath the cottony spider webbing—but there’s a school bell up in … Continue reading

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Straight Narrow Way Missionary Bible Church

Pabst, Schlitz, and Blatz—all former local Milwaukee breweries that gave Miller (also a Milwaukee brewery) plenty of competition in their day—once constructed their own saloons/taverns as outlets for selling their beer. You can still find these old taverns scattered around Milwaukee, largely repurposed … Continue reading

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Glorious September Sun and Clouds

Absolutely beautiful sky early this evening. What is it about the changing quality of light this time of year? As usual, getting the photo depended on my being able to whip out my phone. Although I still like it, the … Continue reading

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Grohmann Statue and Shadow

We had to go outside for a fire drill two days ago at work, and while waiting for the emergency coordinator to come and tell us it was clear to go back into the building, I looked up and noticed … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Milwaukee, Photography | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments