On “institutional neutrality,” a conservative approach to dampen political speech on college campuses.

⚡ A trust-building exercise in an era of "flooding the zone"

While institutions are backing away from making position statements, news outlets are making lengthy statements of intent. This one from Madison is interesting because it also acknowledges that a portion of their audience may be intentionally avoiding news about the White House. This is a traditional trust-building strategy applied in a new way: explaining how the news outlet plans to allocate their resources in an era of “flooding the zone.”

Isthmus: isthmus.com/opinion/f…

The bureau speak is v amusing. Currently reading: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley 📚

Finished reading: Thick by Tressie McMillan Cottom 📚

Updated my reading list, while slowly making my way through half a dozen books at once.

Book club categorically disliked this one. Finished reading: The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry 📚

Dang, this is good. Currently reading: Thick by Tressie McMillan Cottom 📚

Finished reading: Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange 📚

🧶 Wonky Star quilt

Posting about my latest quilt for posterity. This is a “wonky star” quilt using 10” precuts, measuring about 60 X 70”. I completed the sides last night and will hand quilt all of it with a mix of big stitch quilting.

Wonky star quilt in white, red, navy blue and yellow laying on the floor and being prepared for quilting. Back of quilt with white stars on a navy field with a wonky star. Quilt top hanging on the wall, about to be prepared for quilting.

Finished reading: Lit by Mary Karr 📚

So long

Deactivated my Twitter account after fifteen years (sheesh).

Finished reading: The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates 📚

Finished reading: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt 📚

Just talked myself into and out of $300 of yarn.

Currently reading: Abortion by Jessica Valenti 📚

It’s the time of year when I can’t get around the nagging feeling that I need to buy yarn (I don’t need any more yarn).

Ephemera

Been playing with micro.blog for a bit now and very much recommend the experience. The interface is friendly and the team behind the app is ultra responsive. My fav features are Bookshelves - and the ability to push new posts to Bluesky and Mastodon.

In other news, I got a new bike.

Totally rad electric bike parked standing up on a cement pad in front of Lake Mendota.

Finished reading (a couple of months ago): Holding It Together by Jessica Calarco 📚

Read this in one sitting, reminded of “The Fire Next Time” in both style and urgency. Finished reading: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates 📚

Finished reading: On Writing by Stephen King 📚