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Opinion

Funerals are for paying respect, offering support

Funerals are for paying respect, offering support

  • By Arvid Huisman

As I have grown older, I have witnessed an increasing frequency of funerals. 

Economic toll most acute in rural America

Economic toll most acute in rural America

    DENVER, Colo. — The U.S. economy has continued to perform reasonably well despite a growing constellation of warning signs. However, surging energy costs and extreme volatility in oil markets resulting from the ongoing Middle East conflict could shift the trajectory of the U.S. economy for t…

    Non-verbal language a pathway to intimacy

    Non-verbal language a pathway to intimacy

      Editor’s note: This was originally published May 30, 2005.

      Time on the tractor, dinner in a dress

      Time on the tractor, dinner in a dress

      • By Darla Tyler-McSherry

      Every time I travel back to Lonesome Prairie, I am so acutely aware of its appropriate name.

      Enjoying a non-irritating and full retirement

      Enjoying a non-irritating and full retirement

      • By Arvid Huisman

      Compared with a lot of men, I’m a rather boring guy. I have no major hobbies.

      25 years of observations on technology

      25 years of observations on technology

        I marvel at the ability of artificial intelligence to express coherent summaries of content. The world's storehouse of knowledge is indeed at our fingertips. 

        Flashback 1979: Facing another cliff

        Flashback 1979: Facing another cliff

        • By Jonathan Coppess, University of Illinois

        ‘The more birthdays you have…’

        ‘The more birthdays you have…’

          Years ago a somewhat wise person told me the more birthdays you have, the longer you live. This came to mind recently when I celebrated another birthday.

          When discussion becomes negotiation

          When discussion becomes negotiation

            Only one time in my 33-year career have I witnessed an heir negotiate their own inheritance before the death of a parent.

            When discussion becomes negotiation

            When discussion becomes negotiation

              Only one time in my 33-year career have I witnessed an heir negotiate their own inheritance before the death of a parent.

              Love of farming comes with pain

              Love of farming comes with pain

                Author’s note: Over the past 14 years since retirement, I consciously removed myself from the front lines on helping rural families with their life challenges — especially in the realm of economic crisis, which some farmers are now facing again.

                To see a person with a disability as more

                To see a person with a disability as more

                  As a society, we are too often preoccupied with the superficial. Good looks and athletic ability too often carry more weight than a pleasant personality, a caring heart and mental acuity.

                  When the quiet season doesn’t feel quiet

                  When the quiet season doesn’t feel quiet

                    As I continue to plod my way through winter, I’ve been mindful in trying to follow my own recommendations when it comes to managing mental health.

                    Leaders react to tariff decision

                    Leaders react to tariff decision

                    • By Tom Barton, Lee-Gazette Des Moines Bureau

                    Farmers and business leaders say the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs Feb. 20 underscores the need for stability in trade policy, while also amplifying concerns about the economic strain tariffs have placed on agriculture and manufacturing…

                    Winning the culture war at home

                    Winning the culture war at home

                      I am 85 years old. I’ve been around the block for a while.

                      Letter writing has become a lost art in age of instant messages

                      Letter writing has become a lost art in age of instant messages

                        Back in 1935 when Fats Waller recorded “I’m Going to Sit Right Down and Right Myself a Letter” he had no idea that the written letter — a common means of communication for centuries — would be an endangered art form 90 years later.

                        Fifty-nine days of the winter months

                        Fifty-nine days of the winter months

                          I think it was the winter of 1977-78, one of the coldest and snowiest winters on record. I still remember the “treat” of being snowed in on a Thursday and Friday, so we kids had a four-day weekend.

                          Reflections on the ones who taught readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic

                          Reflections on the ones who taught readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic

                            Some time back I saw a bumper sticker that read, “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” I quietly mumbled, “Amen.”

                            Strengthening family bonds in life’s second half

                            Strengthening family bonds in life’s second half

                              We just celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary by taking a four-day cruise from New Orleans to Cozumel, Mexico. On a cruise ship, we had a captive audience, prepared meals, lots of entertainment venues and fun activities for every age group.

                              Old perspectives for the new year

                                Today was a hard day. Even though we are in a new calendar year, for some folks it may not be easy to start fresh. We are supposed have “resolutions” and a positive outlook for the new year.

                                Reflections on readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic

                                Reflections on readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic

                                  Some time back I saw a bumper sticker that read, “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” I quietly mumbled, “Amen.”

                                  Growing older? Continue to make memories

                                  Growing older? Continue to make memories

                                    Editor’s note: This was originally published July 29, 2010.

                                    Wrapping up the year with ritual, reflection

                                    Wrapping up the year with ritual, reflection

                                      Today is the winter solstice. Upon waking, Rudi, my German Shepherd, and I went outside and were treated to a spectacular eastern sky backlit with delicious orange cream, pink and lilac colors. It was an intense visual treat.

                                      Resolutions parents would love teenagers to make

                                      Resolutions parents would love teenagers to make

                                        Editor’s note: The following was originally published Dec. 30, 2007.

                                        Grandparents can make holidays special

                                        Grandparents can make holidays special

                                          Editor’s note: This column was originally published Dec. 15, 2005.

                                          More Opinion

                                          Editorials

                                          UW thinks big about pedestrian mall — the city of Madison should, too

                                          UW thinks big about pedestrian mall — the city of Madison should, too

                                          STATE JOURNAL VIEW:

                                          Make this the summer that State Street comes roaring back

                                          Make this the summer that State Street comes roaring back

                                          OUR VIEW: Madison should make this the summer that State Street comes roaring back

                                          GOP for weed? Medical marijuana deserves swift passage

                                          GOP for weed? Medical marijuana deserves swift passage

                                          STATE JOURNAL VIEW: Republican bill allowing doctor-prescribed cannabis doesn't go far enough but represents progress and compassion

                                          Those 'Alcatraz' jail cells really need to go

                                          Those 'Alcatraz' jail cells really need to go

                                          STATE JOURNAL VIEW: Dane County leaders have dithered long enough on plans for better jail in Madison

                                          Columnists

                                          Non-verbal language a pathway to intimacy

                                          Non-verbal language a pathway to intimacy

                                          Editor’s note: This was originally published May 30, 2005.

                                          Reflections on readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic

                                          Reflections on readin’, writin’ and ’rithmetic

                                          Some time back I saw a bumper sticker that read, “If you can read this, thank a teacher.” I quietly mumbled, “Amen.”

                                          ‘Jeepers!’ When words become obsolete

                                          ‘Jeepers!’ When words become obsolete

                                          Jeepers Creepers, where’d ya get those peepers?” Now there’s a phrase you probably haven’t heard for a while. Perhaps you’ve never heard it. The line is from a song recorded by Louis Armstrong in the late 1930s.

                                          Growing old not for sissies

                                          Growing old not for sissies

                                          As a mere lad of 60 years with some semblance of youth, or as some would say “denial,” I wrote about meeting the challenges of growing old in a column entitled “Seven Ways to Grow Old Gracefully.”

                                          Letters to the Editor

                                          Letter to the Editor: Supreme Court acknowledges “buyer’s rights”

                                          The U.S. Supreme Court got something right (for a change) when they ruled that California can refuse to buy pork from another state if such pork is not raised to their demands.

                                          GOP strings together bad week — Alison Lindsay Mares

                                          GOP strings together bad week — Alison Lindsay Mares

                                          The State Journal on March 15 reported that legislative Republicans tried to introduce a bill that would give women even fewer rights and freedoms on abortion than they had before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

                                          Letter to the Editor

                                          There’s a great economics lesson to be learned in the front page article, “For Sale, U.S. crops find buyers despite fewer deals.” (February 11, 2023)

                                          Republicans push a race to the bottom -- Randy Schramm

                                          Republicans push a race to the bottom -- Randy Schramm

                                          Republicans are working hard to make Wisconsin like Mississippi -- one of the worst educated and poorest state in the nation.

                                          Curated Commerce

                                          Best Greens Powders for 2025: A Nutritionist’s Top 5

                                          Best Greens Powders for 2025: A Nutritionist’s Top 5

                                          Affiliate. We asked a nutritionist to share their top 5 greens powder picks to boost your daily nutrient intake and support overall health.

                                          9 Considerations Before Bringing a Pet Home In 2025

                                          9 Considerations Before Bringing a Pet Home In 2025

                                          Affiliate. Find out what you should consider when bringing home a new pet for the holidays. 

                                          8 best CBD gummies for relaxation and wellness

                                          8 best CBD gummies for relaxation and wellness

                                          Affiliate. Take a closer look at some of the top CBD gummy options on the market.

                                          Healthy Supplements for Dogs from St. Louis-based Native Pet!

                                          Healthy Supplements for Dogs from St. Louis-based Native Pet!

                                          Affiliate. Learn about Native Pet and their variety of healthy, natural supplements for pets.

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