Writing in Winona

Attending WSU

Attending Winona State University in 2018–2019

Jim Herbert

When I retired from my job (at age 66) as Pretreatment Coordinator for the City of Winona in October of 2017, I had a sense that my work in environmental protection was not completely done. I…

Renting Crisis in Winona

Within the first few months of being in Winona, there was a big rush to find housing for the next year. Why on earth do I need to find a place to live so early? This is weird, I mean it was the end of October and I did not even know if I liked the people I was friends with. And I was…

The Interruption

I have always been drawn to things that seem to be out of place — they almost always have more depth to them. The first time I…

On the Mississippi near Winona — Shower Clearing

Homeless During The Polar Vortex

As I woke up early on a Monday morning to go my classes, the sun was shining, the wind was blowing and…

A Piece of History

On a stale and bleak Tuesday, I cautiously stumbled through the white haze towards…

Grit and Persistence

It’s 4 a.m. and the alarm clock buzzes, as countless voices in my head are suggesting I hit the snooze button and go back to sleep. Still in pain because of the workout the day before, my aching muscles lie still in my bed, refusing myself to sit up. Dissuading voices echo in my mind…