My 2025 Footnote 1/365

Today's note is on restarting.

Welcome to The Footnote, an independent publication focused on science, tech, culture, and body policy. In addition, I will be writing daily notes and updates about a whole host of projects I'm working on. Much of my coverage will be Wisconsin based because I live here, but my writing, reporting, and creating doesn't know about borders or limitations: any geography or subject is up for coverage. I'm curious about all things.

Here's an introduction to me: I'm Tucker Legerski. I'm a producer, journalist, and creative writer. I make stuff. I want to make more of it, and 2026 is the year where I try and share. Every update will be here. This is me trying to launch my own independent-run publication. I'll have some social up soon.

Today I blew the dust off my old manuscript of a failed memoir I wrote over 3 years ago. It wasn't really a memoir, but rather a report on my mother's life, along with some experimental history and science chapters about diabetes. Some of it is great. Much of the book didn't work. Mainly because I couldn't get the full story – I needed details.

After thinking about it for a long time, I decided to abandon this story because either the details were long buried with the dead, or unknown. Or I knew some folks involved in the story wanted to keep the story private. I didn't want to disrespect that. Some secrets, some stories don't need to be public, especially in a private life. Perhaps a piece of me was scared to push harder for the story, or for permission.

But alas, I respect that I can't reach the dead or the secret. I'm leaving my mother's full story alone.

But the heart of that story still wants out. So, I've decided I'm writing ten connected short stories. I'm transforming the heart of the story into fiction. Much of it is loosely based on the story I wrote, but most of the details are different. The people are different and aren't meant to represent anyone in directly in real life. Truth usually sets you free, but in this case, fiction has been a liberator. I went to a graduate program for writing and no one helped me realize this. Proof that instincts and practice are the best teacher, not graduate school.

Today, I wrote 10 sentences, maybe 50 words of fiction about living with crooked bones and acceptance. See:

I've started this publication because 2025 was probably one of the best and hardest years of my life. I didn't really write or make that much. I had my first kiddo. I got unexpectedly laid off, and moved across the country to a new state. I spent 6 months looking for a new job until I landed one. Those are just the highlights. But between all of that, I didn't really make anything. 2026 though will be different.

Welcome to the Footnote. Here's a video of the weather today: