diff --git a/args.go b/args.go
index a9c43cb..b737d4b 100644
--- a/args.go
+++ b/args.go
@@ -3,9 +3,14 @@ package gui
 import (
 	arg "github.com/alexflint/go-arg"
 
-	newlog "go.wit.com/log"
+	"go.wit.com/log"
 )
 
+var GUI log.LogFlag
+var NODE log.LogFlag
+var PLUG log.LogFlag
+var INFO log.LogFlag
+
 var argGui ArgsGui
 
 // This struct can be used with the go-arg package
@@ -14,17 +19,41 @@ type ArgsGui struct {
 	GuiVerbose bool `arg:"--gui-verbose" help:"enable all logging"`
 }
 
-func init() {
-	arg.Register(&argGui)
-
-	newlog.Register("gui", "debugGui", &debugGui)
-
-	for _, s := range newlog.ListFlags() {
-		newlog.Info("go.wit.com/gui/gui ListFlags() returned:", s)
-	}
-}
-
 // returns the toolkit
 func ArgToolkit() string {
 	return argGui.GuiPlugin
 }
+
+func init() {
+	arg.Register(&argGui)
+
+	log.Register("gui", "debugGui", &debugGui)
+
+	INFO.B = false
+	INFO.Name = "INFO"
+	INFO.Subsystem = "gui"
+	INFO.Desc = "Enable log.Info()"
+	INFO.Register()
+
+	GUI.B = false
+	GUI.Name = "GUI"
+	GUI.Subsystem = "gui"
+	GUI.Desc = "basic GUI debugging"
+	GUI.Register()
+
+	NODE.B = false
+	NODE.Name = "NODE"
+	NODE.Subsystem = "gui"
+	NODE.Desc = "basic NODE debugging"
+	NODE.Register()
+
+	PLUG.B = false
+	PLUG.Name = "PLUG"
+	PLUG.Subsystem = "gui"
+	PLUG.Desc = "basic PLUG debugging"
+	PLUG.Register()
+
+	for _, s := range log.ListFlags() {
+		log.Info("go.wit.com/gui/gui ListFlags() returned:", s)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/debug.go b/debug.go
index b65cf9f..c84c8ca 100644
--- a/debug.go
+++ b/debug.go
@@ -4,7 +4,10 @@ package gui
 // A function dump out the binary tree
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"strconv"
+
+	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"go.wit.com/gui/gui/toolkit"
 )
 
@@ -29,12 +32,6 @@ func SetDebug (s bool) {
 	debugGui     = s
 	debugTabs    = s
 
-	logNow = s
-	logInfo = s
-	logWarn = s
-	logError = s
-	logVerbose = s
-
 	SetFlag("Node", s)
 	SetFlag("Tabs", s)
 	SetFlag("Dump", s)
@@ -68,7 +65,7 @@ func SetFlag (s string, b bool) {
 	case "Show":
 		// ShowDebugValues() // print them here?
 	default:
-		log(debugGui, "Can't set unknown flag", s)
+		log.Log(GUI, "Can't set unknown flag", s)
 	}
 
 	a := new(toolkit.Action)
@@ -82,20 +79,19 @@ func SetFlag (s string, b bool) {
 func ShowDebugValues() {
 	// The order here should match the order in the GUI
 	// TODO: get the order from the node binary tree
-	log(true, "Debug        =", debugGui)
-	log(true, "DebugError   =", debugError)
-	log(true, "DebugChange  =", debugChange)
-	log(true, "DebugDump    =", debugDump)
-	log(true, "DebugTabs    =", debugTabs)
-	log(true, "DebugPlugin  =", debugPlugin)
-	log(true, "DebugNode    =", debugNode)
+	log.Log(true, "Debug        =", debugGui)
+	log.Log(true, "DebugError   =", debugError)
+	log.Log(true, "DebugChange  =", debugChange)
+	log.Log(true, "DebugDump    =", debugDump)
+	log.Log(true, "DebugTabs    =", debugTabs)
+	log.Log(true, "DebugPlugin  =", debugPlugin)
+	log.Log(true, "DebugNode    =", debugNode)
 
 	SetFlag("Show", true)
 }
 
 func (n *Node) Dump() {
 	b := true
-	// log("Dump() dump =", b)
 	Indent(b, "NODE DUMP START")
 	Indent(b, "id           = ", n.id)
 	Indent(b, "Name         = ", n.Name)
@@ -129,7 +125,7 @@ func (n *Node) dumpWidget(b bool) string {
 	var info, d string
 
 	if (n == nil) {
-		log(debugError, "dumpWidget() node == nil")
+		log.Error(errors.New("dumpWidget() node == nil"))
 		return ""
 	}
 	info = n.WidgetType.String()
@@ -159,32 +155,32 @@ func (n *Node) ListChildren(dump bool) {
 		if (n.parent == nil) {
 			return
 		}
-		log(debugNode, "\t\t\tparent =",n.parent.id)
+		log.Log(NODE, "\t\t\tparent =",n.parent.id)
 		if (listChildrenParent != nil) {
-			log(debugNode, "\t\t\tlistChildrenParent =",listChildrenParent.id)
+			log.Log(NODE, "\t\t\tlistChildrenParent =",listChildrenParent.id)
 			if (listChildrenParent.id != n.parent.id) {
-				log(true, "parent =",n.parent.id, n.parent.Name)
-				log(true, "listChildrenParent =",listChildrenParent.id, listChildrenParent.Name)
-				log(true, listChildrenParent.id, "!=", n.parent.id)
-				exit("parent.child does not match child.parent")
+				log.Log(true, "parent =",n.parent.id, n.parent.Name)
+				log.Log(true, "listChildrenParent =",listChildrenParent.id, listChildrenParent.Name)
+				log.Log(true, listChildrenParent.id, "!=", n.parent.id)
+				log.Exit("parent.child does not match child.parent")
 			}
 		}
-		log(debugNode, "\t\t", n.id, "has no children")
+		log.Log(NODE, "\t\t", n.id, "has no children")
 		return
 	}
 	for _, child := range n.children {
 		if (child.parent != nil) {
-			log(debugNode, "\t\t\tparent =",child.parent.id)
+			log.Log(NODE, "\t\t\tparent =",child.parent.id)
 		} else {
-			log(debugGui, "\t\t\tno parent")
+			log.Log(GUI, "\t\t\tno parent")
 			// memory corruption? non-threadsafe access?
 			// can all binary tree changes to Node.parent & Node.child be forced into a singular goroutine?
 			panic("something is wrong with the wit golang gui logic and the binary tree is broken. child has no parent")
 		}
 		if (child.children == nil) {
-			log(debugNode, "\t\t", child.id, "has no children")
+			log.Log(NODE, "\t\t", child.id, "has no children")
 		} else {
-			log(debugNode, "\t\t\tHas children:", child.children)
+			log.Log(NODE, "\t\t\tHas children:", child.children)
 		}
 		listChildrenParent = n
 		listChildrenDepth += 1
@@ -194,3 +190,19 @@ func (n *Node) ListChildren(dump bool) {
 	}
 	return
 }
+
+// b bool, print if true
+func logindent(b bool, depth int, format string, a ...any) {
+	var tabs string
+	for i := 0; i < depth; i++ {
+		tabs = tabs + format
+	}
+
+	// newFormat := tabs + strconv.Itoa(depth) + " " + format
+	newFormat := tabs + format
+
+	// array prepend(). Why isn't this a standard function. It should be:
+	// a.prepend(debugGui, newFormat)
+	a = append([]any{b, newFormat}, a...)
+	log.Log(b, a...)
+}
diff --git a/grid.go b/grid.go
index 30f2751..e4f3e08 100644
--- a/grid.go
+++ b/grid.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package gui
 
 import (
+	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"go.wit.com/gui/gui/toolkit"
 )
 
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ func (n *Node) At(w int, h int) *Node {
 
 	n.gridIncrement()
 	if (n.NextW != w) || (n.NextH != h) {
-		log(logError, "At() (W,H)", w, h, " was moved to avoid a collision (W,H) =", n.NextW, n.NextH)
+		log.Warn("At() (W,H)", w, h, " was moved to avoid a collision (W,H) =", n.NextW, n.NextH)
 	}
 	return n
 }
diff --git a/log.go b/log.go
deleted file mode 100644
index c472317..0000000
--- a/log.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,43 +0,0 @@
-package gui
-
-import 	(
-	witlog "go.wit.com/log"
-)
-
-// various debugging flags
-var logNow bool = true	// useful for active development
-var logError bool = true
-var logWarn bool = false
-var logInfo bool = false
-var logVerbose bool = false
-
-// var log interface{}
-
-func log(b bool, a ...any) {
-	// witlog.Where = "wit/gui"
-	witlog.Log(b, a...)
-}
-
-func sleep(a ...any) {
-	witlog.Sleep(a...)
-}
-
-func exit(a ...any) {
-	witlog.Exit(a...)
-}
-
-// b bool, print if true
-func logindent(b bool, depth int, format string, a ...any) {
-	var tabs string
-	for i := 0; i < depth; i++ {
-		tabs = tabs + format
-	}
-
-	// newFormat := tabs + strconv.Itoa(depth) + " " + format
-	newFormat := tabs + format
-
-	// array prepend(). Why isn't this a standard function. It should be:
-	// a.prepend(debugGui, newFormat)
-	a = append([]any{b, newFormat}, a...)
-	witlog.Log(b, a...)
-}
diff --git a/log/log.go b/log/log.go
deleted file mode 100644
index e728fa2..0000000
--- a/log/log.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,148 +0,0 @@
-package witlog
-//
-// version v1.2
-//
-// I like things to be easy.
-//
-// this means all the log settings are in one place. it should allow
-// things to be over-ridden externally to the library
-// but still allow command line --args to pass debugging settings
-//
-// I also have a generic sleep() and exit() in here because it's simple
-//
-// Usage:
-//
-// log("something", foo, bar)
-// var DEBUG bool = true
-// log(DEBUG, "something else", someOtherVariable)  # if DEBUG == false, return doing nothing
-//
-
-import 	(
-	"io"
-	"os"
-	"runtime"
-	"runtime/pprof"
-	golog "log"
-	"fmt"
-	"time"
-	"reflect"
-	// "net"
-)
-
-// various debugging flags
-var LogNow bool = true	// useful for active development
-var LogError bool = true
-var LogWarn bool = false
-var LogInfo bool = false
-var LogVerbose bool = false
-var LogSleep bool = false
-
-var LOGOFF bool = false // turn this off, all logging stops
-var debugToolkit bool = false // does spew stuff?
-
-var Where string = "gui/log"
-
-var externalLog func(...any)
-
-type Spewt struct {
-	a bool
-}
-
-
-/*
-	sleep()		# you know what this does? sleeps for 1 second. yep. dump. easy.
-	sleep(.1)	# you know what this does? yes, it sleeps for 1/10th of a second
-*/
-func Sleep(a ...any) {
-	if (a == nil) {
-		time.Sleep(time.Second)
-		return
-	}
-
-	Log(LogSleep, "sleep", a[0])
-
-	switch a[0].(type) {
-	case int:
-		time.Sleep(time.Duration(a[0].(int)) * time.Second)
-	case float64:
-		time.Sleep(time.Duration(a[0].(float64) * 1000) * time.Millisecond)
-	default:
-		Log("sleep a[0], type = ", a[0], reflect.TypeOf(a[0]))
-	}
-}
-
-/*
-	exit()		# yep. exits. I guess everything must be fine
-	exit(3)		# I guess 3 it is then
-	exit("dont like apples")	# ok. I'll make a note of that
-*/
-func Exit(a ...any) {
-	Log(LogError, "exit", a)
-	//if (a) {
-	//	os.Exit(a)
-	//}
-	os.Exit(0)
-}
-
-/*
-	I've spent, am spending, too much time thinking about 'logging'. 'log', 'logrus', 'zap', whatever.
-	I'm not twitter. i don't give a fuck about how many nanoseconds it takes to log. Anyway, this
-	implementation is probably faster than all of those because you just set one bool to FALSE
-	and it all stops.
-	Sometimes I need to capture to stdout, sometimes stdout can't
-	work because it doesn't exist for the user. This whole thing is a PITA. Then it's spread
-	over 8 million references in every .go file. I'm tapping out and putting
-	it in one place. here it is. Also, this makes having debug levels really fucking easy.
-	You can define whatever level of logging you want from anywhere (command line) etc.
-
-	log()		# doesn't do anything
-	log(stuff)	# sends it to whatever log you define in a single place. here is the place
-*/
-
-func Log(a ...any) {
-	if (LOGOFF) {
-		return
-	}
-
-	if (a == nil) {
-		return
-	}
-	var tbool bool
-	if (reflect.TypeOf(a[0]) == reflect.TypeOf(tbool)) {
-		if (a[0] == false) {
-			return
-		}
-		a[0] = Where
-	}
-
-	golog.Println(a...)
-	if (externalLog == nil) {
-		// golog.Println(a...)
-	} else {
-		externalLog(fmt.Sprint(a...))
-	}
-}
-
-func loggo() {
-	pprof.Lookup("goroutine").WriteTo(os.Stdout, 1)
-	golog.Println("runtime.NumGoroutine() = ", runtime.NumGoroutine())
-}
-
-func logindent(depth int, format string, a ...interface{}) {
-	var tabs string
-	for i := 0; i < depth; i++ {
-		tabs = tabs + format
-	}
-
-	// newFormat := tabs + strconv.Itoa(depth) + " " + format
-	newFormat := tabs + format
-	Log(debugToolkit, newFormat, a)
-}
-
-func SetOutput(w io.Writer) {
-	golog.SetOutput(w)
-}
-
-func SetToolkitOutput(newLog func(...any)) {
-	externalLog = newLog
-}
diff --git a/log/structs.go b/log/structs.go
deleted file mode 100644
index b5d849c..0000000
--- a/log/structs.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,13 +0,0 @@
-package witlog
-
-import (
-)
-
-//
-// Attempt to switch logging to syslog on linux
-//
-
-// This struct can be used with the go-arg package
-type LogArgs struct {
-	Log []string `arg:"--log" help:"Where to log [syslog,stdout]"`
-}
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index b059268..36705e5 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package gui
 import (
 	"os"
 
+	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"go.wit.com/gui/gui/toolkit"
 )
 
@@ -15,7 +16,7 @@ const Xaxis = 0 // stack things horizontally
 const Yaxis = 1 // stack things vertically
 
 func init() {
-	log(true, "init() has been run")
+	log.Log(true, "init() has been run")
 
 	me.counter = 0
 	me.prefix = "wit"
@@ -36,28 +37,29 @@ func init() {
 }
 
 func watchCallback() {
-	log(logInfo, "watchCallback() START")
+	log.Info("watchCallback() START")
 	for {
-		log(logInfo, "watchCallback() restarted select for toolkit user events")
+		log.Info("watchCallback() restarted select for toolkit user events")
 	    	select {
 		case a := <-me.guiChan:
 			if (a.ActionType == toolkit.UserQuit) {
-				log(logInfo, "doUserEvent() User sent Quit()")
+				log.Info("doUserEvent() User sent Quit()")
 				me.rootNode.doCustom()
-				exit("wit/gui toolkit.UserQuit")
+				log.Exit("wit/gui toolkit.UserQuit")
 				break
 			}
 			if (a.ActionType == toolkit.EnableDebug) {
-				log(logInfo, "doUserEvent() Enable Debugging Window")
+				log.Warn("doUserEvent() Enable Debugging Window")
+				log.Warn("doUserEvent() TODO: not implemented")
 				// DebugWindow()
 				break
 			}
 
 			n := me.rootNode.FindId(a.WidgetId)
 			if (n == nil) {
-				log(logError, "watchCallback() UNKNOWN widget id =", a.WidgetId, a.Name)
+				log.Warn("watchCallback() UNKNOWN widget id =", a.WidgetId, a.Name)
 			} else {
-				log(logInfo, "watchCallback() FOUND widget id =", n.id, n.Name)
+				log.Info("watchCallback() FOUND widget id =", n.id, n.Name)
 				n.doUserEvent(a)
 			}
 			// this maybe a good idea?
@@ -68,49 +70,49 @@ func watchCallback() {
 }
 
 func (n *Node) doCustom() {
-	log(logInfo, "doUserEvent() widget =", n.id, n.Name, n.WidgetType, n.B)
+	log.Info("doUserEvent() widget =", n.id, n.Name, n.WidgetType, n.B)
 	if (n.Custom == nil) {
-		log(debugError, "Custom() = nil. SKIPPING")
+		log.Warn("Custom() = nil. SKIPPING")
 		return
 	}
 	go n.Custom()
 }
 
 func (n *Node) doUserEvent(a toolkit.Action) {
-	log(logInfo, "doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name)
+	log.Info("doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name)
 	switch n.WidgetType {
 	case toolkit.Checkbox:
 		n.B = a.B
-		log(logInfo, "doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "set to:", n.B)
+		log.Info("doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "set to:", n.B)
 		n.doCustom()
 	case toolkit.Button:
-		log(logInfo, "doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "button clicked")
+		log.Info("doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "button clicked")
 		n.doCustom()
 	case toolkit.Combobox:
 		n.S = a.S
-		log(logInfo, "doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "set to:", n.S)
+		log.Info("doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "set to:", n.S)
 		n.doCustom()
 	case toolkit.Dropdown:
 		n.S = a.S
-		log(logInfo, "doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "set to:", n.S)
+		log.Info("doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "set to:", n.S)
 		n.doCustom()
 	case toolkit.Textbox:
 		n.S = a.S
-		log(logInfo, "doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "set to:", n.S)
+		log.Info("doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "set to:", n.S)
 		n.doCustom()
 	case toolkit.Spinner:
 		n.I = a.I
-		log(logInfo, "doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "set to:", n.I)
+		log.Info("doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "set to:", n.I)
 		n.doCustom()
 	case toolkit.Slider:
 		n.I = a.I
-		log(logInfo, "doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "set to:", n.I)
+		log.Info("doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "set to:", n.I)
 		n.doCustom()
 	case toolkit.Window:
-		log(logInfo, "doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "window closed")
+		log.Info("doUserEvent() node =", n.id, n.Name, "window closed")
 		n.doCustom()
 	default:
-		log(logInfo, "doUserEvent() type =", n.WidgetType)
+		log.Info("doUserEvent() type =", n.WidgetType)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -125,14 +127,14 @@ func New() *Node {
 // try to load andlabs, if that doesn't work, fall back to the console
 func (n *Node) Default() *Node {
 	if (argGui.GuiPlugin != "") {
-		log(logError, "New.Default() try toolkit =", argGui.GuiPlugin)
+		log.Warn("New.Default() try toolkit =", argGui.GuiPlugin)
 		return n.LoadToolkit(argGui.GuiPlugin)
 	}
 	// if DISPLAY isn't set, return since gtk can't load
 	// TODO: figure out how to check what to do in macos and mswindows
 	if (os.Getenv("DISPLAY") == "") {
 		if (n.LoadToolkit("gocui") == nil) {
-			log(logError, "New() failed to load gocui")
+			log.Warn("New() failed to load gocui")
 		}
 		return n
 	}
@@ -145,17 +147,17 @@ func (n *Node) Default() *Node {
 
 // The window is destroyed but the application does not quit
 func (n *Node) StandardClose() {
-	log(debugGui, "wit/gui Standard Window Close. name =", n.Name)
-	log(debugGui, "wit/gui Standard Window Close. n.Custom exit =", n.Custom)
+	log.Log(GUI, "wit/gui Standard Window Close. name =", n.Name)
+	log.Log(GUI, "wit/gui Standard Window Close. n.Custom exit =", n.Custom)
 }
 
 // The window is destroyed and the application exits
 // TODO: properly exit the plugin since Quit() doesn't do it
 func StandardExit() {
-	log(true, "wit/gui Standard Window Exit. running os.Exit()")
-	log(true, "StandardExit() attempt to exit each toolkit plugin")
+	log.Log(true, "wit/gui Standard Window Exit. running os.Exit()")
+	log.Log(true, "StandardExit() attempt to exit each toolkit plugin")
 	for i, plug := range allPlugins {
-		log(true, "NewButton()", i, plug)
+		log.Log(true, "NewButton()", i, plug)
 	}
-	exit(0)
+	log.Exit(0)
 }
diff --git a/node.go b/node.go
index d863f13..14a1227 100644
--- a/node.go
+++ b/node.go
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 package gui
 
-import "go.wit.com/gui/gui/toolkit"
+import (
+	"go.wit.com/log"
+	"go.wit.com/gui/gui/toolkit"
+)
 
 /*
 	generic function to create a new node on the binary tree
@@ -30,7 +33,7 @@ func addNode(title string) *Node {
 	n.Name = title
 	n.Text = title
 	n.id = me.counter
-	log(debugNode, "addNode = widget setid =", n.id)
+	log.Log(NODE, "addNode = widget setid =", n.id)
 
 	me.counter += 1
 	return n
@@ -42,12 +45,12 @@ func (n *Node) Parent() *Node {
 
 func (n *Node) Delete(d *Node) {
 	for i, child := range n.children {
-		log(debugNode, "\t", i, child.id, child.Name)
+		log.Log(NODE, "\t", i, child.id, child.Name)
 		if (child.id == d.id) {
-			log(debugNode, "\t\t Deleting this")
+			log.Log(NODE, "\t\t Deleting this")
 			n.children = append(n.children[:i], n.children[i+1:]...)
 			return
 		}
 	}
-	log(debugError, "did not find node to delete", d.id, d.Name)
+	log.Warn("did not find node to delete", d.id, d.Name)
 }
diff --git a/plugin.go b/plugin.go
index fc27b81..5e1ac9d 100644
--- a/plugin.go
+++ b/plugin.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"embed"
 	"plugin"
 
+	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"go.wit.com/gui/gui/toolkit"
 )
 
@@ -50,12 +51,12 @@ var allPlugins []*aplug
 // loads and initializes a toolkit (andlabs/ui, gocui, etc)
 // attempts to locate the .so file
 func initPlugin(name string) *aplug {
-	log(logInfo, "initPlugin() START")
+	log.Log(PLUG, "initPlugin() START")
 
 	for _, aplug := range allPlugins {
-		log(debugGui, "initPlugin() already loaded toolkit plugin =", aplug.name)
+		log.Log(PLUG, "initPlugin() already loaded toolkit plugin =", aplug.name)
 		if (aplug.name == name) {
-			log(debugError, "initPlugin() SKIPPING", name, "as you can't load it twice")
+			log.Warn("initPlugin() SKIPPING", name, "as you can't load it twice")
 			return nil
 		}
 	}
@@ -71,13 +72,13 @@ func getPluginChannel(p *aplug, funcName string) func() chan toolkit.Action {
 
 	test, err = p.plug.Lookup(funcName)
 	if err != nil {
-		log(debugGui, "DID NOT FIND: name =", test, "err =", err)
+		log.Error(err, "DID NOT FIND: name =", test)
 		return nil
 	}
 
 	newfunc, ok = test.(func() chan toolkit.Action)
 	if !ok {
-		log(debugGui, "function name =", funcName, "names didn't map correctly. Fix the plugin name =", p.name)
+		log.Log(PLUG, "function name =", funcName, "names didn't map correctly. Fix the plugin name =", p.name)
 		return nil
 	}
 	return newfunc
@@ -90,13 +91,13 @@ func sendCallback(p *aplug, funcName string) func(chan toolkit.Action) {
 
 	test, err = p.plug.Lookup(funcName)
 	if err != nil {
-		log(debugGui, "DID NOT FIND: name =", test, "err =", err)
+		log.Error(err, "DID NOT FIND: name =", test)
 		return nil
 	}
 
 	newfunc, ok = test.(func(chan toolkit.Action))
 	if !ok {
-		log(debugGui, "function name =", funcName, "names didn't map correctly. Fix the plugin name =", p.name)
+		log.Log(PLUG, "function name =", funcName, "names didn't map correctly. Fix the plugin name =", p.name)
 		return nil
 	}
 	return newfunc
@@ -120,7 +121,7 @@ func searchPaths(name string) *aplug {
 	pfile, err = me.resFS.ReadFile(filename)
 	if (err == nil) {
 		filename = "/tmp/" + name + ".so"
-		log(logError, "write out file here", name, filename, len(pfile))
+		log.Error(err, "write out file here", name, filename, len(pfile))
 		f, _ := os.OpenFile(filename, os.O_WRONLY|os.O_CREATE, 0600)
 		f.Write(pfile)
 		f.Close()
@@ -129,7 +130,7 @@ func searchPaths(name string) *aplug {
 			return p
 		}
 	} else {
-		log(logError, filename, "was not embedded in the binary. Error:", err)
+		log.Error(err, filename, "was not embedded in the binary")
 	}
 
 	// attempt to write out the file from the internal resource
@@ -141,7 +142,7 @@ func searchPaths(name string) *aplug {
 
 	homeDir, err := os.UserHomeDir()
 	if err != nil {
-		log(logError, "searchPaths() error. exiting here?")
+		log.Error(err, "searchPaths() error. exiting here?")
 	} else {
 		filename = homeDir + "/go/src/go.wit.com/gui/toolkits/" + name + ".so"
 		p = initToolkit(name, filename)
@@ -152,7 +153,7 @@ func searchPaths(name string) *aplug {
 
 	homeDir, err = os.UserHomeDir()
 	if err != nil {
-		log(logError, "searchPaths() error. exiting here?")
+		log.Error(err, "searchPaths() error. exiting here?")
 	} else {
 		filename = homeDir + "/go/src/go.wit.com/toolkits/" + name + ".so"
 		p = initToolkit(name, filename)
@@ -180,18 +181,18 @@ func searchPaths(name string) *aplug {
 func initToolkit(name string, filename string) *aplug {
 	if _, err := os.Stat(filename); err != nil {
 		if os.IsNotExist(err) {
-			log(true, "missing plugin", name, "as filename", filename)
+			log.Log(true, "missing plugin", name, "as filename", filename)
 			return nil
 		}
 	}
-	log(true, "Found plugin", name, "as filename", filename)
+	log.Log(true, "Found plugin", name, "as filename", filename)
 
 	plug, err := plugin.Open(filename)
 	if err != nil {
-		log(debugError, "plugin FAILED =", filename, err)
+		log.Error(err, "plugin FAILED =", filename)
 		return nil
 	}
-	log(debugPlugin, "initToolkit() loading plugin =", filename)
+	log.Log(PLUG, "initToolkit() loading plugin =", filename)
 
 	var newPlug *aplug
 	newPlug = new(aplug)
@@ -214,12 +215,12 @@ func initToolkit(name string, filename string) *aplug {
 	// set the communication to the plugins
 	newPlug.pluginChan = newPlug.PluginChannel()
 	if (newPlug.pluginChan == nil) {
-		log(debugError, "initToolkit() ERROR PluginChannel() returned nil for plugin:", newPlug.name, filename)
+		log.Warn("initToolkit() ERROR PluginChannel() returned nil for plugin:", newPlug.name, filename)
 		return nil
 	}
 	newPlug.Callback(me.guiChan)
 
-	log(debugPlugin, "initToolkit() END", newPlug.name, filename)
+	log.Log(PLUG, "initToolkit() END", newPlug.name, filename)
 	return newPlug
 }
 
@@ -255,16 +256,16 @@ func newAction(n *Node, atype toolkit.ActionType) *toolkit.Action {
 // sends the action/event to each toolkit via a golang plugin channel
 func sendAction(a *toolkit.Action) {
 	for _, aplug := range allPlugins {
-		log(debugPlugin, "Action() aplug =", aplug.name, "Action type=", a.ActionType)
+		log.Log(PLUG, "Action() aplug =", aplug.name, "Action type=", a.ActionType)
 		if (aplug.pluginChan == nil) {
-			log(logInfo, "Action() retrieving the aplug.PluginChannel()", aplug.name)
+			log.Info("Action() retrieving the aplug.PluginChannel()", aplug.name)
 			aplug.pluginChan = aplug.PluginChannel()
-			log(logInfo, "Action() retrieved", aplug.pluginChan)
+			log.Info("Action() retrieved", aplug.pluginChan)
 		}
-		log(logInfo, "Action() SEND to pluginChan", aplug.name)
+		log.Info("Action() SEND to pluginChan", aplug.name)
 		aplug.pluginChan <- *a
 		// added during debugging. might be a good idea in general for a tactile experience
-		sleep(.02) // this delay makes it so SetText() works on initial widget creation
+		log.Sleep(.02) // this delay makes it so SetText() works on initial widget creation
 	}
 }
 
@@ -275,15 +276,16 @@ func (n *Node) InitEmbed(resFS embed.FS) *Node {
 
 func (n *Node) LoadToolkitEmbed(name string, b []byte) *Node {
 	for _, aplug := range allPlugins {
-		log(logInfo, "LoadToolkitEmbed() already loaded toolkit plugin =", aplug.name)
+		log.Info("LoadToolkitEmbed() already loaded toolkit plugin =", aplug.name)
 		if (aplug.name == name) {
-			log(logError, "LoadToolkitEmbed() SKIPPING", name, "as you can't load it twice")
+			log.Warn("LoadToolkitEmbed() SKIPPING", name, "as you can't load it twice")
 			return n
 		}
 	}
 
 	f, err := os.CreateTemp("", "sample." + name + ".so")
 	if (err != nil) {
+		log.Error(err, "LoadToolkitEmbed() SKIPPING", name, "as you can't load it twice")
 		return n
 	}
 	defer os.Remove(f.Name())
@@ -291,25 +293,25 @@ func (n *Node) LoadToolkitEmbed(name string, b []byte) *Node {
 
 	p := initToolkit(name, f.Name())
 	if (p == nil) {
-		log(logError, "LoadToolkitEmbed() embedded go file failed", name)
+		log.Warn("LoadToolkitEmbed() embedded go file failed", name)
 	}
 	return n
 }
 
 func (n *Node) ListToolkits() {
 	for _, aplug := range allPlugins {
-		log(logNow, "ListToolkits() already loaded toolkit plugin =", aplug.name)
+		log.Log(PLUG, "ListToolkits() already loaded toolkit plugin =", aplug.name)
 	}
 }
 
 func (n *Node) LoadToolkit(name string) *Node {
-	log(logInfo, "LoadToolkit() START for name =", name)
+	log.Log(PLUG, "LoadToolkit() START for name =", name)
 	plug := initPlugin(name)
 	if (plug == nil) {
 		return n
 	}
 
-	log(logInfo, "LoadToolkit() sending InitToolkit action to the plugin channel")
+	log.Log(PLUG, "LoadToolkit() sending InitToolkit action to the plugin channel")
 	var a toolkit.Action
 	a.ActionType = toolkit.InitToolkit
 	plug.pluginChan <- a
@@ -317,16 +319,16 @@ func (n *Node) LoadToolkit(name string) *Node {
 
 	// TODO: find a new way to do this that is locking, safe and accurate
 	me.rootNode.redraw(plug)
-	log(logInfo, "LoadToolkit() END for name =", name)
+	log.Log(PLUG, "LoadToolkit() END for name =", name)
 	return n
 }
 
 func (n *Node) CloseToolkit(name string) bool {
-	log(logInfo, "CloseToolkit() for name =", name)
+	log.Log(PLUG, "CloseToolkit() for name =", name)
 	for _, plug := range allPlugins {
-		log(debugGui, "CloseToolkit() found", plug.name)
+		log.Log(PLUG, "CloseToolkit() found", plug.name)
 		if (plug.name == name) {
-			log(debugNow, "CloseToolkit() sending close", name)
+			log.Log(PLUG, "CloseToolkit() sending close", name)
 			var a toolkit.Action
 			a.ActionType = toolkit.CloseToolkit
 			plug.pluginChan <- a
diff --git a/redraw.go b/redraw.go
index 638b26a..3e7ff22 100644
--- a/redraw.go
+++ b/redraw.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package gui
 
 import (
+	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"go.wit.com/gui/gui/toolkit"
 )
 
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ func (n *Node) redraw(p *aplug) {
 }
 
 func (n *Node) redo(plug *aplug) {
-	log(logNow, "redo()", plug.name, n.id, n.WidgetType, n.Name)
+	log.Info("redo()", plug.name, n.id, n.WidgetType, n.Name)
 
 	var a *toolkit.Action
 	a = new(toolkit.Action)
diff --git a/slider.go b/slider.go
index 22e97ef..9b41e22 100644
--- a/slider.go
+++ b/slider.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package gui
 
 import (
+	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"go.wit.com/gui/gui/toolkit"
 )
 
@@ -8,7 +9,7 @@ func (parent *Node) NewSlider(name string, x int, y int) *Node {
 	newNode := parent.newNode(name, toolkit.Slider)
 
 	newNode.Custom = func() {
-		log(debugGui, "even newer clicker() name in NewSlider name =", name)
+		log.Log(GUI, "even newer clicker() name in NewSlider name =", name)
 	}
 
 	newNode.X = x
diff --git a/spinner.go b/spinner.go
index 2d080da..797ef4e 100644
--- a/spinner.go
+++ b/spinner.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package gui
 
 import (
+	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"go.wit.com/gui/gui/toolkit"
 )
 
@@ -8,7 +9,7 @@ func (parent *Node) NewSpinner(name string, x int, y int) *Node {
 	newNode := parent.newNode(name, toolkit.Spinner)
 
 	newNode.Custom = func() {
-		log(debugChange, "default NewSpinner() change", name)
+		log.Info("default NewSpinner() change", name)
 	}
 
 	newNode.X = x
diff --git a/tab.go b/tab.go
index 463944e..b202f6b 100644
--- a/tab.go
+++ b/tab.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package gui
 
 import (
+	"go.wit.com/log"
+
 	"go.wit.com/gui/gui/toolkit"
 )
 
@@ -12,16 +14,16 @@ func (n *Node) NewTab(text string) *Node {
 
 	if (n.WidgetType != toolkit.Window) {
 		// figure out what the actual window is
-		log(logError, "NewTab() is being requested on something that isn't a Window. node =", n)
+		log.Warn("NewTab() is being requested on something that isn't a Window. node =", n)
 		if (n.parent == nil) {
 			// TODO: find a window. any window. never give up. never die.
-			log(logError, "NewTab() TODO: make a window here", n)
+			log.Warn("NewTab() TODO: make a window here", n)
 			panic("NewTab did not get passed a window")
 		}
-		log(logError, "NewTab() parent =", n.parent)
+		log.Warn("NewTab() parent =", n.parent)
 		if (n.parent.WidgetType == toolkit.Root) {
 			// also broken
-			log(logError, "NewTab() TODO: make or find a window here", n)
+			log.Warn("NewTab() TODO: make or find a window here", n)
 			panic("NewTab() did not get passed a window")
 		}
 		// go up the binary tree until we find a window widget to add a tab too
diff --git a/textbox.go b/textbox.go
index d772636..f4b156a 100644
--- a/textbox.go
+++ b/textbox.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package gui
 
 import (
+	"go.wit.com/log"
+
 	"go.wit.com/gui/gui/toolkit"
 )
 
@@ -8,7 +10,7 @@ func (parent *Node) NewTextbox(name string) *Node {
 	newNode := parent.newNode(name, toolkit.Textbox)
 
 	newNode.Custom = func() {
-		log(debugGui, "NewTextbox changed =", name)
+		log.Log(GUI, "NewTextbox changed =", name)
 	}
 
 	a := newAction(newNode, toolkit.Add)
@@ -22,7 +24,7 @@ func (parent *Node) NewEntryLine(name string) *Node {
 	newNode.X = 1
 
 	newNode.Custom = func() {
-		log(debugGui, "NewTextbox changed =", name)
+		log.Log(GUI, "NewTextbox changed =", name)
 	}
 
 	a := newAction(newNode, toolkit.Add)
diff --git a/watchdog.go b/watchdog.go
index e80861f..a57005c 100644
--- a/watchdog.go
+++ b/watchdog.go
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ package gui
 
 import (
 	"time"
+
+	"go.wit.com/log"
 )
 
 var watchtime time.Duration = 100 // in tenths of seconds
@@ -16,43 +18,8 @@ var watchtime time.Duration = 100 // in tenths of seconds
 func Watchdog() {
 	var i = 1
 	for {
-		log(logInfo, "gui.Watchdog() is alive. give me something to do.", i)
-		if (me.rootNode == nil) {
-			log(logInfo, "me.rootNode == nil", i)
-		} else {
-			if (logVerbose) {
-				me.rootNode.ListChildren(true)
-			}
-		}
+		log.Verbose("gui.Watchdog() is alive. give me something to do.", i)
 		i += 1
 		time.Sleep(watchtime * time.Second / 10)
 	}
 }
-// https://www.reddit.com/r/golang/comments/12em87q/how_to_run_periodic_tasks/
-/*
-package main
-
-import (
-	"fmt"
-	"time"
-)
-
-func main() {
-	ticker := time.NewTicker(time.Second)
-	defer ticker.Stop()
-	done := make(chan bool)
-	go func() {
-		time.Sleep(10 * time.Second)
-		done <- true
-	}()
-	for {
-		select {
-		case <-done:
-			fmt.Println("Done!")
-			return
-		case t := <-ticker.C:
-			fmt.Println("Current time: ", t)
-		}
-	}
-}
-*/
diff --git a/window.go b/window.go
index 7512317..9a0c849 100644
--- a/window.go
+++ b/window.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package gui
 
 import (
+	"go.wit.com/log"
 	"go.wit.com/gui/gui/toolkit"
 )
 
@@ -13,7 +14,7 @@ func (parent *Node) NewWindow(title string) *Node {
 	newNode = parent.newNode(title, toolkit.Window)
 	newNode.Custom = StandardExit
 
-	log(logInfo, "NewWindow()", title)
+	log.Info("NewWindow()", title)
 
 	a := newAction(newNode, toolkit.Add)
 	sendAction(a)