Category Archives: Chuck Paska story

Pork Chop Day

Chuck Paska story, Family

During the Great Depression, people raised livestock in their backyards. Here’s a story my dad wrote about having pigs in Calumet Park, Illinois.

We never raised pigs when I was a kid. I saw one being butchered at a friend’s farm and I couldn’t eat pork for years. I guess I take after my dad.

Funny that eating homegrown chickens didn’t bother my dad. It sure bothered me. Like he said, “It’s like eating your friends.”

I hope you enjoy this true story from when my dad was a boy.

I’ll read another in a future blog.

Until next time, that’s all there is from Sunnybook Farm.

Copyright 2022 Susan Manzke, all rights reserved.

A Chuck Paska story

Chuck -- Susan's dad, Chuck Paska story

My dad always told fun stories about his boyhood. Everyone always wanted to hear them when we had family gatherings. This is one of my many favorites.

I hope you enjoyed this retelling. If you want to read my interpretation, check out my novel, Chicken Charlie’s Year. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=chicken+charlie%27s+year&crid=2EC5EC9S7JBKT&sprefix=chicken+charlie%27s+year%2Caps%2C214&ref=nb_sb_noss

I felt like my dad was with me when I wrote this book.

Until next time, that’s all there is from Sunnybook Farm.

Copyright 2022 Susan Manzke, all rights reserved.

An April Fools story

Chuck Paska story, Family

This happened in the late 1960s.

It’s a story that reminds me of my Dad and his sister, Bea, and how much they teased each other all their lives. They teased, but they loved each other very much.

Until next time, that’s all there is from Sunnybook Farm.

Copyright 2022 Susan Manzke, all rights reserved.

Pig’s revenge

Chuck -- Susan's dad, Chuck Paska story, Family

I love sharing my dad’s stories. This one is about butchering a pig, a job he hated.

Even in the city people raised chickens and a pig or two in their backyard in the 1930s. This is one story about a pig incident.

The cat that came for my video today is Cruella. She wasn’t happy about being kept in my arms and immediately left, voicing her opinion.

I hope you enjoyed my reading of Dad’s story. We never raised pigs when I was a kid. Dad had enough of them when he was growing up.

Until next time, that’s it from Sunnybook Farm.

Copyright 2021 © by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved.

Dad’s love song lyrics

Chuck -- Susan's dad, Chuck Paska story

I wish I had a recording of my dad singing this song, but I don’t so you’ll just have to listen to me reading the words — no music.

Dad learned to read music when he was in his 60s. Most of the time he played music by ear.

He also taught himself how to play the guitar, harmonica, organ, and accordion. I did not take after him.

I wonder if my cousin George remembers any of the songs he and my dad wrote together. One was called One Legged Chicken. It was hysterical.

Copyright © 2021 Susan Manzke, all rights reserved