Category Archives: Columns

A surprise during a farm haying day

July 6, 2021Columns, Family, Farming, fun, worksusanmanzke

HOT and DRY! These were the words for the summer of 1988. But one day, while working at baling hay a surprise came from the sky that brightened our day.

Listen and find out what stopped farm work.

Some days you just work but there are times when farm work takes a back seat to a surprise visitor. Even Bob thought it a good idea to stop work and greet our visitor.

Hoping a good surprise comes your way today.

A little celebration

July 4, 2021Columnssusanmanzke

On the third of July, I joined my son Russell and his family up north. I usually stay away from crowds during Independence Day celebrations, but I went anyway.

On a normal weekday, only a few families would have lunch at this beach. On Independence Day weekend, a crowd showed up.

At least there was enough room for father and son to play in the sand and make enough blocks to build a wall until it tumbled down.

It wasn’t until later that my real fun began when I joined Harrison and ran through the sprinklers in the backyard of the cabin.

As we dried off, everyone played SORRY. The last time I played this board game was many moons ago and I had to be reminded of the rules. Even so by chance, I WON!

It’s good to have fun with family, but best if not so many other families surround you on the beach.

When the rain didn’t come

July 2, 2021Columns, Farming, Weathersusanmanzke

This year (2021) gave us a very dry, hot June. The year 1988 was near the same.

This column is about praying for rain, seeing clouds, and wishing they would bring beneficial precipitation.

Luckily, our weather changed at the end of June this year. The rain came all at once, but it sure helped the crops.

No knowing how the rest of the season will be. Will rain come when needed? Or will it skip this area again? Only the Almighty knows.

Hoping for enough rain, but not too much.

No time for mother

June 27, 2021Columns, Family, Susansusanmanzke

In this 1988 column, the last few days of school were not spent in school but at home. All four Manzke children caught a bug, which meant their mother would be busy nursing them.