Category Archives: Columns

A washing machine change

March 11, 2021Columns, Odds and ends, worksusanmanzke

Back in the 1980s, I had a washer that was giving up the ghost. This column tells how the old washer’s life ended and the new one began.

Odd that I came across this column at this time. Tomorrow a new washing machine is heading here. Fingers crossed that the exchange of the old for the new will go without a hitch.

I’ve been fighting to keep this one going for almost 2 years. It’s only ten years old but when the repairman came he said it couldn’t be fixed as the parts weren’t available–yet they continue to make that machine. Go figure.

No matter. It’s time for a change and I’m sure I’ll be fascinated with my new washing machine, too.

Rolling right along

March 10, 2021Columns, Family, funsusanmanzke

I was lucky to have time to chaperone elementary school class trips when my children were young.

This account almost took me beyond my abilities when I strapped on roller skates.

FYI: my great uncle, Frank Pochrin (Grandma Jo’s brother), and his wife Aunt Mary roller-skated in competitions and showed their roller skating skills by giving demonstrations. I never saw them skate, but I heard stories about their skills. I just knew them as two lovely people. Uncle Frank was always joking.

Sheer torture — the spelling bee

March 8, 2021Columns, Familysusanmanzke

This archived column says a lot about my feelings toward spelling bees. I hate them! But the bee talked about here was Robby’s. No matter, it made me cringe and remember my childhood.

My poor spelling might be connected to my dyslexia, I don’t know. I often slip up — as you might have seen in a past blog. But that doesn’t stop me from writing.

I wonder if any of my elementary school teachers noticed that I always went down in the third round of the class spelling bee. Even if I knew the word and how to spell it I would make a mistake. Then I could sit down and all tension was lifted. (Yes, I did that.)

It would be nice to be able to spell, but I’ve learned to live with my problem.

After all, misspelling a word isn’t the end of the warld.

A Cousin Idol

March 7, 2021Columns, Familysusanmanzke

Do you have an idol? When my children were young, they had one, their cousin.

This column written in 1986 shows how much they wanted to be like their cousin.

They learned a lot from Sherri.

Years later they taught her how to help with haying. Eventually, I’ll record what I wrote how my kids taught their sophisticated cousin about farm work.

Keeping things in balance by balancing an egg

March 5, 2021Columns, Family, funsusanmanzke

I never knew what kind of activity my children would bring home from school. Most taught me something.

This one had us going to the refrigerator for eggs, but not for cooking.

If you want to try your hand at balancing an egg, your time is fast approaching. You’ll have to get up early on March 20, 2021, as spring arrives at 4:38 am Central Time, or so this website says– https://days.to/until/spring.

I don’t think I’ll get up that early, not unless I have to take a potty run and even then, I try not to wake up too much so I’ll be heading back to bed without balancing anything.

Have a great day.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person