Category Archives: Columns

A call from tomorrow

January 27, 2021Columns, Friends, funsusanmanzke

This phone call was the first time my pen pal Pauline and I ever spoke to each other. Up until then, we sent letters and a few tape-recorded messages.

Pauline’s call in 1985 took me by surprise. This column is what I wrote about it.

As a teenager, I remember waiting to find one of Pauline’s blue airmail letters in my mailbox. It was always a treat when one arrived. These days real paper letters are non-existent but we can still connect for free over the internet.

It’s wonderful to have Pauline as my friend. Messages from her, whatever the mode are always special.

Nightmares affect many

January 26, 2021Bob, Columnssusanmanzke

Many times I was woken up by a teary child who had just experienced a nightmare. This column is an account of Bob having a dream go sour.

Any time Bob had sleep issues they affected me, too. This was a rather mild nightmare for my husband. A few others involved a tractor going off a cliff and another had Bob being chased by a bear. You’ll have to listen to this one to see who was out to get Bob this night.

I’m glad I wrote this nightmare down. It wouldn’t have been remembered otherwise.

A bearded Bob

January 25, 2021Bob, Columns, Memoriessusanmanzke

Harvest and planting seasons kept Bob busy, too busy to shave. This column from 1984 shows his best attempt at growing a beard one winter.

Bob did not shave every day, so most times I felt his wishers when we kissed.

I wish I was snapping more photos in those days. But developing film was expensive and I often passed up a good photo just to save money.

Eventually, digital photos came our way. Without having to develop film, I caught Bob in many more photos, not just for special occasions.

Travel advisory

January 24, 2021Columns, Family, fun, wintersusanmanzke

It was a nasty day in 1985 but I didn’t stay home. Listen and hear what took me out on slippery roads that day.

These days I don’t venture out on slippery roads. It would have to be an emergency to get me moving.

I prefer to stay home and watch winter from a distance. The most I do is walk to the mailbox and the chicken coop and even on those trips outside I walk carefully so as not to slip.

Inside job continues

January 23, 2021Bob, Columns, worksusanmanzke

Bob and I hated to make choices. Deciding what color we should paint our living room was difficult. Worse was picking carpeting.

This column is dedicated to carpeting, choosing it and then putting it in place — Bob was a do-it-yourself guy.

We finished the living room before spring work began on the farm. If we had a delay inside, and spring had arrived, the room work wouldn’t have gotten done until the following winter–farming always came first.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person