Category Archives: Columns

Christmas gifts were hidden

December 13, 2020Columnssusanmanzke

One gift went into my closet in the summer–when I was on my game, I shopped early for Christmas. That one gift was soon joined by another and another.

Too soon my closet had no room for my clothes.

This recounting of closet problems came from a 1981 column.

These days my closet only holds clothes. There’s no one to hide gifts from. All you have to do is look in my dining room to see all my secrets.

I look forward to days when I have to hide gifts for Christmas.

Gift for Bob

December 12, 2020Christmas, Columnssusanmanzke

Early in our marriage, Bob and I tried to find gifts for each other.

Bob never had a clue what to get me.

Eventually, we gave up trying.

Mostly, if I found a book for Bob, he got it as a gift. I didn’t always wait for Christmas.

Bob’s gifts for me came during the farming season. He’d bring me ditch daisies or even found turkey feathers. It was always something from nature, even a neat looking rock.

All tied up wrapping gifts

December 11, 2020Christmas, Columns, Familysusanmanzke

I shouldn’t have waited until the last minute to wrap our Christmas gifts. It became a tradition to finish after midnight, just before our rug rats woke up.

In those early years, I took on this task alone. Bob usually slept through this elf’s work. In later years, Bob helped, too. That relieved some of my seasonal stress.

These days I use bags, usually decorated Christmas bags, but in a pinch a paper grocery bag might slip into the mix.

Happy wrapping.

The Christmas season begins

December 10, 2020Columns, Familysusanmanzke

You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

Our children knew they should be good but being kids they often forgot.

Rodolph showed up on our television that night and if I remember correctly, Santa stopped at our home at the appointed time, too.

I seems it’s parents who have to watch out.

The chickenpox saga continues

December 9, 2020Columns, Family, Friendssusanmanzke

I was stuck home for weeks when my children had chickenpox. Becky brought it home and one after another they all caught it, even little Rachel. Ugh!

When Bob and I finally got a break to go to a Christmas party, I turned into the worst guest because the pox continued to haunt me.

Right now the virus that haunts the world today has replaced chickenpox as the subject of discussion. It too has gotten old when talking with friends or listening to the news.

My Christmas wish is that the current virus will soon be under control. Until then, stay masked and at a distance.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person