Category Archives: Columns

+Creativity questions

November 12, 2020Columns, creativity, funsusanmanzke

A lot of the times, I went wild with crafts. After spending money on supplies I would lose interest.

I still admire what my friends accomplish and yearn to do as well. That feeling often gets me into trouble.

These days most of my creativity stays focused on writing.

I have been cutting fabric for a project but I haven’t sewn anything yet. Will have to wait to see how that all works out.

My first meeting with Bob’s parents

November 10, 2020Columns, Familysusanmanzke

When I was growing up, we addressed adults formally. “Hello, Mrs. Stephens.” But that wasn’t going to work with Bob’s parents.

Here’s my recollection of meeting the ‘Manzkes” for the first time.

In the early 1970s, Grandma Manzke was Bob’s grandmother. I’m not sure if that’s my title today or not. I’m trying for Grandma Susan, or just plane Grandma when no other grandmother is around.

Yes, formally, I’m Mrs. Manzke, but I’m not sure if I know that person.

Weather alert

November 9, 2020Columns, Weather, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

We’ve been reaching record high temperatures the last few days in Wisconsin. It was a great time to be outside without coats, hats, and mittens.

Well, November will soon be going back to normal, after a rainy day temps will head down to the 40s. Ugh.

This column was from 1985 and showed the cold changes predicted that November, too.

Such is life. Weather goes up and down. This is Wisconsin after all.

Hats and coats have not gone far. Soon I’ll be dressing in layers again and dreaming of spring 2021.

Ballerinas in action

November 8, 2020Columns, Family, funsusanmanzke

Since daughter Rebecca was a toddler, she danced, copying the ballerinas on the television. The Nutcracker was her favorite.

A YMCA class gave our daughter, age 8, the opportunity to learn ballet steps. This column recounts a mother’s joy watching her daughter’s first official attempts at dance.