Category Archives: Columns

Looking back to 1980

September 11, 2019Columns, Family, Memoriessusanmanzke

I thought I’d go back in time to the year I began writing my weekly newspaper column. This column shows me as a harried mother of three young children. Hope you enjoy this memory.

September 4, 1980

He put on his jacket as he turned away from me. Heartlessly, he ignored the tears in my eyes as he went out without a backward glance.

Without pride, I followed a few steps behind him. He was leaving me today and there was nothing I could do to keep him by my side. Robby was going to kindergarten.

Many a day this past summer, as I pulled at my hair thinking of answers to his never-ending line of questions, I looked forward to this day. Someone else would now have a chance to try to answer his questions. I would have a breather, if only for a few hours a day. (No one told me that in a few years, the baby in my arms, Russell, would have even more questions.)

But now he is actually leaving and I’m not rejoicing as planned.

Robby is not like my impression of the usual first-timer. He is not clinging to his mother, crying as if he is being abandoned. No, he is raring to go. He’s grown up … too grown up. He doesn’t need me anymore!

Today, I again give him into the hands of strangers. A short time ago, the stranger was the dentist. That was for all of a half-hour with me fidgeting in the outer office. He survived that experience better than his overly nervous mother.

This time I won’t be in the next room. I’ll be miles away from my little boy.

I won’t be there even if he cried. I’m sure he won’t—that is, if he doesn’t trip over his own feet and fall down.

I won’t be near if a big kid picks on my innocent 5-year-old. He’ll just have to learn to stick up for himself. He has to grow up sometime. BUT IF ANY HOODLUM EVER DID TOUCH A HAIR ON HIS HEAD…

I also won’t be around when Robby accomplishes a learning feat. I’ll just have to wait until he runs through the front door, waving his paper proudly.

I watched him climb on the bus and I sniffle. “I’m alone…” There’s a tug on my arm. Becky looks sad, too.

I pat her head and say, “You’ll get to go to school when you’re five, Honey.”

“I know that. But Mommy, when will Baby Russell quit eating my coloring book? Will he get a bellyache if he eats a crayon? Can I help you clean up the kitchen floor? Russell made me spill my milk. Does the baby like milk on his head?…”

What am I thinking about? I’m not alone. It’s two long years before Becky marches off to kindergarten (730 days to go) and five years before Russell follows (1,825 days for him).

I don’t have time for tears. I have to hurry to get something done before Robby gets home. He’ll only be gone a few hours.

Robby, Becky, and Russell 1980
Rob, Rebecca, and Russ

Art Street and Farmer’s Market

August 24, 2019Columns, crafts, Family, Odds and ends, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

Rebecca came by today and offered to drive me to Art Street in Green Bay. Though my sciatica was bothering me, I decided to go for the outing.

We had to park on the 6th level of the parking garage. The elevator was busy with all the people going up and down, I decided to walk down, and then we walked around Art Street. I hadn’t been there in years. It was so much fun.

As we prepared to head home, Rebecca decided to get cheese from a vendor at the farmer’s market (two events makes a HUGE crowd). She said to stand in line for the elevator and she would catch up after getting the cheese.

Well, I stood in line and stood in line. Eventually, I started the climb up, as did a group of other ladies waiting for the elevator.

I took my time, one step at a time. Since I was slow, I stood aside when others needed to me.

Rebecca caught up to me when I reached the third floor–halfway home.

Eventually, I paused and took a photo out a window.

This is from the parking garage fifth-floor landing. It’s of the Farmer’s Market, but looks very much like Art Street from this height.

I made it to the car without a problem, but I think I’ve had enough exercise for today. Time to sit and catch up on some reading.

The question of the day

August 19, 2019Columnssusanmanzke

Our critter cam caught a photo of a flying bird.

This is a first for us. We’ve gotten turkeys and sandhill cranes walking into view, but none flew into the spotlight.

Now it’s your turn to guess what this bird is. Post your answer on my Facebook page.

Storm Alert!

August 5, 2019Columns, Product review, Weathersusanmanzke

I was sitting by my desk, finishing my next column, when a sharp tone emitted from our weather alert. The radio happens to be within 4 feet of my desk and I almost jumped out of my chair when it went off.

This alert gave me plenty of time to park my car inside the barn before the thunderstorm arrived.

I have to say that last Saturday’s alert almost didn’t come soon enough for Bob and me. We had been inside, out of the heat, when the alert sounded. Bob went to put the cart in and I quickly parked my car inside the barn as hail was a possibility, just like today.

We weren’t outside long and just got back inside the house when the storm hit. That really surprised us. Usually, we are given at least a half-hour’s warning, like we were today.

It used to be that one alert would come after another as a storm worked its way through the area. On the new weather alert radio we just set our county and only when our county is included in the warning or watch do we hear any piercing alert.

I recommend everyone have a weather alert radio. You don’t want to be caught up short if it’s time to take cover–it’s great to know that some cell phones send out bad weather alerts, too. On a trip, you may need more time to find shelter.