Category Archives: Columns

Kitty, kitty

cats, Columns

Cats have been in my life since childhood. This 1987 column tells of a stray cat from the past on Sunnybook Farm.

Issues happened when the expecting stray moved in, but it was the demise of her that sent this family reeling. Listen and find out what happened.

Cats come and go. We thought all was lost when the new mother could no longer take care of her litter.

A solution was found, leaving us with two house cats.

Until next time, that’s it from Sunnybook Farm.

Copyright © 2021 Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

Superman Meets the Invisible Man

Bob, Columns, work

My husband was a workaholic. This column from 1987 tells how he attempted to do everything, except sleep. During his night shirt at the canning company, he was found a time of two sleeping standing up–this is not an exageration.

For summer and fall, I lived as a single parent, which wasn’t easy either. Often I felt I was being pulled apart when I was needed on the farm knowing our children required at least one parent some of the time.

Anyway this is what I wrote about Bob during those hectic times.

Watching Bob work himself to death wasn’t easy to witness but no one could stop him from any of his work adventures.

Today, I’m missing him and wishing we had more time together. It was a good thing he did eventually slow down, finding time to enjoy more than work.

Until next time, that’s it from Sunnybook Farm.

Copyright © 2021 Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

The road christening

Columns, Family, fun

In 1987 our blacktop road was finally finished. This column tells of the joyous reaction by the Gardner Road children.

It started out as fun but poor Rachel ended up bloody.

Listen and hear what happened after the road crew packed up and pulled away.

If it wasn’t Rachel who ended up hurt, it would have been someone else. She was the unlucky one this day.

Until next time, that’s it from Sunnybook Farm.

Copyright © 2021 Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

La Baye, 1762

Columns

This column remembers the time I worked at Heritage Hill State Park. During the summer, I brought my children, too, and dressed everyone in period costumes.

When at the park, my children worked in the garden even on hot days. They were barefooted as we had no period shoes, but without shoes they were perfect for the setting.

This photo was taken by Bob as I spoke for a group of adults. I’m still searching to find photos of my children in their costumes.

It was great fun and a good learning experience for all.

Until next time, that’s it from Sunnybook Farm.

Copyright © 2021 Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

Before blacktop

Columns, Friends, fun

This column from September 1986 tells of a dirt road on its way to being blacktopped.

Rain changed the dirt road to mud and made an adventure for children getting to school.

No photos, but tons of memories as a neighbor, Buddy Wojciehowski, came to the rescue and got the Gardner Rd kids to the bus.

I watched from the house but wished I had been on that pickup with Buddy. From the whoops coming from the ten children, it had to be a fun ride.

Until next time, that’s it from Sunnybook Farm.

Copyright © 2021 Susan Manzke, all rights reserved