Category Archives: Memories

The creature comes to life

April 10, 2021Columns, Family, Memoriessusanmanzke

Our home on Gardner Road wasn’t far from Black Creek. During much of the year, it was a fun play area for all children. Listen to my account of one spring adventure.

I was also drawn to this creek. It refreshed memories of my childhood living next to a swamp.

Once in high school, we were supposed to bring a sample of pond water to examine under a microscope. I brought a vile of water from the swamp. My cousin George asked me what I had in the bottle. “Swamp water,” I said. Immediately, George started calling me Swamp Water Sue. Such a great nickname. Thanks, George.

In biology class, I found a minuscule creature wiggling in the droplet set up on my microscope. The teacher didn’t know what it was. Later, I found a photo in a book of a mosquito larva, which is what it was. I found it odd that the teacher didn’t recognize it.

Listening to a six-year-old is fun

April 8, 2021Columns, Family, fun, Memories, Rachelsusanmanzke

I’m glad my weekly column gave me an avenue to save family happenings, even little ones.

Rachel had a lot to say this day. In my April 1988 column, I luckily caught a few of her gems and put them in print.

Back in those days, the kids always did something that became the subject of one of my columns. If it wasn’t one of them, then Bob stepped up.

Life was always interesting.

Now it’s much quieter, but still interesting. Thank goodness for family, pets, and the Internet.

The birth of a teenager

April 5, 2021Columns, Family, Memoriessusanmanzke

This particular teenager is now in his mid-forties. He has teenagers of his own. Rob’s memories about his own growing years may have dimmed, but having children of his own might be a refresher course for him.

April 1, 1988 is the date of this column. I hope you enjoy it.

Grandchildren are all growing. One will reach thirteen in June. Time keeps moving forward.

The cute toddlers grow but as they do conversations with them improve.

Remembering changes of the past is a good thing. Seeing how well my children turned out is a great feeling. We all made it through their teen years without too many scars.

Happy Easter message from Susan

April 4, 2021Memories, Odds and ends, Susansusanmanzke

A short message from me….no script.

Wishing you all the best.

Susan’s novel rendition of Broken Cookies

March 17, 2021book, Family, Memories, writingsusanmanzke

Each chapter of my novel Chicken Charlie’s Year is a story in itself.

Today I’m reading my version of Dad’s childhood story about getting broken cookies.

I hope you enjoyed the portion I read.

Yes, this book is still available for purchase from me and at Sissy’s in Seymour. It can also be found on Amazon as a paperback and large print, and on digital Kindle.

A book for people of all ages.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person