Category Archives: Weather

Under a blanket of snow?

January 31, 2021Columns, Weather, wintersusanmanzke

After inches of snow, seeing even a bit of soil showing through gave me a glimpse of the spring to come in 1982.

Some places are covered in snow this year (2021). On Sunnybook Farm the snow amount is far below normal. Other areas seem to have gotten our share this winter.

Though we are weeks from spring, even a little sign of the end of winter is good, as I wrote in this archival column.

Some people feel lucky to get a lot of snow. Sledding and skiing are on their agenda. Other people are grateful when the inches of white misses their home. Plowing and shoveling can be skipped.

Are you a snow lover?

A look around

January 7, 2021animals, nature, Weather, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

I found beauty in my back-backyard today. This is where my family has camped on Sunnybook Farm.

Just two quick views of the farm on a cloudy day.

There are no other human footprints but mine in this section of the yard. Most footprints around belong to the cats, maybe a few came from raccoons or opossums.

Nature surrounds me.

A frosty morning on the farm

January 3, 2021nature, Sunnybook Farm, Weathersusanmanzke

Usually, I get up looking for a bright sunrise. If I’m lucky I can snap a colorful photo to post on Facebook.

The first days of January 2021 have been foggy/cloudy meaning no pretty sunrise photos.

Daughter Rebecca said I should take a photo today just the same. Instead I took these two short videos.

front yard

backyard

The frost covered everything so walking was slippery. I took my time as I do every time I go outside during the winter.

Today make sure you watch your step as you enjoy the view of the frosty landscape.

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.

Chickens having fun

November 6, 2020animals, Chickens, fun, Weathersusanmanzke

I know I’m enjoying this beautiful, mild, and warm November week, so is my dog, Sunny and my chickens are, too.

After coyotes raided our yard and spirited away five hens, the leftovers haven’t ventured far from their coop. Today was different.

Though this isn’t far from their home coop, it is the farthest they have been away from the scantity of their roost.

I handed out grape treats. Only Bonnie comes to take food from my hand, but the others are thinking about getting closer to yummy bits held between my fingers.

I hope you can enjoy these last lovely days of fall, too,

Too soon we’ll be back to regular November weather.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person