Category Archives: Wisconsin

Horses on an Amish farm

August 24, 2021animals, Susan, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

I visited my friends in Cambria on Monday, August 23, and took some photos of the animals on the farm–photographing the Amish is out of the question.

They are very proud of their horses, so I had no problem taking photos and videos of the horses. This team was harnessed to pull a hay rake. . Notice that they did not walk away even though they were not tethered. A little later, they calmly walked to stand by a hitching post. Soon after taking their photos were taken, they were put to work

I had a wonderful visit with my friends the Ottos. They treated me to lunch and we shared memories of Bob.

It took a bit of courage for me to take the 2+ hour trip to the Otto farm without Bob, but I’m happy I did. To make it less stressful, I didn’t go on Highway 41, but took a country route instead. The absence of the crazy highway traffic made for an easy drive and only added 15 minutes to my trip. I won’t wait so long to go to visit my friends again now that I found this peaceful route.

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

Yesterday’s tornado weather report

August 11, 2021Weather, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

As I type, a new round of bad weather is in my area. Thunder and lightning are across Wisconsin and Illinois. Warnings are out for nasty weather again.

This shows where I saw a tornado yesterday.

Luckily it didn’t come due east. Now, dark skies have me looking heavenward again.

Let’s hope this storm isn’t as eventful as yesterday. A tornado watch is on until 8 pm.

I am also keeping track of family around Wisconsin and Illinois. Everyone is under weather warnings.

Fingers crossed and prayers today.

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

Two tiny videos at Outagamie County Fair and a surprise!

July 21, 2021Susan, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

I was kind of busy today watching the photography judging.

I did stop through a couple of barns.

Oh yeah, I won Grand Champion in photography.

I’m still shaking.

More about today will be in my next column.

Listening to my neighbors

July 18, 2021wildlife, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

Not the mooing of cows today.

My other neighbors are talking early this morning.

Their calls aren’t melodious. Sandhill cranes speak in an ancient language, one heard by dinosaurs.

When you are out in the countryside, listen to the small chirps of little birds, but don’t forget to check out the calls of sandhill cranes.

Volume up

July 10, 2021animals, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

My early morning walk was accented by the call of cows and calves. They were trying to hurry their breakfast along as they do every morning.

The calm Saturday has a few twittering birds but little traffic, a perfect time for a walk.

Sunny came along for the walk today. Some days my aged canine companion doesn’t care to join me. I’ll take him out and he’ll do his business and then Sunny will sit down, refusing to move. Today walked. It was a good day for him and me.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person