A bearded Bob

January 25, 2021Bob, Columns, Memoriessusanmanzke

Harvest and planting seasons kept Bob busy, too busy to shave. This column from 1984 shows his best attempt at growing a beard one winter.

Bob did not shave every day, so most times I felt his wishers when we kissed.

I wish I was snapping more photos in those days. But developing film was expensive and I often passed up a good photo just to save money.

Eventually, digital photos came our way. Without having to develop film, I caught Bob in many more photos, not just for special occasions.

Travel advisory

January 24, 2021Columns, Family, fun, wintersusanmanzke

It was a nasty day in 1985 but I didn’t stay home. Listen and hear what took me out on slippery roads that day.

These days I don’t venture out on slippery roads. It would have to be an emergency to get me moving.

I prefer to stay home and watch winter from a distance. The most I do is walk to the mailbox and the chicken coop and even on those trips outside I walk carefully so as not to slip.

Inside job continues

January 23, 2021Bob, Columns, worksusanmanzke

Bob and I hated to make choices. Deciding what color we should paint our living room was difficult. Worse was picking carpeting.

This column is dedicated to carpeting, choosing it and then putting it in place — Bob was a do-it-yourself guy.

We finished the living room before spring work began on the farm. If we had a delay inside, and spring had arrived, the room work wouldn’t have gotten done until the following winter–farming always came first.

A winter remodel

January 22, 2021Bob, Columns, worksusanmanzke

This column tells about the aftermath of Rachel Jo drawing on the wall above our couch. It started out as a paint job, but then Bob stepped in and added to the project.

Bob’s two cents worked well for our living room. Opening the wall turned out great. The large shelving unit was finished and used by our family for years.

Of course, we had to live in the mess for a week, but thinking back on Bob-projects, this one was completed in a relatively short time.

Thank goodness most of Bob’s ideas were great.

Car-E the cat in action

January 21, 2021Car-E, cats, funsusanmanzke

I went fishing for cat by dangling a string and a pompom. The toy was hung from a stretched out metal hanger.

Car-E really enjoyed this homemade cat toy

And yes, that is me sniffling. I stopped the video so I could get a tissue.

This cat is full of energy, but he does cuddle, too.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person

A bearded Bob

Travel advisory

Inside job continues

A winter remodel

Car-E the cat in action