My first meeting with Bob’s parents

November 10, 2020Columns, Familysusanmanzke

When I was growing up, we addressed adults formally. “Hello, Mrs. Stephens.” But that wasn’t going to work with Bob’s parents.

Here’s my recollection of meeting the ‘Manzkes” for the first time.

In the early 1970s, Grandma Manzke was Bob’s grandmother. I’m not sure if that’s my title today or not. I’m trying for Grandma Susan, or just plane Grandma when no other grandmother is around.

Yes, formally, I’m Mrs. Manzke, but I’m not sure if I know that person.

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.

Ballerinas in action

November 8, 2020Columns, Family, funsusanmanzke

Since daughter Rebecca was a toddler, she danced, copying the ballerinas on the television. The Nutcracker was her favorite.

A YMCA class gave our daughter, age 8, the opportunity to learn ballet steps. This column recounts a mother’s joy watching her daughter’s first official attempts at dance.

I can close my eyes and see the girls again as they stepped across the floor. The fun stays with me all these years later.

Enjoy the retelling of class four.

A real sticky situation

November 7, 2020Bob, Columns, Farmingsusanmanzke

My column archives showed how a farmer can get into a tight situation when working alone.

In this essay, I retell Bob’s story.

Bob wasn’t laughing while he was trapped but later he did, especially about having a dead cat for company.

I hope you enjoy hearing more about my farmer.

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

My first meeting with Bob’s parents

Weather alert

Ballerinas in action

A real sticky situation

Chickens having fun