With just a little imagination

Columns, creativity, fun, writing

I have been a writer/author for over 45 years. I’ve also been a speaker, centering my talks on saving family stories and/or how to use your imagination in fiction writing.

Since, like many writers, I’m an introvert and fear speaking in public. I’ve worked hard over the years to overcome this problem.

This column was written many years ago when I first began speaking.

I’ve learned how humor and fun can take hold of a crowd, no matter their age.

In the future, when the pandemic comes under control, I hope to be able to get out to visit schools and libraries again. I miss the face-to-face interactions.

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

Bob, a farming magician

Bob, Sunnybook Farm, work

My late husband always amazed me with the creative ways he solved breakdown problems. Bob could steal a piece of an old machine add it to another machine and get it going again.

Here is a column I wrote about his farming magic tricks.

Now when things break around the house I think what would Bob do?

Sometimes I can figure things out. Other problems I need help from family or friends. Such is life.

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

A gathering of geese

Family, fun, wildlife

Just stand outside for a time and you’re bound to hear and maybe see geese flying south. Seeing these migrating birds isn’t anything unusual, still people stop and stare at the flying flocks.

Many times in fall and again in spring, we visited the Green Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a spot many Canada geese stop over for a rest and meal.

This column is about taking our young family to feed the geese. Our visit was fun, but of course also eventful.

I hope you enjoy this column from the 80s.

Maybe, to get out of the house, you’ll take a trip to the Wildlife Sanctuary, or another wildlife stopover.

Just take care if you do and watch your footing.

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

I lived with a Super Man

Bob, work

It wasn’t always easy living with my workaholic husband. When he was farming and working at the canning company, everything at home fell in my lap. During those months, I was a single parent.

Bob tried to hard to make a living. In the 1980s that was a tough thing to do. Many farms went bankrupt. We hung on by our fingernails.

Most of the time the poor guy was worn to a frazzle, but no one could keep him from his work.

I’m so happy that I had my column. It kept me going and helped me document our lives on Sunnybook Farm.

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

A ringing doorbell makes mother dingy

Memories, Odds and ends, Sunnybook Farm

This account was from fall 1982. Bob installed a doorbell because if someone knocked on the porch door we’d never hear them. A few visitors then walked away.

Of course, family didn’t need the bell. They just walked in.

Russell was almost three when he figured out how to reach the button for the bell. He loved that when he pushed it Mommy would show up and give him what he wanted.

This recording is what I wrote in my column all those years ago.

Today, there’s a doorbell on my backdoor, but no one uses it. People knock and expect me to hear their rapping. I don’t.

My real doorbell is my dog Sunny. If he notices knocking he goes toward the door.

If Sunny is sleeping deeply, he doesn’t hear anything, which is too bad for a passing salesman, but good for me.

So if you come knocking, remember there’s a bell. It really gets my attention. I usually jump a foot when it is buzzed.

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved