Rewatching a good movie

February 27, 2020Odds and ends, reviewsusanmanzke

Bob and I watched Hidden Figures when it first came out in theaters in 2016 and were enthralled.

On the news on February 24th was the report of mathematician Katherine Johnson’s passing at the age of 101. So when I was working in the library on Tuesday, I checked out the DVD/Blu-ray and brought Hiden Figures home to watch again.

It was just as powerful as the first time I saw it. I recommend it to all my family and friends. If you saw it in the theater, it wouldn’t hurt to watch it again at home.

These women were hidden treasures that were finally found and celebrated.

Returning deer

February 26, 2020Sunnybook Farm, wildlife, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

They came from a distance, but their movement caught my eye.

At first, I thought it might be turkeys. When I got out my binoculars, I found it wasn’t feathered friends, but furry ones.

The deer have shown up again on Sunnybook Farm.

The deer to the right looks like it has two heads.

I always appreciate it when deer move a bit closer to our farmyard. Our woods are about a mile off the road.

When I went to feed barn cats, I made a noise and the deer scattered.

It was nice to have them near, even for a little while.

I’ll have to keep my good camera on the ready so I can again zoom in on far-off wildlife. My phone camera is good for closer animals, but not those who keep their distance, like these whitetails.

Dad named me Susan

February 25, 2020Family, Memoriessusanmanzke

Since I’m computerizing my 1982 columns, I was reading my account of the birth of our daughter Rachel Jo who was born in July 1982. It made me think about the stories told to me about my birth.

Mom said I was late coming into the world. Instead of July, I was born in August. Even when it was time for me to be born, I didn’t want to come.

Mom was in labor for three days in St. Ann’s Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. The doctors were worried about losing both mother and baby.

Dad was so worried he went to the chapel to pray. He said his prayers were answered, because that’s when things started to move along and I was born–a breach birth.

I had red hair like my dad and he named me Susan. Dad said he never had a boy’s name in mind.

That’s my step back in time to 1950 today for my blog this Tuesday.

Purple lunch

February 24, 2020food, Friendssusanmanzke

I’ve had purple food before, like grapes and plums. I’ve also had purple drinks, like a grape float. I’ve never had a purple potato, until today.

Friends, Ray and Judith, came for a visit. Often when they come they bring something from their garden. In winter, it had to be something that lasts through our cold months.

Last week they brought me potatoes. Some were small and two large ones were purple!

I roasted one of the purple potatoes while they visited. It took one and a half hours.

On the outside, the uncooked potato looked rather ordinary. It wasn’t until I cut into it that the real purple appeared.

Today, I ate half of the roasted purple potato for lunch with a bit of butter and salt. It tasted like an ordinary potato, so yummy.

If I’m smart, I’ll keep a portion of the second purple potato, with eyes, and plant it this spring.

I think I’ll do that, unless I get real hungry, and eat my last one.

Thanks, Ray and Judith, for the special treat.

Walking

February 23, 2020Sunny, Weathersusanmanzke

Our dog, Sunny, hasn’t been getting as much exercise as he should. If I take a walk on our treadmill, he just watches.

Of course, Sunny goes outside, but he doesn’t run around by himself in his fenced yard.

Today I was able to take Sunny for a walk down the road. The icy road and shoulder had melted yesterday and today. It was 48 degrees here.

We both enjoyed our outing.

Sunny kept looking for a way over the plowed snow. He never found anything that suited him so he stayed close to the road and me–he didn’t want to get stuck in deep snow again. When that happened to him a while back he panicked, thrashing to get out.

Today was a much better walk for both of us.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person

Rewatching a good movie

Returning deer

Dad named me Susan

Purple lunch

Walking