Cave Point, Door County

February 22, 2020fun, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

Rebecca and Andy asked me to join them for a day trip to Door County today. It seemed like a good idea, so I went along for the drive.

We were heading to Jacksonport to take Rebecca’s copper trees to a shop where she sells her artwork. On the way, we took a side trip to Cave Point County Park. The photos that follow were taken by Rebecca–I forgot my phone/camera on the kitchen table at home. We could have spent the whole day just watching Lake Michigan coat the Door County park.

Oops, how did that one slip in? We had lunch at the Shipwreck Brew Pub.
My drink was hard cider. It’s a good thing I wasn’t driving.

Cave Point was an extra special stop and highly recommended. But stay away from the slippery cliff edge especially during winter.

We also stopped at a couple of cheese and wine shops. The whole adventure took 5 1/2 hours. A perfect Saturday outing.

Lunch after ‘the’ call

February 21, 2020food, Friendssusanmanzke

Today I had lunch with my friend Jennifer here at my house.

Green Salad with French dressing and a bowl of Lentil and artichoke soup.

Jennifer brought the vegetarian soup and salad. I provided hot tea and fresh bread.

We ate and we talked.

It was a lovely afternoon. Much a relief after a call I had with Social Security concerning Bob’s death and the necessary paperwork.

The call made me nervous. It started out with something like, “…what you say is true and correct under penalty of perjury.” Of course, I was going to tell the truth, but the woman’s statement made me mentally question myself. It didn’t help me that I had a hard time hearing her questions and had to ask her to repeat.

At least the SS call is over and I was able to calm myself with a nice visit with my friend. Thanks, Jennifer.

Old winter memory

February 20, 2020Columns, Memories, Weathersusanmanzke

I see on this photo that it was developed in May 1959 but obviously it was taken earlier in the year. At least, I hope so.

The people in the snowy photo are our neighbor, Marilyn, my sister Karen and me.

We didn’t care if it was cold. We loved to be outside in winter. For that matter, we loved to be outside at any time of the year.

We would wear anything to keep warm. I remember Mom putting socks on our hands when we didn’t have mittens. The absence of thumbs made play challenging, but that didn’t stop us.

I wish I could find the photo of my sister when she wore an old fur coat and miss-matching socks. She was quite the sight, but no matter. Karen was outside having fun.

We never seemed to get cold back then. I wish I didn’t chill so fast these days. Right now, I prefer looking out the window at the cold snow.

But if grandchildren happen to visit on a sunny winter day, I’ll join them in making snowmen or building a snow fort. There’s still a bit of kid in me yet.

In anticipation of spring

February 19, 2020nature, Odds and endssusanmanzke

This morning I took a sweatshirt out of the back of my closet. It had hung there for a long time, still inside-out from the last time I washed it. It seemed like a good idea to wear a sweatshirt today as the windchill would be below zero today–and tomorrow too.

Anyway, when I turned it right-side-out, I found out that the front was very springy. That turned out to be my theme for the day.

When I went to a friend’s house, I carried needed things in two flowery bags. They seemed perfect for the day’s theme.

Now I am back home. The high for the day is 14 F with a feels-like temp of -1.

My trip to the mailbox and to my chickens wasn’t very spring-like.

Oh, well, I tried.

Six inches of snow!

February 18, 2020Weather, worksusanmanzke

It kept coming down overnight. This morning I stepped out of our back door to see the total.

I’d call it about six inches. It may move around more now as the wind is picking up.

The wine bottle tree Bob made a few years ago shows off the snow.

Eventually, I will get the bulk of our driveway plowed out. But for now, I moved some away from the door and fence.

The good thing is the snow has ended. There are no storms in the forecast for the next few days.

There’s time to recover and watch it blow. ….. Wait a minute! Blowing isn’t good.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person

Cave Point, Door County

Lunch after ‘the’ call

Old winter memory

In anticipation of spring

Six inches of snow!