Category Archives: Bob

Thunderstorm

Bob, nature

Last night about midnight, a wicked thunderstorm came through Seymour. It got very noisy. Lightning was all around us. After I got up to unplug our computers, the electric went out–I waited a few minutes to see if the electricity came on. It didn’t and I was the first to report the outage.

Bob slept through the storm, stretched back in his ELECTRIC lift recliner. I knew he’d have to get up eventually so I went for the 9-volt batteries I had in the kitchen for just this kind of problem.

My husband continued to sleep as I worked my way behind his recliner and installed the batteries so he could get out of his chair when he woke. I then stretched out on the couch and went to sleep.

Bob woke up and tried to lower his legs, but he couldn’t. I guess those packaged batteries had been in the drawer too long and didn’t work.

He needed to use the facilities so we worked together to get him out of his chair. Bob slid forward onto the raised footrest and almost stood, but the chair tipped forward with his weight.

It was work, but Bob did get out of the chair and made it to the toilet in time. This made him happy. He came back to sit in my recliner.

The electricity returned after three and Bob happily returned to his own recliner and kicked back.

My next shopping trip, I’ll buy new 9-volt batteries and hope we won’t need them ever again.


Harrison and Grandpa Bob sitting in the recliner on a storm-free day.

A man and his cat

Bob, pets

I was in the kitchen but I could still hear Bob in the living room. He was upset. Not with me. He was having issues with our cat, Cruella.

When he went to ease back in his recliner, Cruella was ready to join him. This doesn’t bother Bob. In fact, he likes it when Cruella or Othello come to sit with him. What does bother him is when Cruella uses her claws to get aboard. Ouch!

Cruella also uses her claws to get his attention. She stretches out on his chest and puts her feet toward his face, trying to get him to pet her. The only problem is that she always has her claws out.

Bob and Cruella

I just wish he wouldn’t get so excited when she does this. I immediately think he’s in need of help and go to lend a hand. I’m relieved to find he’s just having an argument with the cat about the use of her claws.

It’s good that this isn’t a big problem, just an annoying one that makes him go “ouch!”

A creative expression of love

Bob, crafts, Family

Bob has gotten all kinds of get-well cards, but one could not be stuffed in an envelope. It had to be hand-delivered.

This card arrived a couple weeks ago, but I just never got around to photographing it. Finally, I took the time today.

This card is from our son, Rob, his wife Tara and our grandchildren: Ethan, Seth, Aryana.

A real ‘candy-gram’ from the Plover Manzkes

Here’s what it says:

“Hey Mr. Goodbar! We wanted to Take5 to tell you how Extra special you are with this Whopper of a card! With Mounds of luck we Scored bigger than 100Grand Payday as you Crunch and Munch on these Whatchamacallits. We hope our card brings you Snickers and Almond Joy. We love you… as tall as the Andes as big as the MilkyWay and more than all the Skittles in the rainbow! Hugs ‘n Kisses from Rob, Tara, Ethan, Seth, Caleb, and Aryana. We love you!

I’m pretty sure the creativity behind this card was from our daughter-in-law, Tara, but the love came from everyone. I hope I transcribed it correctly

I still haven’t had the heart to cut off any of the candy. Bob and I don’t need the extra sugar. Maybe we’ll have to have a party to share it all.

A chill in the air

Bob, Farming

Bob wanted to be outside today, but the weather didn’t cooperate. It’s only 42* and there’s a damp mist, too. My husband went out for a few minutes to talk to another farmer who needed a part, when he came back inside he was shivering.

I knew this would happen to Bob and I had a cup of hot cocoa ready for him to drink. He just can’t cope with cold/cool weather.

Right now Bob has kicked back in his recliner. He’s watching TV and snoring, so a quick afternoon nap for him.

When the weather was in the 70s, I couldn’t keep him in the house. One afternoon Bob helped me plant seed potatoes in our unusual raised beds –we don’t garden on the ground if we don’t have to.

Bob helped plant potatoes in raised bed (an old ez-flow fertilizer spreader)
(photo from Manzke archives)

We are waiting for nice weather again, as all farmers are–Bob will forever be tied to the land, even if he can’t do all the work anymore. Soil is part of his soul.