Category Archives: Family

A Fourth of July celebration

Family, fun

It is quiet on the farm, yet we did celebrate.

Rebecca and Andy came over with a new charcoal grill. It was still in the box so they had to assemble it, well Andy did.

The grill box is opened and the assembly begins

The grill was quite a project. Bob and I didn’t help, except by getting a couple tools.

After an hour, or so, Andy had it together.

the first fire is lit

It wasn’t long before brats and burgers were roasting over the fire.

Yum, soon lunch was ready.

We ate and visited. It was a successful celebration on Sunnybook Farm.

I forgot to mention, since the fire was still hot, I brought out a roast and put it over the coals, too. We’ll have plenty of leftovers.

A quick blog

Family, pets, wildlife

It’s been a busy weekend.

Daughter, Rebecca and son-in-law, Andy stopped by and we put them to work. The two of them dragged an air-conditioner from our basement, where it was stored, to the second floor. They then took the old air-conditioner from there and brought it downstairs and finally out the door.

Thanks a big bunch!!!! Now we will be able to sleep comfortably.

But since I didn’t take photos of the big move, which they wouldn’t have wanted anyway, I thought I’d add photos of cute chicks today.

Chicks from a previous hatching.
Say, “Cheese.”

These photo chicks were purchased. The chicks on our farm today were hatched by hens.

Warning! Do not try to get close to current chicks. The big white mother hen is mean and will come after you. She knows how to take care of her babies.

So there you have my blog for today. We’ll have to wait for tomorrow to see what I write next–but don’t bother asking me ahead of time. I rarely know what I’m going to write.

Copyright © 2019 Susan Manzke, All rights reserved.

Calling all dogs

Family, pets

We’ve had Rachel’s dog, Jade here for just over a week. She’s an old girl, so she would rather sleep than do anything. This means she is a good house-guest. All I have to do is take her outside for a pit stop now and then and feed her.

My only problem was getting the dog names right. I don’t know how many times I called Sunny Jade and vice-versa.

Jade or Sunny, they only cared that a treat was in Susan’s hand

Since this was Jade’s vacation, we also took her for cart rides. One day she got to see a running deer. That made her day.

Jade, Sunny, and Bob waiting for Susan to go for a ride.

Jade will be heading home today. I’m sure she missed her family, but she didn’t miss a meal here. I guess the farm is the next best place after home.

Copyright © 2019 Susan Manzke, All rights reserved.

Happy Father’s Day

Bob, Family, Memories

Like others, our children have been wishing their dad, Happy Father’s Day today. Two of our children were able to visit us on the farm. Others sent wishes and phoned. All four were extremely happy that they were able to send their love. Last winter no one was sure Bob would live long enough to celebrate another Father’s Day.

Some of the things Bob was able to give to his children over the years include a good work ethic and patience. Bob’s frustrations were only exhibited when he worked on his old machinery, not when he was with his children. When a wrench slipped, Bob swore, but only if no one else was in earshot–he often forgot that we could hear him through the floor when he was working in his basement workspace. Hearing him lose his temper always made our children laugh because it showed their dad was human and could express emotions, too.

Robby, Becky, and Daddy Bob 1980

Today, we want to wish Bob a Happy Father’s Day and hopefully for many more years to come.

A quick drive

Family

Today Bob and I drove down to see our daughter Rachel and our grandchildren. Rachel reminded us that we hadn’t been there since last September. Of course, the reason was that her dad had been so sick. Now that things are better we are able to get around more–this was our farthest trip from home this year.

During our visit, we were entertained by two piano recitals.

Eli played first–notice the ball on the piano
Arianna played second–usually you find a book in her hand. Eli’s a reader, too.

It was great to hear them play. Before lunch, we tackled a board game which also included Wyatt. Afterward, we talked all three grandchildren into taking a photo with us.

Susan
Wyatt, Grandpa, Arianna, and Eli
Rachel snapped us having fun.

It’s so nice to know we can travel, even if we did have to have an alarm on so Bob wouldn’t miss his chemo pills at 11. We will probably do some more visiting this summer…but maybe not outside of Wisconsin.