Category Archives: Memories

Preparations begin

Family, food, Memories, Weather

The coming weekend is our annual Camp Manzke on Sunnybook Farm. All our children and grandchildren will be here at one time or another.

Last year we had cool wet weather. This year we hope for better days and nights.

Camp Manzke 2018

We hope to have a good turnout again in 2019, but will be missing one or two relatives from Illinois. Hoping to see them later this summer.

Now food and needed stuff are being parceled out so we don’t have tons of one thing and not enough of another–a friend went to a potluck picnic once where everyone brought baked beans.

I can’t wait for everyone to arrive. It will be a wild and crazy weekend. I will let you know how it all turns out, eventually.

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.

Squad leader — Chuck Paska

Family, Memories

I grew up hearing stories about WWII from my dad. His stories were always funny and never centered on the horrors that he lived through. Once, as he checked out a building, he turned to see a scraggly man holding a gun standing in his path. He shot. It turned out he had seen his own image in a mirror, which he had then blasted to smithereens.

He never told his daughters how he as a young man had gone through hell and came home again.

On this Memorial Day I honor him for his service.

Toys from Susan’s past

Family, Memories, Odds and ends

When Antiques Roadshow came to Green Bay in 2017, I tried for tickets, but when I didn’t win any, I volunteered. I knew that volunteers were allowed to have two items appraised, too.

I took two toys from my childhood: a doll handed down to me from my Aunt Mary Ann. (All three of us: me, my aunt, and the doll had the same color hair.) The other treasured doll from my youth was a Howdy Doody marionette.

Sweet Sue and Howdy Doody

I knew my dolls weren’t worth much. I just really wanted to know a bit about the fancy-dressed doll.

Marshall Thomas Martin, the doll appraiser, gave me a great gift. He told me that my doll was made after WWII. She was a plastic American Character doll. The best part was her name. She’s called Sweet Sue!

My Sweet Sue is only worth $45, but that’s okay. To me she’s priceless. My 1950s Howdy Doody marionette is only worth $20. Howdy is made from composite materials, which is why he has so many cracks.

I just thought I’d share them with you today.

Laddy–an old family friend

Family, Memories, pets

Our family always had dogs when I was growing up. Laddy was a special hound. He was a purebred collie when we couldn’t afford one. I guess we got him from the bargain rack.

Laddy came to us because he was a very sick pup. Mom spoon fed him bread soaked in warm milk, otherwise, he wouldn’t or couldn’t eat. She gave him pills in liver sausage, too. It was all because of my mom’s valiant efforts that Laddy lived and grew into a fine family dog.

Laddy 1960

Laddy put up with my sister and me dressing him up in crazy outfits. Here he is wearing a raincoat and a hat. Laddy would let us do just about anything to him. He never complained.

Dogs like Laddy are trusting, loving, and loyal. They don’t care if a person is filthy from work, they are always happy to see you come home.

I like cats, too, but I’ve never had a cat greet me at the door, wagging its tail.