Category Archives: Memories

Broken cookies – a true story

March 16, 2021Family, Memoriessusanmanzke

“Dad tell it again.” As a child, I pestered my dad to tell about getting broken cookies.

This rendition was written by my dad in the 1980s. The remembrance centers on a time in the 1930s when he was a kid.

Patsy Ann’s Cookies was a special place for many people during the Great Depression. Getting broken cookies wasn’t something that happened often, but when it did the whole family celebrated.

I adapted this story for my novel, Chicken Charlie’s Year.

I’ll share my broken cookie chapter tomorrow, so remember to come back.

A virus from the past

March 1, 2021Columns, Family, Memoriessusanmanzke

This virus is from my distant past, so don’t get excited. I’m fine. Just reliving a time when I took care of a house filled with other people. Most of the time the germs missed me, but not this time.

Car-E gets very playful at the end of this recording, but I kept him on my lap anyway.

A little later, he was curled up by me, purring and being a sweetie.

One minute Car-E is Dr. Jekyll and the next he’s Mr. Hyde. Both keep me on my toes, especially when Mr. Hyde’s nibbling on them.

A salty treasure

February 22, 2021Columns, creativity, Memories, Odds and endssusanmanzke

How do you decorate a home when you are broke? When Bob and I were first married in 1973, I rummaged at sales for salt and pepper shakers. They cost a quarter then.

Here’s a column about opening a box filled with my treasures from 1987.

These are just a few from my collection. (The glass bird and ceramic angel are not shakers.)

I don’t buy any salt and pepper shakers any more. Their too expensive these days, so I guess I do have a treasure after all.

When I chose agriculture

February 12, 2021Columns, Memories, Susansusanmanzke

I didn’t know I was a feminist when I became one of the first girls to sign up for an agriculture class in Lincoln-Way High school, New Lenox, Illinois, but I guess I was.

Up until 1965, female students were not allowed to take agriculture classes or join FFA. As soon as I was permitted, I signed up. I was a sophomore at that time and I took ag courses the rest of my high school days.

Here’s my account of those days.

As a shy student, I can’t believe I did this. It sure didn’t add to my popularity. Maybe it even made me even odder.

Still, I’m proud of my young self for stepping forward.

And after our first steps, girls were allowed and welcomed in all agriculture classes and FFA, too.

A bearded Bob

January 25, 2021Bob, Columns, Memoriessusanmanzke

Harvest and planting seasons kept Bob busy, too busy to shave. This column from 1984 shows his best attempt at growing a beard one winter.

Bob did not shave every day, so most times I felt his wishers when we kissed.

I wish I was snapping more photos in those days. But developing film was expensive and I often passed up a good photo just to save money.

Eventually, digital photos came our way. Without having to develop film, I caught Bob in many more photos, not just for special occasions.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person