Category Archives: Odds and ends

Finally in the mail

Family, Friends, Memories, Odds and ends

I write every day on my blog, but writing individual letters seems like a lot of work for me. I’ve found a solution.

After digging through a box, I found a bunch of postcards Bob and I had gathered over the years. The oldest is from our honeymoon in 1973 when we stopped at the Arch on our way home.

Anyway, I used these cards the other day to write short notes to people–the space limits what I can write and if the cards are small enough, they only cost 35 cents to send.

Anyway, now a few people will find a little greeting in their mail that isn’t a bill, an advertisement, or political.

Postcards were first purchased as a

I hope they enjoy my efforts.

I even sent some to grandchildren. Of course, they like to get mail, too.

This is nothing earthshaking, but it is an idea of how to use those vacation postcards that never got mailed. Postcard souvenirs will now brighten up someone else’s day. 

If your vacation souvenirs are postcards like mine, maybe it’s time to send them winging on to a mailbox. You’ll brighten someone’s day, I guarantee.

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

Keeping family close

Family, Odds and ends

These days it isn’t easy to keep family close as we are all living at a virus-induced distance.

My family and I keep in touch by phone, instant message, and video conferences. The kids check-in to make sure I’m well and safe, sheltering at home–I am. I haven’t been away from the farm for weeks. Rebecca brought essential groceries to my back door, only to visit from a distance on our last nice day.

Even when not connecting with family members, I connect with them every time I go to the refrigerator. That’s where I have a photo gallery.

There are other odds and ends attached to the front of the refrigerator: pressed flower art from Carol, an unfinished family tree, a printout of Bob and my name that will end up with thousands of others on Mars, and a Pickles cartoon. Mostly, I look at the photos.

I’m connected to my family when I get breakfast, lunch, and dinner…and a snack. They are there smiling back, even if the photos are a little old and they are much more grown-up now.

They are there for me to see and admire, even when we are living at a distance.

Yep, I’m proud of my whole family. It would be better if we could get together and hug and laugh, but that day will come. Right now I’ll just admire all the Manzke offspring as I head for milk for my coffee.

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

Happy Easter!

fun, Odds and ends

It wasn’t that long ago that women wore hats. Easter was the time to get a new hat and show it off at church.

When my mom put on a hat, I knew she was going somewhere. Even if she went to the store Mom put on lipstick and a hat.

Times have changed. But I happen to have a hat collection. In the past, I’ve presented hat programs for Mother’s Day gatherings and for club meetings. Today, in honor of Easter I’m going to show off a few–some have a netting so may look a little blurry.

Often my head is too big for a hat, but I show off the hat anyway.

Happy Easter!

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

What is it?

Odds and ends

When I took my walk the other day, I noticed something strange in the sky.

There were hundreds of Canada Geese flying, but it wasn’t them, though I did appreciate their springtime honking.

And it wasn’t the birds at our feeder, though I continue to appreciate their beauty.

What caught my eye was an X in the sky.

There aren’t so many planes flying lately. I actually didn’t see the planes, only their contrails, but they did catch my attention.

I guess that’s saying something of our times.

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved

The highlight of the day

Odds and ends

Today rain showers could pop up, but the temperature is going to near 60, so that’s nice.

I will take the dog for a walk, but that’s not the highlight of my day. Getting mail is.

First, I have to bring in my garbage container. Doing that isn’t even close to being a highlight, but it is great that the garbage was picked up again. These days I’m never sure what is considered essential.

As I said, the highlight is getting the mail. First, there’s the anticipation and then the discovery.

This reminds me of life when I was a child. I’d always keep an eye out for mail delivery. Maybe there would be a card from grandma or a letter from my Australian penpal, Pauline. A blue airmail envelope from the other side of the world was always very special. Now I can chat with Pauline online which is very good. But somehow those letters were extra special.

There wasn’t much in my mailbox today. But I sent out cards to grandchildren so they can find something in their own mailboxes later this week.

The excitement is now shared.

Copyright © 2020 by Susan Manzke, all rights reserved