Category Archives: Sunnybook Farm

The hum isn’t the mower

August 20, 2021Sunnybook Farm, Susan, wildlifesusanmanzke

Mowing Sunnybook Farm’s large lawn is enough work. Too bad buzzing biters make it even more of a challenge today.

Every time I got near a bush or tree, mosquitoes swarmed out around me, making my driving shaky at times, as you can see in this video.

The mosquitoes have multiplied and gone crazy.

I swat. I slap. I wave my hands, but nothing I do perturbs them.

They land on my arms. They land on my legs. They circle my head.

I drive my mower faster, out into the open, into the sunlight. For a time I’ve left them behind. But I have to return to the shade and there the war with those bloodsuckers continues.

Campers would be eaten alive.

Until next time, that’s it from Sunnybook Farm.

Backyard spinners

July 12, 2021gardening, Odds and ends, Sunnybook Farmsusanmanzke

Just a quick peek at the spinners in my backyard.

Warning: if they are spinning fast, don’t get too close.

Only on a calm day can I oil spinners and stop their squeaking.

The windchime has been known to annoy visitors. On those days, the clanker is wound around them so no chimes sound.

I’m so used to all the noises coming from my decorations, I don’t notice the sounds at all.

As it has gotten calm now, I think it’s time to squirt a little oil on the spinners.

An early morning shower

June 19, 2021Sunnybook Farm, Weather, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.

Total of the showers that came here today was 1/10 of an inch of rain.

Tiny bits of hail fell but luckily it was not a problem here. Others weren’t so lucky.

This rain will soon burn off, as we are so dry. Still, it is better than nothing.

The promise of rain

June 14, 2021Sunnybook Farm, Weather, Wisconsinsusanmanzke

When I walked out for my mail, I saw clouds were blowing in and took this short video–it was very windy, so video is noisy.

In about 5 minutes it started to rain.

Before I could close my windows, the rain stopped.

I continue to look for rain, but there’s not much chance of getting a needed soaker.

Change of plans

April 26, 2021Columns, Sunnybook Farm, Susansusanmanzke

Some days you have a long list of to-do things. Most times everything on that list does not get done. Sometimes an outside force has you tossing the list completely. This column tells of a day when my plans went out the window.

I kept thinking about my undone plans until I was walking around the field, taking down measurements.

The company and the beauty of the day made me grateful for the changes I had to make.

Remember to enjoy the times you have and the changes you are given. They can both represent unexpected gifts.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person