Category Archives: work

Superman Meets the Invisible Man

September 14, 2021Bob, Columns, worksusanmanzke

My husband was a workaholic. This column from 1987 tells how he attempted to do everything, except sleep. During his night shirt at the canning company, he was found a time of two sleeping standing up–this is not an exageration.

For summer and fall, I lived as a single parent, which wasn’t easy either. Often I felt I was being pulled apart when I was needed on the farm knowing our children required at least one parent some of the time.

Anyway this is what I wrote about Bob during those hectic times.

Watching Bob work himself to death wasn’t easy to witness but no one could stop him from any of his work adventures.

Today, I’m missing him and wishing we had more time together. It was a good thing he did eventually slow down, finding time to enjoy more than work.

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

A minute with Susan

September 1, 2021Susan, worksusanmanzke

Work, work, work. No time to write, so just a short video.

Don’t be scared. This is how I look coming in from mowing.

Time for water and time to kick back.

Mosquitoes came out of the bushes! I’m back inside for a while.

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

Bob’s farm vehicle

August 16, 2021Bob, worksusanmanzke

My columns tell about our lives on Sunnybook Farm. Today I read one about Bob.

It’s no secret that all our machinery was old. Bob never bought new, except one Ford tractor when he was in Illinois and in a partnership with his dad. Otherwise, everything was used.

Today I share a tale about a family van that was turned into a farm repair van.

Bob much rather work on a tractor than on a car or a van. He preferred big machinery.

Every machine was worked until the end of its natural life. Some were used to fix another, but that didn’t work with cars or vans. They just went to the big junkyard in the sky.

This van was nearing its final days when I wrote this column.

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

Camp Manzke 2021 — more work than play

August 1, 2021Family, fun, worksusanmanzke

Too much went on this weekend to put in a short blog, but I will give you a couple hints of the fun/work that took place on Sunnybook Farm.

One of my grandchildren taking his turn working tractor hydraulics as adults worked the woodsplitter for more campfire wood.

Campfire time with three grandsons, Wyatt, Harrison, and Eli.

Seven of my eleven grandchildren saying goodnight to the setting sun.

There was so much that happened I can’t get my head around it all.

We cleaned up a lot around the farm with so much more to do. I can’t thank my family for all the work they did this weekend.

I will now try to write a more complete column about Camp Manzke 2021. You’ll be able to read more about all the work and fun we had over the weekend when I’m finished.