Hello Marcie, how are you today?
I am doing well, though feeling a bit guilty for not getting up when my alarm clock went off at 4:25AM and exercising, though I will get over that.

When you first started hauling the mail in the late 80's, did you ever think it would last this long?
Heavens, no!! I was just doing Granny a favor…never dreamt it would be my lifelong career!

Who from your mail route typically gets the most obscure mail?
I don’t know about obscure, but one particular woman gets a ton of mail everyday, and much of it is very different from what other patrons receive, such as ritzy catalogs from Nieman Marcus and the such. I’m sure you’ll understand that I can’t disclose any names.

Remember the time you were swerving all over the road, thinking it was Kim Madsen approaching you?
How could I forget? A priceless memory and one that will keep me in the “idiot club” for years to come. I wonder where the mystery driver of that pickup stopped to empty out his drawers!?

How much money do you think you will save on groceries once Alex moves out?
About 1/3…surprisingly, Alex doesn’t eat so much more than the rest of us, but he has always consumed lots of drinks such as Mountain Dew, Gatorade and other sugary drinks. I won’t be buying them anymore, since I prefer diet sodas instead.

Do you think you will enjoy having all three brats out of the house for good?
I recall telling you how I would dance naked in the yard the day the 3 of you all climbed on the school bus, rejoicing in the peace and solitude to come. But at that time, I knew you’d all be back in the evening, so it wasn’t a permanent situation. Now that I will be all alone with no kids, I will be lonesome, I’m sure. Thank God for my 2 dogs…oh, and Dick too.

What is your earliest memory of your longtime husband Richard Glanzer?
I can still see it like it was yesterday. I was new in the Carpenter area, embarking on an adventure of sorts. I was to be a freshman at Willow Lake High School. I climbed aboard the school bus as it headed off to collect all the children for their first day of the new school year…it was 1976. As the bus pulled into the Glanzer farmyard, there stood a woman in a housecoat waving bye-bye to her 2 youngsters, one of them being Richard. The strange part was that he was a junior in high school! I remember thinking that I would have died if my mother stood outside waving to me at that age. He strode onto the bus wearing some snazzy new cowboy boots and took his seat. His mother continued to wave and call out “Bye-bye, Dickie” (which was his nickname, and which she still calls him)! Never, in my wildest dreams, did I imagine myself married to this young whippersnapper, but those are the kinds of surprises life holds in store! That was my first encounter with young Richard J.

What do you think the odds are that Jim Opsahl will read this interview?
You may be surprised to hear this, but I know Jim has taken the time to read at least one of my columns in the past, so I’d say the odds are pretty good that he will read this. Better not say anything bad about him!!

At one time there was talk of you going to college. Has that idea been banished?
Yes…not only did I feel it was too expensive, but I also came to the conclusion that I’m not that smart. It has been over 25 years since I last studied anything more detailed than a Hamburger Helper box, so I’ve decided to continue delivering the mail. I want to make it to 25 years with no accidents. Only 8 more to go!

What is the hardest you've laughed in the last month?
Let’s see…I think it was when Jordan and I went to Sioux Falls. We left the girls home so that we could have a fun, calm day, and Grandpa Dick was in charge of getting them ready to go to the daycare provider in Willow Lake. We arrived back in Willow Lake at 5:30 and drove into the yard. There sat Peyton, playing in the sandbox and the babysitter came out with Emerson. “What the hell is Peyton wearing?” Jordan asked. “And look at Emerson!!!” Here, your dad had dressed Peyton in one of Emerson’s outfits, which may not be funny to you, but imagine a 3 year old wearing an 8 month old baby’s clothes! He had put Emerson’s capris on Peyton, and must have thought they were shorts, and her tiny shirt which was way too small for her, and then had dressed Emerson in an outfit she had outgrown months ago…a pair of corduroy pants, and turtleneck. It was like 98 degrees outside and that’s what she had on!! Poor Peyton’s legs were squeezed so tightly in the capris that she couldn’t pull them up or down to go potty. It was hilarious! And poor Emerson was baking in her too small winter outfit! We laughed all the way home.

Who would you most like to see post a column on my site?
I think that Jason would be a good candidate. If he was at least partially sober when writing, and watched his language.

What is the worst part about living in the old farm house?
There are so many things, it’s hard to pin it down to just one, but I would have to say only having one bathroom and little closet space.

Do you believe in supernatural beings?
Not really…I think that if ghosts existed, they would have come to our house. Lots of death and disaster happened here.

When is the last time you sat down and tried to play the piano?
The last time Peyton was here, I tried to help her play a simple tune, but she was having no part of it, preferring to bang on the lower keys in an obnoxious way.

How often does Jordan call?
Almost always once a day, usually twice. We always have something urgent to discuss, like a sale at Gymboree.

How will the opening of the new Wal-Mart SuperStore in Huron affect Granny's lifestyle?
Not a bit…she called the other night and declared emphatically that she will NOT be going to the new Wal-Mart. She and the other old ladies will continue to spend their days gazing out the windows of Burger King.

What holiday is more trouble than it's worth?
Halloween…My God…I can remember the huge decision of what costume you kids had to have, trying to buy the stuff, smeary makeup, tons of candy we didn’t need, getting into and out of the car at each stop. Making sure someone was home to hand out candy to kids. It is a pain in the arse. Especially the time Alex wanted to be a Green Power Ranger. I decided to all out and sew his costume. It must have taken me a month and $75 to get it done…I declared he would wear it until he was 18, but he outgrew it.

What is the latest audio book you listened to?
Right now I’m listening to “Bestseller” about 5 different people who hope to have their novels published.

Do you consider "Bat Out of Hell" the greatest album of all-time?
It was always one of my favorites, so I’ll say “Yes.”

Where do you see the Krogmans in ten years?
Calvin will be teaching at a college and Jordan will be nursing at a clinic in Brookings. Peyton and Emerson will be receiving top grades at their schools and there could possibly be more children, and definitely a dog.

Would it trouble you if Alex and Ann eloped in the next year?
Well, it would certainly surprise me, but would be nice not to have to shell out a bunch of money on a wedding. I think Ann’s dad would be more disappointed as he is a pastor and probably has imagined having a part in the ceremony. I think both of them have enough sense to wait awhile.

When are you going to publish your children's stories about Ryan and Betty Bell that you wrote in the early 80's?
I don’t know what ever happened to them, probably for the better…they were very amateurish (sp?). I do have plans to write and have published something before I die, but don’t know what that will be yet.

How have your lives changed now that Dad owns that plot of land in Carpenter?
In a slight way, yes. He will soon be erecting a sign stating his business name, and will display his products there. That should bring wealth and prosperity to our home.

Do you expect the 912 North Egan pilot to ever actually be filmed, and if so, how successful will it be?
I have no doubt you’ll fim it, but as to it’s success…I don’t look to see it as a sitcom on television unless it should fall into the hands of some producer with a quirky mind. If you have fun fliming it, and nobody gets hurt or killed, I will deem it a success!

Do you plan to do any traveling anytime in the near future?
No, with gas prices what they are and no crop due to the drought, travel plans aren’t even an option. I get to travel the gravel roads every day, that will have to do.

Do you ever ask yourself "I wonder what Ryan's doing in Minnesota right now?"
Sometimes, but it doesn’t take much imagination to guess. You are either at work, at a Twins game or drinking. Maybe sleeping if it is in the wee hours of a weekday.

Thank you for your time today. Any closing remarks?
I am so flattered to have been asked to do an interview. I can’t imagine that your base audience of young 20 somethings cares hear about my opinions, but feel pleased to have been approached.