Interview with Marcie "Mom" Glanzer
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Hello Marcie, or Mom as I know you, how are you today?
I am fine, actually...the sun is shining, the wind isn't blowing and there is no snow falling. It's still cold, but you can't have it all!
You always seem to have a couple things currently irritating you, whether it be a commercial or the weather. What is upsetting you today?
I have already stated that the weather isn't bad, so that isn't irritating me...let's see...there's not much bothering me right now, but if I have to name something, it may be that we have no water pressure due to the cows drinking all afternoon. I can't wash clothes or run the dishwasher, but that's not a big deal.
What was the most interesting piece of mail you delivered on your last mail route?
Well, the mail is confidential, but if I had to name something, it would be the large phone books that came for some people.
What are your thoughts on this winter as compared to previous winters: better, worse, same old?
This winter sucks, but is far from the worst I've seen. The winter of '96-'97 was much worse with snow drifts as high as our trailer house. (I sound like an old person, don't I?) That was the year that you and I scraped Dad's pickup when it slid against a mailbox.
Are you impressed with you and Dad's abilities to put together the new house as well as you have?
Yes, I am. Dad did most all of the basement construction by himself...all of the plumbing, framing in the rooms, and all. We tried our hands at tiling our shower which may not satisfy a professional, but we saved $4000.
What was your first reaction when you found out you were pregnant with me?
I was overjoyed!! Actually, I was sick, puking nearly every night at work at the Chef Reddy Potato plant. A nice young man would come around with his power hose and spray my vomit down a drain. I couldn't eat french fries for a LOOOONG time after that. But aside from that, we were very excited and knew you were a boy from the start, even though they didn't do ultrasounds like they do now.
Do you think that in some ways, me, Jordan, and Alex have mirrored the paths and lives of Brian, Stuart, and you?
Now that you mention it, I guess that is true. You went to college (Brian went to college), moved to a big city (Brian has always lived in big cities)...Stuart went to a tech school for auto body repair (Alex went to college for auto body repair) and Jordan got married and had 3 kids and calls her mom everyday (I got married and had 3 kids and called my mom all the time, except Jordan was smarter and went to college and got a degree so she won't have to have a dead end job!)
Did you and Dad ever consider a fourth child after Alex, or was it a unanimous decision to end right there?
I think Alex is lucky to be here as 2 were enough for your dad...I thought 3 was a better number, so three it was! I'll bet he's glad he went along with me now!
What is the most vivid dream you've ever had?
It is a dream I've had many, many times...I've dreamt about watching a plane crash so many times. I'm never in the plane, I'm on the ground and just happen to glance up in time to see a plane (sometimes a small plane, sometimes a jet) come plunging to the ground in a firey explosion. Is fiery better?
If they were filming a movie in Carpenter and needed extras, what locals would you most want to see wind up on the big screen?
There's not even a contest...the entire Brede family would have to be in it along with Jim Opsahl.
What do you think you were doing on this date in 1981?
I was probably working in Bryant at the nursing home.
What is the worst injury you've suffered?
Probably breaking my little toes several times each. Other than that I guess it was the time I was getting a ride in the skid steer, driven by my dad. I was trying to hang on and had my arm on the backside of the bucket when he lowered it, crushing my arm in the bargain...it wasn't really crushed, not even broken, just slightly smushed.
What is the longest you've ever gone without sleeping?
Probably not more than 24 hours.
Do you think there will ever be an end to your mail carrying days?
Yes...every winter makes me wonder how much longer I'll do this. In August it will be 20 years...But we do have a house to pay for, so I won't be quitting for awhile.
What do you think is the best possible news that Granny could receive right now?
That she could move in with her two kids ...she would be in heaven.
Are there any African Americans within the Carpenter zip code?
Surprisingly, yes! We had a new family, a couple really, move in last fall. They drive truck and aren't around alot, but they are residents of our fair city.
Are you excited for the big wedding coming up in less than nine months?
Yes....It will be fun to see what two "party minded" individuals will come up with. I always like an excuse to come to the big city!
Do you think there should be a second reception back home so the locals can take part in festivities as well, or is that overkill?
It's something to consider, however a shower may be a better choice.
In what ways have you and Dad been affected by the economic woes of the country?
We may have been affected in a positive way...people can't afford to go out and buy brand new cars, so the used car business is picking up. We have never invested money in the stock market, so that didn't hurt us, and the interest rate on our home loan came down which saves us money. Sometimes it pays to be poor!
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?
I was at the Willow Lake post office. Marcia Stobbs came in to get her mail and asked if we had heard about the plane that crashed into the World Trade Center...we hadn't...we actually thought it sounded like the opening to a joke, like "did you hear the one about the priest and the rabbi?" but then she explained what she had been talking about.
How many people's birthdays do you think you have memorized?
About 20...I can remember all of my immediate family, and still remember my childhood friend's birthdays.
How many deceased family dogs can you name? Let's see if you can list them all!
Starting since I was little? Let's see...Shep, Prunella, Kelly, Puppy Louise, Barkely I & II, Freckles, Chocolate, Brandy, Cooper, Jake, Simba...am I forgetting anyone?
What do you hate more, Saved by Zero commercial or Saved by the Bell?
I'll go with the Saved by the Bell show...the Zero commercial was awful, but short lived...that stupid ass show is still on the air. The acting was bad, the storylines were bad and it just sucked.
What high school extra curricular activity would you most like to take up again?
I enjoyed being on the school newspaper...I also played basketball, was in track and some other things, but I wasn't any good at them.
Well, thanks for joining us today. Any closing remarks?
It was my pleasure...no closing remarks.
See what other amazing interviews I've conducted here on the website over the years!
