One summer evening Daddy announced that it was time that I learn how to milk the cow. It always looked easy when ever I watched Mom or Daddy milk our little Jersey and I looked forward to being able to milk her on my own.
I brought the cow in from her pasture and carefully measured her usual amount of grain into her little trough. After washing her udder with warm soapy water I was ready to start milking. I set the pail on the floor and held it with my knees to keep it from tipping over if Pansy should happen to bump it. Daddy showed me the correct way to squeeze so that a nice stream of milk shot into the pail. I tried it but the stream of milk I got wasn't very impressive. I kept on trying. The pail gradually filled up but my arms ached so badly I could hardly keep on.
Pansy had finished eating her grain and was getting impatient to go back out to her pasture. Daddy finally offered to finish milking her and I was happy to hand the pail and milk stool over to him. The next evening I tried again, and Daddy again had to finish milking her.
After several weeks with Daddy always finishing the milking I finally succeeded in doing it by myself. I was so happy about that, that after I had given the cats their bowlful of fresh milk I sent the pail into the house with one of my brothers while I borrowed a pocket knife from John and climbing up to a beam I carefully carved the words, "I milked Pansy all by myself." I then added the date in hopes that sometime once I was old I could show it to my children if I ever had any.
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Reminds me of the times I was determined to milk the goat...
ReplyDeletePerseverance always pays off in the end. I bet that gave your arms a real work out when you first started, and then your muscles became so much stronger. Good for you for carving it in wood, to always remember your great accomplishment. It was a great lesson learned too!
ReplyDeleteI have never milked a cow. Would love to try once! lol
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice story and I think it's great that you recorded your achievement on that beam.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you never gave up and kept going!
ReplyDeleteNever milked a cow...but understand it is not easy. Have your children seen the carving in the beam?
ReplyDeletethank you for the story, i love reading your writting although i do not always comment
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this. I'm turning 50 this year, and I've never milked a cow. I've never had the opportunity. I remember reading about it so many times in books as a child, and wishing I could try.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Marcia
Please tell me that barn is still there somewhere. Wouldn't that be SOOO fun if you ever got by there to show them that?? And by all means, don't forget the camera!! LOVE the story ~ ♥
ReplyDeleteI love this story. So much.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
I just love your stories so much thanks
ReplyDelete