THE OLD WOOD STOVE IN THE KITCHEN poem by GERTRUDE SKINNER

[mummsie]

Gosh we are on memory lane today, Marty, we had an old Buick, it only got used to go to town once a month, and for woodcarting, I can still see dad on the crank handle, cursing and swearing, red faced, us kids in the back, eager to get going.. But you didn't say anything to him or you would have copped a clip in the ear, even mum sat silent.
Sue

[william williams]

Nah Sue We didn't think life was hard the only thing that was hard was our muscles you talk of milking the cow well I had to milk 3 before going to school and the same in the afternoon but we did not think we were hard done by it was just something you had to do they were your jobs you either did them or you did not and if you didn't well mon or dad had to do them and the time that it took meant that there was something they had to delay doing like mom had to milk the cows one time cause I refused so mum put raw food on my plate saying that because she had to milk the cows she had no time to cook my tea hunger made me never miss doing my job again.

Bill williams

[manfredvijars]

Talking about cows, I wonder who the first person was who looked at a cow and said, "See those soft dangley bits underneath? I'm gunna drink whatever comes out of them!"
Or the Bloke (standing next to him) pointed at a chook and said "Mate, that's nothing; I'm gunna eat the next thing that comes out if that chook's bum!"

[mummsie]

There were eight kids in our family, and that old buick was used to drive mum to hospital for five of them, the headlights didn't work, and you know babies, they come day or night, when my brother was born was one such time, I can just see dad outside cranking, and mum inside ranting my ten year old sister had to ride to town on the bonnet with a torch for headlights, imagine doing that these days.
Sue

[Heather]

Now there's got to be a poem in that story Sue.

I do remember the horse and milk cart coming around at 4am to deliver the milk andI remember type writers and record players and desks at school with lift up lids. And I remember the postie when he used to come around on a push bike.

Heather

[mummsie]

Yes Heather there were no milk cartons or bottles in those days, you would leave a container out, and they would pour the milk in, just had to make sure it had a good secure lid or the dog beat you to it.
Sue

[Maureen K Clifford]

Have been reading all of these with great enjoyment. We didn't know we were doing it tough did we?

Makes you wonder if you put any of todays kids out there how they would survive.

Confess that much as I like my creature comforts as I am getting older, some of the happiest times of my life were spent out on the property where we still used the kerosine fridge, and wood stove and on occasions - far more than you get in the city, the old tilly lamps and they all worked just fine.

[Heather]

Marty you reminded me that the crows would sometimes dip their beaks through the foil caps on the glass milk bottles. Did you get milk to drink at school each day? Funny the things you remember that you'd forgotten!

Heather

[r.magnay]

...serve you right Bill...you little sh......urker you!...Your Mum must have had more patience than mine, I would have got a kick up the bum and sent to do the milking....but the worst of would have been..."Wait till Dad gets Home!"....."oops, I was just going!"

[william williams]

Don't worry mate my rear end had more boots shaping it than I care to remember and I also learnt to duck quick but that was the name of the game wasn't it. but I would not change those days for quids you played hard you worked hard and your family stood beside you. You never asked for much nor expected it but you were given what ever they could give you. I can remember one day when I had been cursing the cow and mum and she washed my mouth out with soap and water she then asked what do you think of me now and I replied your still a bitch There was no tea that night but when I was in bed dad smuggled in a sandwitch to me yes those were the days

Bill the old B*******