Until 1906 We Lived Across The Road · Moore Family Stories

Until 1906, we lived across the road from them---
Grandad would call on the phone, "Julia, come and help me. I've got them up here and can't get them in the lot." Mama would put us kids in the stable, so the cows wouldn't bother us. We liked that. Then she could help Grandad, they liked to talk.

He would tie the cow and let the calf suck a little, until the cow would 'let her milk down'. He would tie the calf, off from the cow, and Mama would milk all the rest of her milk. Leaving just a little for the calf, at the last. And teach the calf to eat dry feed too. Little calves are stout and they kick and bawl, they want all the milk--- right now.

A 'good calf'', was one fat enough to sell. It took weeks to 'gentle' an old cow. That milking had to be done every night and morning---without fail, rain or shine
Usually, Mama did it by herself, us kids back out of the way. That’s the way she wanted it--her do it all herself. I kept the kids back out of the way.

Dad's fingers never could get the milk to come out. Mama would milk 3or 4 cows and raise 'good calves'--- that were fat and healthy. We always had plenty of good fresh milk to drink, and butter to eat, at our house. Grandad tried to buy Jersey cows, they give more milk, that made them sell good. Then he would go back to Arkansas---and buy more.

One time before Ludie was born, before 1912. Grandad brought a big, chiming, mantle clock for Mama. It’s the only thing that I ever knew of him giving her.
It ticks real loud, and chimes louder.

Granmama always said that clock should be mine, some day, because I could hear it. The chiming on the hour and half hour--will wake you, all night--- with a start.
Until you get used to it. I am 101 and I still don't have that clock.