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Joyce Johnson
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Washington State

0 posted 2002-09-29 05:58 PM


The Delaval

Inside our kitchen door there stood
a beast, I haven't seen for years.
It had a corner of its own,
where Daddy cranked to move the gears.
The beast, a sturdy DeLaval,
was of an intricate design,
made to separate rich cream.
Washing it was a job of mine.

A large steel bowl was at the top,
into which Daddy poured warm milk.
Skimmed milk ran from the lower pipe;
from top came cream as smooth as silk.
Making it work were numbered disks,
fitting snug and rotating so
as to send cream to the top pipe.
Centrifugal force made it go.

Daddy had a steady rhythm
for bringing on that flowing cream,
but sanitizing all those disks
to me was a nightmarish dream.
When Daddy finished his labor,
I had to take the disks apart
and wash them before the next use;
a job for which I had no heart.

Our well water was very hard;
soap curdled in it every time.
We used a cake of P and G,
it didn't suds, was more like slime.
Water from hand pump in the yard
had to be carried in a pail
and heated on the kitchen range.
The pail was empty without fail.

So after fetching the water
and heating it to very hot;
I'd wash the bowl and pipes. The disks,
would stick together, like as not.
Cream would make the water greasy.
I'd need to heat another pan.
Can't you see my aggravation?
Perhaps by now you'll understand

Of all the many disliked jobs
a farmer's daughter has to do,
washing up the separator,
the very worst, I tell you true.

By Joyce 6/01/02

[This message has been edited by Joyce Johnson (09-29-2002 07:29 PM).]

© Copyright 2002 Joyce I Johnson - All Rights Reserved
CHILI
Member
since 2002-09-08
Posts 244

1 posted 2002-09-29 10:46 PM


Joyce, Your chore of keeping that seperator clean definitely left an impression on you. I bet that memory brought a smile to your face.
2dalimit
Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228
Mississippi coast
2 posted 2002-09-30 06:26 AM


Thanks for the education. I never knew the name of that contraption. Good read - a "job" well done.

Melton

Joyce Johnson
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Washington State
3 posted 2002-09-30 10:31 AM


Thanks.  I don't know if there were other brands.  but we always called ours the DeLaval.  Yes there are happy memories too.  I probably wouldn't think it so bad now. if I could just see my daddy bringing in that milk.  Joyce

[This message has been edited by Joyce Johnson (09-30-2002 10:34 AM).]

Trillium
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Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
4 posted 2002-09-30 01:12 PM


Joyce:  Wow, did this bring back memories, as I too had to wash and sterilize the cream seperator.  I disliked it as much I'm sure, except that a boy cousin had to haul the water for me. I used to get some slight revenge however, as when no one was looking (so I thought) I'd hold a glass under the cream spigot and drink it straight! I don't remember the name of the machine anymore. Thanks for a trip to the past!

Betty Lou Hebert

pegasus111
Member Elite
since 2000-07-27
Posts 2219
ocala, fl, usa
5 posted 2002-09-30 03:21 PM


memories seem to soften with time just as places seem smaller than we remember them. Nice read Joyce.

the woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and many miles to go before I sleep...Frost



ellie LeJeune
Member Elite
since 2000-01-10
Posts 4156
King of Prussia, PA USA
6 posted 2002-09-30 06:04 PM


What a fascinating memory, Joyce! My earliest memories are of my grandfather scooping up the horse droppings from the horse drawn ice truck to fetilize his garden!

A friend hears the song in my heart, and sings it to me when my memory fails.

Marge Tindal
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since 1999-11-06
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
7 posted 2002-10-22 02:47 PM


Joyce~
You continue to amaze me with these poems drawn with so much clarity of your early life~
A pleasure to read~
*Hugs*
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
           noles1@totcon.com                       

Joyce Johnson
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Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
8 posted 2002-10-22 03:33 PM


Thank you All!!  Joyce
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