Jeana’s Journal

I grew up in a large family in a very small town. At the back of our acre lot we had a Jersey milk cow (named Bessy–actually I think there were a succession of cows all named Bessy). She served dual purposes: 1) she kept our family well supplied with milk, and 2) she gave my brothers practical hands-on experience about responsibility and work. My grandparents also had cows and I truly thought that everyone kept a cow to supply their family with milk. However, I do remember that it was a big treat to have store-bought bread and milk on very rare occasions. Little did I know about how good we had it.

These days, even in small towns like this one, only a few people keep animals. A few families keep chickens, but milk cows are rare. Not long ago I read a book titled Real Food, What to Eat and Why by Nina Planck. In her book, Nina explains what is lost in processed and mass produced food. Her book made me long for the fresh milk and eggs of my youth.

And then, I learned of a couple on the other side of town who has a Jersey cow AND they sell their extra milk to a few lucky ones. I have had to wait a bit to start getting milk from them since their cow, Molly, recently had a calf, but this week it was my turn to have milk. Oh my, I cannot even tell you how wonderful that first glass of fresh milk tasted to me!

Here is a picture I took of Molly this week. She is not accustomed to such attention, but she finally gave in and let me take her picture. (I had forgotton how large cows are—especially up close!!) She may not look like much but she sure produces great milk!

To add to my joy, this couple also keeps hens and I can buy all the fresh eggs I want for just $1.50 a dozen. The girls, too, were a bit shy about having their picture taken and they would not hold still, they are very busy you know, but here they are….