Baby's Birthday Surprises

[Archangel]

cool, but you might want to edit this:

my wife's cow-orkers who came

[David Thornton]

unless she works with cows

[jfellrath]

cool, but you might want to edit this:

Oh, no-no-no-no-no... that was on purpose.

[Frank]

The ancient craft of cow - orking is said to have begun in the Shetland Isles
in the mid 1800's. In those days Orking was carried out on the crofts, mainly by the womenfolk and the youngsters (especially during school holidays) and was a skill much prized by those who endured the cold, wet harsh climate with none of the modern luxuries we often take for granted. In the days before the mechanisation of agriculture, orking the cows was a dirty and thankless task - as anyone who's worked on a farm will testify.

A friend who researched Orking for his doctorate informs me that every December, crofters would compete with each other, each showing off her (or his) Orking efforts in turn until only two of them remained. After going head to head, a winner would emerge and by thenceforth known as 'The Ork' for the duration of the year. He or she would be known as the new Ork and would win the prize cow or bullock used in the challenge.

Sadly the practice has all but died out now - modern technology rendering
it an obsolete historical pastime. Thankfully though, we have the State and City on the eastern seaboard of the U.S. to remind us of just how important
Orking once was.


Frank

P.S. This is true - honestly ( sorry - I couldn't resist)

[Sherry]

Frank, you're gonna make a fine addition to the forum. ;-)

Sherry

[starbkjrus]

OK, I have no idea what to make of this post but in any event...welcome back to the forum.

[Frank]

Sorry, I'd been enjoying a little glass or two of Glengoyne 12 year old...

Frank