• General Notes

  [pitts.FTW]
  
  [Br²derbund WFT Vol. 5, Ed. 1, Tree #0725, Date of Import: Apr 16, 2002]
  
  From Samuel Combest and His Descendants, a poem written by Gladys.
  
  The poem "Old Wash Board" was written by Combest descendant Gladys Combest Rowlett. Gladys was inspired to write the poem at age 93, following the sale of her household furniture and personal belongings of a lifetime. Attending the auction held in the yard of her home in September of 1985, Gladys said, "It really touched my heart strings. At times I would think about it at night after I had gone to bed, and words came to me to write down on paper. I did--much to my surprise I came up with a 'poem'."
  
                 OLD WASH BOARD
                            by
            Gladys Combest Rowlett, Carnegie, Okla.
  
  Old wash board, you have had your day,
  Hard work, long hours, not much pay.
  No mechanic was needed to keep you in gear,
  Just strong arms and some elbow grease near.
  A few hours' work and the task was done,
  Clothes on the line to dry in the sun.
  
  Then down behind the barn under the shade of a tree,
  Where none but the cows and horses could see,
  The men take a bath in a galvanized tub.
  Off comes the plow dirt with a rub-a-dub-dub.
  The water was warmed by the noon-day sun,
  And all were happy the day's work was done.
  Then ready to get into nice clean clothes,
  A fresh clean person, as everyone knows.
  
  The automatic washer has taken your place;
  Old wash board you have lost the race.
  Now I can rest and read a book
  While the clothes are washed--or see dinner cook.
  A dryer nearby takes care of it all,
  Washing is done, without much toil.
  
  When I look at my possessions I give a big sigh,
  And try to keep a tear from my eye.
  All I can say--
  Goodbye, old wash board, goodbye.

Details of Gladys Mae's family with Joseph Ben Rowlett