A lot of new milk means a need for my new invention!

The snow is piling up outside, as it is for so many in this country.  I’m referring to the huge storm that’s trekking across the states and dumping on us all along the way!  I’ve heard the news stations refer to it as the storm of the century.  They said the US hasn’t seen one so massive since the Fifty’s.  It’s yet to be seen how accurate they will be, but it’s already snowing now.  John and mine’s morning commute tomorrow, from the house to the barn, is sure to be a treacherous one.  They’re predicting up to almost 2 feet to fall in total.  But trudge through it in our muck boots we will since, just as there is a lot of snow… there are a lot of babies coming too! 

Not today or tomorrow, mind you, but the first due is around the 8^th or 9^th (about a week) and John thinks someone will probably kid THIS weekend.  Therefore, everyone here is preparing. 

For example, we had a milk meeting down at the Beekman Mercantile yesterday, to discuss and coordinate milk pickups.  Considering the sheer volume of milk being produced by the larger number of goats producing it this year, John and I realized this is no easy task.  The milk will be used to create the soap and cheese, like last year, but also a new item which will be discussed on Beekman1802.com at some point, as well.  There are more buyers this year too.  It’s a lot to coordinate to make sure everyone gets what they need.

Now, someone integral to producing the soap mentioned in the meeting the challenge of lifting the 3 gallon metal containers from the barn into their vehicle.  (This is how they transport it to the soap facility.)  Its one thing to lift one or two pails, but they are heavy when full, and 6 or 8 times at a pickup is rough on anyone’s back.

My eyes lit up.  It was a call to a challenge that required one of my inventions to solve!  So this morning, I took time away from the story I’m producing (I mentioned it in the last entry) and designed quickly a scale working model of a new aparatus.  It easily lifts the full buckets and can be pushed to where the car is parked in the doorway of the barn, and unloaded into the vehicle.  It should save more than a few backs in the process. 

So this little video I threw together shows a 1/12 scale model of this zany contraption that will be built of wood and have wheels to maneuver.

Enjoy!