Hoopskirts

Last weekend saw the inaugural use of the new wheelbarrow,  It was pronounced a rousing success, although it was very squeaky and squeally at first.  A neighbor loaned us some of her spinning wheel oil and that resolved the issue.  It helped haul firewood and straw from the far side of the encampment and also carted personal belongings with ease.  A couple of fixes had to be made at home - the axle was greased and the pins capped so they didn't work their way out. Some details for those who wished further information.  The wheel came from Amishwares.com http://www.amishwares.com/site/1504461/product/189-WBW As for more information on blindfold wheelbarrow races From Games and Sports , by Donald Walker, published in 1837 by Thomas Hurst, London "Each candidate for the prize in this race appears on the ground with a wheelbarrow.  The ground selected for the race is generally an uneven surface, limited by ditches on each side, and concluding by going over

It's a lovely spring day and my husband's thoughts turn lightly towards ....woodworking. Yesterday was his last day for his current class in grad school, and the freedom and warm air intoxicated him.  He has wanted to make a period wheelbarrow for a while now.  His incentive was attending some National reenactments where we had to haul our belongings in and out of the campsite without being able to bring our car down to the site.  He has brought a modern dolly along at times, but he kept thinking about how he could leave this at the site and use it to haul things, such as firewood.   He doesn't complain too much about my projects, so I am more than happy to support him in his. It took him a while to source his materials and draft his design.  The wheel was the most important component, because it would be too difficult for him to make his own wheel.  He found an appropriate one at an Amish supply store.  The handles are standard wooden wheelbarrow handles. Let's tak