This happened last week...

written by

Sandra Ressler

posted on

January 20, 2020

You know those days when it seems like everything that can go wrong, does? Well, that was our WEEK!

For starters, we were short a farm hand, so Ken had extra chores to do.

Our well pump went out. Ken thought he fixed it, but the pump disagreed.

One of the workers in another business we own had an accident. It was relatively minor, but it meant the truck was down for a few days for repairs.

We were supposed to take pigs to the butcher, but since we were short on help, Ken was unable to get them loaded by himself (he tried!)

I could go on, but you get the picture! Anyway, nobody got hurt, the well pump was an easy fix, pigs will go to the butcher another day, and we have new help on the farm. AND it's a new week! And we still love what we do and consider ourselves blessed!

More from the blog

When equipment breaks down...

When we make maple syrup, the finished product goes from the evaporator into a stainless steel insulated collection container, then through a filter press into a canning box.  The canning box keeps the syrup at the right temp for bottling (180 degrees) as we dispense it into jars and seal them.  It's a continuous process that can't be shut down instantaneously.  You can't turn off a wood fire (in the evaporator) that's burning at 800 degrees or more.Last week one day, our syrup filter press broke, and we had to make an emergency trip to a nearby small repair shop.  It was a bit stressful trying to slow the fire down enough to interrupt the process for a half hour or so!  But we did it and everything turned out fine.  Whew!  Good thing we have a great team!!Then it happened again a couple days later...this time in the evening - after hours for the repair shop.  Now what?!?!  Fortunately we were able to reach of someone from the repair shop and they accommodated us in our emergency.  Once again...we are so grateful for community/neighbors/people who work together and help each other out in times of need.  (Remember "When the cows escaped"?!)  Farm life 🙂!!Pretty sure it's welded good and tight now!!