"And I need a block-and-tackle system myself to create a sort of "dumb waiter" to hoist groceries up to the second floor where we live in the summer."

Not to hijack the thread but you can get an inexpensive electric winch to hook up to the line and just push a button to hoist it up. I'm working on one for my place at the lake. Ice chest loaded is too much to keep hauling up stairs... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Clayton