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Just Call Me Farmer Al

I mowed yesterday. Believe me, this is more of a feat than it seems.

I've never before operated a lawn mower. Every time I mentioned this (because I never do anything new without announcing it to at least 7 people) to someone, they'd say, "Oh, just pull the string and push."

That's great advice, but we have a riding mower. A very expensive riding mower with lots of buttons and switches and better shocks than are on my car.

The thought of being responsible for this piece of machinery scared the snot out of me. Not only did I have to worry about somehow breaking the mower, but Alan was going to have to explain to me how to use it. Over the phone.

Let's just say his directions and my brain don't always make a connection.

Sure enough, we ended up in a delightful blow-up over a lever he insisted was to the right of the steering wheel. He had to call someone to verify that I was telling the truth when I said there was no lever to the right of the steering wheel.

There was no lever to the right of the steering wheel.

In the end, I mowed about one-fifth of our property. Can I just say I LOVE mowing? I LOVE MOWING. For one hour I sat BY MYSELF thinking and smiling and feeling a bit productive in a tangible way. It's hard to miss the growing pile of grass clippings.

I might actually try this again. I'm not going to win any awards for technique, but the grass is shorter where it matters.

Comments

Christy said…
Fun! I like mowing, too, when I have the time. But I have a little rotary mower - the kind with no engine.
8:24 PM
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