Monday, May 5, 2008

My first lawn mower/mowing experience

Yes, folks this momentous occasion just had to be written about.

A nearby neighbor and I recently had a conversation about lawn mowers. I have a small patch of grass in my front yard that last year I did nothing about and with the drought there wasn't much growth.

I was thinking about getting a "reel" mower, the push mower that does not require gasoline, just human energy to push and pull it. He did some checking around and they are kinda pricey and I'm on a limited budget these days.

Tonight (sun still up) I'm working away at my computer and I hear my name being called, and there isn't a neighbor within calling distance. I run to the front door to find my neighbor with his daughter-in-law with a lawn mower in the back of his truck. He recently had shoulder surgery so he brought her along to help lift it in and out of the truck.

After filling it with gas and giving me a lesson on how to prime it and turn it on, I was off. It was a little daunting at first, loud and the grass was pretty high (at least a foot is most places). So I mowed a couple of strips then we checked for sticks and other debris that might be in the way.

Feeling that I could handle the job they left me a container of gas and were off. I was on my own. I decided to go for it and mowed a good 2/3 of the area before it got dark. I'm pretty sure I used arm muscles tonight that I haven't used in a while and may feel tomorrow. I just kept thinking, this is the first time I've ever used a lawn mower and/or mowed a lawn.

Growing up my brother got that job and then I've lived in condos and places that have had yard services.

I must say the yard looked much better where I'd mowed and I look forward to keeping it maintained.

Would I have liked to do the environmentally correct thing and used a reel mower, yes of course. Yet when I ask the universe for a lawn mower and one shows up for me to use for the entire season from a neighbor who has several sitting around, I accept it with gratitude