I had a couple of inquiries about my incident with the mower during the Habitat for Bekah extravaganza. Here's what happened.
Dad was using his heavy duty saws and clippers to trim back my lilac trees/bushes/whatever so I no longer have to do the limbo when mowing in that general vicinity. Mom was picking up said clippings as he worked. And I was mowing the back yard with my not so self-propelled mower. (And sweating, I might add. It was a hot, hot day.)
I reached the end of my mowing row and hoisted the mower around to head the other direction when I was very aware that my left foot was not following the rest of my body. I looked down to find my shoelace had become entangled in the bottom of the chain link fence. As I tried to shake it free, the mower (which annoyingly had just "that much" propel-ment left in it) moved forward to finish its job. So there I was, foot firmly attached to the fence on the left side, mower dragging the right side oh so slowly forward. And I, not being one to restart the mower without just cause, elected to fall over (while keeping the mower bar in place so it would continue to run). I finally got my shoelace free and continued mowing.
And the parents? They missed the whole thing.
Even before Habitat day, I'd told Dad I wanted to get a new mower. It must be self propelled and it must have a bagger. Other than that, I truly did not care anything about it.
So Dad found a refurbished mower that he said would be good for me. He brought it over to the house and taught me to use it. He also demonstrated for me how the self-propelling action on this mower works. Very well. He put it on high and Mom and I laughed at him running through the yard chasing the mower. So he left the mower for me to try at my leisure.
Last night I had a moment of leisure, so I pushed the mower into the yard and tried to start it without priming it. (That had worked when Dad was there...quite easily I might add.) Nothing. So I primed it. Several times. Nothing. Grrrrrrrrrreat. Then I realized....oh!! I forgot to hold in the little safety bar that must be in for it to start. DUH. Took right off.
I set the self-propelled part for the lowest setting and took a trial run. I did okay until the end of the row. As I tried to turn - it was like that thing was a mechanical bull. I was all over the yard, thankful that no one could see, and wondering why in the world I agreed to this mower.
At long last I realized the propelling action should be turned off for the turn itself...and then reactivated for the row.
I bet the birds got a GOOD laugh.
46 minutes ago
5 comments:
Oh how I can relate!
You may or may not remember that we live on a slight hill that becomes a mountain when mowing. We didn't notice the hill when we bought our first NON-self-propelled mower. We are very acutely aware of it now!
We bought a self-propelled mower last year. It's better, but it must be different than yours because there is no way to set the speed and just mow. We have to hold a bar down the entire time to engage the propelling action. By the time we are done mowing (an hour or so later) our hands are numb, followed quickly by sore and crampy.
I hate mowing.
You could avoid the problem by letting it grow until the association (or the city, if you don't have an association) tells you that you'd better mow or else. Then when the neighbor's brother who does landscaping comes by and offers to be your personal landscaper, because, you know, he's single and you're single and he does landscaping, well... you let him mow the yard for a fee to keep things on a professional basis because the guy is just. Not. Your. Type.
Just a thought... Not really a suggestion.
Christina - I never thought about that hill and the mowing factor. Yeah I wouldn't so much care for that either!!
I tried mowing the whole yard tonight with the mower...and it was an adventure. I have to hold a bar too, but i can pull a lever and adjust the amount of mower-dragging power.
But overall, I'm with you. Hate mowing. Would be happy to bequeath that to the husband someday. :)
Skyepuppy - Now there's an angle I'd not considered. Unfortunately I have no neighbor's brother...and I've seen the city guys. I am probably better off alone. (that was mean, I know, but true.)
Bekah,
The operating word is "Fortunately" you have no neighbor's brother.
I try not to catch his eye, like when I see him walking to the bus stop. But he's one of those people who doesn't understand, "No."
The previous weed-cutting time, when he suggested that he could take me for pizza, because he's been single a long time, I told him I'm not ready for anything. Then this last time (a day or two before your mowing episode) when he suggested that maybe I could make him dinner sometime because he's been single a long time, I said, "No, that's not going to happen." And he said, "Oh, I'm moving too fast. OK, I'll just be your personal landscaper right now."
Aaarrrggghhhh!!! Aren't there any other single women in the world who need their lawns mowed? Be happy the bus he takes doesn't go to Indiana.
Oh Skyepuppy...I'm sorry to smile at your misfortune...but it is so wonderful to know that this sort of neighborly affection falls to someone besides just me. WELCOME to my boat. Or perhpas I'm welcomed to yours. Either way, it's just so nice to have company. :)
And you just keep him, k???
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