...my reel mower, she means. I think she's wrong. I love it! I admit it's a bit overboard, but when I was so agitated today, it really aided in relaxing to mow the front yard. And it took less than 1/2 hour. I'm think the whole of the yard around the parsonage is only 1 and 1/2 hour to do. The peaceful "click, click, click" as the mower shaves the lawn, the physical exertion of actually pushing it, and the fun of a beautifully cropped lawn - they all add up to a pleasurable experience. I'm rather determined to show Cindi wrong on this one. Not a passing fad, but a simple way to work off the anxieties of the day. And when I'm done, I wash it off with the hose and spray it with oil ready for the next clipping. She may think I'm nuts, but that's okay.
22 July 2008
She says it's a fad...
...my reel mower, she means. I think she's wrong. I love it! I admit it's a bit overboard, but when I was so agitated today, it really aided in relaxing to mow the front yard. And it took less than 1/2 hour. I'm think the whole of the yard around the parsonage is only 1 and 1/2 hour to do. The peaceful "click, click, click" as the mower shaves the lawn, the physical exertion of actually pushing it, and the fun of a beautifully cropped lawn - they all add up to a pleasurable experience. I'm rather determined to show Cindi wrong on this one. Not a passing fad, but a simple way to work off the anxieties of the day. And when I'm done, I wash it off with the hose and spray it with oil ready for the next clipping. She may think I'm nuts, but that's okay.
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26 comments:
Pr Weedon,
When I was a homeowner, all I used was a reel mower. Trust me, to be able to mow the lawn at in the hours when the world isn't awake, or not wanting loud noises, it's nice. I don't think you've experienced yet all the joy you'll have.
Harry
I think you're right, Harry!
Pr. Weedon,
If you become exceptionally stressed out, you are welcome to come to Seattle and mow my lawn! :)
Pastor Weedon,
I resonate with Jim and will gladly donate my lawn to your service of relaxation. My problem is that the lawn is to wet early, the heat is oppressive to soon and I can't get out there to cut.
But, I would be glad to let you cut my grass any time!!!
Please let me know when you are to arrive ;-) so I can have a glass of ice tea or lemonade!!!
YFS,
Darian L. Hybl
Indeed, I just bought gasoline and 2-cycle engine oil for my mower. If I don't mix it right I get really cool white smoke. I think my mower is Catholic.
When we moved to California we got a reel mower. It's great, even my 8 year old son can use it. No gas, no oil and no hassles. Of course, I also wear Birkenstocks, drive a Volvo and use an Apple Computer. Do you see a pattern forming. Pax
And depending how agitated you are you could do the whole street.
I see a new calling: Pastor and gardener.
I appreciate the thought about using such a device when the world isn't awake. Perhaps this works in other areas, but in North Carolina, the grass is usually -- even in our current drought -- moist in the morning. And nothing, nothing slows one of these machines down like moisture. When I briefly (yes) used a reel mower, I found that the only way I could deal with it was to, (1) Never, ever get lazy and skip a week, because it was difficult to mow a high grass, and (2) Never mow if the grass wasn't bone dry. (I hate the noise, too. Now I wear earplugs : )
Ah, but I'm a sun lover too - and so I CHOOSE to cut the grass when it is the hottest, sunniest part of the day. Yesterday the front lawn was cut at 2 p.m. Day before I did the back lawn at 12:30. After that long bout of cold this winter and spring, I'm soaking up the warmth and the rays whenever I can get them!!!
It's not a fad. It's the future!
And after a bit of real (reel?) work like that a full-carb beer is a welcome end.
Whereas it's not the most ideal, mowing during or shortly after EVENING twilight is also a possibility.
I reely (sorry) want one of these, and it's been on my birthday list for several years.
I like the idea of being able to mow while my 6yr old is playing in the yard.
We'll still keep the power mower, though, for reel mowers don't do such a great job on lawns that have lots of crabgrass and weeds, or for when you've let the mowing go too long.
You want one of these for your birthday? You must not get out much. : )
I can appreciate what you say about mowing while a 6 year old is in the yard. However, what I like about my monster truck mower is the ability to frighten dogs. They deserve it.
As someone who sells lawnmowers, for a certain hardware store that isn't HD, reel mowers are actually the better mower to have. Why? Because of the way they cut the the grass. Normal gas powered mowers leave a jagged unsealed cut, which leaves your lawn vulnerable to disease until it reseals itself. The reel mowers on the other hand leave a clean cut and reseals the blades of grass when it's cut, which allows your lawn to be healthier in the long run because it is not "exposed". So Pr. Weedon, now you can tell your wonderful wife that these are not a fad, but will actually give you a healthier, greener lawn over the years.
We're in the market for one of these sorts of mowers, but I don't have any information on how to pick one out and how to do maintenance on them. Any tips?
Darin,
The Scotts 20-inch mower, like Fr Weedon has, and like I had is all you need to worry about, on and that ~$179 price tag.
What Rosko said!
My parents own two reel mowers. When I was up for mowing the lawn, I always preferred using one of those to one of the gas-powered varieties.
All the joy that you have described is a perfect reflection of my experience. We have a kind gentleman who mows the lawn around the parsonage, but if I ever have the opportunity to buy a reel mower for a decent price, I might start mowing the area around the house myself.
Dude: if Cindy doesn't think you're crazy she is crazy.
Well, Fr. Petersen.
She DID marry him, didn't she?
Thank God for crazy wives!
The next best thing to the reel mower can be found here: www.neutonpower.com
It mows it all even wet and tall. I've put mine through it all and it alwys comes out shining. It's great even for larger yards like mine. Perhaps a little pricy . . .
Rev. Preston A. Paul
Chatfield, MN
Of course she thinks I'm crazy. That's WHY she married me. Life around here is never BORING.
You might like to be encouraged in these lovely green benefits from your push mower....
"EPA Statistics: Gas Mowers represent 5% of U.S. Air Pollution" (Gardeners Spill More than the Exxon Valdez) http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/faq-environment.htm
"Noise! It would take 17 Brill Reel Mowers to make the noise of the quietest gas lawnmower" http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/environment/mower-noise.htm
Then again...
As Kermit, sang, It's not easy being green. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbCI68eSNsA
Around here I bet that lawn mowers account for a lot more than 5% of the pollution.
Pr. Weedon, I believe Scott at Stand Firm has a perspective on the theological implications of your "decision" to "get reel." :)
http://stand-firm.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-answer-to-weedons-reel.html
Now, now. I am purposefully ignoring Scott on this subject...
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