You know... mowing the lawn

[MissMillie]

was a hell of a lot easier 40 years ago.

While I didn't think it'd be a piece of cake, somehow I didn't think that taking a walk w/ the mower in front of me would be as difficult as it is.


Not the only thing for sure.

[rurallib]

1. you ain't kidding

I finally had to go the riding mower route.

The back pain was excruciating.

[MissMillie]

3. our riding mower bit the dust at the end in April

Along with the washing machine. The washing machine got priority.

We're lucky we sill have the push mower.

[rurallib]

7. by "push" do you mean a gas powered mower

or one of the old 'reel' type mowers?

[MissMillie]

9. gas powered (n/t)

.

[RKP5637]

2. Makes a difference. I went for a small riding mower awhile back, love it. n/t

[UTUSN]

4. Not sure about the "40 years ago" - with the hard push motorless blades?!1

I tried the small (cheap) riding mower for as long as possible, about 2-3 years, but just about every time using it (only about 3x a year), there were problems starting or conking out when halfway done, had to get handy neighbor to do whatever mechanics. The steering column got stiff, gave me a workout on the arms to make turns. No truck with trailer to take it anywhere to be worked on.

The neighbor is a rookie retiree, itching to keep himself busy at whatever, was champing at the bit to take it completely apart. Finally, I donated it to volunteers at a church, who apparently have magical mechanics know-how, and they are happily zipping around their allotted grounds.

So am back to "the mower in front of me," which in running time is longer than when the rider was in running form, but less frustrating. Always had to use the mower anyway to get around the trees and bushes.

The secret? Spending many *more* bucks on a better riding mower.

[MyOwnPeace]

5. You've got it!

"Spending many *more* bucks on a better riding mower."

And more "features' make it easier: electric start - power-propelled, etc. Go to a good "lawn & garden" place for a better-grade mower, push, self-propelled, or riding, and you'll be a "bit" happier - or just save the money and hire someone!

[UTUSN]

6. Well, am "riding" it out to do it myself until I can't.

Maybe hold out till the neighbor kid is old enough!1 Maybe will have to spring one more time for an expensive machine, ugh!1

[MissMillie]

8. We had a lawn mower w/ a motor back then

in fact, it had a sort of drive mechanism, so you didn't really have to push it, you just had to direct it.

[UTUSN]

11. Wow, cutting edge!1

[Niagara]

10. We had an accident today with the weed wacker.

The vibration of the weed wacker produced muscle spasms in SO arms which made him lose his sturdy grip on the yard tool. He's fine and I doctored him up. I will keep an eye out to make sure the injury stays clean and doesn't get infected.


His arms are still continuing to have muscle spasms and the yard work has been done for several hours now. If we did this all year round our muscles would be used to it and contain more strength.


Be careful out there, MissMillie.