Mowing the yard

This is basically what we use to mow our grass:

It’s not the exact model, but it’s pretty close.  Even when we had a huge lawn at our last house, it’s what we used.  When we got married and needed to buy a mower, I told Michael that I could be counted on to mow if we got one of these.  I’m not willing to use the gas mowers.  They’re loud and smelly and a pain, as far as I’m concerned.  I have kept to my promise, too:  I have mowed the grass many times, including when we had a huge lawn at our last house.  The more pregnant I become, the less feasible it is to mow, but we don’t have as much grass here, anyway, and I wouldn’t be mowing at all if we had a gas mower.

Various people over the years have laughed at us or told us we’re crazy to have a reel mower.  “It’s harder to push,” they’ll argue.  It’s not THAT hard to push, and what’s wrong with a bit of a workout, anyway?  “It’s not very effective if you let the grass get too long.”  True.  That means we have more motivation to mow regularly.  Not a bad thing.  Besides that, we can mow in fairly quiet circumstances, and I don’t mind having the kids out with me while I mow.  Or out with Michael while he mows.  And kids like to be outside while their parents are outside, particularly if it’s not necessary to wear earplugs to be out there.

I am entirely confirmed in our choice after this afternoon.  It’s been a lovely day here, and I took the kids outside to play and garden.  We were out for 2 1/2 hours or so.  It was great…except that the service that mows our neighbors’ lawn arrived JUST as we went outside.  And they also mow the neighbors’ lawn on the other side.  It was SO LOUD the whole time.  First it was a mower and a weed eater.  Then it was two mowers.  Then it was a mower and a leaf blower.  Then it was two leaf blowers.  IT WAS LOUD. 

When they finally finished, just as I needed to go in to make dinner, I realized that the birds were singing and that it’s really quite pleasant to be able to talk to the kids as I garden out there with them, not having to yell to be heard. 

I realize that most people don’t have their mowers going for 2 1/2 straight hours.  And I’m certainly glad about that.