August 24, 2005
Yardwork
I did something this weekend that I've been avoiding specifically for months, but really avoiding my entire life - I mowed my yard.
I purchased the mower in early July, but had yet to actually use it myself. (It's been used, just by people who are not me), and when I bought it, the male friend who went with me was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to start it. "I'm a strong girl," I told him as I handed him my (fake) Louis to hold. "Watch." I went to pull the starter string (cord? pully?) and it wouldn't even budge. He laughed that kind of laugh where you burst into a laugh with such incredulousness that it comes out like a horse's whinny. He grabbed my hand and pushed my fingers over the handle - the part you have to hold down to keep the engine running. I then proved I could pull the cord with enough strength to start the thing. (And keep my miniskirt down.)
On Sunday, when the grass (and my local municipality) could stand it no more, I waited till dusk, doused myself with bug spray, tied Tego to the porch and pulled my mower out of its storage space.
And then I couldn't figure out how to start it. Pulling the cord? Nada. I checked the gas and it was full. I looked around a few times, simultaneously hoping a neighbor would be in sight and would also be nowhere to be seen. After a few more pulls, I called my friend Mary so she could ask her husband how to start a lawnmower. "He's in the bathroom," she said. "But I'll ask anyway." (Ah, marriage.) Just as I could hear him yelling through the door, "Did she prime it?" I saw a bright red button that said PUSH 3X TO PRIME YOU IDIOT GIRL. I pushed it three times, pulled the cord, and the motor roared to life. Mary and I screamed at the same time, an exuberant shout for all womankind.
It barely took 20 minutes to complete the front yard and I got only a minor scrape on my ankle from a wayward stick or pinecone, so I was exceedingly proud of myself.
Maybe I'll do it again next year.
Posted by hannah at 05:52 PM
Way to go!! I love moments like that!
Posted by Corie on August 24, 2005 05:50 PMAh! I am so proud. I have never, even once, cut the grass.
Posted by Al on August 24, 2005 05:53 PMWay to mow! Back in the day I helped my neighbour to start her mower and in a fit of showoff masculinity pulled the ripcord out of the mower.
PS. Full Disclosure - It wasn't my (cough) rippling muscles but an ancient mower.
Posted by Phil on August 25, 2005 04:38 AM
