Mike has not said much about his feet bothering him lately, but I suspect that they have been painful for him. It's something about they way he clumps down the stairs, trying to put most of his weight on the bannister. He forgets that I can hear him. I am not unsympathetic though. I said that I would mow the lawn today. It had to be done.
Then I realized something. We did get a new lawn tractor last summer and I had never used it. Even though it is a John Deere like the last one, it is very different. The old one had a shift lever and the brake was on the right side. The new one has an accelerator on the right side and then another pedal that is somehow supposed to be used for reverse. Mike gave me a quick lesson.
I really did not try to master reverse--just kept going forward. I had a hard time adjusting to the accelerator. My right foot definitely remembers that it did the braking. It was kind of scary when my brain would say, "Slow down!" and my right foot would say, "I'm on it!" and then I would be hurtling ahead faster than ever. It took a long time to get used to that.
Then there is the ditching along the roadside with its steep sides. I made one pass and felt for all the world like I was tilting enough to fall off the tractor or roll the whole thing over. I decided that part of the lawn just would not get mowed. Not by me. No how.
See. It can happen. And has.
While I was doing the lawn, Mike got out the bluebird houses and put them up. I hope we get a pair to nest this summer.
I will be getting a delivery of compost to spread on the gardens on Tuesday. Lots of playing in the dirt at this time of year.
I snapped this picture on the town green Friday afternoon. Chicken Coop Tour is coming up. Who says we don't know how to have fun here in Jericho, VT?
Then I realized something. We did get a new lawn tractor last summer and I had never used it. Even though it is a John Deere like the last one, it is very different. The old one had a shift lever and the brake was on the right side. The new one has an accelerator on the right side and then another pedal that is somehow supposed to be used for reverse. Mike gave me a quick lesson.
I really did not try to master reverse--just kept going forward. I had a hard time adjusting to the accelerator. My right foot definitely remembers that it did the braking. It was kind of scary when my brain would say, "Slow down!" and my right foot would say, "I'm on it!" and then I would be hurtling ahead faster than ever. It took a long time to get used to that.
Then there is the ditching along the roadside with its steep sides. I made one pass and felt for all the world like I was tilting enough to fall off the tractor or roll the whole thing over. I decided that part of the lawn just would not get mowed. Not by me. No how.
See. It can happen. And has.
Our ditch is not really this steep, but still...
While I was doing the lawn, Mike got out the bluebird houses and put them up. I hope we get a pair to nest this summer.
I will be getting a delivery of compost to spread on the gardens on Tuesday. Lots of playing in the dirt at this time of year.
I snapped this picture on the town green Friday afternoon. Chicken Coop Tour is coming up. Who says we don't know how to have fun here in Jericho, VT?
That little white spec in back and behind a tree is the little library. I suggested that we cash in on the fund raising opportunity and host a chicken dance marathon, but no body would take me seriously.
We are getting a new rider delivered tomorrow. Our old one has seen better days, no brakes, and a lot of other things that are wrong with it. Hubby will do the mowing and I will stay out of his way!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the new mower. I hope it will not be a big adjustment.
DeleteI was worried about where your tractor story was headed. Maybe it's time to go for a wilderness look?
ReplyDeleteOr get some goats?
DeleteThe idea of a chicken coop tour makes me chuckle. Be careful on the tractor!
ReplyDeleteI think that I will skip it. I am not so enthralled with chickens as some.
DeleteWow, Olga! You actually mowed the lawn on your own on a lawn tractor? That's fabulous, but I hope you're careful. I don't think I've ever mowed the lawn. It was always Art's domain.
ReplyDeleteI rather enjoy being out working in the yard. Mike does all the maintenance work on the equipment. And he mows the ditch.
DeleteI love the scent of mown grass, but not the work.
ReplyDeleteI like that scent too.
DeleteI know your reservations about mowing the road ditch. As I lean hard the opposite way, I am ever grateful for my extra poundage.
ReplyDeleteI lean, but the seat is slippery!
DeleteI love the chicken dance idea!!
ReplyDeleteWhy thank-you. You obviously know a good idea when you hear it...unlike most.
DeleteIf you get your way and have the chicken dance-a-thon, be sure to take videos!
ReplyDeletePeace,
Muff
Another volunteer said we would not make money because we would spend it on chicken costumes. Well, really, they could be made so easily. Yeah, maybe the possibility of going viral is a reason to scale back on this brain storm.
DeleteWe have long grass also, and a broken lawn more. I believe we're going to rototill the remainder of the lawn and plant a little corn this year.
ReplyDeleteOur house was built on property that was once a corn field. Makes for a bumpy ride on that lawn tractor.
DeleteI used to always mow the lawn, with a gas powered, hand pushed rotary mower. I liked mowing. Then tom bought a fancy, heavy, self propelled commercial reel mower, which I was not comfortable handling. No more mowing for me.
ReplyDeleteI am not Mamore by chickens either, but the chicken coop tour sounds kind of fun. I like the sound of your small town.
You know, I moved here 20 years ago, but I was working in another town and that took up my time. I really did not have much involvement with anyone but immediate neighbors. Now that I have been retired for a few years, I am getting to know my town a bit better and it is a very neat little place.
ReplyDeleteYikes, you wouldn't catch me mowing the ditches either! My lawn is small and without major dips (thank goodness); I use an electric mower and it takes longer to unwrap and wrap the power cord than it does to mow the entire lawn.
ReplyDeleteChicken coop tour?....I like the idea of a chicken dance marathon better...less mess I would think!
Hope your husband's feet improve - it's no fun not being able to walk.