The Brill, in happier days

Back in June, I wrote about my new push mower. I said that this mower and I were in the process of developing a “working relationship,” and I went on about the money I was saving and how my garden would no longer be decimated by the landscapers’ trimmers.  I also wanted to use something environmentally responsible, and I wasn’t opposed to the exercise either.

What I didn’t know was that this summer in Rhode Island – so far anyway- would turn out to be the wettest summer ON RECORD, and that I would be able to look out at my lawn and practically see those evil blades of green growing before my very eyes. That meant I had to mow every week without fail, since the mower can’t handle longer grass. It’s been really hot and muggy, too, and I started to dread my mowing sessions. Even with my  favorite podcasts to entertain me, I found myself getting really irritated by the entire process.

I perservered, because I am not a quitter, and even more importantly, because I knew I would get the whole “I told you so” rap from my husband, who never got within 10 feet of the mower himself. He had told me that our lawn was probably going to be too big for the mower to handle easily, and gosh darn it, he was right! It was such an effort to push that thing in the areas of our lawn that had grown a little faster. Even with the blade set at the longest cut, I was still having trouble.

A couple of days ago, I looked at the front lawn that I had mowed only two days earlier, and it was already looking a bit scruffy. I thought of how I was going to sweat and strain for an hour and a half to cut it again. Then, two doors down, I saw the landscaper arrive with his big gas guzzling professional mower to cut my neighbor’s lawn. I shamelessly trotted right over and asked him if he could start cutting our lawn beginning next week.

I caved, and I know my husband will rag on me a bit, but I don’t care. I will either keep the mower for a time when we have a smaller lawn, or I will find it a good home. Either way, I’m free!