Tag Archives: lawn mower

I Blog and I Brag

Posted on August 3, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Before I succumbed to my propensity to swoon, dramatically posed with the back of one wrist to my forehead (and I can’t believe I spelled “succumbed” right on the first try), I did a couple of useful things.  I did the dishes, no small feat, but more importantly, I fought the lawn.  The amazing thing was, I started the power mower by myself on the first try. Please do not belittle my accomplishment (you know who you are); this is a big deal.

First I had a go at cutting down the last of the tall growth on my front lawn.  Alas that I did not take a “before” picture, but the “after picture” would not have been so beautiful anyways.  Lots of bending and straightening, ugh!  And all I can think of is the old lady we used to drive by in Rome sometimes when I was a little girl.  She would be outside in her nightgown and robe, bent over, pulling up weeds, and my Dad would whistle at her.  We referred to her as “Dad’s girlfriend.”  I feel certain there is a young family which drives by me and derives similar amusement from the sight of my posterior.  Then again, if I can have any small part in spreading joy, that is not a bad thing.

Lots of blooms!

I put in the picture there to break up the prose, but I took it after I had finished everything.  Since I am putting things out of order, I guess that makes this a Non-Sequitur Sunday as well.  Anyways, after I had clipped and pulled as much as I had a mind to, I got out the lawn mower, topped off the gas, checked the oil, and brought it out front, completely willing to flag down a passer-by and play the old lady widow card.  I primed the engine five times instead of the recommended three.  Imagine my delight when the first pull yielded the desired result.

I did the front lawn, even making an attempt at the side of the house.  The back was not looking so bad, but I had at it anyways.  After mowing, I took the clippers to the invasive wild grapevines.  There I met with less success.  For one reason, I was awfully tired by then.  Still, I was proud of myself for my efforts.  I posed a couple of times, both fists in the air, looking triumphant.  Alas, there were no neighbors or passers-by to see.  So I brag to my blog readers.

I feel certain other people have overcome greater obstacles and accomplished larger triumphs.  I applaud you, of course.  In the meantime, I have over 400 words of a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  I think I am doing OK.

 

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At Least I’m Not Pushing Up Daisies

Posted on May 21, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was just looking back over past “lawn order” postings since I thought to do one today.  It is that or a Throwback Thursday.  Personally I am leaning towards the Throwback Thursday, because a Lawn Order post (do I really have that as a category? Too lazy to check right now) can only make me look bad.  I have not taken any pictures, which will really make me look bad (cue unkind jokes about how most pictures of me are bad) (you know who you are).

I do not recall if I mentioned it in a blog post (and having already looked over past posts I do not want to check), but last fall my lawn mower pooped out on the last mow of the season.  It would start but not continue running.  I said to heck with it (only I didn’t say “heck”), put it in the garage, mowed with the non-power mower, and basically just forgot about it.  I am irresponsible like that.  Then when spring got here, I kept hearing No Mow May.  Who am I to argue?  Also, I had other things on my mind.

Back when I used to do a good job mowing my lawn.

I throw in a picture from May 2020, just to pep up the post. I got some advice from several sources, then consulted Collis Hardware, who suggested I bring the mower down there and let them fix it.  What a great idea!  I walked my mower on down. Unfortunately, I should have done it much earlier in the season, because it may be a couple of weeks before I hear from them.

In the meantime, it has been raining, and my grass has been growing.  One year, when Steven was still alive but sick, we had let the grass get quite out of hand.  At this time I was incapable of starting the power mower but managed with great effort to get the front lawn done with the non-power mower.  I got a neighbor to start the power mower to do the back.

Now, regular readers may recall that beginning at the end of April, I have this mysterious pain going on in my leg, rendering prolonged standing, walking, or running difficult.  This is one of the things on my mind that made No Mow May seem so attractive.  However, I believe there are village codes to consider, so yesterday and today, I have had at my front lawn with the non-power mower, clippers, and determination.  The results were… well, it looks as if I made an effort.

Please don’t eat the daisies.

This is actually a picture from June a couple years ago.  There will probably be as many daisies soon.  Right now there are copious forget-me-nots, which I will try to get a picture of soon.  Right now I am still resting my leg from my exertions and hope this rather lengthy (for me) blog post has not been too boring and whiny.

Maybe I give it a punchy headline and bill it as a Non-Sequitur Thursday.

 

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First Rule: Make a Blog Post

Posted on May 6, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have somehow made it halfway through the week and, oh dear, not a whole lot done.  Then again, what is the rule for how much a crazy old lady is supposed to get done, and who sets these rules anyways?  There are always my rules for me, such as Any Writing Counts, but I do not remember setting a rule for How Much Should Get Done.  Note to self:  Set rule about how much should get done.  Or don’t.

Where was I?

Ain’t nobody here but us chickens!

I threw in a picture to distract from the fact that I have not much to say (I bet you thought I was going to say “to pep things up”) (you know who you are).  As I chose the chicken (yes, CHOSE the chicken, kindly do not get vulgar, this is a family blog!) (again, you know who you are), I thought to myself that it is too early for a Non-Sequitur Thursday post.  Then again, that is another Cindy-made rule.  There are no penalties for transgressions.

He loves me, he loves me not…

I found this picture in May 2023 of my Media Library.  I was thinking of mowing down or trying to move my wild daisies this year.  They get a little out of control and completely overshadow the forget-me-nots and lilies of the valley.  They are not very far along so far, but I guess it is early days yet.  I have not bestirred myself to do much outside yet.  The first thing I need to do is to get my lawnmower looked at. I seem to remember indulging in No Mow May last year.  They say it is good for the environment, but for me it was a handy excuse to be lazy (judge me if you are so inclined).

I see I have babbled on for over 300 words.  I shall bill this as a Wuss-out Wednesday and drive on.  I shall be out and about today and try for some Mohawk Valley Adventures.  I hope you are all having a lovely week.

 

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But Not Tired of Blogging

Posted on September 23, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am tired.  Alas, Tired Sunday is not alliterative like Tired Tuesday, nor does it have a nice ring to it like Wrist to Forehead Sunday (or am I kidding myself about Wrist to Forehead Sunday?).  One might argue that feeling tired may be a reason to swoon, posed dramatically with the back of one wrist to my forehead, but quite frankly, that seems to be too much trouble right now (either swooning or arguing about it).

Random picture to distract from the fact that I am whining yet again.

Oh dear.  This picture just reminded me that Brookwood Market was today.  I was going to go!  I completely forgot about it.

In my defense, I did a few other things today. Most notably, I mowed my lawn, no small chore as regular readers know (I mean, the lawn isn’t all that big, but to me it is a big chore).  I started my power mower by myself!  I felt like much woman, as my sister Vicki would say.  I tried to battle some of the overgrown stuff I couldn’t mow, like the insidious wild grapevine that is taking over the back.

I didn’t get that much done.

This is an older picture, from a more successful lawn session.  Well, perhaps this is why I am so tired today.  Then, too, I think I am still recovering from whatever ailed me last week.  Oh dear, whining again.

Another random picture, for the same reason as the other.

Also under the heading of things done: I grocery shopped.   I made my salad for the week AND put together tomorrow’s lunch, both chores I usually leave for Monday or even Tuesday morning.  I washed some of the dishes (I don’t know why it is so difficult for me to get them all done, but so it is).

And I have made a blog post of over 300 words.  I’d better stop typing before I start whining again.

 

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At Least I Made a Blog Post

Posted on May 20, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I allow an episode of Columbo to play while I make my Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.

I had my coffee earlier.

I like Columbo every day of the week, not just Sunday, but Sunday seems like an especially good day for him.  I have seen this episode enough times that I can let it play while I post.  I have had a kind of a wrist to forehead day.  I did not actually swoon (I have not a suitable chaise lounge for it anyways, as regular readers may recall), but I had a kind of dramatic bout of I Can’t Do Anything.  That, of course, plagues me regularly, the result of my depression or my innate laziness, but it is often worse on a Sunday.  I usually try to embrace the uselessness, just relax and enjoy the day.

I watched a cheesy horror movie, Manos: The Hands of Fate, a really foolish movie.  I had not meant to watch it, but it was on a DVD with three other movies, and I could not find the remote that allows me to arrow down to another choice.  I later found it right in front of me.  I used to accuse my husband Steve of hiding my things.  He would hide them in one of three insidious places:  Right Where I Left Them, Where They Belonged, or Out in Plain Sight. He would give an evil laugh and admit everything.  After I started the second movie on the DVD (also not the one I wanted to watch), I paused it to call my parents.  While talking to them, I talked myself into trying to mow my lawn. one of the chores I had felt utterly incapable of doing.

What can I say?  I fought the lawn and the lawn won.

From another year. The lawn won then, too.

EEEEE!  That was one of the more brutal murders on Columbo, and I looked up just in time to see it.  I’m always sad when I like the victim.  Sometimes the victim is a fool who tries to blackmail the murderer (in fact, the second victim usually is).  I sit there saying, “Are you ASKING them to murder you?”  When I write my murder mysteries, I usually make the victim a sonofabitch, hated by all.  For one reason, it gives everybody a motive.

I see I am approaching 400 words.  That’s pretty good for a nothing post.  Will the coming week bring posts of more substance?  We shall see.  I certainly hope you will tune in to find out.

 

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Ran Myself Ragged, But Didn’t Run

Posted on July 4, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last night I felt so tired from my after-work gyrations and reflecting that I had today (July 4) off, I lazily put away my Tablet and went to bed.  After all, I continued to justify to myself, I was unlikely to wake up with a headache, since I am going wine-less (but not whine-less) till after the Boilermaker 15K.  As it happens, not all headaches are due to wine.  However, it is not a bad one, and I expect it will go away as the morning progresses.

Where was I?  Ah yes, a late Monstrous Monday Post.  First, perhaps, a word or two about the previously mentioned gyrations.

“No! Monsters first!”

Maybe one monster.

I got home and immediately got on the phone to take care of a couple of things I had neglected.  Never mind what.   It’s not that interesting, and I am quite disinclined to emphasize the extent to which I do not have my act together.  I ran one errand, still dirty from work (for which you are welcome to judge me), and returned home to realize it had stopped raining long ago enough to make lawn mowing eligible.

Me hacking away at the overgrowth.

Regular readers may recall that I use a non-power mower.  It makes for a pretty good work out.  Since I had walked in the morning but not run that afternoon, I praised myself for the exertion (hey, I have to keep myself going anyway I can).  A soapy shower felt good after that.

My stomach, urging me to the grocery store.

I sat down for a while, but my body was soon reminding me I had not eaten.  One must stay nourished, I suppose.  I dragged myself to the grocery store.  As it happened, it was a great time to go.  The crowd had already gotten their Fourth of July supplies and left.  I got everything my list plus a couple of treats, which I felt I had earned.

“Did somebody say treats?”

Now I have made my Monday blog post, I can get on with my Tuesday gyrations.  Once again, thank you for tuning in.

 

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How Much Slack Can I Get Away With?

Posted on June 19, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I let all of Saturday and a good part of Sunday slip by without making a blog post and am feeling a bit guilty about it.  The fact is, I am having the damnedest time getting myself to do anything.  I did go for two long runs this weekend.  Yesterday I did a load of laundry and washed the dishes before I petered out.  Eventually I wrote a few post cards to my usual peeps.  However, there is a lot more that I need and want to get done.  What the hell, me?

Pretty!

I threw in a picture, before I sank into a boring morass of self-recrimination.  These are my front lawn daisies from two years ago.  They are starting to die off now, and I just spent some time trying to cut them back.  This was after mowing the grass with my non-power mower and pulling up a bunch of other stuff on the side of the house.  And that was after my 50-minute run earlier.  A woman my age gets tired.  I never made it to the back yard.  In fact, a number of failing daisies remain out front.

Now I am lounged on my couch pecking in one letter at a time with the stylus on my Tablet, and sipping a glass of wine,  because I feel any effort deserves a reward.  I think I can move on to the movie watching portion of my Sunday.  Maybe I can even do a Sunday Cinema Post.  But no promises.

 

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A Very Little Yard Work

Posted on April 28, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I took a short (very slow) run, thinking I might make a Running Commentary Post. Then I came up with something better. In lieu of my cool-down walk (I just love that expression “in lieu of”), I mowed the front lawn with my non-power mower and pulled up a few weeds and unwanted items.

In the course of doing this, I noticed I have a Johnny Jump-up! It is only one little bloom, but I was delighted to see it. I immediately decided to take a picture, although I finished my mowing and pulling first.

I hope I get more!

Naturally I took a few more pictures.

These are tulips, which is very exciting for me, because we have not had this many previously. We usually get one and feel happy with that, because we did not plant it.

Any guesses?

I was not sure if this was a flower or a weed, so I let it live. Does anybody know what it is?

I hope they are OK!

I spent a little time pulling up green stuff surrounding my peonies. I believe I sacrificed some daisies, but I also believe we have plenty of daisies. Last year something ate my peonies before they bloomed, or somebody came and took them all away. I hope for fragrant blossoms this year.

I did not do a whole lot, but I thought it was not too bad for after a run on a Tired Tuesday. No doubt I will share more pictures as the season progresses.

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Lawn Order

Posted on May 25, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I fought the lawn and the lawn won.

I would say we fought to a standstill, but of course the lawn is always growing.  Kind of like my stomach, but let us not dwell on THAT depressing subject.  I was actually pleased with my yard efforts today, and I have a few pictures to share.

Regular readers may remember that I use a non-power mower for my grass cutting needs.  The advantages are that it is quieter, easier to start, and does not run low on gas and oil.  Additionally, I get that frisson of virtue for being more environmentally friendly.  Oh, and it is excellent exercise.

The main downside is that I need to mow more often than I am usually inclined to do.  In this case, I had not mown since last Sunday.  Note to self: don’t wait that long again.

I got the front done first.  It is easier and and arguably more important, because people see it.  NO, I do not care what people think!  Well, maybe a little.  Why would I not want to give the world a pleasant view? I had been working on the back for a while before it occurred to me to take a “before” picture.

It looked more intimidating in real life.

When I looked at this, I could clearly see what I had done and how overgrown the rest of it looked.  This view seems less clear, but I hope it gives an idea.  Photo taken, I had at it again and ended up feeling fairly pleased with myself.  Later on, I took a few “after” shots to round out the blog post.

Did the lawn win? Or did I?

The shadows show that time had passed.  I took a shower, worked on my novel, and watched a little Snapped (what’s a Sunday without an episode or two of Snapped?

Our Rose of Sharon

The Rose of Sharon took a while to start getting green.  At least it is definitely too big to be accidentally mown over (although it was Steven who did that, not I).

The Red Thing from Diana’s house.

This is a better shot of the above plant than I got before, and it has even more green.

Can’t have too many forget-me-nots!

I did not mow over my forget-me-nots!  After taking these pictures, I went out front.

Peonies!

Our peonies were eaten or plucked away by something or someone last year.  I hope they survive this year!

Alligator from Knoeble’s in Pennsylvania.

I put our alligator out front this year.  I would like to get some more lawn ornaments.

I hope to get more lawn and garden work done in the coming weeks.  I have never gotten as much done as I would like.  With so many things cancelled or on hold, this just might be the year!

 

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A Run Worthy of a Post

Posted on July 16, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Rather than my usual Tired Tuesday post,  I thought I would attempt a Running Commentary.   For one reason, I ran up the hill to Herkimer College, an accomplishment which deserves a blog post, I think.

As usual these days, I woke up NOT wanting to run at all.  I always have all kinds of good reasons: I ran yesterday, I should recruit my energies for something else, I don’t NEED to run the Falling Leaves 14K in September… etc., etc.  I usually change my mind after a cup of coffee.  Let’s hear it for caffeine!   Also in favor of running was the weather: it was not raining,  which it is supposed to do soon and for the next several days.

I set off with high hopes.  I have been thinking that longer runs were in order, and a run up a challenging hill would be an excellent idea.  Additionally,  I could post to Facebook that I had run up to HCCC, and my Facebook friends would feel impressed.  Accordingly,  I crossed to the far sidewalk on German Street and turned left.

A young man was walking a block, maybe a block and a half ahead of me.  I wondered how long it would take me to catch up to him.  It seemed to take a while.  It was actually about three blocks.  Is that a lot?  I suppose some of you could have done it in one. I am all admiration, I assure you.  The young man heard me huffing and puffing behind him as I approached.

“Good morning,” I said.  He returned the greeting as he moved over to give me room.  “You know how long it took me to catch up with you?” I added as I ran past him. “That’s how slow I run!”

” Have a good day,”  he said, turning up the next street.

“You too!” I called, running on.

The run had felt pretty good up till then.  The temperature was nice, my body was not complaining.  Then I started up the hill.  It wasn’t long before I started to feel like I Could… Not… Make… It…  I knew this was not the case.  I knew I could and would make it.  But I only knew this intellectually and logically.   I sure wasn’t feeling it!

I reminded myself of the first time I had run the hill.  I had thought I would run up till I had been running for 15 minutes (starting from when I left my house), then I would turn around and go down.  I had the idea that eventually I would make it all the way up.  Well, by the time I got to 15 minutes,  I was too close to the top to quit. So there, keep going,  I told myself

At one point I tried the trick of looking back at how far I had come.  This works best if you do it after you are halfway up, which I knew I was.  Yes, I had come far, but looking back down gave me a little vertigo.  Yikes!  At last I was all the way up and ready to go back down.

As I ran toward the back road down, I realized I had run by a Do Not Enter sign, where there was one of those triangles at a wide T intersection.   I ran back and ran by it, entering where it said not to.  It added a little more distance to my run and solidified my rebel cred.  Yes, yes, I know, by the rule Left Side Facing Traffic I should have been running there. It amuses me to enter where the sign says not to and pretend I’m a rebel.  I have to get my laughs where I can.

After running down the hill, I backtracked to Lou Ambers Drive and got a quick drink at the spring.  Then I continued on home for a 42 minute run.  I did not immediately go on my cool-down walk but opened the garage and hauled out the non-power mower.  I spent a good 20 minutes huffing and puffing behind that, once again taking advantage of the time before the rain.

Eventually I got to my cool-down walk.  Phew!  I felt that I had gotten a work out.  I think I’ll be up for the Falling Leaves run in September!

 

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