For those who love to mow

Cutting the grass is truly a zen activity for me. It not only gives me great satisfaction to see the finished results, but it also provides uninterrupted time to think and contemplate the world.

My dad first put me on a riding lawnmower when I was probably 12. My sister and I both rode the old Wheel Horse (affectionately known as the “horse”) while dad used the push mower on all the hills and low lying areas. It was a great team effort and the one chore that I never complained about or avoided.

It’s probably the Finn in me but I always enjoyed the solitude of mowing because with ear plugs in and the loud purr of the motor you are really in your own world. It’s just you, wide open spaces, and that wonderful smell of freshly mown grass. In the fall I always appreciate the heat coming off the motor, too, which provides just that small bit of warmth on a crisp evening.

My dad taught me the fine art of cutting grass. How to cut in perfect lines, generally traversing counterclockwise in a circle. How to avoid slopes, hillsides, rocky areas, and low spots. The importance of sharpening the blades. How to set the perfect cut height, carefully lift the deck, and back up when necessary, to protect the blades from hitting the ground or an unwanted root or stone. When you cut grass you learn every inch of your property, where the wet and rocky areas are, and all the hidden slopes and obstacles.

In his later years we switched roles and I would use the push mower and my dad would ride. We were still a team but the strength of our bodies was dictating our roles more than our chronological age or experience.

Today I have a shiny, new Husqvarna mower, which is like a Cadillac to me compared to the bumpy rides of its predecessors. I still think of my dad each time I mow. I know he enjoyed mowing, too, even though it was hard work. We are very similar in that way.

So for everyone out there who likes to mow as I do, I salute you. Whatever make or model you drive, may your blades be sharp, and your ride smooth.

P.S. There really needs to be a lawnmower emoji 😊