Friday 11 September 2015

A New Present For Myself

I was feeling a bit down earlier in the week. I have mentioned before that hubby thinks my efforts are largely unnecessary as the modern system supplies everything we could possibly need. But yesterday he actually used the words 'a waste of time' in respect to the work I am doing on the farm. 
I had to go to the hardware store to buy some chick crumble - it is amazing how much tiny chicks can eat! And while I was there, I noticed an item that I have always wanted was on special. $30 off, so I thought I would treat myself.


Now I realise that 99% of women would not in any way consider this a treat! But I think we have ascertained that I am a tad different!
I mowed the lawn using it today and it felt so good. No petrol wasted and a free workout. I am in love with my 1950s toy (this was what Legoman called it!)

Cuddlepie loved it and wanted to do it all but I was having too much fun!

I wished I looked so glamorous while mowing!
I can now have grass paths between my garden beds without having to worry about using fuel to mow them. Just measure them so my lovely new mower fits! 
The only thing I was unhappy about was the blade replacement availability ie. zero. The hardware man said replacement blades are unavailable as most items are made to be throwaway rather than repairable. Pretty disappointing, but I guess to be expected. It seems to be the way with pretty much anything.
But I still love my mower - I want to mow the lawn again tomorrow, just for fun!
Is anyone else as old-fashioned and behind the times as me and uses a push mower? Although Legoman did make an astute observation. When he called it a 1950s toy, I just mentioned that soon everyone may wish they had a push mower and he said maybe I was actually ahead of the times and it is more like a 2020 mower. I think I just lead to show by example, do rather than say.

The weather is looking very spring-like for the weekend, quite warm and sunny. So I will definitely be in the garden!




24 comments:

  1. My Pappaw had a mower just like that and we use to have the best time cutting grass.
    I understand your feeling completely Jayne. I get such a sense of accomplishment and
    when I complete a task and learn a skill from long ago. Sure there are faster more modern ways to get things done, but to what end? To rush to the next task? No, I like my slow life and I like that I'm not dependent on a big corporation [electric co., gas co] to get my work done..
    Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly! That is what I seem to up against - why waste my time with something like that when the petrol one is much faster? But people seem to just do tasks like that faster so they can sit on their phone or TV more - not my idea of fun!

      Delete
  2. A manual mower is on my list of things to get eventually, i don't like using electrical things, knowing my luck i would run over the wire haha
    Your hubby needs a kick up the bum, by using less modern convinences you are saving a bit of the planet xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am slowly trying to replace items dependent on electricity. I have a manual grain grinder, blender, mincer and now a mower! I think it is saving the planet, but others differ!

      Delete
  3. Good for you. I am afraid that I use an electric mower and struggle with that at times but it is what it is. Hope you manage to spend lots of time in the garden at the weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true - we do what we can. I have already spent a lovely sunny morning in the garden with Whirlwind. It was so gorgeous and peaceful - does my soul such good.

      Delete
  4. I grew up in the city and my dad had two patches of grass that took five minutes to cut with a hand pushed mower. Love yours!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It always amazes me that even people in the city with tiny lawns use petrol mowers. Seems crazy to me. Much better to do like your dad did.

      Delete
  5. I love your new toy! I really want a push mower. That's the best exercise you can get. Poppy uses a riding mower for around the pond and I use a walk behind gas mower for the yard. Maybe I need to add push mower to my wish list. Oh, I totally understand how you feel. Poppy says to me, a lot, "you do a lot of unnecessary work". I love the old ways too. So many times I've heard "we can't do that"! I would love to be more self sufficient.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is great exercise. It has always seemed silly to me that people pay for gym memberships when all they have to do is a little work! I think so many people think of work as something to avoid at all costs now. It is such an unfortunate shift in society's perception of work. It used to be a virtue, now it is considered just drudgery. Not to me though!

      Delete
  6. i used to have one of those that I picked up at a yard sale and had a friend's father refurbish. I loved to mow our tiny lawn with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I found it so enjoyable. I can't stand the ride-on mower that you have to wear ear protection to use.

      Delete
  7. Yay, Jayne! We have one of those. You can get the blade sharpened at the hardware store, I bet.
    They work so well. We use both kinds, but Bill loves the push mower.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, he said you can sharpen the blades but eventually they will reach a stage of having to be replaced. It just seems crazy that you have to buy a whole new mower just to get new blades!

      Delete
  8. These and other model are making a comeback. They are not so good on long grass but actually give a superior lawn finish - most bowling greens still use them

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I found that out as the lawn had quite a lot of lush spring growth on it. It was a bit rough looking after one mow. I figure I'll give it another mow on Monday and maybe again Wednesday. Hopefully by then it will be neat enough to just keep on top of it quickly.

      Delete
  9. I think we have an older one of these down in the garden shed. We don't use it though as our lawn is long gone :)

    Well done Jayne, it is definitely a great way to get some exercise.

    xTania

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would be good to have no lawn but I think the boys need it to play footy and cricket!

      Delete
  10. I'm sorry that you feel down about your husband's lack of interest in what you are doing but glad that you found something that perked you up a bit. My guess is that your husband deep down does probably value what you're doing, he just doesn't realise it. I think that men who are out in the work place are exposed everyday to what the community considers the norm and their view of SAHM's, sustainable living etc gets a bit skewed. But I bet if you stopped all the little things you do around the house and farm he would miss it. Yes you can buy a packet of biscuits cheap enough but they don't make the house waft a delicious inviting smell that welcomes your husband home before you even get to give him a hug, probably don't taste as good and definitely would be full of trans fats that would harm is health. Never underestimate your value at home and all the things you pour your soul into, even when it seemingly goes unnoticed. In everything we do, do unto the Lord. Have a blessed weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is true - he often uses the word 'normal', in comparing me to other people. As in I am not! I do try to see that what I am doing is definitely worth it, just sometimes gets a bit hard when, as you say, it goes unnoticed or even worse, criticised and belittled. I was reading a book today that said work only to please the Lord as His praise is the only praise worth cultivating and will reach into infinity. And now you have reminded me as well.
      Thank you for your kind words - what a blessing.

      Delete
  11. I would love a mower like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is lots of fun! My seven year old thinks its a great toy to play with!

      Delete
  12. Good for you, Jayne! If I ever have a lawn again, I want to use a push mower, too! The last mower I had was electric, which is better than gas, but that cord is a pain!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love to have no lawn - garden beds all the way! But the boys really do need to lawn to play on.

      Delete