Mow, mow, mowin' the lawn. No longer is this just a favorite dance move of mine, but also a favorite pastime. I love the feel of the fresh cut grass. I love being out, and feeling the sun on my skin. I love getting exercise without touching equipment that other people have recently touched.
This has become primarily my chore, because I want it to be. We have a 1930s, rotary-blade lawnmower that is completely people-powered. It does not smell like gasoline, is excellent for the environment, and it makes a purring sound as it cuts. Plus- I own very little land, so it doesn't take very long!
People have reacted very interestingly to my mowing the lawn. Most people see the lever contraption and say things like, "what a good workout!" While it is a good workout, pushing a newfangled lawnmower would be a better one. This is due to the fact that the new ones are far heavier!
Two of my neighbors were excited that we were using the rotary-style because they too had used them for upwards of 30 years. That's because these things are good quality! As former rotary-oweners themselves, I will take any advice that these men have to offer. After all they have mowed old-school before.
The confederate-down-the-street, who fixes lawn mowers, even gave us a kudos for trying out the manual machine. However, he did also offer me a discount on a new one if I ever changed my mind.
Then there's Mr. Mansplain. Mr. Mansplain wants me to stop mowing to listen to him tell me how much harder my mower's going to be than a modern day lawn-mower. I don't know what makes him knowledgeable about this. Owning a modern lawnmower? Being a man?
The fact is, he's wrong. I mow my lawn with the speed of a pouncing mantis shrimp. It's not difficult at all, and I love it.
