Not just a simple tug to start things off
My assumption is that the lawn must have looked larger than life in the light of day. While I was off to the markets, the family borrowed a lawnmower from the neighbour. There it sat, in all its glory, waiting for the magic touch. You see, our newly purchased reel mower will arrive, but not until next week, and a bit of sun and rain (in proper proportion) push the envelope in lawn growth.
I’ve avoided infernal combustion engines with spinning, sharp blades for decades now. Electric works, so does push. The gas-powered version requires a certain touch (OK, a certain yank) to get things going. The quantity and quality of that touch is one best learned in the privacy of a fenced domain, where others can’t see (or hear) your efforts. Man versus machine, at the most basic level. The concept of priming, throttling, and choking aren’t easily explained to a neophyte (in this case, son #3). Nor is the reflex to check the gas tank before starting a given. If you can touch the interior bottom of the reservoir with your finger without contacting smelly liquid, then you have no chance of success in the controlled explosion department.
Another neighbour did stop by, and a gift of that precious liquid (petroleum product) was made, but the lawn didn’t get any shorter today. Instead, son #3 now has a clearer understanding of why I’ve praised electric lawnmowers over the year. Plug in the cord and go. That’s it; that’s all. No need to fret the details, and when the breaker pops you probably deserved a pause.
