As Dudette likes to call it. The unmistakable sound of a lawn mower firing up. Once spring hits, she enjoys giving me grief about it. If one fires up, she looks at me, waiting to see if I have to fire ours up as well, and return the call. (she find humor in some strange stuff, if you hadn't noticed).
In the last week or so, the grass has suddenly started to green up and everyone's lawn is looking a touch shabby. On Sunday, I went out to the garage and serviced ours to get it ready. Nothing unusual really, but this year is off to an odd start.
To explain, usually it is either Freak 1, or myself that starts the season off (we tend to trade off every year somehow). After the two of us get things going, it is then my neighbor to the North, followed by the one to the South, and the Clampitts to follow suit. Freak 2 almost ALWAYS bring up the rear on this list.
This year, the North neighbor got things started, (a couple days earlier, and between rain showers). And as I was doing the prep work on our mower, the South neighbor called over to me, "About that time again, isn't it?"
"Yep. Getting it ready. I figure I'll hit it Mon. or Tues. after it drys out a little more." (we had been getting rain on and off for a couple days)
"Yeah. I still have to service mine as well."
I figured, except for the North neighbor, it would still be me, Freak 1, South, Clampitts, then Freak 2. After getting the mower finished, I went inside before heading out to get gas for it, so I'd be ready when I felt the grass was dry enough. I wasn't inside 15 minutes when I hear South fire up and start cutting. Now THAT was a shock.
Later in the day, I saw Freak 1 survey his lawn. I figured he's be out before dark (as is his wont) and hit his up since the Mating Call was in the air. He didn't.
So, today after work, I gassed up and did the initial cut of the season. Freak 1 still hasn't cut his. I am shocked. No lie.
Missed calls happen.
And just when you think things are all sorted and know their places, ka-boom. Out of sequence! Isn't life fun?
Posted by: martie | March 29, 2010 at 09:58 PM