I thought I recorded the last mowing on November 10th. However, I’ve mowed twice again since then.
I thought I was simply grinding and bagging the leaves with the mower, but I’ll be darned if the grass wasn’t still growing.
So, this past Sunday, November 23rd, I mowed one last time (hopefully). It looked nice and clean. Now if the city will come and get the leaves before the snow covers them, all should be well with the lawn for the winter.
The end.
We had our first snow of the year yesterday. I knew there was a chance of snow, but didn't expect it to be anything that stuck. However, when I woke up there was a bit on the ground, and it continued to snow off and on, and now there is maybe a couple inches, completely covering the ground.
I doubt if it will stick around long, but it's enough that I may need to find an alternate running path today, or hope it melts off quickly.
The problem with this snow is... the leaves have really just started falling en masse, so it's a bit of a cruddy mess at the moment.
As for mowing... I moved last week, trying to clean leaves from the lawn, but by the end of the week it was covered up entirely. So, whether that was the last mowing or not, I am not sure, yet.
We still have another city leaf pickup scheduled for late November, so I may use the bagger and do that - provided the snow isn't covering them up.
And... that's about all the excitement around here for today.
Our neighbors to the west have hired a mowing service, and I believe yesterday was their 4th or 5th time. Even our Burmese neighbors (several houses around us) had already mowed. Still, I didn't think it looked all that bad. It does, however, look much nicer now.
Unlike last year, though, the grass wasn't even all that thick. I whizzed right through it (32 minutes). I'm not sure why our grass doesn't grow any thicker - we have it treated year-round - and they even do the 'plug thing' to it (which they just did a couple weeks ago). We're actually thinking of stopping with the lawn treatments, because we're just not sure it's really worth it. Yes, it's nice not having weeds, but it's expensive and probably not all that good for the environment in the long run.
Anyway, the lawn has been mowed. Now I need to get out the weed eater and edger and start tidying things up a bit outside. Apparently we're hosting a church party for a small group of people in a few weeks. I don't want to go all out in jazzing things up, but I'd like it to at least be comfortable for people to sit outside.
By the way, in the pic at the top, I had entirely killed everything in that picture last summer with weed killer (trying to finally eliminate the poison ivy), and it appears almost everything has grown back. No sign of the ivy yet though.
So it's been a couple weeks since I last posted anything...
I don't know what to tell ya. It happens, I guess. I just haven't felt like writing. Or sitting at the computer. Or... there are probably other reasons if I felt like thinking about it for a minute. But I don't.
Anyway, here's a bit of a catch-up so's I'll have a record of stuff should I ever need to look it up. Plus, you know, it's some of what I've been doing/thinking...
Okay, my brain is getting weary. Welcome back, and so long.
Monday, April 29, was the first mowing for this year. That may be the latest I've ever gone, and it showed!
I likely would have mowed a week or two ago, but with the marathon coming up plus the fact I can no longer take allergy meds... I didn't want to risk a full-blown allergy attack right before the big event.
Of course, then I thought maybe I should wait until May. But there is more rain expected and it was tall and tough grass already.
I raised the mower deck to the highest setting and the ol' Craftsman took off on the first pull. Not bad for a $75 mower. It was a little tough getting through some areas, and I probably should have just gone over the whole lawn twice. I didn't though. I am planning to mow again tomorrow - without even lowering the deck.
One of these days I've got to stop procrastinating about this stinkin' sermon I have coming up. Just can't get anything goin'...
Sometimes you never know just how bad something is until... you change it.
I got a new blade for our 2013 Craftsman 21" push mower (model number 247.37037, with a 190cc Briggs & Stratton Platinum 7.25 torque engine, model number 128M02-0952-F1).
It had seemed for awhile I was sometimes more just pushing the grass over instead of cutting it off. Even though I sharpen the blade every year, I admit it's been a little gnarly for a few years now. There are a number of gouges out of the sharp side and whatnot.
So, I checked online (https://www.ereplacementparts.com/craftsman-247370370-lawn-mower-parts-c-158286_173893_491626.html) and felt like $31.11 was a bit much. Instead I hopped over to Menards and got the Yardworks MTD 21" 3-IN-1 blade for $17.99. It was easy-peasy to swap out. And I can't believe how much of a difference it made!
After my 5-mile/+1 run this morning and breakfast, I finally finished trimming the bushes. When I got that all cleaned up I thought I'd run the mower (with new blade) over the now-visible grass I hadn't been able to cut all summer. Once I started though, it made such a noticeable difference, I didn't know where to stop! And I had just mowed yesterday afternoon!! I ended up redoing the one side and part of the back yard again.
I guess maybe I was a bit overdue for a new mower blade.
I had a full list of things to do, and as usual on Saturday mornings, I was not much in the mindset. I finally dragged my sorry butt off the couch though, and set out to mow.
That went great until about the second or third pass. Uh, remember when I said I needed to double-check the gap on the spark plug? Well, I did that, and it was fine. However, the mower just died on me. It would run for a second, then die again.
Well, one thing I figured out was that I put too much oil in when I changed that. However, that wasn't the problem. After some google searches it turned out to be a blocked port in the bottom cap on the carburetor. So, I tore all that apart, sprayed carb cleaner everywhere, put a new air filter on, and crossed my fingers. Several hours later the ol' girl was purring like a kitten! Whew.
This was a seated show, and I actually prefer the standing shows at The Clyde. Their seats are cheap and way close together. And by the time I got tickets we had to sit clear in back right in front of the bar. So it was cramped, and sooooo many people were talking in the back. We are a bit spoiled because the venue where we volunteer, while much smaller (400 capacity) is a way better setting for concerts. Still, it was a nice show and I'm glad we went.
There was a lot of activity all in one place for this geezer, but I think we all had a good time (and pizza). By the time we got home I was too tired to go to afternoon church, and I was pretty much spent.
It was a full, and fairly fun, weekend.
Saturday, April 15th was the first mowing of the year for 2023. Last year it was on April 24th. The last time I mowed was 11/7/22.
This year I actually changed the oil, sharpened the blade, and put a new spark plug in (Champion J19LM) - and before I mowed, even! Although, I'd actually bought the oil and spark plug last year. I still have yet to put the new control cable on which I bought early last year too. One of these days. I should also probably get a new blade this year or next. I'm still using the one that came with it (mulching blade) and it's a little gnarled up.
As per usual, I raised the deck to the 4th notch to begin the year. I will gradually lower it as the season progresses. Unlike many years though, this was a real mowing - rather than a mere leveling out of high spots. Our grass seemed to really grow and green in a hurry with a few 70-80 degree days of sunshine!
I was also pleasantly surprised the mower started on the very first pull! Sometimes it takes a time or two, especially early on. I may need to adjust the gap on the spark plug though, because it wasn't purring like I'd like it to. Still, it was good enough.
So, here's to another mowing season. Hopefully it will be short and trouble-free.
You never know exactly what's going to happen. Was today the last mowing of the year, or will there come another warm-up and a final chance to mulch leaves into the earth?
At any rate, last week was our first (of two) leaf collection days. I raked what leaves we had on the ground out to the curb. I had today off work, so I raked the new batch out, lowered the mower second-to-last notch (as low as I dare go), and gave the lawn what I hope is the final mowing of the year.
Something tells me the temperature may warm yet again before thanksgiving, and if it does it will provide a nice opportunity to mow over the handful of leaves still clinging to branches today. If not, then it's time to swap the mower out for the snowblower.
And, as I write this, I wonder... why? I mean, I used to blog about every single time I mowed the lawn. Someone actually looked me up - back in the day - in a google search for "the mowing pastor." So why do I do this? Why do I write about mowing? Who do I think cares and why on earth would it matter???
I do not know. But I felt like I needed to put something here. I've failed to post anything about my 60th birthday, or my 5th marathon, or the weekend in Indianapolis... and so much more. ... ...
So, I mowed the lawn today. I guess I also replaced three light switches and a wall outlet (swapping white for tan). Yay.
This past Sunday, April 24, 2022, was the first lawn mowing of the year at our house. It was a sunny 80F and windy. Unlike many years, it was also an actual mowing - rather than a mere leveling of high spots.
I mowed at about 3" deck height, and will likely keep it like this until mid-to-later summer.
I didn't swap the mower for the snowblower until Saturday. Therefore I didn't get the oil changed, deck cleaned, or blade sharpened. I suppose I'll need to do all that one of these days.
One thing I completely forgot about too was the control cable had started fraying last year and the motor wouldn't turn off one time. I ordered a replacement cable on this site (https://www.ereplacementparts.com/craftsman-247370370-lawn-mower-parts-c-158286_173893_491626.html) for ~$12. It actually shipped out the same day I ordered it, but it hasn't arrived yet.
The ol' Craftsman Platinum 7.25 190cc lawn mower took a few pulls to get started this year, but we're now off and mowing again.
***
Psalm 72:3-7
May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.
4 May he defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
may he crush the oppressor.
5 May he endure as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.
6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.
7 In his days may the righteous flourish
and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
I can't believe I mowed the lawn on 12/15/21, but I did. Actually, it was just part of the lawn, but still...
It was an unseasonably warm 61 degrees fahrenheit on this Wednesday afternoon. I'd just finished a 3.1/2-mile run/walk, and decided I'd mulch up the remaining leaves on the one side of the house. I fired up the mower and started in. Then I decided I may as well run the mower out of gas because surely I wouldn't be needing it anymore this year. One thing led to another and I'd mowed most of the back and side yard. The front and East side were a little wet so I didn't bother going over that.
So, I mowed the lawn in the middle of December in Indiana! That has to be one of the latest mowings ever for me.
I then put some Sta-bil in the tank and switched places with the snow blower. Hopefully I won't need that for awhile yet.
***
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” -Luke 1:46-47, 49
[ADDED LATER: IT WAS NOT THE LAST MOWING. SEE 12/16/21 POST]
I think I may have mowed the lawn for the last time this year. Well, actually, I'm only half done. And, actually also, I mowed more leaves than grass...
At any rate, I used the bag attachment on my mower for the first time last week too. There were just a few leaves on the ground, and I mowed as low as I could hoping the ones still in the trees would hop right on through to the neighbors.
They weren't so cooperative though, and the yard was getting pretty full. So I mowed a bunch of leaves and a little grass yesterday. It's a nice idea just emptying the bagger along the curb instead of raking. Practically it isn't quite so simple. I could only do a down and back and then had to stop, shut the mower off, empty the bag, and start the mower again. It took about an hour to do the front and side yards - which is longer than it usually takes to do the entire thing! The back had waaaaaay more leaves, and is the larger section, so I decided to wait until today to finish.
I also decided maybe I better rake some of the leaves in the back. I filled two tarp-loads and hauled them around front. Now this afternoon when I get home from work (and after my run) I hope to mow the back section of lawn and be rid of most of the leaves, and also be done mowing for the year.
We'll have to see about that. I can't remember ever mowing in December, but you just never know...
As for the bag attachment... I'm not sure how I like it. It's really easy to use. Since I normally use the mulching blade I think I prefer going without the ol' bag. It feels more environmental friendly to leave the clippings on the ground. Plus I don't really have a system for disposal. It's nice to have the option though.
***
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” -Colossians 2:6-7
Unlike most years, I actually needed to mow yesterday. It seems there are usually just a few high spots, but this year it was pretty long all over.
The mower is still working good. I swapped it with the snowblower last weekend and it started up on the first pull. As usual at the start of the mowing season I raised the deck up to the 5th out of 6 settings. I always start out mowing high, so the grass can get thick and to keep weeds down (even though we spray for weeds anyway). As the summer progresses I gradually lower the deck until it's at its lowest in late fall.
So, after a nice break of not having to mow (since November 10th), the weekly routine has commenced once again!
***
Psalm 103:15-18
"Our days on earth are like grass;
like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows, and we are gone—
as though we had never been here.
But the love of the Lord remains forever
with those who fear him.
His salvation extends to the children’s children
of those who are faithful to his covenant,
of those who obey his commandments!"
I am not a big fan of leaf raking, or yard work in general. Hopefully I waited long enough that I don't have to do it again. Fortunately it was windy today and the trees are all fairly empty (except one small one).
Most years we are one of the first neighborhoods where they come and pick them up. This year they switched things around and we are the last. I don't think they are scheduled for the first pick-up until Thanksgiving week. At least it's supposed to rain tonight, so maybe it will at least soak them down.
I also mowed the lawn. I would like to think it's for the last time this year, but in looking through my archives I actually mowed on November 25th the previous two years. Anyway, even though it was a total pain in the butt trying to mow with this boot on, it does look nice and clean.
It has also been really warm the last few days. Yesterday was 77f, and today was somewhere near there. I worked up a good sweat both days. It felt kind of good.
Ironically, tonight is when they are shooting off the 4th of July fireworks in Fort Wayne. It was rescheduled for Veterans Day Eve. I'm sure they had no idea it would be so warm, or so windy. Anyway, I am plum tuckered out and just had a shot of bourbon, so.... we may not make it.
If only the world could be so simple as raking leaves, fireworks, and fall. Someone thought they could Trump that...
***
“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’” -Job 37:5-6
I also had a stinking flat tire on my Scott bike yesterday. The back tire. I'd noticed both tires were a little low last Saturday - just from normal leakage and the change in temperature. I went for a short ride yesterday and about 1/2 mile from home I felt it kind of shimmy in the back. Sure enough, it was almost flat. I walked it home and it was completely flat by the time I got there. I took it with me to work today and the girl at the bike shop changed it for $16. She said there was a hole in the side, likely from riding it with low air pressure. She said she pumps her tires up every couple days, and recommends at least once a week. She suggested 60-70 lbs of pressure on my tires, even though they say 85 on the sidewall.
It looks like I may be getting more hours at work. We've had at least one more person quit, and one or two will be taking other jobs in addition to this one. Of course none of the available shifts will allow me to just work a somewhat normal and consistent eight hours per day, but I haven't really been looking for another job anyway. At some point I probably need to start making some money again...
The temperature has really dropped lately. It is like 50 degrees fahrenheit right now at 10 am. I should be out for a run, but I think I want to wait for it to warm up a little more. It's supposed to dip into the 30s in the morning. Brrrrrr.
I could probably talk politics, but I'm sure no one wants to hear what I have to say. I am also aware a number of family and friends wish I would quit posting about it on Facebook. To which I say, I wish they would CARE a little more! I know most people do care, but I am a little sick of those who "just want everyone to get along." The problem is, but "everyone" they mean themselves. You know, as long as things are okay for them, they think they should be okay for everyone. It's just not that simple. Anyway, I know I need to get a grip. I am afraid the dufus is going to win again, and I'm going to have to figure out a way to deal with it.
So, that's about all for now. It's Friday. The wife and I will both have the afternoon off. There are also garage sales going on in our subdivision, so there's more traffic than the usual none.
***
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” -Philippians 2:3-4
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
