Journal bethanie's Journal: I am a Filthy Hippie 15
Or at least I cut my lawn like one.*
But wait... Would a hippie even *have* a lawn? I'd think that letting things just grow wild and natural, maybe with a big ole human-waste-composted garden and a nice, lush stand of pot off to the side somewhere would be more of the "true" hippie style. A nice, green, sodded lawn would be just too... suburban.
In any case, I guess I don't qualify as a bonafide hippie if I've actually got a lawn to mow -- but maybe I get some bonus points for how I do it. (And yes, I generally take my shirt off 'cause I like to get a little sun while I'm outside, but again, it doesn't count as true hippiedom 'cause I actually wear a bra.)
This is my lawnmower. And these are my weedwackers. And this is my leafblower.
And yes, I *am* my own personal Jesus. But I cost a lot less.
I believe it was on NPR this past week (or maybe the week before) that I heard them talking about the greatest energy efficiency is the energy not used. And if that's truly the case, then I am doing my part by providing all the power behind my various yardcare tools.
Honestly, it feels great to get out and push the mower around. When we had the lawn installed (how else would you say it when it's a sod lawn -- you get it "laid"?), I told Hubby that I wanted a reel mower and that if I got one, then I'd do the mowing. He did, and I have been true to my word -- even though I had NEVER mown a lawn before in my entire life.
With a reel mower, it's a completely different experience. It's quiet, for one thing. I can still hear the birds singing, I can hear the sound of the blades cutting the grass... It's quite satisfying. There's also the absence of the smell of the 2-cycle. I *hate* the way that smells. And I also feel a lot safer with the reel mower, even though the cutting mechanism is completely exposed. The thing is, as soon as I stop, the blades stop, too. I am not the least bit concerned about losing any fingers or toes. And that always intimidated me about motor-driven mowers.
I enjoy being out in the sun and getting my sweat on. Helps me justify skipping the gym on a Sunday, even though I know that a day off is good for me. I like thinking of the pampered & spoiled housewives out there hiring personal trainers to help them feel like they're making an effort to lose those extra 15 pounds, while they've got a small army of people in their employ to do the manual labor around the house: tending to the yard, cleaning the pool, doing all the housework... I like thinking about all the money I save by combining all those functions together. Maybe I should package it all up and market it with books and videos and make a zillion dollars. It's called the "Get Off Your Lazy Ass and Do It Yourself, Bitch!" workout.
Hmm... On second thought, maybe not.
In any case, the grass clippers were a gift (along with a good pair of leather gardening gloves) from Hubby for my birthday. Takes a lot of confidence for a man to give his wife that sort of thing for her birthday, particularly considering the potential for expression of displeasure if she happens not to like it. But it was just right. I put them to good use this afternoon after I mowed; I like the nice, neat trimmed look of my vegetation. And I got a nice stretch in my hamstrings, to boot!
After I trimmed the grass, I also installed some black rubber edging between the lawn and the beds. The grass was beginning to encroach upon them, and rather than just letting it go until it became a MAJOR pain in the ass, I actually got out there and took care of it today! Thirty feet of 5" deep trench -- done all by my little lonesome!! I'm feeling very tough, and rather pleased with myself at this point.
Another source of endless pleasure is my basil plant. Started out as one of those dinky little 4" pots from the produce section in the grocery store. I stuck it in the ground over in the corner of one of my planting beds, and, well, you can see for yourself how it's doing. Mmmmm.... ensalada caprese (except I make it with Queso Fresco instead of Mozarella).
So, if any of you recall my New Year's Resolution to put an end to the redneckscape that was my front yard, go ahead and take a gander. It's far from actually being *finished*, but what I have thus far is a very very good start.
*Remember, kids, if you have problems seeing the pictures, click the "Go" button on your browser. In Firefox, it's up there almost all the way over to the right, between the URL window and the Search Engine Window.
But wait... Would a hippie even *have* a lawn? I'd think that letting things just grow wild and natural, maybe with a big ole human-waste-composted garden and a nice, lush stand of pot off to the side somewhere would be more of the "true" hippie style. A nice, green, sodded lawn would be just too... suburban.
In any case, I guess I don't qualify as a bonafide hippie if I've actually got a lawn to mow -- but maybe I get some bonus points for how I do it. (And yes, I generally take my shirt off 'cause I like to get a little sun while I'm outside, but again, it doesn't count as true hippiedom 'cause I actually wear a bra.)
This is my lawnmower. And these are my weedwackers. And this is my leafblower.
And yes, I *am* my own personal Jesus. But I cost a lot less.
I believe it was on NPR this past week (or maybe the week before) that I heard them talking about the greatest energy efficiency is the energy not used. And if that's truly the case, then I am doing my part by providing all the power behind my various yardcare tools.
Honestly, it feels great to get out and push the mower around. When we had the lawn installed (how else would you say it when it's a sod lawn -- you get it "laid"?), I told Hubby that I wanted a reel mower and that if I got one, then I'd do the mowing. He did, and I have been true to my word -- even though I had NEVER mown a lawn before in my entire life.
With a reel mower, it's a completely different experience. It's quiet, for one thing. I can still hear the birds singing, I can hear the sound of the blades cutting the grass... It's quite satisfying. There's also the absence of the smell of the 2-cycle. I *hate* the way that smells. And I also feel a lot safer with the reel mower, even though the cutting mechanism is completely exposed. The thing is, as soon as I stop, the blades stop, too. I am not the least bit concerned about losing any fingers or toes. And that always intimidated me about motor-driven mowers.
I enjoy being out in the sun and getting my sweat on. Helps me justify skipping the gym on a Sunday, even though I know that a day off is good for me. I like thinking of the pampered & spoiled housewives out there hiring personal trainers to help them feel like they're making an effort to lose those extra 15 pounds, while they've got a small army of people in their employ to do the manual labor around the house: tending to the yard, cleaning the pool, doing all the housework... I like thinking about all the money I save by combining all those functions together. Maybe I should package it all up and market it with books and videos and make a zillion dollars. It's called the "Get Off Your Lazy Ass and Do It Yourself, Bitch!" workout.
Hmm... On second thought, maybe not.
In any case, the grass clippers were a gift (along with a good pair of leather gardening gloves) from Hubby for my birthday. Takes a lot of confidence for a man to give his wife that sort of thing for her birthday, particularly considering the potential for expression of displeasure if she happens not to like it. But it was just right. I put them to good use this afternoon after I mowed; I like the nice, neat trimmed look of my vegetation. And I got a nice stretch in my hamstrings, to boot!
After I trimmed the grass, I also installed some black rubber edging between the lawn and the beds. The grass was beginning to encroach upon them, and rather than just letting it go until it became a MAJOR pain in the ass, I actually got out there and took care of it today! Thirty feet of 5" deep trench -- done all by my little lonesome!! I'm feeling very tough, and rather pleased with myself at this point.
Another source of endless pleasure is my basil plant. Started out as one of those dinky little 4" pots from the produce section in the grocery store. I stuck it in the ground over in the corner of one of my planting beds, and, well, you can see for yourself how it's doing. Mmmmm.... ensalada caprese (except I make it with Queso Fresco instead of Mozarella).
So, if any of you recall my New Year's Resolution to put an end to the redneckscape that was my front yard, go ahead and take a gander. It's far from actually being *finished*, but what I have thus far is a very very good start.
*Remember, kids, if you have problems seeing the pictures, click the "Go" button on your browser. In Firefox, it's up there almost all the way over to the right, between the URL window and the Search Engine Window.
Hm (Score:2)
We're actually thinking of replacing the grass with either thyme or lemon dill.
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If I only had a small patch to plant, I'd definitely have something pretty and/or useful out there. It's hard to beat fresh herbs!
Hey (Score:2)
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An then she starts talking about real lawns (Score:1)
You disappoint me bethanie....
I was thinking you were talking about this [mikesgarden.co.uk] ;-)
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Sorry, I considered that "safe for work". You get that kind of stuff as jokes all day long in a corporate environment. Guess my standards are different to those used in Australia. (I would have though an American would complain, but you?)
I love basil. (Score:2)
I have a reel push mower (Score:1)
Filthy Hippy (Score:2)
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Pinch your basil! (Score:2)
And get yourself one of these [ebay.com]. My neighbor asked why my lawn always looks less 'wild' than his when he mows it right after I do. I gave him my extra one. He saw the difference (manual, cheap, and makes a good, hard edge... everything a hippy woul
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