Dear So and So

[Aggie_Ama]

I want a non-gas mower. Looks fun and much more active. Plus less things to break, I was always envious of the man down the street with one growing up. My dad gave us his dino-burner one but I covet one of the "old school style". The neighbors know we are nuts. Typical conversation:

"So how far did you ride today?"
"Oh, just a short 30 mile loop to Andice."

Then the awkward stare and we try to convince them 30 miles is really fun, not torture. They call us "the athletic couple" to our faces who knows what they really call us.

[spokewench]

Dear neighbor,

Again, no, I do not want to borrow your lawn mower. We're happy with our push mower, but thank-you for the offer. I'm really getting tired of the same conversation every time you see me mow my lawn. Yes, it's a bit of work but I'm not afraid of labor. You could say that I like doing things under my own power. I like the whirring of the blades as I watch the grass blades fly out too. Sure your gas powered mower would help me do it in half the time, but I really do not like the loud noise and smell; so I do not think I would enjoy the process half as much. And no, I do not want to borrow your edging tool either. I think my yard looks fine without it. I personally do not enjoy the perfectly manicured look with everything plotted our on a grid with well behave topiaries. If it works for you, great! Please respect that that is not my style. I do not appreciate your passive aggressive offers to lend me whatever equipment you think my front yard needs to make it look less like crap (The one time you refreshingly aired your opinion.). Yes, I know it's plain, but I've decided to work on amending the soil and getting a veggie garden started before I work out what I want to do with the front.

Your crazy neighbor who is enjoys grubbing in the dirt,

~Sg

SG - Just dig up the lawn in the front and put the vege garden in there; it could be really pretty with flowers (annuals and perennials) mixed with herbs, and veges; and think of all the money you could save at the grocery!

spoke

[andtckrtoo]

Dear Weather Gods -

Is there any way we can have a nice weekend this weekend? Please feel free to shed rain during the week, I know we need it, but this taunting me with the gorgeous weather during the week and the nasty wind and rain storms on the weekends (I think we've had one nice weekend this year so far) is a bit wearing. Just one nice weekend, then you can go back to raining on our parades...

Thank you!

Soggy in San Jose

[Aggie_Ama]

SG - Just dig up the lawn in the front and put the vege garden in there; it could be really pretty with flowers (annuals and perennials) mixed with herbs, and veges; and think of all the money you could save at the grocery!

spoke

I looked across the street from my Mammaw's old house and they had xeriscaped it in native plants. I told my dad "That is what we are planning ofr our backyard". His reply "You are going to plant weeds?" Some people just don't get it.

[Aint Doody]

Dear Customer, I know your cell phone call is important. However, could you just stay outside of my store until you finish your call? I get really tired of wasting my time standing on one foot waiting for you to get off the phone so that you can buy $1 worth of guitar picks.

[Irulan]

SG - Just dig up the lawn in the front and put the vege garden in there; it could be really pretty with flowers (annuals and perennials) mixed with herbs, and veges; and think of all the money you could save at the grocery!

spoke

hey our First Lady is doing it.

[sgtiger]

I want a non-gas mower. Looks fun and much more active. Plus less things to break, I was always envious of the man down the street with one growing up. My dad gave us his dino-burner one but I covet one of the "old school style". The neighbors know we are nuts. Typical conversation:

"So how far did you ride today?"
"Oh, just a short 30 mile loop to Andice."

Then the awkward stare and we try to convince them 30 miles is really fun, not torture. They call us "the athletic couple" to our faces who knows what they really call us.

It is fun, at least for me. (Of course, I could see how it would be a chore if one has a large yard. Our house sits on a lot that is only 1/5 acre.) As long as the blades on the mower are kept decently sharp and rust-free, it's not that much work. The only reason it takes almost double the time to mow the grass is that I let it go a little too long between mows, so I have to go over an area a few times instead of being able to do it in one pass.

SG - Just dig up the lawn in the front and put the vege garden in there; it could be really pretty with flowers (annuals and perennials) mixed with herbs, and veges; and think of all the money you could save at the grocery!

spoke

I may do that eventually since it gets the best light. I've seen some pictures of potager-style gardens on a gardening forum and it really appeals to me. For now I'm starting with a couple of raised beds in the back.

I looked across the street from my Mammaw's old house and they had xeriscaped it in native plants. I told my dad "That is what we are planning ofr our backyard". His reply "You are going to plant weeds?" Some people just don't get it.

Eventually, we'd like to smother our lawn and plant ground cover in it's place. I can only imagine what our neighbor will say when he sees us planting "weeds."

[Tuckervill]

Rotary mowers are CHEAP! You should get one any, Ama.

Karen

[Aggie_Ama]

Dear Lovely Te Ladies,

My lot is only 50x150 total, I should get a rotary mower. It could be cross training!

[tulip]

For all of you who have rotary mowers...I have one, too, but it's old and the blades need sharpening. Where does one go to get the blades sharpened?? I want to get it done pronto so that I can keep on top of the grass until I replant it all with non-grass plants later this spring/summer. Once the grass gets too tall, my rotary mower doesn't do such a good job anymore.

[Aggie_Ama]

I don't have one but I know our local "everything" shop does it. They also sell deer stands, flag poles, livestock feed, hardware supplies and paint. I guess it is a hardware store but it sure isn't Lowe's or Home Depot.

[tulip]

Thanks, Aggie. I'll ask around. I have a neighbor who knows everything and everybody.

[redrhodie]

Dear Me,

Really stupid not to check your messages yesterday. Now you have to feel guilty about being a sucky sister.

[indigoiis]

Dear Me,

Really stupid not to check your messages yesterday. Now you have to feel guilty about being a sucky sister.

Everything okay, lady?

[redrhodie]

Nothing major, thanks for asking Indi. My brother called yesterday to tell me he was sick, and I didn't listen to the message. He's fine now, but I should have checked in, brought him some food, etc.

Sibling relationships are funny. You may not be close, but when you need them, they're there. At least, that's how my family is. I have 2 other half brothers I never see, but if I needed them, I know I could count on them.