TheBanyanTree: Jumping Off The Mower

[NancyIee at aol.com]

Since I have five acres to mow, and since it looked like rain today, I wanted 
 to mow as much, as fast as I could until rainfall. 
I have a John Deere rider, and it's sometimes hard to start.  We have  had 
mighty rains a week or so ago, so the grass was tall enough to bail for  hay.  I 
started slow to get through the thickest stuff, and carve my way  around 
trees, the pool cage, the hose I forgot to pick up, and the picnic  table and 
benches. I don't get off to move them, since the mower shuts off when  my fanny 
leaves the seat.  I just charge on, coming as close as I can. 
I aimed to mow one tankful of gas, or rainfall, whichever came first.  I  did 
the driveway, the front, the patch of nrush near the orange grove, and the  
low spot that always has deep grass. I whipped around the rose bushes, and  
ducked under tree branches. I am always aware which way the grass bits blow,  
since I don't want stuff in the pool or left in the driveway. 
I was just cutting around the two little fig trees when I felt the first  
drops. I would have mowed a bit longer, but thunder and lightning came, and I  
didn't think it wise to mow under lightning. 
I pulled up next to the garage and got ready.  One-two-three . .I  coicked 
the mower off and leaped from the seat in one smooth motion. I got ten  feet or 
so from the machine before. .  KAPOW!! 
See, the mower, when it's shut down, waits a second, then backfires.  
There was another in my past that, when shut off, would wait, then backfire.  
. and catch fire.  This one hasn't done the fire thing, but I am taking no  
chances. 
I really need to get it tuned up. lol. 
NancyLee



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