In praise of Erma Bombeck

We recently bought a new mower. It is lightweight and electric--much easier for me to use than the old, heavy gas mower. I can push with one hand and hold the cord out of the way with the other, much like when vacuuming. I wasn't strong enough to consistently start the old mower, which I found very frustrating. (The wheel that fell off regularly was frustrating, too). I'm guessing that since it was purchased Chill and I have probably used it about equally.

The drawback is, the grass must be completely dry before you can mow. And Louisiana spring doesn't seem to cooperate very well with that concept. As a result, I didn't so much mow as bushog and I am waiting for the baler to arrive. In the front yard we have a very nice crop of white clover. In the back we have lush St. Augustine cover. This grass is new to me. I am more familiar with Kentucky Blue Grass. This has wide blades and very thick thatch. It is soft and springy under your feet, as if walking on a deep pile carpet with a thick mat beneath. Well, when it has been mowed, anyway.

As for Erma Bombeck, my experience this evening reinforced my belief that she was an intelligent woman. While I no longer live in a home with a septic tank, I can attest that the grass is greener where the dogs most frequently fertilize. And when it grows so tall it is hard for the child to locate all possible nuggets when scooping. This makes for a very aromatic mowing experience.

(For those of you who are not familiar, Ms. Bombeck wrote such classic humor as, "The Grass is Always Greener over the Septic Tank," and "If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, Why do I Always get the Pits?").