Saturday, March 21, 2009

No Mow


Today's photo is one that instantly evokes memories of my childhood.  I spent summers in North Little Rock, Arkansas with my grandparents.  From the time I could reach the handles of the "push mower" my granddaddy, who I called Big Daddy ( it doesn't get more southern than that!) , had me helping with the mowing.  I didn't look on it as a chore, rather a rite of passage. I was finally big enough to help him!  I spotted this handle-less mower at Sweet Peas and actually have photographed it many, many times.  Spring has arrived and summer will be here before we know it.   Such sweet memories of summers gone by.

There's a Tune du Jour!  I had this in draft form so Tony Bennett can croon 
" For Once in My Life" , one of my favorites!



Discover Tony Bennett!

21 comments:

roentare said...

The toning and the abstract style makes it a winning image

Anonymous said...

Most people seeing this will certainly have no idea what it is. It was used in those days when a lawn was a place that was never fertilized, and weeds were welcome as long as they were green. Even pesky things like Plantain and Buckhorn Plaintain were OK as long as you had a whip cutter that you swing back and forth like a sickle. This was pushed back and forth and the yard looked better than when it was not mowed.

I also remember the cutting bar and reels had to be sharpened and boy was it ever sharp.

It is a push reel lawnmower and nothing cuts grass as good as these do.

Virginia said...

Abe, I knew you would groove on this one! Since its handle is missing I guess it qualifies as a "Push-less Mower" right?

roentarre- Many thanks for your visits and comments.

Vivian aka Deborah said...

My dad still has one of these and uses it too! Great shot! And great song by Tony Bennett.

Anonymous said...

I'll bet Big Daddy was quite the southern gentleman.

Juergen Kuehn said...

I ain't nostalgic, except when I am looking today for goods of superior quality. A wonderful detail of undying work!
Juergen

Profile Not Available said...

Only too well do I remember my grandfather's push mower! Love this shot!

Emma Bond said...

love this nostalgic shot. i remember push lawn mowers very well! Also love your new banner with the tortoise and the hare?

Kerri said...

This is a great shot! I love the composition and tone, and it has great detail!

Wayne said...

My dad always had push mowers. The first ones I recall had steel wheels, and wooden handles, no rubber tires.

For years I had to maintain a yard and garden and in the beginning I used an electric mower someone else had bought but I very soon switched back to a push mower and used one for almost 25 years.

I'd probably keel over if I had to use one now.

PJ said...

We mowed our yard for the first time this year and I love the smell of new mown grass. It's just divine. Did you take the train when you went to Arkansas?

Lowell said...

I remember only too well the pain of pushing one of these things. Fortunately, our yards were always relatively small.

On the plus side, they were quiet and they didn't pollute the air.

James said...

Ha, I remember being under 5yrs old and wishing that I was big enough to push my Grandmother's mower. Then when the day finally came, I wished I could go back to the days that didn't have to push that darn thing. :-)

Virginia said...

PJ,
How did you know we took the train to Little Rock? My granddaddy worked for the Missouri Pacific RR as a switchman. My mom and I even slept in berths!!!

Geee W, you must be really old if you remember steel wheels!

I'm glad to see that this photo brought back some nice memories for all of you. THanks for your comments.

marley said...

Never mind the mower! The ledgend that is Tony Bennett! And one of my favourite songs! Excellent post just for this :)

Rob said...

Can't go wrong with Tony Bennett! Dang, this reminds me of the upcoming summer season of that blasted lawn mowing.

Virginia said...

DL, all you've done for six months is gripe about shoveling snow and now, here we go, you are already fussin' about mowing grass. Be glad you can eventually SEE your grass! Ha

Marley, I love this song too. what a surprise to find it still on my draft. I'm working on Deezer. Maybe the Tune du Jour is in our future again.

Virginia said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jane Hards Photography said...

I got far too distracted at the Big Daddy line. Liz Taylor Cat on a Hot Tin Roof a fav. film. Lawn mowing. I leave that to my birds.

Pat said...

We had one of these once-upon-a-time. My mother still uses an electric lawnmower, and has to swing the cord back and forth, back and forth...a pain.

Victor said...

Abe's right of course but I knew what it was immediately. I used one last year here on Gabriola. And I know what you mean about the "rite of passage" thing. Nice one Virginia!