[Blindtlk] Working in the yard

[Gary Wunder]

I am no pro when it comes to yardwork, but when I mow the lawn, I first
walked the area I intend to mow to ensure it is clear of everything except
grass. Usually I begin by pulling the mower backward. Although this does not
cut as thoroughly as pushing it forward, I encounter any obstacles first,
and can then push the mower forward the same distance I've walked backward
with the assurance that nothing is in my way. I then move the moewr a little
to the right or the left, and repeat this until I've traversed the yard.
Then, as I do in vacuuming, I turned 90° and do the yard once again. Now I'm
not telling you that this is foolproof, especially when this fool is behind
the lawnmower, but I do a much better job than would have been done had I
not tried, and if there is some cleanup to be done, it is more quickly done
than having someone come and mow the entire lawn. It's also fun-- okay, when
it's 105° it's not as much fun as it is when it's seventy.

One of the things I do to maintain orientation is place a radio in a known
spot. There are times I can't hear it because it is masked by the noise of
the running lawnmower, but if I'm unsure of where I am, I simply turn the
machine off, get my bearings, restart the lawnmower, and continue my work.
The radio is also a fantastic idea when shoveling snow. I especially love it
when they run commercials for hot chocolate or soup.

I offer only one safety caution. I will never mow the lawn again without
wearing thick gloves. Once, when I was trying to mow grass that had gotten
way too high, the vibration from the lawn more made my hands go numb. I was
more than a little scared to think that I had risked the ability to read and
write for something so foolish as cutting tallgrass. Luckily forty-eight
hours returned my hands to normal, but I will never again abuse them in this
way. In the same vein, I won't ever go to do target practice at a gun range
without having the good sense to take along earplugs. I have a ringing in my
left year that has been there for several years, all because I didn't use
good judgment.

Warmly,

Gary