“Remoted” – Day 526 (Tuesday)

When Winston has been out in the yard the past several days, the grass and weeds were up to his belly. Front yard, back yard, each was overgrown with the mix of greenery that is heavy on weeds and light on grass. He would lift his feet high as he picked his way through the yard, and I could imagine him thinking whatever the canine equivalent of "ewwww" is. 

Thanks to today’s break in the rain, it was possible to mow the yard after work and it was the usual fun and games. Once the sun was low enough and the yard shaded, it was show time. There was the ceremonial grand entrance of the mower from the shed to the yard, and the mandatory checking and topping off of the gas. There was the usual difficulty in pulling the cord to start the mower.

Winnie sometimes sleeps funny.

Thanks to yesterday's rain, the too tall grass was dry on top and wet further down just like every other mow this summer, and just like every other mow this summer, the wet grass clumped under the mower, jammed the blade, and stopped the mower. This happened three times, which seems to be par for the mow, this summer, anyway. The third time it stopped was in the front yard, and as I muttered colorful cuss words to the mower, the guy next door appeared from the path to the brook. I avoided looking at him, partly in embarrassment that I was soaked in sweat in my front yard, swearing at a lawn mower and surrounded by clumps of wet grass pulled from underneath.

It was not a personal best time, but it was also not the worst, and it’s done now, so there’s that. Once  Winnie awakens from his sprawling nap on the couch, he should have an easier time going out to potty, so that is the real benefit. Unlike the last time I mowed, Winnie stayed inside which spared me the extra task of wiping green grass stains from his paws. This also felt like a win. Sleep will be under the blanket of victory tonight.