If you have been following me at all, you know that I usually try to find the humor in everything. I even share stories of my screw-ups (especially the really bad ones) because they often make me laugh at myself, so why not share.
The pandemic is all everything everywhere is talking about – ok, it’s big, it’s terrible, and it’s scary – we got it. I have been checking for ways to best kill time during this yuckiness (yep – I created a new word, shame on me!).
I then realized it was:
Prepping our farm and garden equipment for start-up time again, otherwise known as spring.
(YES – this is what the big mower bed is – eeek – and YES – we do have a tiller this big -double eeek!)
They all got the end of season shut down method late last fall, so now its start-up time. I ran everything that used gas out of it, so they all need refilling. Oil check and fills, spark plugs, tires, etc. All the usual routine stuff. The thing I forgot about was my beautiful car (idiot me!).
Once again, my email buds at familyhandyman.com popped in to remind me of this:
13 Things You Should Never Do To Your Car
I am not a complete idiot when it comes to my vehicles. I grew up around motorheads (thank you, Cousin Clay!) that ignited my love of cars. But I have to say that #6 is a newbie for me.
If you don’t know squat about your vehicle, this is a great article to memorize, save, and do. If you do know some stuff but may not know it all, check it out. You have the time now; just do it!
My riding lawn mower has become my second-best friend next to my Subaru. I used to have to mow everything (talking about more than five acres here) by push mower – ouch! It is still best for getting up close around things, but for the majority, it is my rider, hands down!
When I am in my “mowing zen”:
- I have my cell phone on my favorite music.
- Earbuds (FYI this is the only time I wear buds – HATE THEM – would rather have headphones, but can’t listen as well when the mower is running) hooked to phone and in my ears.
- Noise-blocker headset over the buds on my ears.
- Sweatband on my forehead, so nothing gets into my eyes.
- Sunglasses (also note tons of sunscreen because I burn easy).
- Bug head mesh netting over the top of all of that (completely covers my face, head & neck against the monsters that arise when mowing – and my nemesis the Wasp!).
- Then my gardening hat (wide brim) on top of that. It has a drawcord so I can keep everything in place while mowing.
This may sound like overkill, but the gnats get into my ears, been stung by a Yellow Jacket on my face (2017-not a pretty sight!), and swallowed a few of God-knows-what because I like to sing as I mow.
(BEFORE………………AFTER – eeeek!!!! Oh, and hurt like hell, but took out the wrinkles!)
I hope you will take a moment to send a little love to your vehicle. It deserves it!
You can also check me out at: https://lifelessonslived.com/ for all the fun things I have learned in life.
HELBERG FARM STORIES 