Mowing the Lawn

I mowed the lawn. I didn’t know how to do it. I didn’t know I needed to buy a gas container which you have to transport to the gas station to fill. I didn’t know it needed oil too. I didn’t know you shouldn’t fill the oil tank to the top. I didn’t know the plumes of smoke were because of too much oil. I didn’t know the deep wet grass would cause the thing to sputter to a stop. I didn’t know tipping the mower on it’s side to clean out the wet grass would cause more oil to leak out onto the ground. I didn’t know I’d burn my fingers flipping it right side up again. I didn’t know the willow branches hiding in that same deep grass would catch in the blade. I didn’t expect them to break and shoot out to gouge my legs. I didn’t know my yard had so many ruts. I didn’t know my palms would be bruised. Now I know all of that and my grass is shorter. I smell of grass and oil. I am bruised and burned and gouged and tired, but I am triumphant. Next time will be easier. Next time I will feel less foolish. Next time a random man passing in a pick-up truck won’t have to yell out the windows, “you have to dump out some oil.” I am grateful to that man, because I really had no idea why the thing was smoking so much. I’m also rather annoyed. Why didn’t I already know how to use a lawn mower? I am sneaking up on 30 years old. I am not some city girl who’s never met an expansive front lawn. Why did no one ever think to teach me? Why did I never think to ask? I could blame it on the fact that, where I grew up, everyone used tractors or riding mowers. I remember asking if I could ride the mower when I was a kid. I wasn’t heavy enough to make it turn on. Apparently there’s a safety mechanism that will only allow the engine to run when there’s someone weighing down the seat. Okay, I was too young then, but I never asked again? No, I didn’t. I don’t recall ever seeing a woman mow the lawn. Is that why I never thought to learn? And I fancy myself a feminist! How many other activities am I missing out on because it never occurred to me to try them?


~Addendum: Willow branches make excellent switches.