My lawnmower, Big Bob, and I have a tumultuous relationship. I swear he is possessed by a devil whose sole purpose is to torment me – something Bob’s been doing for 15 years. He’s not known to start easily, and my futile efforts to make him go are responsible for at least fifty percent of my yearly swear jar. I had to call in the heavies yesterday (a.k.a my dad) to work some magic after I had spent a week pulling that cord to no effect and simultaneously pulling a number of little used muscles. Turns out Bob had lost his zest for life. With a new spark plug he roared into action and we mowed half the lawn, whistling a happy tune.
This afternoon I went out with trepidation and incantations, hoping for start up success, but seriously expecting Bob’s perverse side to appear once again. However, to my delight:
Two pulls of the cord and up he roared.
The grass is mown, the devil has flown!
You can read the history of lawnmowers on the Old Lawnmower Club website. It fails to mention the Australian success story of Victa, but you can find about that at Australia’s Top 10 Inventions: The Victa Lawn Mower.
And a little Gary Larson to finish:
