So, you know how sometimes when people first learn to ski and when they fall they forget to let go of the rope? Well, that’s kind of how I am with our self-propelled lawn mower. We don’t have a riding mower, but we have LOTS of yard (not level, either), so a regular push mower is just too much for us since we’re getting older. A self-propelled mower is a little easier. At least for most people. The thing just seems to get away from me. Of course, hubby can’t mow right now, so all he can do is sit and watch me and laugh. Seriously, I can’t seem to let go of the bar that propels the mower. When I’m doing little spots that need more precision, the self-propelled part of the mower needs to be turned off. All it takes is NOT pulling back on the little bar. But then there’s also the safety bar that keeps the mower running. So part of the time, I DO let go of the self-propel bar…and also the safety bar. Which stops the engine. Which means I have to pull the cord multiple times to start the thing again. Grrrr. I almost mowed down one of my rose bushes because I forgot to let go of the bar, and the mower was almost dragging me toward it. The sad thing is that I have it turned down on “1” and there are four speeds. I feel like such a wimp. I have to do this, though, because while hubby was in the hospital, our grass got really high and thick. I’ve worked on it two days, and it’s still not all done. 😦
So now my hands hurt (I’ve had trouble with them for years), my feet hurt, and let’s not even talk about my big toe. I actually hurt it while hubby was in ICU. I stubbed it on the couch in my little cubby hole in the waiting room, and I saw the nail lift up off the nail bed. There was blood and extreme pain. I didn’t mention this before because I was whining so much about all the things that have been happening to me, I didn’t want to mention one more thing. But, hey, it’s my blog and I can cry if I want to mention my toe. Right? So I’ll probably lose my toenail. 😦
Anyway, if you want a funny mental picture so you can have a great laugh, just picture me with my hands glued to the lawn mower and my feet flying out behind me. Okay, so that’s a slight exaggeration, but it does make a funny picture, right?
lauralynnelliott.com 
Poor big toe, hate when I drop something on mine or stub it on something so hard that the nail is damaged and comes off! Hope yours gets better soon.
I remember well my first experience with a rear drive self propelled mower, it was interesting to say the least and now that we once again have a nice riding mower do not miss the walk behind in the least and do not envy your chore after lawn being neglected awhile either Lauralynn.
We’ve always used push mowers, Jackie, even though our lawn is huge and uneven. But as we got older, we decided it was getting to be too much. A riding mower would have been a big expense, so we chose the next best thing, the self-propelled mower. I’m hoping that some day I’ll get used to it. It really was kind of funny the way it kept dragging me along when I was trying to mow in small places (like around my container roses) and forgot to let go of the handle. 🙂
The more you use the mower you get used to it’s power and the tricks to using it correctly.
I am 50 and my husband is 53 and our property is almost an acre and a half of mowing which is pretty straight and level but between the squirrels, armadillos and other critters holes the yard is a minefield of twist your ankle holes. I also have MS and since my job is house and yard chores since I an a housewife the riding mower is a must have. The weed eating alone takes my husband hours on a weekend and the mowing itself once a week takes me over 2 since have trees and ditches that slow me down.
I love to get outside and mow though, it is a mindless chore and I enjoy seeing how nice our property looks freshly manicured! 🙂
We have got to be genetically related. Cause that stuff happens to me all the time….Boy do I have stories and laugh? OMG it’s funny stuff….And yes, I can laugh at that image. You’re a cartoon. And now, off to watch Supernatural!
LOL, Wulfie.
Thanks for the laugh 🙂
Lucky me, I have a very small yard and use an old timey reel mower. No cords to pull, no gas to use, and honestly, I don’t use it, that’s what my son is for.
I almost think the reel mower might be easier. It’s got to be lighter. I’m glad I could give you a funny mental picture.
Ick on the nail! Just reading it brings on a lot of pain. *shivers*
You’re not the only one who’s battled the self-propelling lawn mower. I ended up going across the driveway to the other side of the lawn with mine when I started out. LOL I was so excited when my husband finally came home from Korea so he could mow again and we had a terrible drought the whole summer so he only mowed once. I was mowing twice a week due to all the rain we’d gotten the previous two summers.
At least your husband feels well enough to laugh while he watches you. I know that’s little consolation when you have to think about someone driving by and seeing you. 😀
Good luck with the mowing. I don’t envy you one bit, especially since you have a big and uneven yard.
Those mowers are crazy! LOL. Hubby really tried not to laugh….
Oh, no one can see our yard from the road. A good reason to live way back from the road next to the woods. 🙂