Contrasts

Recently, I had read that various gas-powered small engines contribute a lot to air pollution, and really aren't good for the environment. In thinking about how many different small-engines that I had, I realized that it couldn't be good... a lawnmower, a weedwacker, a hedge-trimmer, a chainsaw, a snowblower, and there was nothing that was going to stop me from getting more.

So I went out and I've begun to wean myself off those engines. I went out and bought a reel-mower. I still plan on replacing the weedwacker with an electric model (I can't find an acceptable hand-powered alternative) - I've stopped trimming the bushes with a power trimmer, and instead use shears.

I think the chainsaw will stay - because I use it infrequently and cutting large logs is something its really good at - and so will the snowblower - because I really get sick of shoveling my driveway in the winter. But for the others I don't give up that much by switching to a manual tools.

In fact I think that I might have been missing something in a haze of carbon-emissions. Today I was out mowing my lawn with the reel mower (I've added a grass catcher to the back). And it takes slightly longer to mow the lawn now - the reel mower only cuts about a 12" width - instead of 24" that the old gas guzzler did (although they make a 22" model, but its heavier). But the only thing I heard was a "swish-swish" as it cut grass. That and my 5 year old running around with his play mower making noise "daddy look!"

About the same time my neighbor started his Toro lawnmower. All you could hear was the roar of the engine. And I know that the mowers don't smell good. When we were done you really couldn't tell the difference.

Come to think of it - why do I need a 5 or 6 Horsepower engine when a 1 person-power push mower does the job. I certainly can't imagine hooking up 5 horses to mow my lawn - that just seems like overkill. I might have even got a little more exercise than if I had used the gas powered one.

My wife mentioned the contrast. I think its a good thing - I'm not longer required to be in a world of my own - with a roaring engine and gas fumes while I mow the lawn. Instead everything is normal, except I'm walking along with a "swish-swish" as the grass gets cut behind me.

One Man's Junk...

A while ago, my wife and I bought a nice new microwave. We had one that was about 15 years old. It was huge, and ugly but it worked.

But we had been talking for a while about getting a smaller one, because we don't use it very often. So we went out and bought a $50 small microwave.

We figured we'd sell the old one on Craigslist or something, but never got around to it. My brother-in-law mentioned that my wife's parents could probably use it, because they have a microwave that is over 25 years old, and doesn't work. But they haven't replaced it because the countertop under it was never finished - and they didn't want to have a big unfinished space under it. So because our old one is huge (and works) its perfect for them.

Weird how everything can find a home...