Some of the things that I get myself into lead me on detours down winding roads to memory lane.
I did my grass mowing therapy over the weekend.
I enjoy it. It allows me to unwind and mow up all my problems.
But, it does come with its own set of challenges.
For one thing, there was the high heat and humidity. It was sooo hot and humid. I built in several breaks to hydrate and sit in the shade. It was so hot, though, the shade didn’t want to come out.
I was entertained by my dragon fly friends again. A black one and a green one showed up this time.
But, then, I made a mess.
I somehow managed to mow up my broadband cable.
It wasn't the mower. It was the operator.
I must admit it is hard to get the hang of the zeroturn radius (ZTR) lawn mower every once in a while. I was mowing close to the house. The broadband cable had been fas-tened to the wall, but was taken down, and not tacked back up, during some renovations earlier this year.
I try to mow close and I got up next to the house. I was attempting to turn back to the right, but I made a boo boo. I geed, when I should have hawed.
Daddy did that one time when he was first learning how to work the ZTR. He collided with my air conditioning unit and took out one of the posts in Mama’s clothes line — along with some day lilies or two.
The erratic driving not withstanding, he was in his element that day.
There was no time to be annoyed by the broadband breach, but I was briefly. It did eventually get repaired.
Other things were pressing at the time, like the need for gas in the mower.
Refueling, I pumped a can full of gas and then proceeded to promptly pour part of it on me.
Daddy did that more than once, too. Or, he would load oil or fill batteries at the John Deere shop and get it all over him. Or, he would decide to check the oil or do work that would require you to get dirty when he had on his Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes. Mama often said she couldn't keep clothes for him because he was always ruining what ever pair he had.
One of the other duties of the day was doing some gardening.
At least I was mowing in the daylight.
A thundershower came up and cooled off the blistering heat Friday evening. I needed to cut the okra, but I had to wait until the storm passed. My waiting was also delayed by the need to take a nap, too. I didn’t know I needed it, but woke up an hour later.
I cut okra until I ran out of daylight. I was literally going by feel when I finished the last row.
Daddy always waited until it was pitch black dark to do anything.
I have never been mechanically inclined, but my job was always to fetch the 9/l6th’s wrench and hold the flashlight.
This week will be two whole years since I have talked to Daddy or seen him.
Or, maybe I do catch glimpses of him every day.
I look into the mirror and I see my father's son.
And the memories make me smile.
