Laurie Mustard / Winnipeg Free Press
Laurie Mustard’s grandson, Ryan, with Jaws the snowblower. This was the first time Jaws was needed to clear snow this year.
There are two words my snowblower Jaws loves more than any other in the entire world.
Colorado low.
Earlier this week, the very second Jaws sensed a Colorado low was headed our way, he ran his tongue over his auger, heaved a happy sigh and started repeating his mantra, "In mah belly, in mah belly, in mah belly."
Y’see, prior to this early March dump, I hadn’t fired up Jaws even once this winter and he wasn’t happy.
Kind of like Cujo without human flesh to tear into.
Thanks to that big dump on Sunday night, on Wednesday, not only did I fire Jaws up, but I doubled the pleasure and doubled the fun by having my very willing grandson, Ryan, 10, take the controls.
This kid can run or drive anything. I bet he could fly a plane if he had to.
So, we blew this crazy heavy snow for a bit, gave Jaws a good feed, then drove him back in the shed and went in the house where we ate pizza and watched the Brier. A great visit all around.
Now, I’m just waiting to go out some evening soon, when I know my neighbour is away, and blow all of the rest of the snow from my yard into his yard.
That also includes the doggy doo that has accumulated all winter, leaving me clean and green much earlier than most of the other yards around here.
It’s a wonderful life.
With spring just around the corner, it’s also time to revive another of my maintenance family members, my dear old 23-horsepower ride ’em mower.
Come to think of it, I’ve never really named my trusty old mower, so I’m thinking maybe... Moe. So original. I’m sure that will soothe him some. It’s good to feel loved and appreciated.
He hasn’t always felt that way, considering the number of times he’s been rode hard and put away wet (borrowed from the equine vernacular), and I feel somewhat guilty about that, mostly because it could soon lead to some costly repairs.
I’ll change his oil and sharpen his blades. That should appease him.
Then he’ll be ready for Ryan to start his mowing career this summer.
He could operate Moe this past year, but he was too light and his legs a little short, so every time he hit a bump, his butt would lift off the seat, making the engine stop.
We just weren’t quite there yet, but the time has arrived. It’s going to be a fun summer. Go, Ryan!
While on the subject of summer and lawn maintenance, just a little heads up here.
NOW is the time to call and book an appointment to have your lawn tractor, lawn mower, weed eater, roto tiller, whatever, gone through and tuned up to be ready to handle the coming workload — without a breakdown.
One which will no doubt be followed by three weeks waiting for it to be repaired during peak maintenance repair season. Do it now and thank me with money if you like. I am not proud.
My two-acre yard requires a fair amount of mowing and maintenance, comfortably doable except in spring and early summer growing season, when by the time you’ve finished a full-yard mow, you pretty much just have to turn around and begin again.
In a year with lots of mosquitoes, that involves a lot of arm waving and cursing.
But hey, whatever it takes. I love the space — semi-country life is great.
I do intend to plant a lot of bushes and shrubs this summer to pretty things up a bit (non-deer-cuisine variety), and I’d love to plant a million or so evergreens, but they’re so slow to grow (and I’m not 25 anymore), and seem so vulnerable to disease. So how many evergreens? Maybe two of a variety that have a great survival track record in our area. So pretty.
Have a great weekend and go check your equipment. It’s always good to be prepared.
Comments or feedback, love to hear from you!
lmustard1948@gmail.com
