About two months ago, I borrowed an old push reel lawn mower from a neighbor. I was tired of paying someone to mow my lawn and I was also looking for a purposeful way to exercise. I gave up running due to sore knees the fall of 2007, and missed the sense of accomplishment I felt after a run. And while I workout at a gym, it's not the same.

Here's a guide to using push mowers and a picture, if you're wondering what I am talking about.

For the first month and a half, the neighbors stopped by and offered to loan me their gas powered lawn mower, or to mow it for pay. I counted at least two offers each time I mowed the front or back yard. Jim suggested that I wear a t-shirt saying "I WANT to do this!"

Now, they stop by and chat for a few minutes *s.*

I really like using the push mower. After a long day of working and especially after a bunch of sales calls *wry look* cutting down grass while listening to my favorite podcast slaughters residual stress.

It's also a really safe way to mow the lawn when I've got Matt and Nick. The last time I mowed the backyard, Nick and Matt began ripping up the weeds next to the fence line. They got bowls of frozen vanilla yogurt as a reward :-)

I've used the neighbors' gas powered lawn mower when my lawn got too long for the push mower. Yes, it worked fine, and no I don't want to use it again. It was noisy, smelly and not much exercise. I'd rather sweat my way through it with a bottle of water, a sweat cloth and a pair of cycling gloves to spare my hands.