Remember When?

For many of us in the states our lawn mowing days will soon be coming to an end.  For our friends in Australia, Spring is just arriving and lawn mowing days just beginning.

As mush as I love the smell of freshly cut grass it’s always nice to have a break from that weekly chore.

Yes, most of us would consider it a chore.  But, do you REMEMBER WHEN lawn mowers looked like this?

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They required no gas or electricity, just a lot of man (or woman) power.   Now that’s a chore!  Have any of you ever mowed with a push mower?  I have.

I have two vintage push mowers.  Both of them sport a bit of my favorite color, red.  Earlier this year this one was buried behind Larkspur.  Notice the bits of green in the dirt?  Larkspur already coming back.

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Sweet wheels.

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A couple of weeks ago I picked up this cute music book at D.I.

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I was thumbing through the pages when this song caught my eye.

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I like to hear the mover, Ric-a-tic-a-tic,     ric-a-tic-a-tic,

As it goes fast and slow – er,    Ric-a-tic-a-tic-a-tic-a-tic-tic-tic.

The whirl –ing blades are bright and keen:  It leaves our lawn all smooth and green.  I

like to hear the mow – er,    Ric-a-tic-a-tic,    ric-a-tic-a-tic.

Ric-a-tic-a-tic-a-tic-a-tic-tic-tic.

 

I wonder what the Lawn Mower song would say if it was written for todays mowers?

My mowers have now become yard art. Their blades are not so bright and keen.  I wonder if they miss making that sound of ric-a-tic-a-tic?

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Hugs,

Jann

p.s  I would like to thank Boogieboard Cottage for featuring my Art Board from last weeks link party.  I so appreciate it!!

I will be partying with:

Angie for Knick of Time Tuesday

Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Sue at It's a Very Cherry World for Rednesday

A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday

Fishtail Cottage for Cottage Garden Party

Coloradolady for Vintage Thingie Thursday

Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

31 comments

Carlene @ Organized Clutter said...

I think the old push mowers are great yard art but wouldn't want to use them!

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

Oh "YES" I have used those push mowers...I LOVE the old ones and "Want One Again"...Of course not to mow all my acreage BUT I would love to have it for a quick touch up here and there(does that make sense)(either that or get a cow on a leash and move her around,hehe)... Oh "YES" I do have the old mowers on my garden wish list! AND I know I will not settle for one either...
Thank you so much for your wonderful post. I've really enjoyed it!
Have a fun week,
Hugs,
Donna

Unknown said...

Just so you know, I don't think it is just turning to spring in Canada

Glenda/MidSouth said...

I remember those push mowers well ! Have pushed one many times.
My geography is failing me - Where in Canada is just now experiencing Spring. I know Australia and New Zealand are just starting the Spring season.
Enjoy your evening.

Tami Von Zalez said...

Not only do I remember, I still use a push mower - Can't get the hang of anything electric or gas.

thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

LV said...

I definitely remember these old mowers. I still do my yard and enjoy very much. However, I do not have the strength I used to have, so it starts with a key. I would never be able to push one of the older ones now.

NanaDiana said...

Yep- I used one of those old push mowers when I was a kid- what a hard job that was. I did the front lawn and someone else did the back because that was a hill. I still have one of the old ones, too.

I mow with a John Deere and I will be kind of sad to put it away soon- xo Diana

Chenille Cottage said...

Hi Jann!
Just look at those two old beauties! Yes, I have used a push mower. When I was in my 20s and 3 days past my due date with my first child...I was willing to do anything to get the labor process started. So...You guessed it! I pulled out the push mower and mowed my front yard (at my husband's protest)...and, it worked! Within hours I was in the hospital being told to "push"!
Thought I'd share this silly bit of my story with you...
Hugs and smiles, too!
Carolynn xoxo

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

Jann, we never had one of those but I do so love the look and that one is fantastic! My mowing days will not be over for some time here in Florida. Good thing I need the exercise and love the scent of fresh cut grass!
Liz

Anonymous said...

We had one of these old push mowers sitting in our garage for years. My dad not realizing people like old stuff one day gave it to my young cousin who had an obsession with lawn movers. He always asked dad to drive him around on our riding mower, but would settle for dad letting him push this mower around our yard.

Sadly, my cousin's parents knew the value of antiques. We saw it at their house once, then it was never seen or mentioned again. I think they sold it. Now that I'm blogging, I really wish I had it now.

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

I still know a few gents who mow their lawns with those oldies but goodies.

We have 2 acres so there is no WAY, good excercise or not, fuhgettaboutit!

Neat you found that song, how perfect for this post!

Kris said...

Hi Jann. Looks like you are getting ready for Fall. Still too darn hot here! We have been up at the lake enjoying much cooler temps.
LOVE the push mowers. My Daddy used to use one. I remember it well!!!
XO Kris

Cottage and Broome said...

Jann, I have to confess, when we first moved to the cottage I bought a reel mower and for 2 years mowed my double lot with it! It took me about three hours to mow the lawn but but it was a real conversation starter with my new neighbors. I'm sure they thought I was nuts! But believe me it was a great work out! Laura

Pam said...

I remember having one of the old mowers...Wow what great exercise if you could last for more then 10 mins. So grateful we have mowers now that do most of the work for us! Too hot here in Kansas all summer! Thank's for the good old days memories, Jann! xoxo's Pam

Heirloom treasures said...

We live in Australia,but no lawns to mow. We dug them out a few years ago to save on water. We don't miss them,as we can now grow lots of flowers and veges instead. Love the look of the old hand mowers,we had one when we were first married. Very hard work as I remember.x

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Oh yes, I remember having one of those old push mowers when I was a kit. I would like to have one now for a yard ornament.

Linda said...

I have not only used one, but owned one as the only mower I had! We had a very small yard, and not much money, so we found one of these at a yard sale. I do not miss cutting grass with them, but I also don't like the smell of the gasoline from the one we have now, so, guess it is a tradeoff!

Linda said...

Yes I remember my Dad having one of these and we have a neighbour that still uses one today. Earth friendly.
Linda

Kate said...

Hi Jann
Oh yes I remember pushing that around, but it sure looks better as yard art for sure. I love how it fits perfect in your garden. see you at share your cup!

xo
Kate

Jeannie Marie said...

We no longer mow (praise the Lord) but hire it done these days. I pushed many a lawn mower such as you pictured and we began our married life with one! Happy Rednesday!

Stephanie said...

I have one of those mowers out front for lawn art too. I actually remember mowing with one of those as a kid. We lived in the city and our "lawn" was about 12 square feet. It didn't take long.

LindyLouMac said...

How lovely that you still have the old mower which I certainly remember.

SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...Pernilla said...

lol We used to have a push mower when I grew up in the 1970s/80s - I was happy to use that one, but when my dad puchased a modern one I stopped helping out :D

The Farmers Daughter said...

I saw one of those push mowers in the loft of our barn--2 years ago? I bet it's still there! You make it sound fun--Should I try it? Hmmmmm Maybe next year. . .But, it WOULD look great in my garden!

The Boston Lady said...

I never mowed a lawn until I was married, owned a house and was about 30 years old, so I've always used the "new-fangled" mowers. However, I love the look of those old push mowers, and how much quieter they must be! Now wonder an adorable little song was written about them. Thanks for making me smile. Ann

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

I remember those lawnmowers...I vaguely remember my dad sharpening the blades...Now, I would not mind cutting the grass with those old push mowers...It's the gas mowers I stay away from!!...Love your vintage mower!

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

I have a reel mower! And I have a post about it being held together with duck tape this summer :)

I know that you are not really supposed to put links in a comment but I think you'll get a laugh ...just go here and scroll down and see my mower! :)

http://www.thehomespun.com/trumpet-vines-reel-mowers-and-duck-tape/

Rose L said...

Ah, yes, I remember them well. I thought they were great, but I was not the person doing the mowing! What I liked about them is how much quieter they were than what we have now! And they were small and did not take up a lot of room. You didn't have to buy gas for them or batteries or provide electric plug ins. You just pushed! When I grew up most of the husbands would mow on Sundays and Weds. to keep it from getting so thick that it was difficult.

Ann said...

I love using vintage tools in my landscape. The old red mower is my favorite and I love using them for a trellis. How cute to find that music book with the GREAT song. Now thats a good vintage item!!!
happy thursday
Ann

Fishtail Cottage said...

i love a little nostalgic junk in the garden...your mowers are so full of character! love it! thank you for linking up to this weeks garden party over here at Fishtail Cottage! xoxo, tracie

Kathy said...

They still sell these kind of lawn mowers - my husband was asking the assistant at a hardware store - he said they're good for golf course type grass - love your vintage look - great whimsical garden vignette - I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy

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