above - my new toy. click to enlarge.
The other day I tried blowing my leaves and had a hard time getting my old blower to work, I had to replace all the rubber parts and it started and ran only for a brief time
Sunday we went to a Home Depot to shop for a new blower. We were undecided just what kind of blower I needed – I thought maybe one of those things that fitted on your back like a backpack would look nice. Yessiree! Get me a tool belt to fit low on my hips and the backpack blower, man!
The Home Depot we went to had an Echo that fitted on your back. It even had a rod sticking out on your left with the controls – you wouldn’t have to reach around your back. You could also pretend you are Rocketman!*
However, the price for the Echo back-packing blower was expensive. I tried it on. I think I would feel awkward in it and not sure I would be able to control the blower very well.
By the way the Echo back blower rated high with Consumer Reports. So did a certain electric Toro…. off hand, I forgot the model name – and it was much more cheaper.
Just about every box with an electric blower recommended that no longer than a 100 ft electric cord be used. We wondered why. We also had some more questions. We pressed a button for help. A computerized voice told us we would have help shortly.
After a while a guy with an orange apron walked up looking peeved that we disturbed him. We asked him why everybody recommend you not use an electric cord over 100 feet. He more or less, “Just because” and added that he also recommended that you not use over a 100 feet of cord. Again, we asked him why, and he, in a way, said, “Because I say so.”
He was snappy so we thanked him and he shot the hell away.
The electric Toro was also much lighter in weight. It also had a vacuum and leaf chewer We decided to get it.
At the cash register the cashier asked me was I a veteran.
Am I a veteran? I was tempted to tell her that I just about single handily won the Vietnam war. If it wasn’t for me the Domino Theory/Plan would have completely taken over the free world.
Am I a veteran? Ha! That was a good one.
I said, “Yes”.
She said, “Good! You get a ten percent discount for Veterans Day!”
As a shopper I greedily accepted the 10% discount… however, as a stockholder I felt the need to suggest to her to not give just anybody a Veteran’s Discount unless they could prove they were… “Make them show you their Form DD214.” I wanted to tell her – but I didn’t.
Today my Toro blower worked fine. I herded those leaves around my yard that a pro.
*If you are too young not to have known Saturday serials at the movies then the name Rocketman would make no sense to you, run a google.
Rocketman in the flesh, I mean in the tin.
Bottom Line:
Appreciate your Veterans Today - they are the reason you are free.
And a Happy Vet's Day to you.
ReplyDeleteGlad you saved us from the horrors of Communism (another word for socialism on steroids). Was in the Cold War, myself. Does that mean we saved the world from cold? Actually saved the world from Russian submarines. And today Russian submarines are no longer a threat, so there.
I upgraded from a metal rake with missing teeth (lots of missing teeth here on The Eastern Shore) to a plastic one that works much better. It runs on my overdose of carbohydrates.
Si,
ReplyDeleteI upgraded to a plastic rake last year which is also good for herding the leaves - but just not as fun.
Seriously, I seem to get more done with a blower - it seems to get the job finished more quickly so I can do more important things, like lie on my back and look at the sky and wonder if there is life in outerspace and important things like that.
She's a beaut, Eddie.
ReplyDeleteI bought an electric hedge trimmer last year and a 100 ft extension cord to use with it. I probably had two and a half hedges trimmed before I swung around and cut the extension cord in half with the trimmer. My kids learned a new word that afternoon.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteI did the exact same thing about 20 years ago with a new hedge trimmer. I cut the cord and I haven't used the trimmer since.
I suppose some psychoanalysis could tell me why.
I bought my blower for $25. The only thing I use it for is to blow off the back patio and blow off the roof. Other than that, I rake.
ReplyDeleteEverytime that I walk out into the garage, I stare at the blower - it really should get to work...:)
Deborah,
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the blower working: Today I heard a blower going and looked out the window and my 87 year old neighbor Jim was out blowing leaves with his blower. I think the winds were at a high speed. All the leaves were blowing back on him but that just made him try harder.
I just chuckled.
Then later I saw smoke drift by the window. The guy was burning leaves on this windy day. Then, I got nervous.
But before I could go down and help him he saw it could be hazardous and drowned the fire.
All's well that ends well.