Notifications
Clear all
The Lounge
7
Posts
4
Users
14
Reactions
747
Views
Topic starter
29/05/2023 10:32 am
HOPE IS NOT LOST!
Often we hear that our youth and young people are not good. Seems we only hear about the bad ones and because we do, our minds are swayed that the future is bleak for all of us. Then a bright light shines over the horizon and hope is restored.
But first a little back story...
In my neighborhood, I'm continually frustrated with homeowners who don't/won't mow their lawns. Honestly, I just can't grasp how having weeds/dandelions and long grass doesn't bother them. I've come to rationalize that they just don't care. And trying to except that mindset drives me mad. I mean, how can they not care? But it's fact, they don't.
I see this only one way. You buy a home, and with that purchase comes a yard. For me the equation is easy, I will need to have a lawn mower and maintain my property. But I guess that's just me, because obviously by the number of properties that are not mowed (regularly) and maintained are in abundance.
My other logic is, if you are unable to mow and maintain the yard yourself for whatever reason (i.e. health, age, etc.), then you hire someone or a service to mow it for you. And finally, if you are unable to afford to pay someone or have a service mow for you, then perhaps apartment living, a townhome, or a trailer park is better suited for you.
Sorry, but I can't see this any other way! From the time I was 12 years old, I was mowing our lawn. And I did it without being told or ordered to. When I'd look at some of the neighbors lawns that were not mowed, for whatever reason I was able to be tuned in to not wanting our yard to be one of them. And this just in, I also went to several of the houses in my neighborhood and offered to cut their lawns for them...for pay of course. Back then, I'd get $5 a yard. Hey, it was the mid-1960's, so that was a good going rate, and when I did four or five lawns I was a millionaire. 
I also had a paper route back then that taught me about scheduling, delivering prompt and courteous service, and it gave me a lesson on record keeping when collecting payment from my customers.
I also had a paper route back then that taught me about scheduling, delivering prompt and courteous service, and it gave me a lesson on record keeping when collecting payment from my customers. Now as an elderly adult, I still mow my lawn and take pride in my yard being presentable to not only myself, but to my neighbors and the neighborhood I live in. But alas, not all of my neighborhood has this same desire. One neighbor is a Realtor! Yes, I said a Realtor! And folks, his yard is the worst on our block! He doesn't mow, he has junk all over his yard and the weeds are always near knee high. And as a side-note, you'd love the the "duct tape" he has on his broken house windows! Not just a quick fix until they can be replaced, as they've been taped for three years now. His house has real "curb appeal", NOT! There are some other homes in the neighborhood that try to rival him for "yuckiest yard", but more often than not, he's the winner. The others though, come close! Oh, and the neighbor that's the Realtor, he has a "riding" lawn mower! So obviously he's lazy too! I mean, how hard can it be to plop your behind on the seat of the mower and ride it around the yard? That's a serious question folks!
NOW BACK TO THAT "BRIGHT LIGHT THAT COMES OVER THE HORIZON"...
On my front door, hanging on the knob, was a card that reads like this:
"Hi, my name is Charlie. I have been mowing lawns since I was 5 years old. I started my career mowing our small yard in North St. Paul and graduated to a riding lawn mower at my grandparents house who live in Oakdale. I have been mowing our yard on Stillwater Blvd. on a Zero-Turn lawn mower since we moved here 6 years ago when I was 8 years old. I am detail oriented and i like to make straight lines when I mow. You can see my work regularly at 7459 Stillwater Blvd. I'm looking to expand 'First Class Grass', recently partnered with my cousin Andrew and we would like to mow your lawn! Please contact me if interested to discuss a quote".
At the top of his card he has an emoji lawn mower, the words "est. 2022" and then the name of his company, "FIRST CLASS GRASS" with the slogan "No Mow Reason to Mow" underneath it. Followed by his email and phone number.
Doing the math on his age etc. he provides in his statement above, it appears at present he is 14 years old. I'm impressed! This young man is putting forth a good effort to become a great asset to our world. This my friends gives me hope and appreciation that all is not lost for our world when there are good examples like Charlie and his cousin on the horizon.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
29/05/2023 4:33 pm
My neighbourhood has Steve. Steve started cutting lawns and moving snow at age twelve. He worked steadily and well from that point, earning enough to buy equipment and pay his college tuition. After college he went into the lawn business professionally. Now in his 50s he is still going strong and his rates are such, that we have very few ugly lawns in the area.
Every neighbourhood needs a Steve.
Steve Jacobs reacted
Topic starter
29/05/2023 6:05 pm
My neighbourhood has Steve. Steve started cutting lawns and moving snow at age twelve. He worked steadily and well from that point, earning enough to buy equipment and pay his college tuition. After college he went into the lawn business professionally. Now in his 50s he is still going strong and his rates are such, that we have very few ugly lawns in the area.
Every neighbourhood needs a Steve.
Your Steve would be welcome in my neighborhood! I've come to really dislike people that DON'T take care of their yards. I don't care how they want to live, but if they want to live like trash, they need to have their own community.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Steve Jacobs reacted
29/05/2023 11:39 pm
Sometimes...but not too often...I wish my Pam still needed me...
Steve
P.S.
I'm here for the asking ...