Act II: The Rest of Your Life

This may have a commencement speech vibe to it, but hopefully a little different. However we are entering the summer and graduation season for schools of all levels.

That being said, it is often the beginning of something new in your life.

Many folks have to start over in their careers, love lives, and most anything other than a video game. It's commonly called a second act.

It can be scary and out of your comfort zone but often necessary. You feel a need for greater fulfillment and less burnout. Therefore, it can be quite exciting.

Every end is truly a new beginning. Those getting married are leaving their single lives to become one with that special love. Graduates everywhere are taking that next step in life. Many are even doing second acts on other levels. New homes, showing off their new summer bodies they worked hard for during the winter, and other life improvements and renovations.

Just simply call it a renewal. You took a brief intermission to get your life back on track and now Act II is ready to begin! Lights, camera and action!

How do you feel about second acts? Have you had a lot of personal changes in your life recently?

Basic Lawncare Tips Part One: Pushmower Maintenance

Now that Spring has sprung, it is lawnmowing season once again. This will go on until early Fall. I am set to learn from my past mistakes and even pass on lessons I have learned along the way.

I will be focusing on caring for your push mower, if you utilize one. My hope is I can help those that don't already know, and refresh those that haven't performed this in a while.

1. Make a basic checklist on what to have handy.

This includes fresh gasoline, 30W oil, a funnel, a gas container, two hand towels (one for sweat and one for wiping excess fluids), drain pans,and adequate storage space to protect your mower from rain. One should already have most or all of these items. However, folks will surprise you.

2. Change your oil and gasoline at the beginning of the season, and regularly.

Gasoline isn't usually good after 30 days so only buy what you will use in this timeframe. Also, change your oil and filter (if applicable) about every couple of months. Finally, use your drain pans for flammable liquids such as gas and oil. It is best not to just pour these into the ground, even if you are burning leaves or other waste.

3. Have a couple of repair folks handy.

Keep at least three people on standby who will be reasonably priced and keep your mower functional. I was blessed last season with my primary repairman. He kept my mower mowing, worked with me on expenses, and gave me wonderful tips, many of which I am sharing.

4. Do not overfill the gas or the oil tank.

This especially applies with the oil tank. You can flood the carburetor. Use a funnel and safely pour the proper amount into the tank, after you safely drain it all.

5. Ensure you have the proper mower.

You can go cheap, but remember all mowers are not make equal. Some are best for being glorified weed eaters, while others are better for bigger yards and longer grass.  Do your research and don't buy a mower just because it's the cheapest. Know the type that best suits your cutting needs.

6. Mow regularly, and have someone to assist you.

You don't wanna go more than two weeks, preferably a week, without cutting your grass. Between weather and a busy schedule, this can be a challenge. Therefore, in a pinch, have a good neighbor or a young person wanting to make a few extra bucks waiting in the wings for these tight times.

7. Keep all receipts and warranty records.
Most stores give you an automatic two year warranty. Anything can happen so store all important paperwork safely so you can get to it hassle free.

8. Clean your mower at least once/month

This includes even the tanks, and underneath. That dead grass can build up and a clean motor typically works better. You can set aside one day per month for all of your lawn maintenance.

9. Be proactive regarding any issue.

Grass doesn't stop growing for months, so time is of the essence. Stay on top of your maintenance, cutting and any problems that may arise.

10. Get to cutting!

By now you should have at least one cutting under your belt, depending upon your mower and climate. The grass really starts getting thicker as May approaches so don't waste time.

I hope I have at least helped refresh someone on basic lawncare. Look for more posts of this nature as I continue to learn and grow myself.

How is your push mower acting? Are there any other tips that aren't so obvious that you would add?

This Year's Lawnmowing Season Didn't Cut It For Me

This year was my second full season of cutting grass for my mother, who can no longer do so on a pushmower following her ankle injury early last year. In 2013, the biggest problem I had was the constant rain, and often having to mow the lawn twice/week and even on into it got dark.

I had many more problems this year. I had counted on my mom to get the riding mower fixed. But her mechanic went MIA so around April I simply got gas and oil and began cutting her grass on a bi-weekly basis with the pushmower, weekly when my schedule allowed. And just so you all know, my mother has a huge yard, like half an acre, front yard and back. Cutting her grass, especially with a push mower, is almost like mowing a football or baseball field.

Everything seemed to proceed well until about the end of June when the lawnmower started stopping and stalling. I then put more oil into the mower and make two huge rookie mistakes: not draining the old oil and flooding the carbeuator with excess new oil. Therefore, the lawnmower continued to stall and such every five minutes. I kept having to recrank it by pulling the shaft towards me. Around the 4th of July, I threw out my shoulder and was hampered for a month. I eventually went to the chiropractor and got readjusted.

I then told Mom that I would not cut anymore grass until one or both of those mowers were fixed. We had a couple of people that were generous enough to cut the grass in the meantime. Mom still had no success finding an affordable mechanic. I then sought the assistance of my cousin's boyfriend in Clover who is a jack of all trades and he was affordable.

After he dealt with it on two occasions, once in a drizzle, he fixed it for us and we were so thankful. He took apart the mower and completely cleaned it, had me replace the spark plug and told me what else I needed to do moving forward. I could not allow the grass to get too long due to how sensitive the mower had become, or even wet. I would have to keep a check on the oil and keep fresh oil in there and keep it clean and drained. I would also have to baby and mow with care, not jerk or angle the lawnmower too often. All of his advice paid off and I had a working mower for the rest of the season.

Then Mother Nature interfered.

Fire ants ran rampant near the end of summer. Up to eight hills had surfaced. We had to buy fire ant killer and eventually made our own when all the stores had sold out. Around the beginning of October in the South, the leaves fall more often and the ground starts getting colder. Typically only one more cutting is required at that time. This year I had gotten a touch of the flu the first weekend of October. Last weekend it rained the entire time. During this time, it had also gotten warmer and we even had tornado watches, which made more of the grass grow up again. This past Thursday, despite having to go out and buy more gas and oil, I FINALLY got around to cutting the grass. Hopefully this will be it until next Spring.

I am currently taking all measures to improve the next lawn mowing season. First of all, the riding mower must be fixed. My mother's yard never was meant to be cut with a pushmower. Also, I want to keep the pushmower functional.

Did you have a lot of trouble with your lawn this season or last? Have you gotten in your final cutting of the year yet?

Top 7: Places and Ideas for Spring and Summer dates

The warm weather appears to be here to stay for a few months. Many folks go outside more often and enjoy the beautiful, sunny weather. There are many exciting things to do outside with that significant other. That is my top 7 for this week.

1. Beach

This is always a popular one, especially in my state, home of one of the most famous beaches in the country, Myrtle Beach, SC. You can take a walk alongside the beach as the sun goes down, sit on the sand together, and of course swim together. The list goes on when it comes to the beach. Thus even includes:

2. Picnic

Yes this may seem corny to some. However, simply pack a picnic basket, or have some food available, and just eat outdoors with your better half. Relive your childhood and play on the swings. You can also have picnics at the beach, national parks, even your own backyard if you live in the country like I do.

3. Walk/run together

Getting out and exercising period is simply good for both parties. However, this is a good chance to explore the neighborhood and simply talk. You can even be a little competitive and have a small race with that person. This is all in good fun of course.

4. Festivals

This is another staple in South Carolina, and even parts of North Carolina and Atlanta. It seems there is a festival happening weekly within driving distance. There is typically lots of fun for all ages. One of my best friends actually met his wife at a festival.

5. Going to the river/possibly camping It's hard to go wrong at the river. They are typically free and public. Speaking personally, Broad River in South Carolina has several different areas and parts across the state. It is a relaxing place. You can have a picnic, fish, swim, build a bonfire, go tubing, and just sit back and relax. It's a good load off and very cost effective and practical. You can also camp out at many river spots, making it a mini-getaway. People do not look at the river in this fashion, but there is a lot more than meets the eye. 6. Theme Park (Carowinds , Six Flags, etc)

These can include Carowinds, Six Flags, Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens, or even a standard water park. You get to really see the adventurous side of your mate. Riding the various rides, playing the games, going to shows, etc. It also establishes intimacy as you hold on to that person on the roller coasters and you hold hands as you circle the park.

7. Cookouts

You cannot leave out cookouts when its warm weather. This is something else that usually happens somewhere every weekend. Cookouts are typically one of the most relaxing warm weather gatherings. People playing cards, dancing, playing cornhole, the smell of the delicious food, and just the overall atmosphere. You can even experience this in your own home if you have a grill. Don't wait on a cookout invite to try and show off your grilling skills and invite a few friends over.

The warm weather will last for a few months, but it still flies by.  So get out from under that air conditioner, grab your sunscreen and have some fun outside!

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Cinderellas Give Us Hope In March and for the changing season

I shelved this blog from last year. Now I feel is the appropriate time to blog on this subject with the NCAA tournament in full swing tonight with the First Four, folks filling out their brackets, and watching their favorite teams in this month long college basketball tournament. My team of course is The North Carolina Tar Heels. I want to see them go as far as possible, even win it all. The next most exciting thing about this tourney is the various upsets that occur.

They call these teams Cinderellas. They have arrived at the big dance as huge underdogs, but receive unlimited attention and exposure. Butler has been an ultimate Cinderella the past two years, making the national championship game but falling short.  VCU was also a Cinderella team last year, going from the First Four as a bubble team to the Final Four.

Notable Cinderellas of the past include the College of Charleston, Richmond, Miami of Ohio, Gonzaga, my alma mater Winthrop, Princeton, Valpo, and George Mason. Arguably the most notable was Texas Western (now UTEP). In 1966, they transcended all of basketball by being the first all black starting lineup in NCAA history. They pulled off the impossible, beating the legend Adolph Rupp and his powerful Kentucky team to take the national title.

Cinderellas give us hope, allow us to dream, and to work for our one shining moment. They remind us that hard work and determination does yield results. Just because you're not playing for UNC, Duke, Kentucky, or Kansas doesn't mean you can't play with the big boys. Take Stephen Curry. Four years ago, he was the star on the Davidson Wildcats. Despite having a killer jumper and a father (Dell) that was in the NBA, none of the big schools wanted him. He played so well for three years that he led his school to the Elite Eight in 2008 against eventual champion Kansas. He then was drafted in the NBA 6th overall by the Golden State Warriors. He has been a consistent star ever since. I expect him to have a long NBA career.

It all starts with the mind and the heart. We can not judge that in any of the 68 teams in the field. When they step on the court, anything is possible.

I always get cold chills around this time of year reading about the various stories and being inspired by the underdogs. It give me drive and determination. It helps me to achieve my goals and dreams, and stare adversity dead in the eye.

I'm sure this year's Cinderella will be just as exciting as always. After all, every one wants their time in the spotlight, regardless of how long it lasts

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There is a season, turn, turn, turn,...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6jxxagVEO4

Yes sure there are seasons, no denying that. We have the basic weather seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer (although in certain parts of the USA and world, these can vary), the sports seasons: football, basketball, baseball, racing, golf, etc. There are also fashion seasons, workout plans often devoted to certain seasons, even wedding and breakup seasons. That's a lot of seasoning for something that's not usually even a food item!

Now I'm the type of person that has a hard time going by the traditional diems of a season. I'll start with my workout sessions. Now I'm no fool and I try to be fit and safe. Therefore, when it's sub 40 degrees outside, I'm not going to be outside running. That can wreak havoc on a person's joints, especially at my age. However, I know many folks that choose certain times of year to focus on certain body parts, goals, etc. For example, I know many folks that instead of trying to lose weight at the first of the year like many "Holiday Hoppers" I know, they try in the Spring and Summer, where you will usually sweat more due to warmer conditions. Then you have folks that lift weights and love to spend the winter months building mass. All of this is fine. However, a season shouldn't necessary determine what your workout plans should be, especially if you're in an indoor gym. Climate usually goes out the window then.

Then you have vacations. Many folks like to take vacations during the summer months where it's beautiful and can go to the beach, on cruises, the lake, and such. Plus for those that have children in school, and/or are schoolteachers, it's the easiest time to take time off from work. All of this I understand perfectly. This is why I will usually only take my extended vacations in any month but June, July, August, or September. So many people take that time off, and it's easier to get the time off from work during the other months. Plus, even the hotel and airline industries hike up their rates during peak vacation times. Therefore, it's much cheaper to go during the off-seasons. Also, cruises are dirt-cheap during September-October (hurricane season). I personally don't like to take that risk of going on the Carribean seas when hurricanes are running rampant. Many do, however.

I mentioned in an earlier blog of my passion for grilling. Grilling is commonly done when it's warmer weather outside (April-October). However, there are those that grill year-round, and I'm cool with that of course. I even have a friend whose father once grilled during a blizzard!

Sports makes a lot of sense far as seasons are concerned. Basketball and hockey are more popular as indoor sports when it's more colder and people just want to be inside more. Baseball, softball are better when it's warmer and the grass is alive and green. Football is similar, except it's more of a fall sport. One doesn't want to be out when it's too cold (although football in the snow can be fun), and it's kinda miserable to play and watch football in smoldering temperatures.

My thing is to use common sense when doing any type of activity, and of course availability, cost, etc. Don't let seasons, weather, affect every type of activity you may do. Once again, the two key words are common sense. I won't even get started on those that choose to leave Christmas decorations up year round. That seems to run rampant in the South.

Speaking of the South, it seems there are really 2 and a half seasons instead of four: summer, more summer, fall/winter (with some spring and summer sprinkled in once/month). That really confuses a lot more of the paradigms and theories that folks have when it comes to seasons.