Anyhow, back in October, Mama was out mowing the lawn while I was supervising. I told her to watch out for the edge of that electrical box that is buried in the ground. Did she listen to me?? No... and the blade nicked the corner (you can see the shiny bit).
The lawnmower made a horrible noise and shook really bad and vomited out all the grass clumps from underneath. It didn't sound good.
Nope... not good at all!! The blade had broken!!
Uh-oh... now we need a new lawnmower blade...
Mama went to three big-box stores. Home Depot had no blades for our lawnmower (even thought they sell that specific model!!) and sent us to Home Hardware. They too had no blades and sent us to Canadian Tire (which sells way more than tires!)... There we found an 18" blade that had the right centre hole...
But... it was 2 mm too wide!!! Arghhhh!!!
Seriously Mama... the lawn is getting longer by the minute!! All this rain means it's making up time for the dry season.
Mama looked online but Black and Decker do not ship blades to Canada... and it would take weeks to go through our US pals who might help us out if we begged and pleaded...
What to do... what to do... And then Mama found out that Black and Decker has an authorized service centre here... so we went there... It was down a scary looking back-alley type of street and didn't look promising. Inside there was an old woman and her son surrounded by greasy motors and chain saws. Mmmm.... this could be the intro to a horror story! But... when Mama showed them our lawnmower blade, the guy went into the back and came back with a new one!!! OK... so next time, avoid the big-box stores and head direct for the hole-in-the-wall Mom'n'Pop places!
See!!! A new blade and a new plastic doo-hickie part that holds the blade securely. The orange one was quite worn out...
A bit of wrenching and....
We are back in business!!! The lawn is seriously shaggy now... and dry days are few and far between. But it got mowed... thank goodness!
This is the second time you have been involved in back alley deals this Fall...hmm I wonder what is next for you?
ReplyDeleteMy roommate had to get a new blade a couple of years ago, it was a hassle as well. This year we had to get a new tire for the lawnmower, that was an easy fix.
Hmmm... good point! But then I'm Sherlock traversed many a back alley in his day!
DeleteA new tire - that sounds like more of a hassle than a blade!
that's what i was going to say.. back alley deals for bread and now lawnmower blades...
ReplyDeleteSometimes a little bear's gotta walk the dark side of back alleys... at least if he's hanging out with Gramma... or wants a new lawnmower blade...
DeleteI think you should start a tour company for stuffies. You could have a garden tour for a certain little bear in the Midwest (perhaps Butchart Gardens), then offer a back alley bread tour for another certain bear in the Midwest. I will sign up for the hiking tour of Vancouver Island and Ajdin might like the "grand tour" which could include all of your tours.
DeleteFor more adventurous stuffies you could offer the back alley tours of Canada. You know the lawnmower shop, the bread alley, and the seedy area you blogged about when you went to Vancouver.
Ooohhhh... I like that idea!! And for Hammie there could be the Beach tour... and for Beanie, the artist's shops tour and maybe mudlarking on our beaches or visiting old coal mines! Must do up a brochure...
DeleteThose tours sound fun too. Sign me up
DeleteI like this!!!! Stuffie Tours Inc.......
DeleteBut you can only Mudlark on the banks of the River Thames though. If it's a beach, that's beachcombing.
Oh course there would be salmon fishing too... for those who like salmon. And maybe cheese factory tours.... and I could throw an apiary in, if anyone is interested?
DeleteRighto - beachcombing it is!
Oh... and maybe a winery or two...
DeleteA great job Sandy! Ben asks how good are you at repairing espresso machines? hehe
ReplyDeleteEr.... probably not beary. Mama says if you want good espresso... go to Starbucks!
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