Ending an Abusive Relationship ****Now with critical UPDATE*****

[duckboy]

I met her about 10 years ago,

In a shopping center.

She was in the Garden Section, just standing there.


I wateched her out of the corner of my eye, and thought that perhaps it was time I made my move.

I counted to 10, and took a deep breath, and approached her.

We left the Mall arm in arm.



At first, things were great,

She helped me around the house, Was eager to spend time with me on the weekends, and even in the evenings throughout the long June of our first year.

We spent so many good times then, the sun on our backs, the sounds of the crickets chirping. The way she'd almost purr when we'd have idle time.

Then came the injury.


Somehow she hurt herself while we were working in the garden. That is when I noticed the problems started.

At first, she was sluggish, and blamed me for all kinds of issues.

Claimed I was "pushing her too hard".

I loved her and just needed her help, I wasn't trying to chip away at her spirit, my god, my life revolved around her.

Every moment of my free time, feeding her, Consoling her, and spending time with her in the garden.


We went to the specialists, and they claimed that she was fine, "just needed to tone up, tighten up and basically quit smoking.


I did all i could do to encourage this.

We bought a new air filter, stayed out of the garden when it was hot and dry, really worked hard to make a go of it.


I fed her specialized diets, gave her all kinds of attention, but, nothing seemed to be good enough.

Some days,she'd refuse to even try.

She'd lay there in the dark.

I'd pull on her to coax her on, she'd ghasp and wheeze,

Sometimes she'd pretend like she was going to get up and go.


Then we tried the drugs.

I was at wits end, and she claimed they'd help her feel better..

I did what I could to find them for her, sometimes they'd help. Sometimes she'd get right up and Go, but in the last year or two, she would only wheeze, and cough and give me that look.


I tried getting blackmarket stuff for her... things that no store would carry, and some of the time, I'd have to make my own concoctions for her.

She'd wake up and smile, and at times we'd reminisce the "good ol days" back whenshe was strong and healthy, and we had endless days of June.

Just recently,she decided to give it up, I was heart broken.


Her heart would pump, and her energy level seemed good, but she started smoking again, and I think that is when she really cashed in.

I talked to my neighbors about her, and people could tell that something was wrong.

The yard started to go to hell, and she didn't come out much anymore.


Recently she decided to join us for a day out in the yard.

I was thrilled, the kids came out and cheered her on, we even posed for a picture.
























I tried to pull her out to the lawn ( a favoite place) but she rolled away from me, forlorn.




I pulled and pulled, but she just gave up. Refused to respond, So I limped her back into the dark of the place she chose to stay (the garage)



Today, after much urging from friends and neighbors, I was able to muster the courage to, "put myself out there"


I met a new partner today.


She is a hard worker, and is willing to pull me rather than me push her.

She is better looking.

Has more energy,

And even the kids like her.




So today, I made a giant leap forward.

Met someone I can depend on, and most of all,

I ended my abusive relationship.







********UPDATE**********


I recieved an email from my friend Doug Engebo,

He mentioned the sorry state of affairs of my Mower.

Todd,

No wonder she didn't want to be with you anymore. She didn't feel special. She's got one goofy wheel in the back, a wheel all out of whack in the front and she's covered in dirt. What do you expect from her, miracles???? Did you ever try to replace the spark in your relationship??? Todd, honestly, I expect more from you.

Doug

My retort was:

She has good spark, and fires up most times on 1 pull, it is all of the ancillaries (the wheels that never were able to be tightened up, or made to track straight, the handle which must be pushed when mowing, but seems to fold in on itself if I push too hard, the flywheel cover which flies off and of course, the back wheel which was broken when the plastic spoked rear wheel snapped a couple of spokes (the old wheel just tacoe’d on any left hand turn.

Sears no longer makes the mower, and I was unable to find a a rear wheel replacement anywhere in the Portland area that was remotely close to the right diameter.

I tried gluing and splinting the spokes, I tried hose clamps and shims… It was quite an ordeal.


She may rise again,
Like the Phoenix rose from its own ashes.

Like the Southland in a Skynrd song,

Perhaps as a go-cart,
Running its circuit on a hot asphalt track.

But never on my lawn.

Tennyson:
Take it easy, be a sport, Just remeber life is short.
If you've got to take it, Take it easy .......Fats Waller

[CATCH AND EAT]

Ever seen "The Lawnmower Man"?

[Chrome Bumper]

Toro, what a sleek redhead, but still a Briggs at heart. It might last for a while, but youth will pass and you will be lusting for another. You will find yourself one day pushing harder than ever.

I am spending time with a new chevy.... I just don't know how to tell my trusty old ford. Not exactly trusty, but she tries.

[PapaHog]

I can feel your pain of loosing an old friend and your joy at getting a new friend.

I have had a love hate relationship with my helper in the yard, in fact she is so cantankerous that it seemed like one of my wives come back to live with me.

She is hard to get started on the yard work and has been since she was just a youngen. Even took her to a specialist and he said she was great and would do much better on getting started. Wrong.

I still pull and pull and pull some more. I get mad and go for another cup of coffee hoping she will be in a better mood a little later in the morning. Maybe she is not a morning individual

My grandson came over (afternoon) and said he would help her with the yard work and he did all the things right. Coached her out of the garage. Pumped on her little bubble to see how she felt and Dang if she did not start to do yard work with just one pull.

She still won't do yard work for me so I just call my grandson and he gets her going and helps her around the yard doing the work.

I will keep her because I don't have to help her anymore. My grandson is on a once a week schedule to help her do the yard work

Now that is true JOY.

[Jennie@ifish]

You had me going!

[Small Fry]

I was with you all the way, Til the air cleaner. Ya got me. Good story.

[Trick]

I thought he was talking about a plant until the smoking....then I was lost.


That was good!

[IDWITHELD]

Duckboy you had me going.
Nice creative writing.

[Spoonplugger]

Pretty funny! You had me going too!

[Mad Mikey]

Originally Posted by duckboy

I met her about 10 years ago,

In a shopping center.

She was in the Garden Section, just standing there.


I wateched her out of the corner of my eye, and thought that perhaps it was time I made my move.

I counted to 10, and took a deep breath, and approached her.

We left the Mall arm in arm.



At first, things were great,

She helped me around the house, Was eager to spend time with me on the weekends, and even in the evenings throughout the long June of our first year.

We spent so many good times then, the sun on our backs, the sounds of the crickets chirping. The way she'd almost purr when we'd have idle time.

Then came the injury.


Somehow she hurt herself while we were working in the garden. That is when I noticed the problems started.

At first, she was sluggish, and blamed me for all kinds of issues.

Claimed I was "pushing her too hard".

I loved her and just needed her help, I wasn't trying to chip away at her spirit, my god, my life revolved around her.

Every moment of my free time, feeding her, Consoling her, and spending time with her in the garden.


We went to the specialists, and they claimed that she was fine, "just needed to tone up, tighten up and basically quit smoking.


I did all i could do to encourage this.

We bought a new air filter, stayed out of the garden when it was hot and dry, really worked hard to make a go of it.


I fed her specialized diets, gave her all kinds of attention, but, nothing seemed to be good enough.

Some days,she'd refuse to even try.

She'd lay there in the dark.

I'd pull on her to coax her on, she'd ghasp and wheeze,

Sometimes she'd pretend like she was going to get up and go.


Then we tried the drugs.

I was at wits end, and she claimed they'd help her feel better..

I did what I could to find them for her, sometimes they'd help. Sometimes she'd get right up and Go, but in the last year or two, she would only wheeze, and cough and give me that look.


I tried getting blackmarket stuff for her... things that no store would carry, and some of the time, I'd have to make my own concoctions for her.

She'd wake up and smile, and at times we'd reminisce the "good ol days" back whenshe was strong and healthy, and we had endless days of June.

Just recently,she decided to give it up, I was heart broken.


Her heart would pump, and her energy level seemed good, but she started smoking again, and I think that is when she really cashed in.

I talked to my neighbors about her, and people could tell that something was wrong.

The yard started to go to hell, and she didn't come out much anymore.


Recently she decided to join us for a day out in the yard.

I was thrilled, the kids came out and cheered her on, we even posed for a picture.
























I tried to pull her out to the lawn (your favoite place) but she rolled away from me, forlorn.




I pulled and pulled, but she just gave up. Refused to respond, So I limped her back into the dark of the place she chose to stay (the garage)



Today, after much urging from friends and neighbors, I was able to muster the courage to, "put myself out there"


I met a new partner today.


She is a hard worker, and is willing to pull me rather than me push her.

She is better looking.

Has more energy,

And even the kids like her.




So today, I made a giant leap forward.

Met someone I can depend on, and most of all,

I ended my abusive relationship.

Great write up but I knew you were up to something based on previous reads from you...... You definitely have the soul of a writer.

Very good!

Keep it up........

[24 on/ 48 off]

BRAVO! Excellence!

--spud--

[Fast Water]

Good stuff there DB!

Very good.

[garyk]

In your sort of relationship(s), the real secret to making it work is .........................

"keep those mower blades sharp!" *



* from a Genesis song.

[Skipper Cole]

Thanks alot man, I needed that...
HILARIOUS!!!

[Matthewc]

lol

[SalmonJeff]

that was awesome!

[Nightfisher]

wasn't at all what I expected. I actually started feeling sad.

[babeinthewoods]

Todd- I loved it...I hope things are much better with your new partner.

[P8ntballrman]

ohh sure after all the hours she's spent working in the yard and helping around the garden..... she gets a little under the weather and you just replace her with a younger long handled redhead...........

If only all of lifes answers were that easy:grin:

Great story man keep them coming.:lurk:

[Hunt'nFish]

....Oh brother!

Watch out for them red heads....they are moody.
Hunt'nFish

[AuntyM]

In a few more years, you're going to wish you'd met one that could carry you around when you get old and worn out.

[flyfisherwoman923]

Wow, I have heard a lot about abusive relationships, ever consider counseling?? Maybe you were just not enough man for her??!!! I hope in the future that her new redheaded replacement is teated better and that there is more spark for the two of you. oh, and you REALLY need to get a life. hehehehe : )

[fishbait]

Good one...........

Hope all is well


FB

[Chrome Bumper]

Originally Posted by flyfisherwoman923

Wow, I have heard a lot about abusive relationships, ever consider counseling?? Maybe you were just not enough man for her??!!! I hope in the future that her new redheaded replacement is teated better and that there is more spark for the two of you. oh, and you REALLY need to get a life. hehehehe : )

Did you mean "treated"!? Is that a typo spell check missed?

[Chrome Bumper]

Duckboy, Duckboy, Duckboy. Alas, you could have dated some riders before commiting, good luck.

[Spoiled Daddy]

Originally Posted by P8ntballrman

ohh sure after all the hours she's spent working in the yard and helping around the garden..... she gets a little under the weather and you just replace her with a younger long handled redhead...........

If only all of lifes answers were that easy:grin:

Great story man keep them coming.:lurk:

I have a old red head at home that just won't quit! She's been keeping my yard spiffy for over 12 years. She just needs a little massage once in a while, with a good lube and a little TLC. Best pusher I have ever owned. You'll get tired of her before she wears out.

Great story!

the Spoiled Daddy

[arcman46]

Originally Posted by flyfisherwoman923

Wow, I have heard a lot about abusive relationships, ever consider counseling?? Maybe you were just not enough man for her??!!! I hope in the future that her new redheaded replacement is teated better and that there is more spark for the two of you. oh, and you REALLY need to get a life. hehehehe : )

that was cold

[fishkisser]

You had me goin for awhile there ...

[bassettmama]

Great story, it was wonderful, hope you love your new helper as nuch as the last one.