A guy in my town thinks it should be banned.

Some excerpts from his petition:

A few words to try to explain the importance of the stopping of all construction work residential and commercial including lawn mowing and yard work on Sunday...Sunday would be a day we could reflect our thoughts on the soldiers who risk their lives every minute for our freedom and way of life.

Our nation is burdened with war. The heartland is being torn up by tornadoes. The West and South are burning and flooding at the same time. Let us as a community and as people have the courage to stand up and do the proper thing which will restore dignity, repsect, and peace into our town of Butler on Sunday.

This doesn't have a chance in h3ll of passing but what is he thinking?
Apparently he doesn't realize he lives in a town of commuters that need both days of the weekend to complete do-it-yourself jobs around the house.

I suppose there's one in every town.

Although I don't believe it should be a law I can certainly sympathize with the individual. Everywhere we go we're surrounded by noise caused by individuals who have no concept of the greater good (people yelling into cell phones, booming car stereos with open windows, leaf blowers). Even in airports it's now difficult to find a place to sit where some TV isn't blaring with some idiot announcer trying to scare people about car accidents, medical problems, wars, moron heads of state, etc.

Declaring at least one day to be one of peace and quiet could actually improve the world significantly. People might even take time to think!

I applaud this individual's way of thinking, but, as you said Discordian, in this day and age of commuters and families with multiple jobs, soccer practice, ballet lessons, etc., the only time most of us have to do work around the house is on the weekend.

Is this individual retired out of curiousity?

I applaud this individual's way of thinking, but, as you said Discordian, in this day and age of commuters and families with multiple jobs, soccer practice, ballet lessons, etc., the only time most of us have to do work around the house is on the weekend.

Is this individual retired out of curiousity?


I dunno. I have a load of questions I'd like to ask him.
like:
1) does he work?
2) If so, does he commute?
3) Does he have children? How old?
4) Does he use a lawn service?
5) I simply can't mow my lawn after work with a baby and 4 year old. If I usually mow my lawn on Saturday, what if it rains? Will I have to wait another week?

I'd rather deal with a neighbor mowin the lawn for a 1/2 hour on Sunday than at 8:00 on a weeknight when we're trying to put the baby to sleep.

Most properties in this town are only about 1/4 acre. Mowing doesn't take that long.

I've lived in towns of this size and character my whole life and BOTH Saturday and Sunday have always been work around the house days.

Are you allowed to mow your lawn on Sunday?Certainly... I appreciate a bit of peace and quiet as much as anyone, and I dont like to have to use hearing protection when I work in the garden. Consequently, I use a contraption similar to the one in the enclosed picture. Nobody complains about any noice, and I get a bit of excercise. There is no trouble getting it started either... ;)

Now: Some people have socking great gardens and have to use motorized equipment, but most of us don't really need powered tools for everything we do...

/Claes

I grew up in a small (6000 people) midwestern town where there was an unwritten rule against mowing on Sundays. In the 70's there was one (disreputable ;)) convenience store open on Sundays, but none of the major grocery stores an only a couple gas stations and restaurants. On Sunday mornings you couldn't get a parking ticket anywhere near a church. (It got so bad they had to announce in church that people shouldn't park in areas that blocked-in the ambulance garage :mg:- but I still don't think anyone got a ticket). No one would ever have considered scheduling kids sports on a Sunday afternoon, let alone Sunday morning. Until perhaps a decade ago, even Walmart wasn't open on Sundays, and when they did, leaders from one of the more conservative churches actually staked out the parking lot looking for members who would dare shop on a Sunday.

That has pretty much all passed by now, and it may have been a little extreme, but I can sympathize with people who wish for a simpler time when there wasn't so much pressure to be working every day of the week.


Tim F

Consequently, I use a contraption similar to the one in the enclosed picture. Nobody complains about any noice, and I get a bit of excercise. There is no trouble getting it started either...

I use the same kind of push mower, Claes, although to save money on fertilizer, I've contemplated buying a goat (input = grass and output = fertilizer). However, city bylaws refrain me from acquiring such an environmentally friendly option. ;)

I use the same kind of push mower, Claes, although to save money on fertilizer, I've contemplated buying a goat (input = grass and output = fertilizer). However, city bylaws refrain me from acquiring such an environmentally friendly option. ;)

I have an electric powered mower (by extension cord, not battery) and it is amazingly quiet.

I'd be glad to refrain from mowing my lawn on Sunday. So, which day is this guy coming to my house to mow during the week? If he has any conviction behind his ideas, that is what he would do. Why, just think of all that contemplation time he would have while pushing away on my lawn.

I'd be glad to refrain from mowing my lawn on Sunday. So, which day is this guy coming to my house to mow during the week? If he has any conviction behind his ideas, that is what he would do. Why, just think of all that contemplation time he would have while pushing away on my lawn.

Some speculation among my neighbors is that he owns a lawn service.
Doubtful, but wouldn't that be interesting?

Can't you reflect our thoughts on the soldiers who risk their lives every minute for our freedom and way of life- while mowing the lawn?

Can't you reflect our thoughts on the soldiers who risk their lives every minute for our freedom and way of life- while mowing the lawn?

Those same soldiers fought for my freedom for separation of church and state and not be forced into recognizing a "sabbath day" if I don't want to - even if this guy doesn't use such a phrase his agenda is obvious.

Am I getting too political now?

Sunday is a work day on the kibbutz and the grass is mown by the gardeners.
There is/was a general ordinance in Israel that between 14:00 and 16:00 kids etc were not allowed to play outside.
I am not sure what the status is now

Or how about we recognize that the ability for us to mow our lawns - to have a lawn - is partly due to what these people have done for us (past and present)?

We also own one of those "man-powered" push mowers. I bought it on a whim after we found it at one of the big box home improvement stores. My kids had never seen one and I explained that I used to mow my grandparents lawn with one. The kids still use it once in a while for some touch up work and trimming. Unfortunately, with 5+ acres, we would just get done in time to (maybe?) start over again.:lol:

I contemplate on the world's state of affairs just fine from the seat of my lawn tractor. Actually, it is the only place where I can be certain that nobody will bother me for fear of being pressed into service. I never mow before church, but Sunday afternoon is fair game. I try for Saturdays but sometimes I just cannot get the schedules to mesh.

But, on the other hand, I live in the country, and my little 21 horse lawn tractor just really isn't very noisy compared to the huge cotton pickers or peanut machines that will soon be gracing our neighborhood, pretty much 24/7 untill harvesting is over. I find the sound of large farm equipment quite soothing and reassuring. After all, that means that there is something to harvest and money will be available for families in our area. But, heck, I don't see anything wrong with somebody owning a goat either. ;) You can also add milk and possibly meat to your list of outputs.

I have an uncle who tried to go the goat route. One day his wife was in the yard and bent over to pick something up. The goat scored a direct hit.

Uncle Joe was soon pushing the old lawn mower again.

I have an uncle who tried to go the goat route. One day his wife was in the yard and bent over to pick something up. The goat scored a direct hit.

Uncle Joe was soon pushing the old lawn mower again.
I could really hi-jack the whole thread with goat stories. They are a familiar companion animal in the horse world. They climb on or over, everything, love to butt anyone in their immediate area, and they stink to high heaven. They also will get into anything that is not padlocked shut, and did I mention that they stink? Other than that, well, shucks, there just isn't much left for their defense, is there?:lmao:

They climb on or over, everything, love to butt anyone in their immediate area, and they stink to high heaven.

I thought for a moment that you were referring to girls I dated before I was married.

If you really want to be fair to everyone, we should ban them all on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Fridays for Moslem holy days, saturdays For Jewish, and Sundays for Christian.

I am sure there would be a couple of religions I missed,Really sorry.:confused:

So if we go with that train of thought, we have one day of the week, if its not taken by some other religion already to mow tha lawn, play in the park, listen to music,... or work. :bonk:

His reasoning for Sunday is way too religious to make it. Not even getting into the religion thing, or politics (war stuff), or anything else. Seems every week I try to mow, it rains...

In my neighborhood, they want people to mow as much as possible! We are talking about KY, you know...:tg:

Jerry
He can come mow my lawn on Saturday. I'd rather outlaw loud obnoxious stereos in my area.

They climb on or over, everything, love to butt anyone in their immediate area, and they stink to high heaven. They also will get into anything that is not padlocked shut, and did I mention that they stink?

You know, I think I've had some auditors like that....;) :notme: :rolleyes:

I could really hi-jack the whole thread with goat stories. They are a familiar companion animal in the horse world. They climb on or over, everything, love to butt anyone in their immediate area, and they stink to high heaven. They also will get into anything that is not padlocked shut, and did I mention that they stink? Other than that, well, shucks, there just isn't much left for their defense, is there?:lmao:

Steel,

Having kept goats as companions for my dogs, I must disagree with your statement "they stink to high heaven". I have found (being the farm girl I am) there are animals that are suitable as pets in the "intelligence" division, i.e. pigs, yet stink to high heaven as a basic principle of their gastrointestinal processes. (Note the process linkage -- once an auditor, always an auditor)

This past week I had the opportunity to work in Monterrey, MX. They have a lovely saying... "if you haven't ___ (fill in the blank), you haven't been to Monterrey." Well, there is a delightful restaurant "El Rey de Cabrito"... and if you have been to Monterrey and missed this delightful place near the MacroPlaza.. you haven't been to Monterrey. Connection to mowing lawns.... translation is "The King of Baby Goat" and the menu is baby goat, cooked gaucho-style... mmmmmm, the best meal I have had this year!

Now, I can officially say that I have tasted every pet that I ever owned.

As for mowing on Sunday, I have no clue when the lawn guys do their thing --- as long as I arrive home and the grass is not waist high, all is good! BTW, am a Catholic that lives in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood... The neighbors have not complained yet.

Sunday is a work day on the kibbutz and the grass is mown by the gardeners.
There is/was a general ordinance in Israel that between 14:00 and 16:00 kids etc were not allowed to play outside.
I am not sure what the status is nowJust substitute "Sabbath" or "Shabbas" for Sunday and you get the flavor of the altercation (imagine Hassidim versus folks who work on the Sabbath.)

One day his wife was in the yard and bent over to pick something up. The goat scored a direct hit.:lmao: I can imagine the scene...

/Claes

OK, I'll begin:

:mad: Well does this moron not realise, the freedoms we have because of those brave soldiers? Freedom to carry out our lives as we wish (within reasonable limits) and why should this not include mowing the lawn!

I am sure the poor sods in I-RAQ and Afghanistan would rather be at HOME mowing the lawn! The sound of a mower, petrol or electric, is probably a lot more welcome than machine gun fire and road side explosions!

He is right, the WORLD is burdened enough with WAR and Poverty without idiots like him burdening us with more BIG BROTHER rules and regulations there to make us conform to a mould that some people feel we should conform to!

It's a lawn mower for goodness sake, would you rather have armoured personnel carriers and tanks running down your street? I cannot stand someone using big issues like war and religion to try and ban something that is a minor annoyance in their own puny mind! We tend to call them NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) and in this case I think that is more than appropriate.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a religious person, and I have no issue with those who do choose to follow a faith. I have issues with idiots like that! Not on religious grounds but on grounds of annoying people with too much time! :mad:

Ahh that's better....... Just so you know, I am allowed to cut the grass on a Sunday and it takes all of about 20 mins to complete the job!

But, heck, I don't see anything wrong with somebody owning a goat either. ;)

Try sheep. My 10 acres are home to a very decorative flock of Shetland Sheep. No mowing - and sheep don't climb fences. Occasionally I will borrow a goat from my neighbor to keep the thistle under control, but the minute the goat starts eyeing the fence, back she goes. Oh, and I no longer have to deal with poison ivy, rosa rugosa, or berry vines everywhere.

And if you get tired of them (or too many of them) you can always eat them. Try that with your John Deere!:lmao:

Having grown up in West Michigan when the blue laws were still in effect, I can appreciate not having to worry about whether or not I can mow on Sunday.

Gail

I also used one of those nice non-powered mowers when I was young. Boy you sure didn't let it get too tall between mowings! One thing this immediately brought to mind was one weekend, shortly after I was married, my Mom made the mistake of trying to mow on Sunday. Living directly across from a church, Dad did not believe mowing should be done on Sunday and really let her have it. To this day it is one of those funny memories.:D My wife also doesn't allow this out of respect for my Dad who is now fishin' with my son in the great beyond. Funny how these things turn into traditions huh?:applause:

As an addition to my Rant above, can I also just say one thing:

Should the guy who petitioned this excuse for a tradition, actually be focusing his attentions on things that actually matter.

Probably a more valuable debate would be should American's be allowed to carry guns?

You can carry a weapon that could potentially take a Child's life, but you may not disrupt my Sunday with your ridiculous cutting of grass! :frust:

SIT DOWN & TAKE STOCK OF WHAT REALLY MATTERS!

I would like to take this chance to remind our members that no political or religous postings are tolerated here.

To add to Craig's comment, I know that some of us have some extremely strong feelings in this area, but please try to keep your posts as level-headed as possible. No need to start name-calling, etc. We're all adults...except Randy...and maybe Wes...:cool: :notme:

I live in the country outside a small town of 1111 people. I wish we could get some of these people just to mow ocassionally. Most of the folks who do mow don't mow during the day. It is too hot and humid in Gulf Coast Texas to mow during the day, burns up the grass. Most of them wait until the evening. And most of my neighbors have enough acreage to not bother the neighbors. And really why should we just set aside Sundays to reflect on our troops overseas. We should always keep them in our hearts. Hurah.

With the amount of time spent posting we could have all mowed our lawns by now. :lmao:

I do my best to get the lawn mowed during the week or on Saturday. I personally like at least one day of rest during the week and try to make it Sunday, now if my neighbor mows his lawn on Sunday or at 10:00 at night I don't care, why because my neighbor snowblows my driveway for me during the winter!

I personally see lawns as an unproductive waste of time for me but great for anyone else that enjoys keeping one up. Traditions to me often limit choice.

I value two things, the ability to have a choice or choose (real freedom)
and time.

Taken from Wikkipedia:
It was not until the Tudor and Elizabethan times that the garden and the lawn became a place to be loved and admired. Created as walkways and for play areas, the lawns were not as we envisage them today. They were made up of meadow plants, such as camomile, a particular favourite. In the early 1600s, the Jacobean epoch of gardening began. It was during this period that the closely cut "English" lawn was born. By the end of this period, the English lawn was the envy of even the French. It was also seen as a symbol of status by the gentry. In the early 1700s, gardening fashion went through a further change. William Kent and the age of Capability Brown were in progress, and the open "English" style of parkland was seen across Britain and Ireland. Lawns seemed to flow from the garden into the outer landscape.

As an addition to my Rant above, can I also just say one thing:

Should the guy who petitioned this excuse for a tradition, actually be focusing his attentions on things that actually matter.

Probably a more valuable debate would be should American's be allowed to carry guns?

You can carry a weapon that could potentially take a Child's life, but you may not disrupt my Sunday with your ridiculous cutting of grass! :frust:

SIT DOWN & TAKE STOCK OF WHAT REALLY MATTERS!


exaclty - I have spoken up about cars whipping down certain 25 mph roads in town at 40+. While children are out playing.
Mowing a lawn isn't endangering anyone's life.