George W. Bush and me

I figured I'd skip the usual hope-you-had-a-nice-Easter routine and get right to the life-changing event I experienced this weekend. As some of you may recall, our former president, George W. Bush, was famous for many things, including his love for cutting brush on his ranch in Texas. I had brush-cutting on my mind when Mr. Oodles and I were out shopping Saturday morning. Mr. Oodles was buying lumber. I was buying some hardy annuals, because I know better than to think our glorious weather is going to last the rest of the spring. To make a long story short, while Mr. Oodles was buying 2 by 4s, I found the power tool of my dreams, a battery-powered reciprocating saw.


  

I have been searching for such a tool for years, not realizing that what I wanted was a reciprocating saw. It took a series of hand gestures and incomplete sentences, a visit to the wrong department (pruning) and the sweetest kid in the world, or at least at Lowe's, to walk me over to the correct department (power tools). He conferred with the power-tools employee about using a reciprocating saw to trim branches and cut saplings.

"That would work, wouldn't it?" the pruning-tools associate asked.

"It'd be awesome!" the power-tools associate said. I was buoyed by their enthusiasm.

At one point, the pruning-tools associate looked at me with what can only be described as admiration. His mom, he explained, had no interest in power tools. It was a bittersweet moment for me: the pride I felt in overcoming a stereotype, coupled with the knowledge this young man clearly recognized I was old enough to be his mother.
 
I could hardly wait to get home and charge up the battery. While I waited for the green light to appear on the charger, I planted the violas and popped a primrose and more violas into my favorite rusty planter.


Finally we sprang into action. Dead limbs on the lilac - gone! Annoying black walnut sapling planted by the squirrels - bzzzzt! Low-hanging branches that require us to duck when we're mowing - hasta la vista, baby!

Something about being able to cut down pretty much everything in sight has an empowering influence. I wondered if my neighbor would notice if I slipped over the property line and cut down a small tree that's been bugging me. (I'm opting for the diplomatic route. For now.) I started reducing complicated issues banging around in my brain to snippets of folk wisdom. I want to respond to every suggestion by saying "That dog won't hunt!," and I really don't even understand what that means. And I find myself wanting to use (salty language alert!) the word "hell" as a prefix to every declaration.

Mr. Oodles: Any idea when we'll be eating dinner?
Me: Hell, no!

Mr. Oodles: Want a beer?
Me: Hell, yeah!

I drink maybe two beers a year (Super Bowl and 4th of July.) But Saturday night I was sittin' on the porch swing with the mister, sippin' a beer straight from the can. I also, inexpicably, started dropping my -g's.

I now understand George W. Bush, or at least the part where he wanted to go cut brush for a few weeks at a time. It's fun. It's satisfying. I think this could change the way I think about everything. Who wants to go thrifting when there's brush to be cut? Fortunately, I'll have time for other activities while the battery recharges. And while the muscles in my right arm recover.  

 


 

 

Comments

[Lisa]

OMG! I'm still laughing at this post. And I think I need to go buy one of those things. I love cutting stuff in the yard and usually just use the big a** clippers. Your tool looks so much better and I could use it to cut wood for furniture projects too! Sweet!

XO,

Lisa

[Freckled Hen]

GW and beer? Good grief I was scared.
You are funny! I can relate to this as I fell in love with an electric hedge trimmer two years ago. I couldn't wait for the holly to have a loose sprig. Luckily we moved b/c I cut through the cord and never told my husband.

[Julie]

Well I don't know about the George W bit, but I remember my first reciprocating saw (they called me the Reciprocater around our house that year). Unfortunately I think I trimmed the hedge a tad too short (it never really recovered) but oh the power (your post brought back sweet memories). And a beer to finish - sounds like my kinda day.... Cheers Jewels

[Sandy D]

Oh thank you, thank you! Now I too know that I need a reciprocating saw.

I love power tools! I got to use a mini power saw last year to cut branches. Me am Woman!!! And I'm in love with my cordless drill. So, I'll be asking for a saw this year for Mother's Day.

[Lavender Dreams]

How funny? Would you pass me a beer? I posted a photo of violets today, too. I just took photos though....I didn't work so maybe I don't deserve that beer! HAVE FUN! ♥

[Sarah]

First, LOLOLOL.

Second, DO NOT tell my husband you have a sawzall for that job now. He has been asking for one for months now, for that very same job.

[Lena]

I have a little tiny chain saw. I love it! No more having to ask for help with such things. It truly changed my gardening life, so I know exactly how you feel. I almost cried the first time I used it, I was so happy. Now, I have to learn how to use my power miter saw. The world will never be the same! LOL!

xo
Lena

[Carol @ Old Glory Cottage]

Ok, I didn't know where you were going with the G Dubs connection, and frankly I was a little scared. But when I understood it was about a good power tool, I was right there with ya! I've got a torrid love thang going on with MY DeWalt Heavy Duty Keyless Chuck Drill!

[Jenny]

Too cute! Usually I just touch some plant with my black thumb and it dies...so I never really need the saw!

[Beth Leintz]

Miss Barbara, spending the weekend clearing brush, how cool...

The picture of you with your floral glove and power tool is priceless.

I don't know much about power tools, but I'm pretty sure that Porter Cable is top of the line.

[Into Vintage]

Whoa - beer and power tools - sounds likes my kind of weekend! Except my beer would be a glass of wine and my reciprocating saw would be a miter saw but still! Good times. -amy

[philippines flower shop]

It's a breath of fresh air when I saw those flowers so beautiful.

-pia-

[Tina]

LOL - I love your Lowe's experience. I'm still smiling! Can you imagine how he described this experience to his mom? :)

And there is something VERY satisfying about pruning, very satisfying!

Dropping your g's and saying "that dog won't hunt!" - Barbara, you have been listening to WAY too much country music!

[bettyann]

oh Honey, so much fun...I have an electric chain saw...love it...hot knife through butter...LOL

[LiLi M.]

LOL!

The other day my husband was having a nightmare about our garden which was ruthlessly cut by me. After reading this post I think he might have had a prophecy, not a nightmare. Any idea whether I can buy that tool over here?

[Whit]

I have to tell you, i believe that there is as much resemblance between you and W as there is truth to the rumour that W is just a good ol' Texas boy.

My dad's a fine gent from CT and remembers seeing W over in the yard next door when he was a kid--the neighbours were GWB's grandparents.

I don't remember any CT folks havin' southern drawls.....then again, i don't remember any Texans sounding quite like GWB either. I'm so confused!

But, one think is for sure....where there is alcohol and power tools, i am sure you can guarantee that GWB will be there. And, when written by such a charming and eloquint writer such as yourself, it sure makes for a hilarious post!

Take care!! Whit

[mary-The Calico Cottage]

This brings back memories of a very pregnant ME, about 23 years ago, out in front of the house with an electric saw, trimming bushes with gusto. What a weird sight that must have been!
Nothing like a little girl power! I love it.

[Brenda Kula]

This is what I truly need! I didn't know there was such a creature, and here I've been ruining all my other tools trying to get branches down! I thank you for educating me. We say hell a lot here in Texas. It is part of our language.
Brenda

[Black Eyed Susans Kitchen]

Writing this with the real, big words...rolling on the floor laughing!!! You are tooo funny woman...and yet I understand that feeling of power...gonna get out the power washer this week....weirdly blissful.
♥, Susan

[Air Jordans]

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