Deb, I always wonder that too!! I have a vet friend who says its fine, but it is concerning!!

Here's my new ride. This will be our 3rd mower in 30 years, so I guess they have a life of about 10 years for us. This one is identical to our last one except for the color and brand name (old one is a green Craftsman). I'm not enamored of the color, but it mows fine. We considered going to a rear engine model, but then we'd have to buy new catcher so went with tried and true. I'm stoked to actually mow this year - last year I never mowed once because the old mower engine was wonky and I didn't know all the tricks to get/keep it running.

I'm still getting light frosts on some mornings, enough to have killed the sweet potato vine starts I too eagerly planted out. Guess I'm not past my frost-free point yet. My pear is in full bloom, but the cherries are just starting to open. I like to tie things to earth dates, and will check to see if the cherry in full bloom may be an indicator of some sort. I have two cherries and they bloom about the same time (sweet Sam and sour Montmorency)

Love your new ride!!! You need a small trailer so you can move compost.

Thanks Spring. We do have a tow-behind trailer and are utilizing our #1 mower which still runs very reliably but the mow deck rusted out or something (I forget, that was two mowers ago). Anyway, it's great for hauling things around without having to get the big boy out (Kubota). I also yearn for one of those manual cage-wagons but haven't yet bought one.

Good, because pushing a wheelbarrow blows! I'm getting to old for that stuff.

My wheelbarrow is getting too old for it too -- wobbly frame, tire flat more often than not, and rusted out barrow. About time to convert it to a planter.

Deb I love your look on the new mower!! Surprising how different the weather can be between you there and here in Seattle. I think due to your elevation maybe? Since we haven't had any frost for a couple weeks now, and our cherries are nearly all finished!

Greg, that doesn't surprise me. When my sister lived in Bothell she was usually a week ahead of me for just about everything. I think it's more the latitude rather than elevation, although that comes in to play a bit as well. We're at I think 180 feet elevation, and have hilly Camano Island as a buffer from Saratoga Passage. But then further north, the Skagit Flats are a bit more temperate than me. Just have to roll with whatever your little micro-climate is within the big-picture zone.

Deb, didn't realize you're only at 180 feet...haha, you're right probably not elevation! It is interesting though, with the lake, and the sound, and mountain peaks here and there causing different micro climates!!

I have an "iGoogle" page that supports "RSS feeds". Anyway, I set up multiple weather reports on it for Lynnwood, Everett and Mukilteo. The forecasts are always slightly different, and it gives me a better sense of what MIGHT happen.

For example, current temps are 71, 63 and 66 F. Current Humidity is 35, 52 and 33%. The forecasts happen to be similar for a few days. but next Saturday gets two votes for heavy clouds & rain.