This is a picture of one identical to mine, except mine is silver. Isn't she a beauty?
(this one is a "MCLANE TRU-CUT REEL MOWER", so I assume sears marketed one under the sears name.)

(This one is for sale on ebay.. current price is $450.)
My $130 does not seem so high now!

Well, two new things on the gardening front. One, I see the first sprout in the tray... Yahoo! Now Hannah is all excited too. Second, I just purchased a Sears power REEL mower. (like the ones used on golf courses) It looks to be mid 70's vintage perhaps, but it is in A1 shape. it starts on the first pull, is self propelled, has a (front) catcher, and works like a charm. I can't say enough about this mower. It is perfectly balanced, and just VERY well designed. I want to shake the hand of the engineer that designed it. We need more like him in this world. It set me back $130, and was worth every penny. I'll include a picture of it when I get a chance. I also rototilled the plot in the back yard and tilled in some lime. Still have some prep to do, but the earth looks really good. I have high hopes for the plot this year!

While we are waiting for the garden to grow, here is a little humor for you:

An old man lived alone in Idaho. He wanted to spade his potato garden, but it was very hard work. His only son, Bubba, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament:

Dear Bubba, I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my potato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. If you were here, all my troubles would be over. I know you would dig the plot for me. Love, Dad

A few days later he received a letter from his son:
Dear Dad, For heaven's sake, Dad, don't dig up that garden -- that's where I buried the bodies! Love, Bubba

At 4 a.m. the next morning, F.B.I. agents and local police showed up and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son:

Dear Dad, Go ahead and plant the potatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances. Love, Bubba.

Yes, I re-assembled the rototiller today, (It had just come back from the welding shop) and it started on the first tug of the starter! YEA! The soil in the little patch (15x25 feet) in the back yard is really nice soil. It looks like Iowa black soil, instead of South Carolina sandy orange soil. Lets hope that is a sign of things to come!
Here is a picture of the tray that is taking its time sprouting (taken today)

I think I know why... The tray is outside, and it is still pretty cold at night... I guess they are serious when they say use heating pads to germinate your seeds.

Im all excited now! The rototiller came back home. I'll let you know how it worked, but it looked like they did a really good job. I am sure its going to run like a charm.
I just checked the seed tray... I do declare, a watched tray never grows.
ok, just a short post today.
Ill post again after I till some soil!
Ed...

Took Hannah and Melinda for their semi-regular weekly trip to the library. While Hannah played computer games and Melinda played with other kids in the room (Thats what they do while I, uh, well, read magazines...:)(Yes, we do get books before we leave) I was reading organic gardener magazine, and came across something very cool. Colored potatoes (Click to see them, they are 3/4 down the page). Whoda thunk it?
I also called on my rototiller, as its been more than a week. Still not done.
Im getting antsy! I'm looking forward to some warm weather.

I sewed some seeds today.
In todays tray, I planted some reruns from 2002. IE: Pink brandywine tomato, German Gold, Box car Willie, Roma,large red cherry, black brandywine. Some of those i did not have good luck with last time.... Ill give em another chance!
I also planted some peppers and eggplant. I learned in 2002 that you start things like beans and cucumbers in the ground, not in a pot.:)
Ill take some pictures as soon as they sprout.
If my typing is questionable, I blame Rockwell, who is on my lap, and making me type with one hand while fending him off the keyboard with the other.
The girls are in th bedroom listening to records, and Kath is out at a flea market.
OK Rock, I'll feed you.
About the time the garden produces, he will be able to eat solids!

Does anyone Know where I would buy a Peacock? Kath wants one...