I was on my riding mower today thinking it was about time to get a new one. My wife bought me this machine for my birthday a several years ago and it’s beginning to tired and worn. (Much like its owner, I suspect.) I have seen some new mowers at Lowes that look sleek and powerful and have features this one could not have dreamed of like hydrostatic transmissions and cruise control. Of course, they also cost several times what mine did as well.
After entertaining this idea for a while I decided our current budget simply would not allow me to make that kind of purchase right now. Instead I chose to clean the old beast up the best I could and try to make it last a bit longer. I washed it and it looked better. I waxed it and it looked better still. Then I took Armour All to it and cleaned out the harder to reach places. It shone like a new penny. Actually, to my eye, it was better than a new penny; it had a weathered warrior look that I was certain no new machine could match; as if to says, “I’ve mowed a thousand lawns and still look this good!”
Suddenly I was proud of my trusty workhorse. I rode it around the block to make sure my neighbors got a good look at it…and me. I started looking for other things around the house that I could give the same treatment. The toaster oven was first. It always looks like a wreck, but now, it’s a thing of beauty; a trusted friend who always comes through for me. The vacuum cleaner, the car, my tools; all got the same treatment and each in turn gave me that feeling of quiet dependable confidence. As a matter of fact, I began to feel better about myself. Sure I’m not as young and svelt as I once was, but I too have mowed a thousand lawns and have lived to tell about it. I have delivered a thousand assignments on time and on budget and still turn my wife’s head on occasion.
Shiny and new is great, but it doesn’t hold a candle to tried and true. That’s my motto… and I’m sticking to it!
