Charlie and me have two different speeds. He’s usually the slow steady one. Methodical, I’d call it. He ticks chores off his list, one by one. I know he’ll get things done in his own time.
I’m a multi-tasker and more of a sprinter. I race around doing this and that until I’m worn out, then I collapse. If we have company coming for dinner, for example, and Charlie asks if he can help, most likely I’ll say, “Just stay out of my way.” I’m not good at delegating because I lose too much time explaining.
I tend to be doing something all the while thinking about the next one or two items on my list. I’m taking the cookies out of the oven, but in my mind, I’m already cleaning the bathroom, then I remember I have to take the clothes off the line. And I admit, that can lead to mishaps. I jostle a side table knocking over a vase of flowers. My arm touches that tray of cookies hot from the oven. Ouch! I change direction too quickly and almost trip over Scamp, who’s concerned he’s going to miss something so is always on my heels. Going too fast has its tradeoffs.
Now, Charlie is good as long as he can go at his own pace. But rush him, and accidents happen. Like just this past week. I’ll let him tell you about it.
Half the Time
“Mower on the fritz?”
My neighbor asked me with a laugh
“Borrow mine, I’ll bet the thing’ll
Cut your time in half!”
Hank had seen me struggle
With my Toro, yet again
And was nice enough to offer
As a neighbor and a friend
“You ever try a zero-turn?”
I had to tell him no
“I’ll take you through it quick
And you can give The Beast a go”
“It’s mostly pretty easy,”
He told me with a smile
“The bars are sort of tricky,
But you’ll get it in a while”
I hopped aboard and gave the thing
A spin around the yard
It took some gettin’ used to
But it wasn’t all that hard
Occasionally, The Beast would buck
And take me by surprise
But I could cut in wicked close
With just a couple tries
Oh, I was getting cocky
As I tore around, you bet!
And unlike my old Toro, well,
I hardly broke a sweat
How I clipped our mailbox
Is no mystery to me:
I got too close, The Beast it bucked,
The rest is history
The mailbox, it was demoed
And the post was crooked, too
And I groaned for all the repair work
That I knew I’d have to do
Hank’s zero-turn was fine
But my song’s a sorry tune
Though I mowed in half the time
The mailbox took all afternoon
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flipside!
Hear Ida Tell It: Going Too Fast
Live Shows: July 6-8 at 7:00pm, The Footlights Theatre in Falmouth, ME
Ida’s Independence Day-Off Zoom & Back Onto the Stage
The “funniest Woman in Maine” returns to the Footlights Theatre with an evening of laughter, insight, and a bunch of new stories.Ida will crack you up with her tales about love, friendship and the Pine Tree State of mind. Guaranteed to put you in touch with your “innah Mainah,” Ida has Moxie and she’s not afraid to drink it! Spending time with Ida is like a breath of fresh Maine air, so sit back, relax and enjoy. After all this time cooped up, you deserve it!