Neanderpundit

Halfway through mowing the back slope (it’s about a nine foot rise in a ten foot run, so the only way to do it is with a pushmower) I realized I wasn’t actually cutting grass, but frigheneing it into submission with thick, dull hunks of steel, so I ran off to Sears to get a new blade. Twenty bucks later, the sucker cut like a charm. I also put in a new section of emission hose (Yes, emissions on a lawnmower, dammit) and it didn’t smoke nearly as much.

A year ago, I would have hired this, unable to physically move the mower around at my size, and unable to negotiate the slope. (Imagine mowing the roof of an A frame house, it’s like that) Now, I’m smaller enough and stronger enough that it didnt’ even leave me winded.

I had surgery about the time I should have been mowing this for the first time, and the recovery hasn’t left much in the way of time, plus all the rain has combined to make the grass about 19″ tall. yep, now imagine mowing that A-frame roof covered with 19″ tall grass and a dull mower blade.

I have watched a snail crawl along the edge of a straight razor and survive. I humped that mower around that hill, and feel fine. The knee is probably gonna need some ice later, but that’s to be expected.

I’ve always been a Mifune fan, and though I barely speak enough Japanese to be polite, I love the culture.

I’ve spoken of this before- the japanese were once a feared and hated enemy of the United States, and an island nation barely the size of Montana managed to terrorize our entire country. And we defeated them, using horrible tools. And we learned they have a fascinating and complex culture, in many ways radically different from our own, but in many ways strikingly similar. The Japanese seem to value strength, and honor, and decency, and respect for Religion, similarly to Americans.

At least, that’s the impression I get based on their cinema. I’ve just finished watching “Samurai 2: Duel at Ichijoji temple” one of, arguably, Mifune’s best films. In it he’s a samurai posessed of mythical strength and ability, who is haunted by his desire to posess a true samurai soul, delicate and sensitive.

The “Samurai” trilogy is incredible, and I hope, someday, to be able to watch it without subtitles.

Mifune died in 1997. A great man with an incredible legacy.