Revenge of the Shopping Cart

[Ed Pawlowski]

I went to our local supermarket this evening and it was a bit breezy.
In the row across from where I parked a woman was unloading her cart.
She had a number of bags so I did not wait for it to be empty and
walked to the store entrance. She put the cart on the right side of
her car, blocking the parking spot next to her, then walked around to
the left side and got in.

As she got in and shut the door, a gust of wind caught the cart and
moved it around to the rear quarter panel, just as she backed out.
From where I stood, looked like no serious damage, but a couple of
scratches.

Maybe she'll go to Aldi's the next time.

[Julie Bove]

"Ed Pawlowski" <e...@snet.net> wrote in message
news:rejtp8d3dg5apq4qh...@4ax.com...

Ha! Serves her right!

[Pico Rico]

"Ed Pawlowski" <e...@snet.net> wrote in message
news:rejtp8d3dg5apq4qh...@4ax.com...

and THAT is your story? ok, just stick with it. yeah, the wind. yeah.

[Cheryl]

Serves her right! lol I hope she had to make several maneuvers to get
around it while she backed her car out of the parking spot. Should
make her think it would have just been easier to put the cart where it
belongs. =p

--
CAPSLOCK�Preventing Login Since 1980.

[Polly Esther]

"Cheryl" <> Serves her right! lol I hope she had to make several maneuvers

to get
> around it while she backed her car out of the parking spot. Should make
> her think it would have just been easier to put the cart where it belongs.
> =p
>

Now, now. Let us be kind. Maybe she had a shrieking teething infant with
her and a bladder about to explode. Polly

[jmcquown]

On 5/23/2013 10:25 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

I really, truly do not understand why people don't take shopping carts
back to the store. I am grateful I have two good legs. I don't have a
problem returning the cart.

I should note, there are no "cart corrals" at the Publix where I shop.
The building codes here require they not remove trees. In order to have
parking sufficient (and also required by ordinance) for the size of the
store they can't also have cart corrals. So... we are supposed to take
them back to the store. I *always* do that. There is a place for them
lined up outside the entrance. Also a line of carts just inside the store.

What is so terribly difficult about this concept? As I said in the
Aldi's thread, I'm grateful I have two good legs. It doesn't bother me
to walk to take the cart back. You will also never catch me parking in
a handicapped spot. I also don't drive around in circles looking for
someone to leave just so I can get the closest parking space.

Jill

[Ed Pawlowski]

"Sqwertz" <swe...@cluemail.compost> wrote in message
news:15ndifsl0bekq$.dlg@sqwertz.com...

> So what did she do after that - did she put the cart away at least
> semi-properly (where nobody else will get dinged)?
>
> -sw

Nope, she moved it out of her way, looked at her car and drove away.

[Ed Pawlowski]

"Polly Esther" <Poll...@cableone.net> wrote in message
news:b0882h...@mid.individual.net...

She was alone and the store has clean restrooms. She just did not care
about putting the cart back.

[Ed Pawlowski]

"jmcquown" <j_mc...@comcast.net> wrote in message

>
> What is so terribly difficult about this concept? As I said in the Aldi's
> thread, I'm grateful I have two good legs. It doesn't bother me to walk
> to take the cart back. You will also never catch me parking in a
> handicapped spot. I also don't drive around in circles looking for
> someone to leave just so I can get the closest parking space.
>
> Jill

The best way to keep those good legs good is to use them. Mine are not as
good as they used to be, but they only get worse if I walk less. I prefer
to park away from the busy part of the parking lot as it saves a lot of
dings on the car.

[Dave Smith]

On 24/05/2013 5:02 AM, jmcquown wrote:
.
>>
> I really, truly do not understand why people don't take shopping carts
> back to the store. I am grateful I have two good legs. I don't have a
> problem returning the cart.
>
> I should note, there are no "cart corrals" at the Publix where I shop.
> The building codes here require they not remove trees. In order to have
> parking sufficient (and also required by ordinance) for the size of the
> store they can't also have cart corrals. So... we are supposed to take
> them back to the store. I *always* do that. There is a place for them
> lined up outside the entrance. Also a line of carts just inside the store.
>
> What is so terribly difficult about this concept? As I said in the
> Aldi's thread, I'm grateful I have two good legs. It doesn't bother me
> to walk to take the cart back. You will also never catch me parking in
> a handicapped spot. I also don't drive around in circles looking for
> someone to leave just so I can get the closest parking space.
>

I rarely even take the cart out to the parking lot. I use re-usable bags
and rarely have more than four bags of groceries, so I just take the
bags out of the cart before I leave the store.

However... I confess that I do not push my perfectly good cart into the
lines at cart parking area. I prefer to leave it out and saving the next
customer the hassle of having to wrestle with a line of carts sticking
together, and knowing full well that no one will take it. People prefer
to have to fight with them.

[jmcquown]

I absolutely agree. Some denegration is natural with aging but there's
no reason to speed up the process by not walking. People who refuse to
return carts at the grocery store are just plain lazy. Fortunately it
is not a big problem where I shop.

Jill

[jmcquown]

On 5/24/2013 8:37 AM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 24/05/2013 5:02 AM, jmcquown wrote:
>> What is so terribly difficult about this concept? As I said in the
>> Aldi's thread, I'm grateful I have two good legs. It doesn't bother me
>> to walk to take the cart back. You will also never catch me parking in
>> a handicapped spot. I also don't drive around in circles looking for
>> someone to leave just so I can get the closest parking space.
>>
>
> I rarely even take the cart out to the parking lot. I use re-usable bags
> and rarely have more than four bags of groceries, so I just take the
> bags out of the cart before I leave the store.
>

You're lucky you can get away with only four bags. I live 20 miles away
from the grocery store so I do a big shopping trip about once a month.
Much of it is destined for the freezer. Four bags for me wouldn't cut
it. But no, I don't leave the grocery cart out where it will likely, by
some twist of fate, decide to ding a car.

Jill

[James Silverton]

A number of supermarkets have cart collecting bays at several places in
the lot and people do seem to use them around here.

--
Jim Silverton (Potomac, MD)

Extraneous "not." in Reply To.

[Nancy Young]

On 5/24/2013 8:38 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

> "jmcquown" <j_mc...@comcast.net> wrote in message
>>
>> What is so terribly difficult about this concept? As I said in the Aldi's
>> thread, I'm grateful I have two good legs. It doesn't bother me to walk
>> to take the cart back. You will also never catch me parking in a
>> handicapped spot. I also don't drive around in circles looking for
>> someone to leave just so I can get the closest parking space.

> The best way to keep those good legs good is to use them. Mine are not as
> good as they used to be, but they only get worse if I walk less.

Ditto. The more I walk, the better my legs (and hip) feel. The
opposite is also true, you wouldn't think sitting around would make
you feel worse, but there you have it.

> I prefer
> to park away from the busy part of the parking lot as it saves a lot of
> dings on the car.

I'm just too lazy to try to park close. I just pull into a spot
away from the other cars and I don't have to wait for anyone.
So annoying to see people causing parking lot traffic jams waiting
for someone to pull out of a spot ... and there's an open spot two
spaces down!

I do the same as someone else mentioned in this thread. Unless there
is something unwieldy to unload, it's amazing how much stuff I can
carry myself and leave the cart at the store.

nancy

[Ophelia]

"Nancy Young" <rjynly...@vverizon.net> wrote in message
news:519f6bda$0$7616$862e...@ngroups.net...

Since we retired, Himself does all the carrying ... ;) Suits me <g>
--
--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

[Dave Smith]

On 24/05/2013 9:32 AM, Nancy Young wrote:

> I'm just too lazy to try to park close. I just pull into a spot
> away from the other cars and I don't have to wait for anyone.
> So annoying to see people causing parking lot traffic jams waiting
> for someone to pull out of a spot ... and there's an open spot two
> spaces down!

I am the same. If I go to a mall or a grocery store I generally head for
an area where there will be lots of empty spaces and walk the extra
distance. I learned years ago that it is a time saver. I have watched
people driving around and around looking for a the ideal space and I end
up in the store or mall before they even find their perfect spot.

[Nunya Bidnits]

Same here, unless it's just too much to carry I leave the cart just inside
the door, where the next person can get it easily. And there is a shortage
of the new smaller carts so there is always someone ready to take it.

BTW the small carts are small. Used to be if you didn't want a huge cart you
got a hand basket, and as soon as that gets heavy one starts looking for the
checkstand. The small cart encourages more purchasing by customers who now
don't have to carry a basket.

MartyB

[George Leppla]

On 5/24/2013 8:13 AM, jmcquown wrote:
> I absolutely agree. Some denegration is natural with aging but there's
> no reason to speed up the process by not walking. People who refuse to
> return carts at the grocery store are just plain lazy. Fortunately it
> is not a big problem where I shop.

Speaking of walking.... Becca and I mowed the lawn yesterday. Both
using 22" self-propelled walk-behind mowers. We worked at it steady
over 2 hours, and this morning I mowed another 45 minutes to finish the
job. I figure we mowed about 3 acres +/-.

Surprisingly, we both feel pretty good this morning.... minor pain in my
knees and in her hands (vibration from the handle which I can eliminate).

And obviously we haven't found a lawn tractor or riding mower that I
like yet.

OT - Did I mention that Becca is the Best. Wife. Ever.

FOOD related... since she helped me with the mowing, I made supper last
night... spaghetti and meat sauce. Came out great.

George L

[Helpful person]

On May 24, 8:07 am, "Ed Pawlowski" <e...@snet.net> wrote:
> "Polly Esther" <Polly...@cableone.net> wrote in message

Well,

Maybe she didn't know the store had nice restrooms and maybe by
mistake she left her infant at the shopping cart parking area.

http://www.richardfisher.com

[Helpful person]

On May 24, 5:02 am, jmcquown <j_mcqu...@comcast.net> wrote:

>
> What is so terribly difficult about this concept?  As I said in the
> Aldi's thread, I'm grateful I have two good legs.  It doesn't bother me
> to walk to take the cart back.  You will also never catch me parking in
> a handicapped spot.  I also don't drive around in circles looking for
> someone to leave just so I can get the closest parking space.
>
> Jill

I agree. What does annoy me is when someone in a car with a handicap
sticker parks in the handycap area when they have obviously borrowed
the car/sticker from someone else.

Those spaces reserved for pregnant women also annoy me. If they have
a problem they can easily get a handicap permit.

http://www.richardfisher.com

[Ed Pawlowski]

"Dave Smith" <adavid...@sympatico.ca> wrote in message

>
> However... I confess that I do not push my perfectly good cart into the
> lines at cart parking area. I prefer to leave it out and saving the next
> customer the hassle of having to wrestle with a line of carts sticking
> together, and knowing full well that no one will take it. People prefer to
> have to fight with them.
>
>

That is OK if a person actually takes it An amazing number of people will
walk right by it and then take a cart in the store. As for leaving it out,
if you are blocking a parking space or leaving it to be blown into other
cars, you are the problem, not the solution.

[Ophelia]

"George Leppla" <geo...@cruisemaster.com> wrote in message
news:knnt7...@news1.newsguy.com...

> OT - Did I mention that Becca is the Best. Wife. Ever.

Not that I have seen, but I am very pleased:))) Just the way it should
be:))

--
--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

[Nunya Bidnits]

Nunya Bidnits <nunyab...@eternal-september.invalid> wrote:

correction

> BTW the small carts are small.

*HANDY*. Not small. The second small, that is.

MartyB
Department of Redundancy Department

[Nunya Bidnits]

Most of my stores have easily accesible cart corrals in every parking aisle,
sometimes two. (This is a spread-out city.) I just want to get the goods
home and into refrigeration ASAP so I put them in the corral rather than
walking them back in, or I look for someone walking in and try to hand it
off to them.

MartyB

[Nunya Bidnits]

Nancy Young <rjynly...@vverizon.net> wrote:
> On 5/24/2013 8:38 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> "jmcquown" <j_mc...@comcast.net> wrote in message
>>>
>>> What is so terribly difficult about this concept? As I said in the
>>> Aldi's thread, I'm grateful I have two good legs. It doesn't
>>> bother me to walk to take the cart back. You will also never catch
>>> me parking in a handicapped spot. I also don't drive around in
>>> circles looking for someone to leave just so I can get the closest
>>> parking space.
>
>> The best way to keep those good legs good is to use them. Mine are
>> not as good as they used to be, but they only get worse if I walk
>> less.
>
> Ditto. The more I walk, the better my legs (and hip) feel. The
> opposite is also true, you wouldn't think sitting around would make
> you feel worse, but there you have it.

It does in my case. I have to have my left knee worked on to clean up torn
cartilage. Sitting actually bothers it as much as excessive effort, because
it swells, tightens up, and aches. Now I just have to work out the
scheduling since I won't be able to do anything very physical for a month
afterwards. It's gonna put a kink in summer barbecue contest plans.

MartyB

[Nunya Bidnits]

You have to visualize the parking space and meditate and it will come. ;-)

[sf]

On Fri, 24 May 2013 10:46:39 -0400, "Ed Pawlowski" <e...@snet.net>
wrote:

They can rationalize all they want, but it's just plain lazy for
people not to return shopping carts to the cart corral... carts litter
the parking lot and nobody takes them, but people still can't be
bothered to walk a few feet to put it where it won't damage any cars.
Even the slightest incline will sent a cart careening into someone
else's car, but lazy assholes just plain don't care. It's always
someone else's problem and they'll find a reason to excuse themselves
from doing what they should have done in the first place.

A couple of weeks ago, I parked next to a light pole in the parking
lot and noticed that two shopping carts had been pushed up to it (side
by side) while I was in the store. I made a note to myself that I'd
take them to the cart corral, which was maybe 30 feet away, after I
put my own groceries into the trunk my own car (I didn't have a cart).
I'd just thrown my purse into the car, so I'd have two hands free and
only needed to close and lock the door when a gust of wind sent both
of them sailing down an very slight (unnoticeable unless you were
rolling something) incline and they were headed directly toward an
unoccupied car. They would have made quite a dent if they'd hit it.
I left my car door open with my purse out in the open to chase them
down before they hit. Since they were already halfway to the cart
corral, I took them the rest of the way to where they should have been
in the first place - and then realized how lucky I was that no one
took advantage of the situation to steal my purse... or my car.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

[Kalmia]

While I won't say that I have NEVER left a cart adjacent to my car, I usually try to park near the cart corral and if I'm not in a rush or weather- threatened, I return it. However, I have never left a cart where it could roll into a car.

Maybe the broad has back trouble where every step is rationed. Sciatica is no joke - been there are few times. Maybe she had ice cream and it was a hot day? Just trying to find some reasons. PROBABLY just un-thinking or wants to give the bag-boys something to do?

[Kalmia]

Some are old or overweight and every step is a burden. Pour moi, I look for SHADE or dingless territory.

My neighbor who has a red Corvette always parks out in no man's land - that's how I can detect his presence in a parking lot.

[Kalmia]

On Friday, May 24, 2013 10:46:39 AM UTC-4, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
> That is OK if a person actually takes it An amazing number of people will
>
> walk right by it and then take a cart in the store.

Must be a lot of dopes where you live. If I see someone unloading into the trunk, I run up, say "I'll take it", grab the cart and they are all smiles. Cart problem solved for him and me. ANYthing to avoid that cart untangling struggle where they pack em together.

[Dave Smith]

On 24/05/2013 10:07 AM, Nunya Bidnits wrote:

>> However... I confess that I do not push my perfectly good cart into
>> the lines at cart parking area. I prefer to leave it out and saving
>> the next customer the hassle of having to wrestle with a line of
>> carts sticking together, and knowing full well that no one will take
>> it. People prefer to have to fight with them.
>
> Same here, unless it's just too much to carry I leave the cart just
> inside the door, where the next person can get it easily. And there is a
> shortage of the new smaller carts so there is always someone ready to
> take it.
>
> BTW the small carts are small. Used to be if you didn't want a huge cart
> you got a hand basket, and as soon as that gets heavy one starts looking
> for the checkstand. The small cart encourages more purchasing by
> customers who now don't have to carry a basket.

I realize that things differ from one place to another, even between
stores in an area. A number of groceries in this area have started
offering the smaller carts. Most grocery stores still have the old
style with the baby seat in them. Since I like t put fruits and
vegetables in the top level, I would prefer not to have some little
kid's ass sitting where my raw foods are carried. Some of those large
carts are bigger than they used to be.

Demographics are changing. When I use a kid most people had at least 3
or 4. Now it is much more common to have only one or two. A lot of
people are having their small families later, and there is an increasing
number of empty nesters. Maybe I am shopping a the wrong time, but
most of the purchases I see are a lot smaller than I remember from my
youth. It is rare (for me) to see someone hauling two carts of
groceries to the checkout.

[Dave Smith]

On 24/05/2013 10:25 AM, George Leppla wrote:

>
> Speaking of walking.... Becca and I mowed the lawn yesterday. Both
> using 22" self-propelled walk-behind mowers. We worked at it steady
> over 2 hours, and this morning I mowed another 45 minutes to finish the
> job. I figure we mowed about 3 acres +/-.
>
> Surprisingly, we both feel pretty good this morning.... minor pain in my
> knees and in her hands (vibration from the handle which I can eliminate).
>
> And obviously we haven't found a lawn tractor or riding mower that I
> like yet.

My tractor mower is going to the shop. They are so busy they cannot pick
it up until Tuesday. My back lawn was bout 80% cut when it died. At
this time of year I usually have to mow ever3 days, and it is easier to
mow quickly twice than to let it get twice as long and mow it once.

>
> OT - Did I mention that Becca is the Best. Wife. Ever.

She's got my vote it she mows grass. The last time the Megatron helped
<?> by mowing the front lawn for me I had to go out every 5 minutes to
start the mower for her. That was over 20 years ago.

But good luck with that riding tractor. Make sure to get one with a
safety switch bypass that will allow you to back up with the blades in
gear. It is a PITA to have to keep engaging and disengaging the PTO to
back up. On my previous mower I was excited to use it for the first
time. I was out in the far back section and working my way between some
trees when I suddenly realized that I was over top of a hornet nest.
They were angry and a branch prevented me from going forward. I slapped
it into reverse..... the engine stopped. I was not used to the machine
and I had to think about the steps to get it going..... disengage PTO,
put it in neutral, press the clutch/brake turn the key..... angry
hornets buzzing around.

[Dave Smith]

On 24/05/2013 10:32 AM, Helpful person wrote:

>
> I agree. What does annoy me is when someone in a car with a handicap
> sticker parks in the handycap area when they have obviously borrowed
> the car/sticker from someone else.
>

I don't think that they are any worse than the people who have a permit
because someone in the family is handicapped and not with them at the
time, or they have dropped off the handicapped person near the door and
are going to pick them up. My mother had a handicapped sticker and when
I took her places I dropped her off at the door and found a regular
spot. She was the one who needed the handicapped space, not me.

I could have got one after my heart surgery but did not.

[Dave Smith]

On 24/05/2013 10:46 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> "Dave Smith" <adavid...@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
>>
>> However... I confess that I do not push my perfectly good cart into the
>> lines at cart parking area. I prefer to leave it out and saving the next
>> customer the hassle of having to wrestle with a line of carts sticking
>> together, and knowing full well that no one will take it. People prefer to
>> have to fight with them.
>>
>>
> That is OK if a person actually takes it An amazing number of people will
> walk right by it and then take a cart in the store.

That's why I leave it out. It is part of my personal sociological study.
People will not take the cart that is left out to make it easier for
them. They prefer to struggle with the carts that are all jammed together.

>As for leaving it out,
> if you are blocking a parking space or leaving it to be blown into other
> cars, you are the problem, not the solution.

Me? As I mentioned.... I usually don't even take the cart out of the
store. I leave it in the cart parking area in the store.
Leaving a cart in a parking space is just plain ignorant.

[KenK]

jmcquown <j_mc...@comcast.net> wrote in
news:b08ol9...@mid.individual.net:

> On 5/23/2013 10:25 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> I went to our local supermarket this evening and it was a bit breezy.
>> In the row across from where I parked a woman was unloading her cart.
>> She had a number of bags so I did not wait for it to be empty and
>> walked to the store entrance. She put the cart on the right side of
>> her car, blocking the parking spot next to her, then walked around to
>> the left side and got in.
>>
>> As she got in and shut the door, a gust of wind caught the cart and
>> moved it around to the rear quarter panel, just as she backed out.
>> From where I stood, looked like no serious damage, but a couple of
>> scratches.
>>
>> Maybe she'll go to Aldi's the next time.

>>
> I really, truly do not understand why people don't take shopping carts
> back to the store. I am grateful I have two good legs. I don't have
> a problem returning the cart.
>
> I should note, there are no "cart corrals" at the Publix where I shop.
> The building codes here require they not remove trees. In order to
> have parking sufficient (and also required by ordinance) for the size
> of the store they can't also have cart corrals. So... we are supposed
> to take them back to the store. I *always* do that. There is a place
> for them lined up outside the entrance. Also a line of carts just
> inside the store.
>

> What is so terribly difficult about this concept? As I said in the
> Aldi's thread, I'm grateful I have two good legs. It doesn't bother
> me to walk to take the cart back. You will also never catch me
> parking in a handicapped spot. I also don't drive around in circles
> looking for someone to leave just so I can get the closest parking
> space.
>

> Jill

I always park as far as I can get from the store entrance. Another excuse
for some exercise and keeps my car away from the careless parkers.

--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

[jmcquown]

On 5/24/2013 11:24 AM, sf wrote:
> Even the slightest incline will sent a cart careening into someone
> else's car, but lazy assholes just plain don't care. It's always
> someone else's problem and they'll find a reason to excuse themselves
> from doing what they should have done in the first place.
>
> A couple of weeks ago, I parked next to a light pole in the parking
> lot and noticed that two shopping carts had been pushed up to it (side
> by side) while I was in the store. I made a note to myself that I'd
> take them to the cart corral, which was maybe 30 feet away, after I
> put my own groceries into the trunk my own car (I didn't have a cart).
> I'd just thrown my purse into the car, so I'd have two hands free and
> only needed to close and lock the door when a gust of wind sent both
> of them sailing down an very slight (unnoticeable unless you were
> rolling something) incline and they were headed directly toward an
> unoccupied car. They would have made quite a dent if they'd hit it.
> I left my car door open with my purse out in the open to chase them
> down before they hit. Since they were already halfway to the cart
> corral, I took them the rest of the way to where they should have been
> in the first place - and then realized how lucky I was that no one
> took advantage of the situation to steal my purse... or my car.
>

I'm glad you didn't lose your purse (or your car)! And thank you for
stopping the runaway shopping carts. I really do NOT understand why
people are so frigging lazy they won't put shopping carts back where
they belong. It was incredibly windy the entire month of April...
rolling shopping cart season.

Jill

[jmcquown]

I often encounter people who have just parked as I'm pushing the empty
cart back towards the store. I'll say need a cart? Why yes, thank you!

Jill

[jmcquown]

On 5/24/2013 11:40 AM, Kalmia wrote:
> While I won't say that I have NEVER left a cart adjacent to my car, I usually try to park near the cart corral and if I'm not in a rush or weather- threatened, I return it. However, I have never left a cart where it could roll into a car.
>

What does weather threatened mean? Shouldn't go shopping if it might
rain? I'd have a hard time going to the store, it rains here all the
damn time.

> Maybe the broad has back trouble where every step is rationed. Sciatica is no joke - been there are few times. Maybe she had ice cream and it was a hot day? Just trying to find some reasons. PROBABLY just un-thinking or wants to give the bag-boys something to do?
>

If "the broad" was giving the "bag boys" something to do they'd have
taken the groceries out for her, loaded them in the trunk and returned
the cart back where it belonged.

It's about a 20 mile drive to the grocery store. Ice cream, milk,
frozen vegetables... they all make it home just fine even when it is 90F
degrees outside.

Jill

[Nunya Bidnits]

Dave Smith <adavid...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> On 24/05/2013 10:07 AM, Nunya Bidnits wrote:
>
>>> However... I confess that I do not push my perfectly good cart into
>>> the lines at cart parking area. I prefer to leave it out and saving
>>> the next customer the hassle of having to wrestle with a line of
>>> carts sticking together, and knowing full well that no one will take
>>> it. People prefer to have to fight with them.
>>
>> Same here, unless it's just too much to carry I leave the cart just
>> inside the door, where the next person can get it easily. And there
>> is a shortage of the new smaller carts so there is always someone
>> ready to take it.
>>
>> BTW the small carts are small. Used to be if you didn't want a huge
>> cart you got a hand basket, and as soon as that gets heavy one
>> starts looking for the checkstand. The small cart encourages more
>> purchasing by customers who now don't have to carry a basket.
>
>
> I realize that things differ from one place to another, even between
> stores in an area. A number of groceries in this area have started
> offering the smaller carts. Most grocery stores still have the old
> style with the baby seat in them. Since I like t put fruits and
> vegetables in the top level, I would prefer not to have some little
> kid's ass sitting where my raw foods are carried. Some of those
> large carts are bigger than they used to be.

I never thought about it, but who knows how many dirty diapers sat on that
kid seat. Susie always puts her purse there. Hmmm. There's more than one use
for the hand wipes in the front of the store.

MartyB

[Ed Pawlowski]

"jmcquown" <j_mc...@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:b09ku8...@mid.individual.net...

> I often encounter people who have just parked as I'm pushing the empty
> cart back towards the store. I'll say need a cart? Why yes, thank you!
>
> Jill

I do that too. Most people say "thank you" and take the cart. One person
did not so I took it back myself only to see the guy taking a cart from
inside. ???????????

I've also had a couple of people say "no, but I'll take it back for you"
Nice folks they are. Or they just figure they will help the old guy.

[Sharon]

"James Silverton" wrote in message news:knnpdk$m5t$1...@dont-email.me...

On 5/24/2013 9:17 AM, jmcquown wrote:

> On 5/24/2013 8:37 AM, Dave Smith wrote:
>> On 24/05/2013 5:02 AM, jmcquown wrote:

>>> What is so terribly difficult about this concept? As I said in the
>>> Aldi's thread, I'm grateful I have two good legs. It doesn't bother me
>>> to walk to take the cart back. You will also never catch me parking in
>>> a handicapped spot. I also don't drive around in circles looking for
>>> someone to leave just so I can get the closest parking space.
>>>
>>

>> I rarely even take the cart out to the parking lot. I use re-usable bags
>> and rarely have more than four bags of groceries, so I just take the
>> bags out of the cart before I leave the store.
>>

> You're lucky you can get away with only four bags. I live 20 miles away
> from the grocery store so I do a big shopping trip about once a month.
> Much of it is destined for the freezer. Four bags for me wouldn't cut
> it. But no, I don't leave the grocery cart out where it will likely, by
> some twist of fate, decide to ding a car.
>

A number of supermarkets have cart collecting bays at several places in
the lot and people do seem to use them around here.

--
Jim Silverton (Potomac, MD)

Extraneous "not." in Reply To.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My complaint about the cart corals is that they are nowhere near the
handicap parking spaces. By the time I get my groceries, and put them in my
van, it's a struggle to go the distance.....Sharon in Canada

[Nancy Young]

On 5/24/2013 10:55 AM, Nunya Bidnits wrote:

> Nancy Young <rjynly...@vverizon.net> wrote:

>> Ditto. The more I walk, the better my legs (and hip) feel. The
>> opposite is also true, you wouldn't think sitting around would make
>> you feel worse, but there you have it.
>
> It does in my case. I have to have my left knee worked on to clean up
> torn cartilage.

Wow, good luck with that. I'm glad they can do something.

> Sitting actually bothers it as much as excessive effort,
> because it swells, tightens up, and aches.

I hear ya. It's the same with my left hip, that I injured as
a child and the less I do, the more it reminds me.

> Now I just have to work out
> the scheduling since I won't be able to do anything very physical for a
> month afterwards. It's gonna put a kink in summer barbecue contest plans.

I hope you get it out of the way soon, you'll be up by July some
time.

nancy

[James Silverton]

But the handicapped spaces are usually very close to the store entrance
and that's where the parking attendants would take the carts anyway.

[Dave Smith]

On 24/05/2013 1:03 PM, jmcquown wrote:

> I'm glad you didn't lose your purse (or your car)! And thank you for
> stopping the runaway shopping carts. I really do NOT understand why
> people are so frigging lazy they won't put shopping carts back where
> they belong. It was incredibly windy the entire month of April...
> rolling shopping cart season.
>
>

I think you do understand..... you said they are lazy.

[dsi1]

On 5/24/2013 9:20 AM, Sharon wrote:
> My complaint about the cart corals is that they are nowhere near the
> handicap parking spaces. By the time I get my groceries, and put them
> in my van, it's a struggle to go the distance.....Sharon in Canada

That's a good point. The Safeway over here has a cart station directly
across from the handicap spaces. I don't care much for that location. I
think a more logical place would be in the middle or 2/3rds away from
the spaces nearest the store entrance. As you know, you can't please
everybody. That's the breaks.

[sf]

On Fri, 24 May 2013 13:03:02 -0400, jmcquown <j_mc...@comcast.net>
wrote:

> I'm glad you didn't lose your purse (or your car)! And thank you for
> stopping the runaway shopping carts. I really do NOT understand why
> people are so frigging lazy they won't put shopping carts back where
> they belong. It was incredibly windy the entire month of April...
> rolling shopping cart season.

I went to Costco in April and the winds were so bad they had an
employee by the carts holding them back and pulling one out for each
customer that needed one.

[Nunya Bidnits]

Nancy Young <rjynly...@vverizon.net> wrote:
> On 5/24/2013 10:55 AM, Nunya Bidnits wrote:
>> Nancy Young <rjynly...@vverizon.net> wrote:
>
>>> Ditto. The more I walk, the better my legs (and hip) feel. The
>>> opposite is also true, you wouldn't think sitting around would make
>>> you feel worse, but there you have it.
>>
>> It does in my case. I have to have my left knee worked on to clean up
>> torn cartilage.
>
> Wow, good luck with that. I'm glad they can do something.

It could be a lot worse. They can clean it all up with a scope so there is
no drastic surgical wound or long term recovery, not even any PT needed.
Where the cartilage is partially torn, they cut away the rough edges and
smooth everything out. Two days on crutches, a month of light activity, and
it's over.

>
>> Sitting actually bothers it as much as excessive effort,
>> because it swells, tightens up, and aches.
>
> I hear ya. It's the same with my left hip, that I injured as
> a child and the less I do, the more it reminds me.
>
>> Now I just have to work out
>> the scheduling since I won't be able to do anything very physical
>> for a month afterwards. It's gonna put a kink in summer barbecue
>> contest plans.
>
> I hope you get it out of the way soon, you'll be up by July some
> time.
>
> nancy

Yeah, that puts the Great Lenexa Barbecue Battle in jepoardy. It's the third
week in June. I might just wait till after since it's not getting any worse.

MartyB

[Ema Nymton]

Corvette owners are well known to park in the outskirts of the parking
lot, so nobody will ding their car. Corvette owners also wave when they
drive by each other. Different.

Becca

[Ema Nymton]

There is a chain of supermarkets here, that does not have a cart return.
The person sacking your groceries takes them out to your car for you
whether you like it or not, and they do not accept tips. That part makes
me uncomfortable, I should at least be able to tip them.

Becca

[Dave Smith]

On 24/05/2013 6:10 PM, Ema Nymton wrote:
> On 5/24/2013 10:42 AM, Kalmia wrote:
>> Some are old or overweight and every step is a burden. Pour moi, I
>> look for SHADE or dingless territory.
>>
>> My neighbor who has a red Corvette always parks out in no man's land
>> - that's how I can detect his presence in a parking lot.
>
> Corvette owners are well known to park in the outskirts of the parking
> lot, so nobody will ding their car.

They are? Around here they tend to park across two spaces....which is
probably why they get keyed.

> Corvette owners also wave when they
> drive by each other. Different.

Motorcyclists do that too.



What's the difference between a Corvette and a cactus?







A cactus has the pricks on the outside.

[sf]

On Fri, 24 May 2013 17:10:52 -0500, Ema Nymton <EmaN...@comcast.net>
wrote:

That waving at drivers of like cars thing is true for all sports cars
(the real ones that are just two seaters). Hubby learned that 40
years ago when he drove a Fiat Spider.

[gregz]

I have been offered a cart shopping at Aldi. I also think I offered it to
someone else when I was done.

Greg

Greg

[gregz]

I have got carts a couple times at my grocery. They have new or refurbished
carts. I never used those old seats, but I'm thinking the new ones have NO
seat. I'll check next time.

Greg

[gregz]

I have parked my truck in outer areas because of it's size.

I once stopped for a pit stop at a restaurant. I parked my car between two
Ferrari's.
Three cars in a row with Michelin XWX tires. That's 12 tires.

No, I had a datsun.

Greg

[Ed Pawlowski]

On Fri, 24 May 2013 18:24:32 -0400, Dave Smith
<adavid...@sympatico.ca> wrote:



>> Corvette owners are well known to park in the outskirts of the parking
>> lot, so nobody will ding their car.
>
>
>They are? Around here they tend to park across two spaces....which is
>probably why they get keyed.
>

That does not bother me when they do it way out in the open spaces.
Bugs me when they take the first two close spaces though making it
difficult for someone that really needs to be close.

My second car is usually older and I don't care if it gets a ding so
I'd intentionally park as close as I could to the a-hole that did
that.

[Cheryl]

On 5/24/2013 11:40 AM, Kalmia wrote:

> Maybe the broad has back trouble where every step is rationed.
> Sciatica is no joke - been there are few times. Maybe she had ice
> cream and it was a hot day? Just trying to find some reasons.
> PROBABLY just un-thinking or wants to give the bag-boys something to
> do?

Not sciatica in my case, but stenosis and spondylolisthesis. Even
before spinal fusion when every step I took was excruciating, I don't
recall leaving a cart in a parking spot. I might have left one up on
the grassy part of dividers between the parking lot and the store,
though, if the pain was really really bad. Standing in line at the
grocery store used to be so painful that I was often so tempted to sit
down on the floor but I wasn't guaranteed of being able to get back up. :)
--
CAPSLOCK�Preventing Login Since 1980.

[Cheryl]

On 5/24/2013 12:38 PM, Dave Smith wrote:

> But good luck with that riding tractor. Make sure to get one with a
> safety switch bypass that will allow you to back up with the blades in
> gear. It is a PITA to have to keep engaging and disengaging the PTO to
> back up. On my previous mower I was excited to use it for the first
> time. I was out in the far back section and working my way between some
> trees when I suddenly realized that I was over top of a hornet nest.
> They were angry and a branch prevented me from going forward. I slapped
> it into reverse..... the engine stopped. I was not used to the machine
> and I had to think about the steps to get it going..... disengage PTO,
> put it in neutral, press the clutch/brake turn the key..... angry
> hornets buzzing around.

I thought all riders and tractors have that switch now that lets you go
in reverse with the blades engaged? I was watching a drunk neighbor a
couple of years ago who obviously had no idea how to work a rider and
every time he tried to go in reverse the engine died.

I'm so glad I have a rider because my lawn is so long right now from all
of the rain every time I have a chance to cut it that it's all gone to
seed and is nearly 12" high. I see the forecast here isn't calling for
rain tomorrow, so I'll get it done in the morning. Well, maybe
afternoon since it's almost 3:30am now. :)

[Ophelia]

"sf" <s...@geemail.com> wrote in message
news:p1qvp81r9npm9kjij...@4ax.com...

Yeah I had a Fiat Spider:)) I had a Triumph Spitfire too and an MGB GT.
I few years ago I sold my Mazda MX5 and bought a Shotgun. Nobody waves at
me anymore:)
--
--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

[Nancy Young]

On 5/25/2013 1:58 AM, Cheryl wrote:

> Not sciatica in my case, but stenosis and spondylolisthesis. Even
> before spinal fusion when every step I took was excruciating, I don't
> recall leaving a cart in a parking spot. I might have left one up on
> the grassy part of dividers between the parking lot and the store,
> though, if the pain was really really bad. Standing in line at the
> grocery store used to be so painful that I was often so tempted to sit
> down on the floor but I wasn't guaranteed of being able to get back up. :)

Ha, been there. Not as serious as your situation, not by a long shot.

Even though I'm called a meanie and a jerk for it, it's for people
like you that I have all my stuff ready to go to get through check
out and quickly as possible, and that it bugs me when people aren't
considerate of the people behind them. Maybe they have all the time
in the world, but someone behind them might not, or might be in
discomfort of some kind.

nancy

[jmcquown]

In 1984 I bought a Toyota Corolla. I couldn't believe it when other
Corolla drivers would honk and wave at me. It's not like it was a
classic car. :)

Jill

[sf]

On Sat, 25 May 2013 10:45:56 +0100, "Ophelia"
<Oph...@elsinore.me.ku.invalid> wrote:

> Yeah I had a Fiat Spider:)) I had a Triumph Spitfire too and an MGB GT.
> I few years ago I sold my Mazda MX5 and bought a Shotgun. Nobody waves at
> me anymore:)

Heh, you're like him. He had a Triumph (I forget which one but it was
a two seater), an MGB GT and some sort of Mazda muscle car that he
only kept for 6 months because no one in the family would ride with
him. We all hated that car. It was a 4 seat "sports car". Bucket
seats in front and a tiny bench in the back. It was probably similar
to the fiat, but to me it was a lot bulkier and we had kids by that
time so it just wasn't practical. I liked my car to be the soccer
mom with a dog - lets go to the beach, type (although I was a
non-conformist and drove a Lancia when all the other moms drove
Volvos) and his to be the let's get dressed up and go out type car -
so I was happy when he grew up and we started buying BMWs & Mercedes.

[Nancy Young]

On 5/25/2013 8:58 AM, jmcquown wrote:

> In 1984 I bought a Toyota Corolla. I couldn't believe it when other
> Corolla drivers would honk and wave at me. It's not like it was a
> classic car. :)

I drove an early Honda Accord, believe it or not, they were a
rare sight and when people weren't asking me about it, the
very occasional other Accord driver would beep and wave.

Seems funny now.

nancy

[jmcquown]

I can't recall the name of the supermarket but there was one like that
when I lived in Tennessee. At one time it was a small family owned
"chain" - strictly local. They their stores and for a while it was
Albertsons, then Snhnuck's, or vice versa. Heh.) The person bagging
groceries took them to your car whether you needed help or not. And no,
they couldn't accept tips. I remember one young man telling me he could
lose his job if he accepted a tip. That didn't sit well with me. If
figure if I want to give him a couple of bucks it's my business.

Jill

[jmcquown]

It seemed funny to me at the time, too. Hey, I bought I car, I didn't
know I was joining a fan club. (laugh)

Jill

[James Silverton]

On 5/25/2013 10:00 AM, Nancy Young wrote:

I remember someone asking me when I first drove my Accord: "Is that a
small Mercedes?". These days there are Mercedes smaller than Accords.

[Nancy Young]

On 5/25/2013 10:19 AM, James Silverton wrote:
> On 5/25/2013 10:00 AM, Nancy Young wrote:

>> I drove an early Honda Accord, believe it or not, they were a
>> rare sight and when people weren't asking me about it, the
>> very occasional other Accord driver would beep and wave.
>>
>> Seems funny now.
>>
>
> I remember someone asking me when I first drove my Accord: "Is that a
> small Mercedes?".

Ha, I never got that question. My boss drove a big car, even
by those days standards, and he told me he wished he had my
car for his trunk, in case he got a flat. (laugh)

> These days there are Mercedes smaller than Accords.

If I drove a really expensive car, people would know it. Not
by checking the emblem and going oh, that's a Mercedes/whatever?

nancy

[Dave Smith]

There was an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm where Larry David was upset
because another Prius driver did not wave back.

[Ophelia]

"sf" <s...@geemail.com> wrote in message

news:t1g1q8l5hnphfcgok...@4ax.com...

<g>

--
--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

[sf]

On Sat, 25 May 2013 10:28:29 -0400, Nancy Young
<rjynly...@vverizon.net> wrote:

> If I drove a really expensive car, people would know it.

Do you plan to stencil it on the car in big letters?

> Not
> by checking the emblem and going oh, that's a Mercedes/whatever?
>

I don't recognize cars by body shape. I saw a really nice Bentley
the other day, but had no idea what it was until I saw the emblem.
Porsches although are a little easier for me because there are so many
around and I'm used to seeing them. They're the VW of expensive
cars... which is appropriate, considering Porsche is owned by VW now.

[Nancy Young]

On 5/25/2013 11:56 AM, sf wrote:
> On Sat, 25 May 2013 10:28:29 -0400, Nancy Young
> <rjynly...@vverizon.net> wrote:
>
>> If I drove a really expensive car, people would know it.
>
> Do you plan to stencil it on the car in big letters?

That's my point. It would look expensive. I see cars around
that I know cost the earth and if I didn't see the emblem, I'd
think they were some other kind of car.

>> Not
>> by checking the emblem and going oh, that's a Mercedes/whatever?
>>
> I don't recognize cars by body shape. I saw a really nice Bentley
> the other day, but had no idea what it was until I saw the emblem.
> Porsches although are a little easier for me because there are so many
> around and I'm used to seeing them. They're the VW of expensive
> cars... which is appropriate, considering Porsche is owned by VW now.

Not a car I've ever been interested in, for whatever reason, and
they're kind of bony inside.

nancy

[Dave Smith]

On 25/05/2013 11:56 AM, sf wrote:

> I don't recognize cars by body shape. I saw a really nice Bentley
> the other day, but had no idea what it was until I saw the emblem.
> Porsches although are a little easier for me because there are so many
> around and I'm used to seeing them. They're the VW of expensive
> cars... which is appropriate, considering Porsche is owned by VW now.
>

I am not a car fanatic by any means. I used to work with a guy who was
into hot rods and classic cars. In fact, he has moonlight business as an
assessor and his services were very much in demand from those who had
put a lot of money into their cars and needed credible assessments of
their value. He was always pointing out interesting cars. I once
commented that he knew cars by make, model and year while I recognized
them by colour and decade.

[sf]

On Sat, 25 May 2013 13:49:48 -0400, Nancy Young

They appeal to a certain segment of the population, otherwise they'd
be out of business by now. I've only test driven a Boxter, but didn't
like the "racing car" aspect. I would have bought it if I thought I'd
ever get used to driving it, but it was too weird for me.

[James Silverton]

On 5/25/2013 11:56 AM, sf wrote:

It is even more appropriate since Ferry Porsche, in addition to
designing tanks, one of the first designers for Hitler's "People's Car".

[Ed Pawlowski]

On Sat, 25 May 2013 13:49:48 -0400, Nancy Young

<rjynly...@vverizon.net> wrote:

>On 5/25/2013 11:56 AM, sf wrote:
>> On Sat, 25 May 2013 10:28:29 -0400, Nancy Young
>> <rjynly...@vverizon.net> wrote:
>>
>>> If I drove a really expensive car, people would know it.
>>
>> Do you plan to stencil it on the car in big letters?
>
>That's my point. It would look expensive. I see cars around
>that I know cost the earth and if I didn't see the emblem, I'd
>think they were some other kind of car.

Some of the very expensive cars are rather mundane in style as opposed
to some of the middle priced cars. Used to be, you drove a Caddy or
Lincoln, it could be spotted a half mile away. Some of the Mercedes
are not as good looking as a Toyota or Hyundai. If fact, I think the
Sonata is one of the best styled cars in its present class.

[dsi1]

On 5/25/2013 11:11 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

>
> Some of the very expensive cars are rather mundane in style as opposed
> to some of the middle priced cars. Used to be, you drove a Caddy or
> Lincoln, it could be spotted a half mile away. Some of the Mercedes
> are not as good looking as a Toyota or Hyundai. If fact, I think the
> Sonata is one of the best styled cars in its present class.
>

Hyundai is smart. The 2001 Sonata copied the styling of the Jaguar. The
2006 looks like a clone of the Audi A4. The latest series looks like a
BMW. Hopefully, the next one will look like a Hyundai.

[sf]

One of my SIL's had a Hyundai when they were still the new kid on the
block - she called it her mini-Mercedes. Yes, it looked like a toy
Mercedes.

[Ed Pawlowski]

On Sat, 25 May 2013 11:34:52 -1000, dsi1
<ds...@eternal-september.invalid> wrote:

Look at the line on the side. The deign chief came from Mercedes and
did the C class.

I used to laugh at people buying Hyundai, now I'm on my third, a
Sonata Limited with the turbo. Pacific Blue. They've come a long way
from the old Exel that rusted away.

[dsi1]

On 5/25/2013 12:19 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

> Look at the line on the side. The deign chief came from Mercedes and
> did the C class.

You are certainly right about that. That's one beautiful accent line!

>
> I used to laugh at people buying Hyundai, now I'm on my third, a
> Sonata Limited with the turbo. Pacific Blue. They've come a long way
> from the old Exel that rusted away.

My 2006 Sonata made me feel good driving it. It was a nice ride but it
crashed. That's the breaks.

[jmcquown]

It crashed?! I love my Hyundai Accent. I've had it 10 years and it's
still going strong. :)

Jill

[dsi1]

On 5/25/2013 1:22 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>
> It crashed?! I love my Hyundai Accent. I've had it 10 years and it's
> still going strong. :)
>
> Jill

My daughter tried to take a corner a little too hot and biffed it. She
should have placed her faith in the Electronic Stability Control and
cranked the wheel hard. I think she would have missed that light pole.

The good news is that nobody was hurt and I got more money from the
insurance than I paid. How that happened is a mystery.

I've been driving a beater 96 Dodge Dakota truck and enjoying it. It
suits me fine and as an extra bonus, the kids hate it.

[Nancy Young]

On 5/25/2013 6:19 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

> I used to laugh at people buying Hyundai, now I'm on my third, a
> Sonata Limited with the turbo. Pacific Blue. They've come a long way
> from the old Exel that rusted away.

Last year, my vacation rental was a Hyundai, even in a four
cylinder, it had plenty of get up and go.

In the beginning, people laughed at my Accords, but over time
I owned three of them and each one was better than the previous.
I'd buy one of those again.

nancy

[Ed Pawlowski]

On Sat, 25 May 2013 13:45:32 -1000, dsi1
<ds...@eternal-september.invalid> wrote:



>
>My daughter tried to take a corner a little too hot and biffed it. She
>should have placed her faith in the Electronic Stability Control and
>cranked the wheel hard. I think she would have missed that light pole.
>

I had an opportunity to use the ESC in a real situation. I was on a
highway doing about 65 and the road was wet. Fiddling with the CD
changer, I did not see that the idiot in front of me slowed to 40 for
some reason. (yes, I was inattentive and it was my fault). I cut the
wheel hard to the left to the next lane, then hard to the right to go
straight. It tracked like it was on rails. If I was in my Buick, I'd
be rolling down the middle of the road sideways.

I also played with the ESC in our parking lot at work one snowy day.
It allowed me to make fairly tight circles but when I turned it off, I
started to spin the wheels and slide.

[sf]

On Sat, 25 May 2013 13:13:25 -1000, dsi1
<ds...@eternal-september.invalid> wrote:

> My 2006 Sonata made me feel good driving it. It was a nice ride but it
> crashed. That's the breaks.

*It* crashed - with no human help? Are you saying it was a suicidal
automobile that decided to destroy itself?

If you were the driver and therefore the cause of the crash, I'm glad
you're still alive. But, hey - think about it. You *killed* a poor,
indefensive little car that never did anything but try to please
you.... you-you-you inconsiderate BRUTE!

:)

[sf]

On Sat, 25 May 2013 20:16:44 -0400, Nancy Young
<rjynly...@vverizon.net> wrote:

> Last year, my vacation rental was a Hyundai, even in a four
> cylinder, it had plenty of get up and go.

Yeah, but did it have to climb a hill - and by hill, I mean an
incline of at least 15-20%. Which we don't consider steep.
http://alphadrive.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/steep-hill-upwards-warning-sign.png

[dsi1]

On 5/25/2013 4:41 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
> I had an opportunity to use the ESC in a real situation. I was on a
> highway doing about 65 and the road was wet. Fiddling with the CD
> changer, I did not see that the idiot in front of me slowed to 40 for
> some reason. (yes, I was inattentive and it was my fault). I cut the
> wheel hard to the left to the next lane, then hard to the right to go
> straight. It tracked like it was on rails. If I was in my Buick, I'd
> be rolling down the middle of the road sideways.
>
> I also played with the ESC in our parking lot at work one snowy day.
> It allowed me to make fairly tight circles but when I turned it off, I
> started to spin the wheels and slide.
>

Thanks for the real life info. ESC is the most significant advance in
automotive safety that hardly anybody is aware of.

[dsi1]

That's life for you, even the smallest of mistakes can result in a car
being killed. I like my cars boring and least likely to draw attention.
I just wanted a dopey family car but who the heck would have guessed
that the freaking car had 240 HP and we'd be burning rubber if we pushed
a little too hard on the go pedal. That was embarrassing. In the end,
the car had too much git up and go and perhaps it was fated to come to a
bad end.

I was watching the second half of the Super Bowl when I got the call.
She said that she had a flat tire. I was later to find out that this was
an understatement of gigantic proportions. The tire was flat alright.
The suspension was bent to hell when it hit and knocked over the pole
which still had the concrete footing bolted to it. I thought those
things were suppose to breakaway or something.

The front of the car didn't have a scratch. Near as I can figure, the
car was in the air and it hit the pole on the front suspension and
subframe. There was a slight creasing of the sheet metal by the front of
the door where the subframe had dissipated the energy into sheet metal.
I didn't even notice it on first inspection. It was a pretty good demo
of the robustness of monocoque construction.

[Nancy Young]

On 5/26/2013 12:32 AM, sf wrote:
> On Sat, 25 May 2013 20:16:44 -0400, Nancy Young
> <rjynly...@vverizon.net> wrote:
>
>> Last year, my vacation rental was a Hyundai, even in a four
>> cylinder, it had plenty of get up and go.
>
> Yeah, but did it have to climb a hill - and by hill, I mean an
> incline of at least 15-20%. Which we don't consider steep.
> http://alphadrive.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/steep-hill-upwards-warning-sign.png
>

I can't say, but it would likely do as well as any other 4 cylinders
I've driven over the years, some of which I've driven up Mt. Washington
with no problem.

nancy

[sf]

On Sun, 26 May 2013 10:58:59 -0400, Nancy Young

<rjynly...@vverizon.net> wrote:

> On 5/26/2013 12:32 AM, sf wrote:
> > On Sat, 25 May 2013 20:16:44 -0400, Nancy Young
> > <rjynly...@vverizon.net> wrote:
> >
> >> Last year, my vacation rental was a Hyundai, even in a four
> >> cylinder, it had plenty of get up and go.
> >
> > Yeah, but did it have to climb a hill - and by hill, I mean an
> > incline of at least 15-20%. Which we don't consider steep.
> > http://alphadrive.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/steep-hill-upwards-warning-sign.png
> >
> I can't say, but it would likely do as well as any other 4 cylinders
> I've driven over the years, some of which I've driven up Mt. Washington
> with no problem.
>

I can only say that I was very glad when I didn't have a 4 banger
anymore because it didn't do well on San Francisco hills.

[Ed Pawlowski]

On Sun, 26 May 2013 08:49:26 -0700, sf <s...@geemail.com> wrote:



>> I can't say, but it would likely do as well as any other 4 cylinders
>> I've driven over the years, some of which I've driven up Mt. Washington
>> with no problem.
>>
>I can only say that I was very glad when I didn't have a 4 banger
>anymore because it didn't do well on San Francisco hills.

4 cylinder is fine if they are turbocharged. 274 HP on mine.

[Ema Nymton]

On 5/24/2013 5:24 PM, Dave Smith wrote:

> What's the difference between a Corvette and a cactus?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> A cactus has the pricks on the outside.


Now that is funny. LOL Hey, I used to own a Corvette or two. ;-)

Becca

[Ema Nymton]

On 5/25/2013 2:19 AM, Cheryl wrote:

> I'm so glad I have a rider because my lawn is so long right now from all
> of the rain every time I have a chance to cut it that it's all gone to
> seed and is nearly 12" high. I see the forecast here isn't calling for
> rain tomorrow, so I'll get it done in the morning. Well, maybe
> afternoon since it's almost 3:30am now. :)

We will be buying a rider in the next 6-8 weeks. If you hear someone
shouting for joy, you will know we have it.

Becca

[sf]

They are turbo charged now, but they weren't back then. If they were,
Honda certainly didn't do it on their Accord. Since then, we've owned
6 cylinder cars that had more power than old fashioned 8s.

[Dave Smith]

Don't wait that long. I don't know about where you live but around here
at this time if year I have to mow the lawn at least twice a week. I
have more than an acre of grass to cut. It is divided into 5 different
areas, I have two streams through the property and dozens of trees. I
would be lost without my tractor mower.

I had been having some problems with it cutting out and not wanting to
start until after it sat for a while. When it was running it ran rough.
I made arrangements to take it into the shop for repair. Between pick up
and delivery, labour and parts I figured I would be looking at at least
$200. The mechanic suggested I try changing the spark plug, fuel and air
filters, so I tried that. It still would not start.

Yesterday morning I decided to give it another try. I poured a little
alcohol into the breather... to help ignition and absorb water that
might have been in the carburator. Then I disconnect the gas line from
the (new) filter, and trained about a half pint of gas. Put it back
together, started it up and it is now running better than it has run in
years.

When I had a push mower I used to cut at least one section of lawn each
night and by the time I finished it was time to start back at the
beginning. If it rained I missed a night and had to make up for it. With
the tractor mower I can mow the entire lawn in about an hour and a half.

Like push mowers, it is better to run over it quickly before it gets too
long because it will keep clogging up and it will take at least three
times as long to mow, and you will have all the clippings to deal with.

[Momma Raider]

Marty, For heavens sake don't have your knee done during football
season. You'll just injur it again kicking the TV while wre're running
a punt back on you!......MR

[George Leppla]

On 5/26/2013 8:16 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 26/05/2013 5:36 PM, Ema Nymton wrote:

>> We will be buying a rider in the next 6-8 weeks. If you hear someone
>> shouting for joy, you will know we have it.
>
> Don't wait that long. I don't know about where you live but around here
> at this time if year I have to mow the lawn at least twice a week. I
> have more than an acre of grass to cut. It is divided into 5 different
> areas, I have two streams through the property and dozens of trees. I
> would be lost without my tractor mower.

When I lived in PA, this time of year I would have to mow 3 times in two
weeks. Short season, cold climate grass grows fast once the temps get
above 70 degrees with regularity.

Here in the South, it is seldom necessary to move more than twice every
three weeks... usually once every other week will do. But we mow all
year, although in December through February, we slow down to once every
3 weeks.

> Yesterday morning I decided to give it another try. I poured a little
> alcohol into the breather... to help ignition and absorb water that
> might have been in the carburator. Then I disconnect the gas line from
> the (new) filter, and trained about a half pint of gas. Put it back
> together, started it up and it is now running better than it has run in
> years.

You did all the right things. Depending on the engine, there might also
be a kink in the carburetor linkage that is hanging things up (when the
engine gets hot, the carb choke/air settings change). Spray lube everything.

I had a mower that did the same thing and it drove me nuts. Finally
figured out that when I replaced the fuel line, I cut the hose too long.
When it was cold, it worked fine. When the engine warmed up, the line
got soft enough and kinked... cutting off gas supply.

> When I had a push mower I used to cut at least one section of lawn each
> night and by the time I finished it was time to start back at the
> beginning. If it rained I missed a night and had to make up for it. With
> the tractor mower I can mow the entire lawn in about an hour and a half.

Right now, we are mowing about 3 acres (+/-). I was doing it myself with
a 22 inch self-propelled push mower and it took me between 4 and 5 hours
total, but not all at once. This past week, Becca offered to help (we
have a second 22 inch mower) so the two of us mowed one morning for a
little over 2 hours... and I finished up the next day. It isn't fun,
but it was good exercise and with the two of us working at it, time
seems to pass by pretty quickly.

We are going to buy a tractor shortly. I figure something with a 48 inch
deck will cut mowing time down to around 2 to 2.5 hours. Very little
trimming to do except around the house so that won't slow me down.

George L

[Brooklyn1]

George Leppla wrote:
>
>Right now, we are mowing about 3 acres with
>a 22 inch self-propelled push mower. We are

>going to buy a tractor shortly. I figure something

>with a 48 inch deck.

I don't think they make a 48" deck, they are 42" and the next size is
54", and then 60". I'd suggest at least the 54" for someone your
weight... the 60" is better for you because the wider the cut the
greater the HP... you'll need the extra HP to haul you around. The
thing is all those low end garden tractors are built on the same
chassis with the same small diameter narrow tread tires... at your
weight you'll always be climbing out of a rut, always running uphill,
a low HP motor won't last long. And if you're as large as you look in
your picture you probably won't fit on those cheapo garden tractors,
the seats don't travel back far enough for you to fit behind the
steering wheel, the steering wheels on those low end machines aren't
adjustable either. Those low end (toys r us) garden tractors are
designed to accomodate folks no more than 175 lbs... and even then
when well maintained they typically last no longer than 3-4 years.
Their thin pressed sheet metal construction is simply not designed to
carry your weight... first thing the sheet metal rusts out and
collapses. Doesn't much matter which brand but for you I'd recommend
a real tractor and definitely diesel. I would strongly suggest buying
from an authorized dealer rather than a big box store. Cub Cadet
makes a decent product: http://www.cubcadet.com/equipment/cubcadet
This is a good product too:
http://www.simplicitymfg.com/us/en/tractors

[George Leppla]

On 5/27/2013 10:13 AM, Brooklyn1 wrote:
> George Leppla wrote:
>>
>> Right now, we are mowing about 3 acres with
>> a 22 inch self-propelled push mower. We are
>> going to buy a tractor shortly. I figure something
>> with a 48 inch deck.
>
> I don't think they make a 48" deck, they are 42" and the next size is
> 54", and then 60". I'd suggest at least the 54" for someone your
> weight... the 60" is better for you because the wider the cut the
> greater the HP... you'll need the extra HP to haul you around.

Ahhh... I love talking tractors.

Various brands have different size decks... you can get up to a 32 inch
single blade, 42" double blade, 42, 46, 48, 54 and 60 in triple blade
configurations.

Because of gates, obstructions, etc, I can't use a 54 or 60 inch deck.
Even some 48" decks might be too wide if the deflector shield is too
long or fixed instead of being able to fold up out of the way.

As you have noticed, I am larger than the average bear so I am only
looking at machines with engines that are 17 HP or up... preferably twin
cylinder but a one cylinder would be OK. Most of the machines I've
looked at have at least that much HP.

> I would strongly suggest buying
> from an authorized dealer rather than a big box store. Cub Cadet
> makes a decent product: http://www.cubcadet.com/equipment/cubcadet

Actually, I looked at this tractor:
http://houston.craigslist.org/grd/3776869412.html According to the
manufacturer plate, the machine was built in 2007, making it 6 years
old. It has been cleaned up well, but there are a lot of hours on it...
too many for $900. Like the guy said in his listing, for another $500 I
could buy a new one.

> This is a good product too:
> http://www.simplicitymfg.com/us/en/tractors

I've owned two Simplicity tractors and they are great. Very sturdy.
Problem is that they aren't very popular down here and I haven't seen
any used ones for sale. Another problem... the nearest dealer is 47
miles away (like I said, not very popular) and while they build a nice
machine, the Simplicity Parts Department isn't the most dependable.
Still, if I came across a good used one, I would seriously consider
buying it.

George L

[Dave Smith]

On 27/05/2013 8:44 AM, George Leppla wrote:

>> When I had a push mower I used to cut at least one section of lawn each
>> night and by the time I finished it was time to start back at the
>> beginning. If it rained I missed a night and had to make up for it. With
>> the tractor mower I can mow the entire lawn in about an hour and a half.
>
> Right now, we are mowing about 3 acres (+/-). I was doing it myself with
> a 22 inch self-propelled push mower and it took me between 4 and 5 hours

> total, but not all at once.This past week, Becca offered to help (we

> have a second 22 inch mower) so the two of us mowed one morning for a
> little over 2 hours... and I finished up the next day. It isn't fun,
> but it was good exercise and with the two of us working at it, time
> seems to pass by pretty quickly.
>
> We are going to buy a tractor shortly. I figure something with a 48 inch
> deck will cut mowing time down to around 2 to 2.5 hours. Very little
> trimming to do except around the house so that won't slow me down.
>

I opted for the 38 inch deck because my lawn property is divided into
five areas that have to be mowed. I have the front lawn, the back lawn,
a stream behind that, then the area around my barn, a tree line, another
stream and the back section. I have so many curves,and angles to deal
with. There are a lot of trees and few places to get a straight cut. I
figured the narrow deck would get me between more trees so less trimming
to do. A couple inches means a few more swaths.

[George Leppla]

On 5/27/2013 2:57 PM, Dave Smith wrote:

> I opted for the 38 inch deck because my lawn property is divided into
> five areas that have to be mowed. I have the front lawn, the back lawn,
> a stream behind that, then the area around my barn, a tree line, another
> stream and the back section. I have so many curves,and angles to deal
> with. There are a lot of trees and few places to get a straight cut. I
> figured the narrow deck would get me between more trees so less trimming
> to do. A couple inches means a few more swaths.

Yep... not everyone needs a big dick.... I mean, big deck. If you have a
lot of tight spaces and property is broken up into smaller areas, a
small tractor can be overall better than a large one.

Sheldon has some beautiful property and most of his mowing is open field
acreage. His big tractor might be a bit too much for the job, but then
considering he uses it for snow removal... it is a good fit. Without
the snow removal, his smaller Kubota would probably be OK for mowing
alone assuming it has a 60 inch deck. Those smaller Kubotas with that
kind of belly mount mower can really gobble up the turf. Nice machines.

You will see a lot of pros having big mowers because time is money...
and at least one small one that they use to get in and out of tight
spots (gates can be a bitch).

For what I have to mow, anything over 48 inches would mean a lot of hand
mowing in tight spaces. Anything under 42 inches and I'm adding more
time to the job. Lucky for me, 42 to 48 in decks are the most popular sizes.

George L