We’ve officially been in Ohio a year now, and I’ve already spent more time mowing the lawn than I did in 15 years living in Boise.

That’s not an exaggeration. In Boise, it took 20 minutes to mow our tiny lot’s dusty lawn. Here on nearly an acre of land in Hudson, it takes two hours to complete. The sensible and/or wealthy ones in town own riding mowers or farm out the job to professional landscapers, but my bullish blue-collar roots won’t allow either, and besides, I want the exercise. Lastly, but most importantly, I’ve found friends to keep me company on the grass in the Grateful Dead.