The first time I cut grass for anything other than a chore was in 2023. Since then I have absolutely fallen in love.

When I first started all I did was push the mower, edge the sidewalks, weed, eat and go home. Taking no pride in my work and doing it just for a little extra cash. Now, I understand the therapeutic effects it has on me.

Most summer mornings, and weekend mornings during the spring, I’ll wake up around 8 get some breakfast and my equipment then start the day. I’ll get to my first house, pop the tailgate, get my ramps down, roll that Honda HRX 217 down and start the job. The air feels cool and its very quiet until I rip that cord and the engine fills the neighborhood with noise.

Most will see mowing as a repetitive process, but I see it as a way for me to express myself. The lines match perfectly and the stripes fit in with each other magnificently. There’s something really satisfying about the process. You start with a yard that is uneven, a little overgrown, and kind of messy. Then slowly, row by row, it transforms. The lines come in clean and straight.

Then there are the people. Every now and then, a homeowner will come outside and talk for a bit. Sometimes it’s just a quick “thank you”, and other times it turns into a whole conversation. You get to know the neighborhood in a small way, and people start to recognize you. You’re not just some random kid—you’re the one who keeps their neighborhood clean.

Of course it’s not always easy. By the end of the day, the sun is intense, your shirt is soaked, and your hands are a little dirty. But even then, there’s still something rewarding about pushing through and finishing the job.

when you’re finally done and look back at the yard. It’s completely different, the grass is clean and even, and everything looks put together. That moment makes all the effort worth it.

That’s why cutting grass is the perfect summer job. If you need your lawn mowed, hit up lawn John at my St. X email [email protected]