A power mower is not a pleasant machine whether you ride it, push it or walk behind it as it ambles along over your home turf. The sound of it is annoying, it’s work a chore that needs repeating almost weekly not to mention maintenance; in short, not a very pleasant device at all. Still, I do seek the good among the bad and I have fortunately been able to determine two worthwhile qualities in support of it. They aren’t much but it’s all I have.

First, there is the walk. I do not have a riding mower though friends of mine do and their yards are a postage stamp by comparison; to each his own. My mower is self-propelled which means all I do is walk behind it. One day I got out my GPS and carried it with me as I went. I created a pattern that allowed for one continuous run with as few stops as possible. When I finished I found I had walked one point eight miles within the boundaries of my yard. Not too shabby.

The heavy rain falling across the area is causing some minor flooding, especially in central Pennsylvania.

PennDOT is keeping track of several roads closed by high water.

Luzerne County

SR 4009 (Cope Rd) is closed between Pond Hill Rd in Union Township to the intersection of Thorne Hill Rd in Huntington Township due to flooding.  Anticipated reopening is Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Northumberland County
Route 1025 (Shakespeare Road) in East Chillisquaque Township, between Route 45 and Hobbes Road

Wayne County

SR 4009 (Dug RD) is closed from the intersection of SR 191 in Dyberry Township to the intersection of Ash St/Upper Woods Rd in Dyberry Township due to flooding.   Anticipated reopening is Wednesday at 12 p.m.