the sputtering two strokes of living well

vrrr vrrr vrrr

How do you practice restraint?

Oh, dear reader, today was difficult.

You see there was a man using a gas powered weed wacker who wasn’t using it well. It’s my favorite version of a cordless string trimmer.

I love the smell of rich gasoline mixed with oil. I love the dank odour of the exhaust mixed with mutilated plants.

But this man did not know what the hell he was doing with it. He was abusing his tool.

Initially, when starting a dandelion slasher, it’s important to use the choke. Cut off the air, give it a bit too much gas and the extra rich mixture tends to burn better.

The choke is a tool of restraint. You cut off the air, you keep the engine from running wild, and you get a better result. And you know what dear reader, over time I’ve been developing my own verbal choke.

Maybe I’m learning, but likely?

I’m just getting old.

But perhaps that’s why I love starting cold two stroke motors. Prime the carb, use the choke, boom, magic.

Sure, you’re at risk of flooding the thing but for the most…