Patio Vacuum and the ChickSaw

Spring is unfolding in the Southeastern U.S., and the fine weather has beckoned us to get out and start preparing our vegetable and flower gardens. Making my gardening life easier this year are two electric gizmos which streamline some of these tasks--a blower/vacuum and a cute little chainsaw that DH has dubbed the ChickSaw.

The first one, the Toro Ultra Blower Vac, now known as the Toro Electric Ultra Blower, sat in its box for quite a while before we opened and assembled it. Once we did, however, I realized that we should have opened it much sooner. The blower comes with a bag attachment, so instead of just blowing leaves and other debris around, I can take that sucker outside and vacuum the garage! Don't even think about letting me loose in the woodworking shop! It's also great for a quick cleanup on the patio, e.g., to pick up the scattered remnants of a flower-planting spree.

Never did I think I would look forward to using a chainsaw--that just seemed like a tool that was better left to the boys. Well, no more! The Black and Decker Alligator can take out a little tree faster than you can say "I wish I'd never planted that!" It's electric, it's really fast, and it's sized perfectly for me, giving rise to its new name, the ChickSaw. I was outside operating the ChickSaw one day last week, zapping little tree trunks and hooting with delight. When I ventured in, DH said, "Sweetie, are you having fun out there?"

Indeed I am.