Morning Cup Of Coffee And Weather

[dustinp]

Alright dustin...be nice


Born in '67, I remember a TV being there all the time. This big RCA piece of furniture, even remember a repair man coming to the house on at least one occasion. I also remember when we got "Cablevision" which gave us 13 channels! I could finally watch channel 9 (WGN) out of Chicago with crystal clear picture. This of course was a big deal because Sunday Afternoon meant Frazier Thomas and "Family Classics" At some point it became about WFLD (32) now fox.

But summers -- we were pretty free range kids. Get up, breakfast (froot loops or Cookie Crisp) then out the door we went --- bikes, baseball and if I could scrouge a few dimes maybe some arts & crafts at the park. Back home for lunch, repeat in the afternoon --- home for supper. Back home when the lights came on.

I'm being nice, ...just comparing notes.
Born in '52, I remember the first TV we got when I was about 4. It had a round screen, and of course was B&W (we got color about 10yrs later). We had 3 network channels, and one independent out of Minneapolis, all of which went off the air at about 11pm - 12mn with the National Anthem, and a test pattern. Saturday mornings were full of cartoons, Little Rascals, Fury, My Friend Flicka, Roy Rogers, Lone Ranger, Hop-a-long Cassidy, Sky King, etc.

My dad, who eventually became a district court judge, was born at home on a farm near Lostwood, ND. Here's a picture of the post office, which was also the general store, and other than a one room school, that was essentially the town. My mom was also born at home on a farm near Hewitt in north central MN. in a bit less desolate surroundings, and didn't have quite as far to walk to school, and sometimes got a ride on her brothers horse. We were a lot luckier. My three siblings and I were born in a hospital a block from our home where my mom was and RN. When I was 5 we moved to a home on the other end of town, so then my walk to school and back was only about 300 yards ( but still up hill both ways through a foot of snow lol).

Our breakfast was usually Cream of Wheat, or oatmeal, and an orange, or banana. A boxed cereal was a treat, but usually was something like Wheaties, Corn Flakes, or Cheerios, or Grape-nuts, very rarely a sweetened one like Frosted Flakes or Fruit Loops. We were also set free every morning, and told to be home for lunch when the noon whistle blew at the local creamery, and again when the 5 o'clock whistle blew again to get ready for supper. In the summer, once our chores were done (mowing, weeding the garden, etc)we were pretty free range kids too with some community structured time, like pee wee baseball, swimming lessons, etc. so not too much different from yours. But usually we were out trying to figure out how to make a buck or two to supplement our .25/wk allowance. So we would look for returnable pop bottles, offer to mow lawns in the summer, and shovel walks and driveways in the winter, and save up for something special we wanted, like a bike or sled, and eventually a snowmobile, motorcycle, and finally a car when I turned 16. We definitely learned and knew the value of a buck, and how to stretch it.

 

[Sweeney]

Evil Kneival with our bicycles.

Oh we did a lot of that too! We had a couple kids in our 'hood that had 'bmx' bikes -- I had my 3 speed huffy bought at the police auction. I was so jealous.

I'm being nice, ...just comparing notes.
Born in '52, I remember the first TV we got when I was about 4. It had a round screen, and of course was B&W (we got color about 10yrs later). We had 3 network channels, and one independent out of Minneapolis, all of which went off the air at about 11pm - 12mn with the National Anthem, and a test pattern. Saturday mornings were full of cartoons, Little Rascals, Fury, My Friend Flicka, Roy Rogers, Lone Ranger, Hop-a-long Cassidy, Sky King, etc.

My dad, who eventually became a district court judge, was born at home on a farm near Lostwood, ND. Here's a picture of the post office, which was also the general store, and other than a one room school, that was essentially the town. My mom was also born at home on a farm near Hewitt in north central MN. in a bit less desolate surroundings, and didn't have quite as far to walk to school, and sometimes got a ride on her brothers horse. We were a lot luckier. My three siblings and I were born in a hospital a block from our home where my mom was and RN. When I was 5 we moved to a home on the other end of town, so then my walk to school and back was only about 300 yards ( but still up hill both ways through a foot of snow lol).

Our breakfast was usually Cream of Wheat, or oatmeal, and an orange, or banana. A boxed cereal was a treat, but usually was something like Wheaties, Corn Flakes, or Cheerios, or Grape-nuts, very rarely a sweetened one like Frosted Flakes or Fruit Loops. We were also set free every morning, and told to be home for lunch when the noon whistle blew at the local creamery, and again when the 5 o'clock whistle blew again to get ready for supper. In the summer, once our chores were done (mowing, weeding the garden, etc)we were pretty free range kids too with some community structured time, like pee wee baseball, swimming lessons, etc. so not too much different from yours. But usually we were out trying to figure out how to make a buck or two to supplement our .25/wk allowance. So we would look for returnable pop bottles, offer to mow lawns in the summer, and shovel walks and driveways in the winter, and save up for something special we wanted, like a bike or sled, and eventually a snowmobile, motorcycle, and finally a car when I turned 16. We definitely learned and knew the value of a buck, and how to stretch it.

I've seen the '50s black and whites with round screens, never the full-on round ones. I remember when we got color, at least I think I do. Really early memory -- I'm sure the memory is because of my Dad's excitement over it.

Saturday cartoons were very much part of my life though, I had things like the Bananna Splits and that weird 70's stuff that was proof drugs are bad. Mom wasn't too concerned about sugar, then again back then, no one was, it sugary cereal, and toaster pastries. Not pop-tarts, but another brand -- they put on the icing in a swirl/looping pattern and the edges of the tarts had some ridges. I can't rememeber the brand but I do remember when they became unavailable, pop-tarts replaced them -- and they were no where near as good. Oh well. Free market doesn't always mean the better will win, just the one who plays the game better.

Lawn mowing was my first entrepreneurial effort. I remember seeing this OLD square top lawn boy sitting in an alley. I used to walk around a lot because that 3 speed huffy didn't survive many ramps. Dad was good at fixing it. But I knocked on the door to politely tell the lady that owned the house "Maam, you rlawn mower is outside..." and hse said "I'm hoping som eone will steal it" --- She gave it to me.

Dad and I sharpened the blade, replaced the plug and a fuel line -- pulled the cord and I can still remember the smell of that wonderful evenrude 2 stroke exhuast, and beautiful "Lawn boy" exhaust note. I cut a lot of lawns with that mower. Later, I got screwed though becuase I made a deal on a larger mower only to sell the lawn boy -- then the seller reniged on his deal leaving me with no mower, and not enough money to replace it.

Fun memories. Now, time to go be brillaint fixing some ones trailer whire problem. I got there and they had cut all the wires going to a tail light and wire-nutted them all together. Gee, why don't the lights work any more?

 

[Ken & Peggy]

.....
I also remember when we got "Cablevision" which gave us 13 channels! I could finally watch channel 9 (WGN) out of Chicago with crystal clear picture. This of course was a big deal because Sunday Afternoon meant Frazier Thomas and "Family Classics"
...

Living in Chicago, Frazier Thomas was an institution. He was on WGN TV every weekday hosting Garfield Goose. And then Sunday duty hosting Family Classics, such as Tobor the Great (that's Robot spelled backward) or Journey to the Center of the Earth with James Mason. Mostly in B&W of course.

 

[Sweeney]

Living in Chicago, Frazier Thomas was an institution. He was on WGN TV every weekday hosting Garfield Goose. And then Sunday duty hosting Family Classics, such as Tobor the Great (that's Robot spelled backward) or Journey to the Center of the Earth with James Mason. Mostly in B&W of course.

I vividly recall tears streaming down my face when Gertrude met her end. Family Classics was a cornerstone of my childhood, just like it was in so many homes. Same for Captain Kangaroo and Mr Rogers. Sunday nights meant tuning into The Wonderful World of Disney, and if memory serves, a dash of Marlin Perkins and Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom for good measure. Though that might have been before Family Classics.

Those were simpler, more innocent times. Don’t get me wrong—I enjoy a gritty episode of Breaking Bad or The Walking Dead now and then, but can you imagine time-warping back to the ‘70s and showing our parents the Walking Dead pilot? They’d be horrified!

----

On a different note, I’m gearing up for a camping trip this weekend! Well, sort of. This is my 40-year high school reunion, and I'm staying in my camper instead of a hotel - I hate hotels.

Reflecting on past reunions, each had its own flavor. The 5-year was all about college bragging rights: “I just graduated from Notre Dame!” The 10-year was a parade of career milestones: “I’m the Director of Useless Departments at XYZ.” I didn't enjoy these too much since First I wasn't a graduate of any university, and I still had not found my stride professionally -- I was very much a late bloomer.

By the 20-year, it was about kids getting married, building families, and letting go of the need to prove ourselves. The petty nonsense faded, and it became about honoring friends we’d lost and rekindling old bonds. The 35-year reunion, though, felt heavy—marked by fear and isolation.

At 40 years, I suspect we’ll be swapping stories about hip replacements and medical procedures. We’ll see!

I’m genuinely excited, though. The organizers say we’re expecting a third to half of our class to show up. There are some folks I can’t wait to see again. The high school is opening its doors for us on Saturday—pretty cool since our class’s own principal is making it happen. Then it’s dinner, drinks, and a flood of memories.

Oh, and on the camping front—great news! We got word that overnight temps might dip into the 50s, so jackets may be in order. Not for dining, but for those chilly nights under the stars.

 

[Warren Mary Ellen]

Oh we did a lot of that too! We had a couple kids in our 'hood that had 'bmx' bikes -- I had my 3 speed huffy bought at the police auction. I was so jealous.




I've seen the '50s black and whites with round screens, never the full-on round ones. I remember when we got color, at least I think I do. Really early memory -- I'm sure the memory is because of my Dad's excitement over it.

Saturday cartoons were very much part of my life though, I had things like the Bananna Splits and that weird 70's stuff that was proof drugs are bad. Mom wasn't too concerned about sugar, then again back then, no one was, it sugary cereal, and toaster pastries. Not pop-tarts, but another brand -- they put on the icing in a swirl/looping pattern and the edges of the tarts had some ridges. I can't rememeber the brand but I do remember when they became unavailable, pop-tarts replaced them -- and they were no where near as good. Oh well. Free market doesn't always mean the better will win, just the one who plays the game better.

Lawn mowing was my first entrepreneurial effort. I remember seeing this OLD square top lawn boy sitting in an alley. I used to walk around a lot because that 3 speed huffy didn't survive many ramps. Dad was good at fixing it. But I knocked on the door to politely tell the lady that owned the house "Maam, you rlawn mower is outside..." and hse said "I'm hoping som eone will steal it" --- She gave it to me.

Dad and I sharpened the blade, replaced the plug and a fuel line -- pulled the cord and I can still remember the smell of that wonderful evenrude 2 stroke exhuast, and beautiful "Lawn boy" exhaust note. I cut a lot of lawns with that mower. Later, I got screwed though becuase I made a deal on a larger mower only to sell the lawn boy -- then the seller reniged on his deal leaving me with no mower, and not enough money to replace it.

Fun memories. Now, time to go be brillaint fixing some ones trailer whire problem. I got there and they had cut all the wires going to a tail light and wire-nutted them all together. Gee, why don't the lights work any more?

Lawn boys were good mowers. Both of my grandmothers had one. I cut a lot with those mowers.

My first 2 bikes were JC Penney’s version of the Schwinn Stingray. Both were stolen. Then i got a Rampar BMX. Now I have a Trek Emonda road bike.

 

[dustinp]

I vividly recall tears streaming down my face when Gertrude met her end. Family Classics was a cornerstone of my childhood, just like it was in so many homes. Same for Captain Kangaroo and Mr Rogers. Sunday nights meant tuning into The Wonderful World of Disney, and if memory serves, a dash of Marlin Perkins and Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom for good measure. Though that might have been before Family Classics.

Those were simpler, more innocent times. Don’t get me wrong—I enjoy a gritty episode of Breaking Bad or The Walking Dead now and then, but can you imagine time-warping back to the ‘70s and showing our parents the Walking Dead pilot? They’d be horrified!

----

On a different note, I’m gearing up for a camping trip this weekend! Well, sort of. This is my 40-year high school reunion, and I'm staying in my camper instead of a hotel - I hate hotels.

Reflecting on past reunions, each had its own flavor. The 5-year was all about college bragging rights: “I just graduated from Notre Dame!” The 10-year was a parade of career milestones: “I’m the Director of Useless Departments at XYZ.” I didn't enjoy these too much since First I wasn't a graduate of any university, and I still had not found my stride professionally -- I was very much a late bloomer.

By the 20-year, it was about kids getting married, building families, and letting go of the need to prove ourselves. The petty nonsense faded, and it became about honoring friends we’d lost and rekindling old bonds. The 35-year reunion, though, felt heavy—marked by fear and isolation.

At 40 years, I suspect we’ll be swapping stories about hip replacements and medical procedures. We’ll see!

I’m genuinely excited, though. The organizers say we’re expecting a third to half of our class to show up. There are some folks I can’t wait to see again. The high school is opening its doors for us on Saturday—pretty cool since our class’s own principal is making it happen. Then it’s dinner, drinks, and a flood of memories.

Oh, and on the camping front—great news! We got word that overnight temps might dip into the 50s, so jackets may be in order. Not for dining, but for those chilly nights under the stars.

Because of Covid, we had our 50th reunion at our 52nd year. We had about 60% turnout of the living classmates. About 20% had passed over the years. While I had been able to make almost all of them (except the 5 yr), and made a lot of the same observations as you. At this one I saw a few classmates who I hadn't seen since graduation.
I reconnected with a neighbor boy who was no longer a neighbor after we moved to the other end of town when I was 5, and we started traveling in different circles. We found we still had a lot of interests in common, including cars. He had recently taken delivery of a new C-8 Corvette with the mid engine, one I had been drooling over since it's introduction a couple years earlier.
A week or so after returning home to Marietta, GA he died of a massive heart attack while making a deal at a local car dealership. His widow wrote a thank you to the class on it's FB reunion page, saying other than cars, the reunion was just about all he talked about since returning home and was really looking forward to his return to MN in Oct. on business, and had planned on joining the monthly luncheon get together some of the classmates had started doing. I'm glad we got a chance to reconnect for just a little bit after all those years. You just never know.....thankfully.

 

[Sweeney]

Lawn boys were good mowers. Both of my grandmothers had one. I cut a lot with those mowers.

My first 2 bikes were JC Penney’s version of the Schwinn Stingray. Both were stolen. Then i got a Rampar BMX. Now I have a Trek Emonda road bike.

I love old lawn-boys. The exhaust note is so smooth, and frankly I love the smell of 2 cycle oil.

I had a cheap huffy single speed with "back peddle" braking system that I learned on -- after I grew out of that my Dad got me a 3 speed from a police auction, rode that thing until it literally fell apart. I had the lawn mowing business, and I earned enough to buy my first 10 speed. I saw the kid hop on it and ride away --- I was heartbroken. Was just a few weeks old when that happened --- I was probably 11 or 12. My first introduction to crime.

Because of Covid, we had our 50th reunion at our 52nd year. We had about 60% turnout of the living classmates. About 20% had passed over the years. While I had been able to make almost all of them (except the 5 yr), and made a lot of the same observations as you. At this one I saw a few classmates who I hadn't seen since graduation.
I reconnected with a neighbor boy who was no longer a neighbor after we moved to the other end of town when I was 5, and we started traveling in different circles. We found we still had a lot of interests in common, including cars. He had recently taken delivery of a new C-8 Corvette with the mid engine, one I had been drooling over since it's introduction a couple years earlier.
A week or so after returning home to Marietta, GA he died of a massive heart attack while making a deal at a local car dealership. His widow wrote a thank you to the class on it's FB reunion page, saying other than cars, the reunion was just about all he talked about since returning home and was really looking forward to his return to MN in Oct. on business, and had planned on joining the monthly luncheon get together some of the classmates had started doing. I'm glad we got a chance to reconnect for just a little bit after all those years. You just never know.....thankfully.

We've lost a few - a police officer in the line of duty, a few to cancer, and a few to car accidents. At least one of us has 'legal problems' -- I'm hoping they have a tribute to those who have gone before us. However, it appears that about one-third of our class will be there. Small school - I think our class had around 170 students. Apparently our "rival" school is having their reunion that same night. I kind of wish they did more overlap reunions -- that will come I am sure. Most of my friends were a year ahead or a year behind. I've love to see those people too - social media hasn't been very good as running them down.

Not to mention social media sucks at that kind of thing. Good at making connections, but in the political world today when I see people posting ideas antithetical to me, its hard to 'follow' them...I know people that ALL they post is political. But at a camp fire or social meeting palce, people aren't as focused on that nonsense, and you get actually connect with them.

I saw the "who's attending list" and was surprised at how many there are. I suspect the plandemic probably brought a few out of the woodwork. I was disapointed though that a few people I really wanted to see again aren't on the guest list

I've been really nostalgic, not surprising. I'll watch "Grosse Point Blank" tonight I suspect. That reunion story was a year or two after 1985 but there is certainly enough social ovelap there. The movie in and of itself is a lot of fun.

 

[Tour 931]

The sun is sure a bright orange this morning and it’s hard to breathe. Darn those Canadian fires.

 

[Ken & Peggy]

The sun is sure a bright orange this morning and it’s hard to breathe. Darn those Canadian fires.

Yeah, yesterday Chicago's air quality was listed as the Worst in the World, worse than the Congo...

 

[The Postman]

Do we have a ghost story or campfire yarns section here?
Found this guy youtubering- not bad.
Anyone got a sasquatch story?
First I've heard of one in the Winds...
But no surprise...some wild country there...

JohnC? Thats near your latest photography stomping grounds- just over the hill?
Any of the folks taking bear pics talk about spooky stuff?

 

[The Postman]

Do we have a ghost story or campfire yarns section here?
Found this guy youtubering- not bad.
Anyone got a sasquatch story?
First I've heard of one in the Winds...
But no surprise...some wild country there...

JohnC? Thats near your latest photography stomping grounds- just over the hill?
Any of the folks taking bear pics talk about spooky stuff?

You were a climber too @Tour 931 ?
Mentioned alpenglow here...

Here is a handy tool to record "infrasound"

Client Challenge

 

[Warren Mary Ellen]

Should have gone camping this weekend. It is in the 70s here in SC & the humidity is low too. Got a lot of yard work done though.

 

[Tour 931]

You were a climber too @Tour 931 ?
Mentioned alpenglow here...

Here is a handy tool to record "infrasound"

Client Challenge

Yes I was a mountaineer when I wore a younger man’s clothes. I’ve climbed most of the major peaks in Washington when I lived there. I was mostly an ice climber and climbed Mt Rainier 13 times. Most of the high peaks in Washington are mixed climbs so I’ve done rock climbing also.

 

[Tour 931]

I am now officially registered for the 2025 CICO. I’m thinking of arriving on Wednesday. Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

 

[Sweeney]

Should have gone camping this weekend. It is in the 70s here in SC & the humidity is low too. Got a lot of yard work done though.

I did! And it was awesome! I spent 4 nights out, gonig to my 40'th class reunion -- so I only got 2 nights at the campground. Friday Night and Sunday night. The camp fire was actually "needed" - it was chilly enough to warm the ol' bones. I didn't load my electric heater, I actually had to 'blip' the heat for just a few minutes this morning to knock the chill and moisture down inside the camper.

We're edging back up in the next couple days --- this little taste of cool though made me look forward to autumn, and dread it as well. I hate what comes next.

 

[dustinp]

I did! And it was awesome! I spent 4 nights out, gonig to my 40'th class reunion -- so I only got 2 nights at the campground. Friday Night and Sunday night. The camp fire was actually "needed" - it was chilly enough to warm the ol' bones. I didn't load my electric heater, I actually had to 'blip' the heat for just a few minutes this morning to knock the chill and moisture down inside the camper.

We're edging back up in the next couple days --- this little taste of cool though made me look forward to autumn, and dread it as well. I hate what comes next.

Hope your 40th reunion was as enjoyable as my 52nd was!

 

[Ken & Peggy]

We're heading out tomorrow for a few days, FINALLY. Going to Kelleys Island State Park in Ohio, a place we've never heard of but that sounds like an interesting piece of land to explore. We'll bring the bikes and yaks and just relax...

 

[dustinp]

I love old lawn-boys. The exhaust note is so smooth, and frankly I love the smell of 2 cycle oil.

My first mower was an 18" Lawn Boy commercial trim mower that my dad bought in 1963 from my uncle who was a Chevy dealer, and who also sold Lawnboy mowers.
I used that for my lawn mowing jobs until I left home, but when I finished my schooling and was in a position to buy our first home, I got it back again. I used that mower for the next 30 years until it lost so much power that I decided it didn't owe me anything anymore. I bought a new 22" 4 cycle powered mower, and used it for about a month when I accidentally hit the large bolt that held the funnel shaped end to the culvert under our driveway, and bent the crankshaft. I needed to finish the mowing, so pulled out the old Lawnboy. I thought if I sharpened the blade maybe it wouldn't take as much power, but when I turned it on it's side to remove the blade, I noticed that the outlet of the kidney shaped muffler under the deck was completely blocked with carbon.
Those early Lawnboys required a cup of oil per gallon of gas, which is a extremely rich mixture by today's standards. Anyway after removing the two nuts that held on the lower half of the muffler, I found the inside was completely full of carbon from all of that burned oil. I spent about 15 minutes scraping all of the build-up out, put the muffler halves back together, put in some mixed gas, pulled up the choke lever, wrapped the starter rope around the flywheel (the recoil had broken years earlier with no replacement parts to be had), and it started on the second pull, and ran like new!
I used that mower until about 2010 when the newer and larger Lawnboy my dad (who had died about 7years earlier)had bought finally quit. I brought the old one back to their home so my brother and I could mow the lawn for my mom until she passed in 2015. In the meantime I had bought a new Honda powered 22" mower for our lawn, so when we sold my my mom's home and all her possessions that the siblings didn't want or need, that mower went with them. As far as I know it's still running (or least I'd like to think so), but i know it ran for 52 years for sure.

 

[Sweeney]

Hope your 40th reunion was as enjoyable as my 52nd was!

What was great to reconnect with friends at at our 40th. The turnout was impressive—maybe 30% of our class?—likely boosted by the missed 35th due to the plandemic. It was heartwarming to see so many familiar names, even if time has reshaped us all a bit since we were 48, the last time I saw most of them. Which was almost as significant as the changes from our 1985 yearbook photos...

My senior photo, with those big glasses and that "permanent wave" trying to tame my wild hair, feels like a fun relic compared to my streamlined look now!

The weekend was a whirlwind, though I’ll admit, as a melancholic, coming home on my 58th birthday stirred a touch of nostalgia for our old hometown days. Still, it was a gift to be there.

Most of the times I've been home for similar events, I have an urge to move back - perhaps it's that almost all of my family is gone, and most of the 'haunts' are slowly disapearing too. Thank goodness the old simonton lake drive-in is still in business!!! Great root beer!!!!

If you're ever in Elkhart, this drive in is just a few minutes north near Simonton Lake (obviously) it is a must!

 

[Sweeney]

My first mower was an 18" Lawn Boy commercial trim mower that my dad bought in 1963 from my uncle who was a Chevy dealer, and who also sold Lawnboy mowers.
I used that for my lawn mowing jobs until I left home, but when I finished my schooling and was in a position to buy our first home, I got it back again. I used that mower for the next 30 years until it lost so much power that I decided it didn't owe me anything anymore. I bought a new 22" 4 cycle powered mower, and used it for about a month when I accidentally hit the large bolt that held the funnel shaped end to the culvert under our driveway, and bent the crankshaft. I needed to finish the mowing, so pulled out the old Lawnboy. I thought if I sharpened the blade maybe it wouldn't take as much power, but when I turned it on it's side to remove the blade, I noticed that the outlet of the kidney shaped muffler under the deck was completely blocked with carbon.
Those early Lawnboys required a cup of oil per gallon of gas, which is a extremely rich mixture by today's standards. Anyway after removing the two nuts that held on the lower half of the muffler, I found the inside was completely full of carbon from all of that burned oil. I spent about 15 minutes scraping all of the build-up out, put the muffler halves back together, put in some mixed gas, pulled up the choke lever, wrapped the starter rope around the flywheel (the recoil had broken years earlier with no replacement parts to be had), and it started on the second pull, and ran like new!
I used that mower until about 2010 when the newer and larger Lawnboy my dad (who had died about 7years earlier)had bought finally quit. I brought the old one back to their home so my brother and I could mow the lawn for my mom until she passed in 2015. In the meantime I had bought a new Honda powered 22" mower for our lawn, so when we sold my my mom's home and all her possessions that the siblings didn't want or need, that mower went with them. As far as I know it's still running (or least I'd like to think so), but i know it ran for 52 years for sure.

I wouldn't doubt it -- the nice part about 2 cycle engines is that they are really low maintenance excpet for de-carboning every 10 or 20 years

I know for a fact most lawn mowers today never see new oil. Heck, back in '15 or so I think it was breaks & scrapem (briggs & Stratton) that sold an egine with "lifetime oil" What a great business model! guaranteed sale in just a few years...