Thursday Night Mowing League 2024: Week 11 -- The Big Guns Step Up

The TNML big dogs were back at it after the holiday break

The dog days of summer are here, which means this is when we typically separate the contenders from the pretenders in this league. Who has the inner fortitude to push through when it would be easy to sit back in the AC and say the hell with it, I'll get it on Saturday morning. 

That's rat poison. 

That's what ends championship seasons. 

That's why it was nice to see the big guns, the big dogs, the championship contenders – Fink, Diesel, Colt B., Mike Freshwater, Kuhn, Brad D., Nash and Timmy2Cuts, etc. – show up this week. 

That brings me to the top five this week: 

I still have Fresh in over 2Cuts. Yes, I know 2Cuts had one helluva performance at a 4th of July parade where he went nuts promoting the league. It was beautiful. 

But some people are asking if 2Cuts mowed this week. Yes, he made a video, but there are rumblings that it's entirely possible he used stock video for his production and he didn't actually mow. 

I'm not saying it. Those are just rumors that have made their way to the TNML inbox. 

That brings me to the bottom two: Ken P. and Nash. 

Nash has been banging on the door for weeks. He's been posting great content. He's been giving the effort, but there always seemed to be someone else pushing him off the main leaderboard. 

Not this week. He's in. The guy is hungry for a title. 

Then there is Ken P. He's been with TNML for at least 2-3 years. Ken has been dealing with some life issues, but he hasn't stopped focusing on his lawn. It's great to see him smiling and happy with life. 

Overcoming obstacles, staying true to TNML and getting life on the right track is top five material. Honoring Ken's effort is the right thing to do. 

Yes, I mowed, but the yard is still pretty dry

This was my first mow in July. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I mowed. I know it wasn't July 4th week. Before the Beryl rains came through, we hadn't had rain here in July. I know it's been weeks because I put down wet and forget on the patio and kept waiting to see if I did a good job. 

The yard is dry, but the flowers are looking nice and the patio has been great. I can't complain this year. We took care of the yellow jacket issue. Life has been pretty nice out back. 

BUY! BUY! BUY! 

If you haven't purchased it, get the Polo of the Summer! All sizes are in! 

Mowing Reports From Around The United States & The World:

- Mike T. in Idaho's grandson gets it: 

My grandson mowing on Thursday! Lay those strips son!
 

– Benny in Yukon, Oklahoma shares: 

Good evening!!! I hope everyone enjoyed a good Independence Day weekend last week. It was a great baseball weekend/week as the Tigers came 1 extra inning loss from completing an Ohio Sweep. (Us Tiger fans take any victory we can get these days)

Now, back on schedule...

RECAP:

The #31 Leinenkugel Ego mower performed flawlessly this week. The Bermuda was dry and growing fast with the heat. Keeping it green is costing a fortune in water in the era of Bidenomics.... thanks Brandon! 

Sunny, 97 degrees, no wind

Bongino's podcast provided the soundtrack

A few Summer Shandys kept me hydrated

CREW CHIEF REPORT:

Keeping the deck at level 5 seems to be the sweet spot to keep the grass healthy with the summer heat... so far.

– Indy Daryl stood no shot against the weather: 

What a weird summer it has been for mowing! So much early rain, then some incredible heat, then the Fourth of July, and now apparently more rain. Between kid a pick up and a late meeting I was hoping to get a great mow in tonight. But the three pop up thunderstorms that absolutely unleashed on Indy made that impossible. Looks like a Friday mow for me! Hope the storms weren’t too crazy up you way. Have a great evening!

- Candler in Duluth, GA shares: 

Joe- I gave my sons the day off from mowing yesterday so they could go to a friend’s house and swim, and it really felt good to get back out there. I found myself in an edging battle with my neighbor Tim’s yard guys. No words were exchanged, but we all recognized the situation. To be honest, I think they won, but it still felt good to go up against professionals and test my skills.

An update on the turf- the backyard fescue is struggling. We’re 20 games into the neighborhood wiffle ball season (series tied at 10-10!), and I think the grass has one eye on the fall overseed. There’s only 5 games left in the season, so I think it will hold up for an exciting finish.

Happy weekend to all!