On Sun, 16 Oct 2005 22:18:56 GMT, "PacKat" wrote:

My mum is 56 going on 57 years young. She used to be very
healthy but somewhat begin to feel her age. She live alone
in a house surrounded by trees. The property is about 3
acres. She is considering buying a garden tractor, mainly
for snow removal and hauling some firewood around her
property.

I am very worried that the tractor might be a bit too much
for woman her age to handle. Since my father died, she took
it upon herself to do everything my dad used to do. She is
very healthy and exercises regularly.

I'm healthy but don't exercise much, so she's ahead of me. I'm male
and 58. I don't feel much different from when I was 30. Apparently
many people don't get old as fast as they used to. I know active
people who are 103, and 96 and younger.

The 96 year old lived with her husband who was 2 years older until she
was 92 and he died at 94. She still drove and wore 2 inch heels.
Then she lived alone unti she was 95.

My aunt lived alone after her husband died 15 years ago until she was
about 96. She finally moved to assisted living. She's the most
active one there, even at 100. At her birthday party, she stood and
greeted the guests for over an hour even though there was a chair
right there. Her hearing failed when she was 102, so I can't talk to
her on the phone anymore. But her 68 year old son takes good care of
her if she needs something. He looks pretty good too.

Of course that doesn't mean that everyone gets to live this long and
this healthy, but your mother will know when to slow down.

I would like to ask your opinion if operating a garden
tractor is reasonable for woman her age. Her property is
hilly and woody but clear of undergrowth. Will she be able
to ride the tractor up/down a steep incline? I know very

I don't think *anyone* should try to ride the tractor up or down a
steep incline unless it is paved. Depending on how steep it is.

little about tractors but did a bit of searching in the
internet. She has her heart set on Sear's Craftsman, Arien
or Honda. Not sure what HP would be appropriate for her.

Be careful. If you talk her out of this she may get a 350HP Corvette.


Thanks,
pac




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