“She kept repeating a passage from the book. Something about mowing over Ned Hickson’s hibachi,” said officer Bill Schlependorf, head of the local landscape crimes division. “We tracked her down by forming a grid. Then we stepped out of the grid and followed a six-foot wide path of debris through a series of hydrangea bushes to her shed. That’s where we found her, still clutching the book and mumbling that she would ‘…show Ned what a REAL mower looks like!'”
The woman was arrested without incident and was later released, also without incident. The investigation has now turned to the book, and determining what role it may have played in fueling the bizarre event.
“Once it passes The House, I’m confident it will be signed into law,” said Senator Orrin Hatch, who happened to be vacationing near MamaMickTerry when the incident occurred. “It’s all about timing. And until this season of The Bachelor is over, there’s really no point in trying to get anything passed unless Chris Harrison becomes Speaker of the House.”
(Ned Hickson is a syndicated columnist with News Media Corporation. His first book, Humor at the Speed of Life, is available from Port Hole Publications, Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.)
Ned's Blog 
Wow, to think one could lose a foot reading your book. Now THAT’S powerful writing!
I was soooo close to landing that John Deere sponsorship, then BAM! They won’t return my calls…
That’s worse than drunk facebooking!
Lol! That’s true, but I’m still not sure which is more dangerous…
Your book seems to be causing a great deal of havoc.
I’m inclined to agree with you. Although my lawyer would advise me against it…
*snickers* I saw this coming. Ned, I advised Michelle to stay away from the shed. That’s where she stashes the nectar.
Don’t we all? 😉
*cough*
luckily, this bill came just in time, before anymore damage was done!
It could’ve been a lot worse; imagine if I’d released my April, when all the yard tools go on sale.
Ned, I am sure that your lawyer vetted this post as it contains some very misleading, lawyerly language. For instance, your title uses the word “distracted” (as if it was her fault for not paying attention) when it is apparent that the correct word is “motivated” (actions driven by the words of another). Ha! My uncle lived in an upscale neighborhood outside Rochester. All the backyards were connected (no fences) and dotted with trees and gardens. One summer Sunday each year all the neighbors would gather with their ride-ons, imbibe all afternoon and then commence lawnmower races around the trees and gardens. The rest of the summer was devoted to repairing the damage. They would most certainly have approved of your book – it would have added a certain “scholarly” aspect to their endeavors.
“as if it was her fault for not paying attention”
EXACTLY!
That said, it was worth the jail time…got caught up on my reading and am just about ready to learn about the sad day the dog got neutered.
I think you may have just pointed to the next potential bill from Congress: No copies of HATSOL during any neutering procedures. Man or dog.
Excellent idea. My dog (and all of his parts) thank you.
…And if anyone has a HATSOL surveillance photo of that, please keep it to yourself…
Scout’s honor. In fact, I don’t know that you’ll see any more photos coming from me (it looked so BIG on the WP reader…I was petrified!)
Haha! I feel the same way any time I’m in a photo that shows up on the WP reader! But then again, you have better legs than In do…
Ha! Ha! Aw shucks.
However, that should be up for debate. I don’t recall seeing a picture of your legs at any point…I think we should all have a fair chance to weigh in on that 🙂
(Victoria! Grab the nectar!)
*grabs nectar and runs*
I’m not prepared to lose that many followers again. The photo for my “writing naked” post put me in the negative, which I didn’t even know was possible…
Lol! Man, where was ESPN when we needed them. I’d totally watch those races! Sponsored by Hubert’s Landscaping of course.
Hey! Good morning and sorry it took me several hours to notice this. I would have seen it sooner had I not been in the slammer.
Fortunately, Victoria alerted me to it’s existence and I’m thankful that the picture was snapped in sensible clothing and not an orange jump suit.
For the record, there was no nectar consumed until after bail was posted (thanks, Ned!) and there will be no civil suits from the neighbors as a result (we are covered with 6 inches of snow and no one can see the damage).
Since returning home and for future safety, I’ve resigned myself to sticking solely to the top line on page 45 in your book and leaving the distracted mowing to someone else.
(Hugs! I loved it!)
I figured as much and was looking forward to hearing from you once you were “on the outside” again.
It sounds like you have a good plan. About the nectar, I mean. And the more you drink, the more sense page 45 will make 😉
(Thank you, and your son, for the HATSOL inspiration!)
If only she had read the manual and followed the instructions. All mowers manuals include a large box with bold outlines containing the following 48 point font warming “DO NOT READ Humor at the Speed of Life WHILE OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT”.
Come to think of it, our combine manual contains the same warning – but we pay it no mind, all modern combines use hands-off GPS navigation anyway…
That would explain the crop circles…
Isn’t the proposed law to insure that the mower is operated with your book underneath? heh heh
People don’t need a law for that.
Good point. I’ll mulch that one over.
Don’t blame me if your grass grows funny.
hahahahahaha
Crap makes the best fertilizer.
I’ve never found grass in my poop, but I’ll take your word for it.
Dang. You shredded that one. UH!!!!!
This was a great way of promoting your book without hitting us over the head with “Please buy my book!”
Hey thanks! I really appreciate that. People seem to be having fun with it and so am I, so everybody wins 😉 Oh, and I’m keeping my publisher happy…
Gotta keep the publisher happy!
Ha ha ha. I don’t know how you do it, but you do, As a result, my people are loving your people. Oh, and you, most definitely they are enamored with your off-the-odometer speed of humor..
Thanks, Robyn! It doesn’t get much better than people loving people! And I mean that in a G-rated way… 😉
The wolves are at the door, Ned…
Even worse, they’re probably pooping in the yard. DANG IT!
Okay you got me. I have to read this book now.
Haha! Was it the heels or the lawn mower? Or the clever writing?
… ah, the lawn mower… 😉
All of the above!
Thanks, Liser 😉
If you really do order the book, and it’s from the publisher, I’d be more than happy to sign it before it goes out. Just let me know.
Regardless, thank you for reading. I’m glad we’ve crossed paths. You’re funny and inspiring. And obviously have good taste in humor columnists…