My lawnmower stopped working

“Mending meadow” painted with watercolor and gouache by Sanford Ross Bender on September 3, 2006
“My lawnmower stopped working”composed and performed with vocals and guitar by Sanford Ross Bender on May 31 and June 1, 2026.

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My lawnmower stopped working,

So, I let the grass grow high.

My neighbors are complaining,

That it would soon touch the sky.

I always wanted a forest,

And the birds that it would bring.

The minstrels will follow,

The troubadours will sing.

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The lawnmower was the pushing kind.

Like the mower that my father had.

He liked the clinking of the blades,

Without the fumes and noise that was so bad.

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Never had I thought of ghosts before.

But now I am in belief.

My father appeared to mow the lawn,

And now, I can sigh in relief.

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Lyrics and music by Sanford Ross Bender

Nicknames

“Ocean” photographed at Island Beach State Park on the New Jersey barrier island coast by Sandy Ross Bender on May 12, 2026.
“Nicknames” composed and performed with guitar and vocals by Sandy Ross Bender on May 15, 2026.

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I’ve always had a nickname,

Sandy is that name,

It hasn’t brought me fortune,

It hasn’t brought me fame.

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A hurricane was named after me,

October two hundred twelve,

A week arrived, before Halloween,

What followed I will not delve.

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A name that puts me at ease,

Despite the havoc caused,

Manhattan was left in shambles,

The city had to pause.

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Here I am before you,

Guitar across my knee,

Reminding you of a storm,

And the power of the sea.

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Lyrics by Sandy Ross Bender

Settle down, grow a garden

“Tulips” photographed in Bucks County, Pennsylvania by Sanford Ross Bender on April 10, 2026.
“Settle down, grow a garden” composed and performed with guitar and banjo by Sanford Ross Bender on April 25, 2026.

Which way? this way!

“Tyn Church” photographed iby Sanford Ross Bender at the Old Town Square in Prague, Czechia on September 20, 2025.
“Doorway” “photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Prague, Czechia on September 21, 2025.
“Which way? this way!” composed and performed with guitar and mandolin by Sanford Ross Bender on April 16, 2026.

Note: The music is now presented in its original longer duration . SRB

Windows

“West Quoddy Light” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Lubec, Maine on June 1, 2024.
“Windows” composed and performed with guitar and mandolin by Sanford Ross Bender on April 9, 2026.

Spring moss

“Early spring moss” photographed in Bucks County, Pennsylvania by Sanford Ross Bender on March 16, 2026.
“Early spring morning” composed and performed by Sanford Ross Bender with guitar and piano on March 16, 2026.

Battle cry

“Warthog” drawn with colored pencil on paper by Sanford Ross Bender on January 23, 2026.
“Battle cry” composed and performed with guitar, concertina, and percussion on February 21, 2026.

Sentient beings

“Pink elephant” drawn with colored pencil by Sandy Ross Bender in travel sketchbook.
“Sentient beings” composed and performed with concertina and guitar by Sandy Ross Bender on January 16, 2026.

Lightening our hearts on an icy day

The first big snow” photographed by Sandy Ross Bender on December 14, 2025
“Lightening our hearts on an icy day” composed and performed with guitar and concertina by Sandy Ross Bender on December 17, 2025.

Impromptu string & wind trio parade

Saint George Statue at the St. Vitus Cathedral photographed by Sanford Ross Bender within Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic on September 19, 2025.
Banjo, Clarinet, and Concertina Trio composed and performed by Sanford Ross Bender on November 23, 2025