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

Start of the year

“Deciding which trail to explore” drawn with pen and ink by Sanford Ross Bender on January 29, 2026.
“Start of the year” composed and performed with concertina and guitar by Sanford Ross Bender on January 28, 2026.

Underneath a pale gray sky

“Underneath a pale gray sky” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Eastern Pennsylvania on October, 2025.
Down the long and narrow way” composed and performed with guitar, clarinet, and concertina on November 13, 2025.

Stoic to the end

“Tree spirit” photographed in the forest by Sanford Ross Bender on August 27, 2025
“Stoic to the end” composed and performed with guitar and concertina by Sanford Ross Bender on August 29, 2025.

The thank you tree

“Dawn redwood tree” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender inThailand in 2016.

“The thank you tree” composed and performed with guitar and tree creaking by Sanford Ross Bender on August 8, 2025.

Continental drift

“Drifting on Lake Galena” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Peace Valley Park in Bucks County, Pennsylvania on June 22, 2025.
“Continental drift” composed and performed with guitar and mandolin by Sanford Ross Bender on June 22, 2025.

Be safe, my love

“A forest within another” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Tyler State Park, Bucks County, Pennsylvania on June 17, 2025.
“Be safe, my love” composed and performed with guitar and concertina by Sanford Ross Bender on June 16, 2025.

Moose appearance

“Forest retreat” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender in Baxter State Park, Maine on Septeptember 22, 2024.
“Running moose” drawn with colored pencil in 2024 by Sanford Ross Bender.

“Moose appearance” composed and performed with two guitars by Sanford Ross Bender on September 22, 2024 (Autumn Equinox).

Too late to love

“Sun glow dialogues” photographed by Sanford Ross Bender on April 3, 2024.
“Too late to love” composed and performed by Sanford Ross Bender with mandolin and guitar on April 2, 2024.

Last hope

“Forest winds” drawn with oil crayons by Sanford R. Bender
“Last hope” improvised by Sanford R. Bender playing banjo, dobro and bass on January 6 & 7, 2024