CMM-1200 – The most amazing lawnmower

Posted on 2010-04-03 by chief

I have been using the line of cordless battery-powered lawnmowers from Black and Decker for at least 15 years. The CMM-1200 is the latest in the line of these Canadian-made lawnmowers.

I use the CMM-1000 on a Southern lawn consisting of St. Augustine grass. During the growing season, I mow once per week. If I fall behind or anytime that the growth exceeds 3 inches, I cut using narrower rows than the width of the lawmower. Most gasoline-powered mowers are more powerful than the CMM-1000, but I have found that the CMM-1000 is adequate.

This is the really good news:

  • It is quiet, like an electric edger or weedeater; no way you are going to wake up the neighbors
  • It starts up reliably every time, no pulling cords, priming, and endless trouble with gasoline engines
  • no gasoline smell in the garage or storage house
  • no danger of gasoline explosion
  • batteries seem to last forever; replace once every ten years or so
  • one charge can last for three average size lots (each 100’x130′)

Awesome.

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Buffett – The Making of an American Capitalist

Posted on 2010-01-26 by chief

If you have always wondered about Warren Buffett and think maybe some of his investment talent may rub off on you if you knew more about him, this book is for you.

This book tells the story of how Warren rose from middle class beginnings to become the wealthiest person in the world. Andrew Tobias wrote of this book, “The bonus of this fine, fine biography is that it could turn you into an investor if you’re not one already, or a better one if you are.” Agreed. I feel much more confident in investing after reading this book. Warren is a flexible investor that has moved far beyond the grounding that he learned from Graham-Dodd. But his base instinct is to find value, preferably deep value, take positions over time at deep value levels, and ride the investment up to fair value and beyond. But his selection process is much more involved including a assessment of management and their orientation to investors. He wants managers that fixate on return on equity. There is much more to Warren’s subtlety, but overall, it is accessible.

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