Grace Notes

Customer Service

A few weeks ago, I received an email from a reader in Texas. The subject line simply said “Lawnmower.” The email contained a photo of a riding lawn mower I owned long ago.

I got the rider shortly after I purchased my first house—almost 30 years ago. I bought the faithful lawn machine at the local smalltown (population less than 3,000) hardware store.

As time passed, I went back to that store and pur…