I learned to read by walking behind my mother's lawnmower.

I kid you not.

Now, here's the funny part. As a five-year-old, it would not have occurred to me that Mom couldn't hear me.

Still, it was important to Mom to follow my teacher's instructions and I read aloud while she listened, so, if necessary, she could explain certain words or help me with their pronunciation.

I think it also taught me to speak up.

It was also important for someone in our family to mow the lawn. I mean, come on, what would the neighbors think if we let the yard go wild? And since my dad's work took him on the road, sometimes Mom got the gig.

I owe her my love of reading, which led to my love of writing.

Which led to why you're reading this.