Last summer, when the power mower was broken and wouldn't run, Jane kept
hinting to Dick, her husband, that he needed to get it fixed, but somehow the
message wasn't sinking in.

She finally thought of a clever way to make the point. When Dick arrived
home that day, he found her seated in the tall grass, busily clipping away
with a tiny pair of sewing scissors.

He watched silently for a short time, then went into the house. Jane thought
she had again failed to get his attention. Well, he was gone only a few
moments, and when he came out again he handed her a toothbrush saying,
"When you finish cutting the grass, you might as well sweep the sidewalks.