Mowing Saga, Chapter One

A couple of years ago I bought a push reel mower similar to the one your grandfather used. I did it for two reasons. One was environmental. No mower emissions. A little extra in the battle against global warming. Second reason was exercise. I have high cholesterol (or had I should say). At one time it got to 279. I tried all kind of herbal remedies but to no avail. I had to start taking Vytorin. Now my cholesterol is down and I'm still mowing with the push reel. The chick chick chick sound is great and I've had no repairs on my push reel for two years. But it's killing me. I'm 38 so I can take it but I must admit I look at my neighbors with envy as they mow their yards in record times. I, however, basically mow mine twice. It's been raining a lot here in Texas so I have forest yard. Weeds a foot high, grass as thick as shag carpet. One reason my grass is so high is because you can't mow the yard with a push reel mower if the ground is the least bit wet. The wheels don't spin which means the blades don't spin which means I look like a fool in front of my gas-powered neighbors as I massage my grass. Will I stick with it or will I give it up?