I wrote this in December, when I was working in my hometown:
I’ve been back home for a month. They asked for volunteers to go to my hometown to help for the holidays, so I jumped at the chance.
It’s a lot easier here. Even the city routes are only a few miles of walking. I’m used to 15 miles. Park and loop. There’s a lot more mounted delivery here, and not just in the suburbs.
I know the area better and feel confidence I don’t in Pittsburgh. I know Pittsburgh better than most of the residents, but still. It’s a different beast. Hills and all.
Even in suburban areas, there are cluster boxes or mounted boxes. In Pittsburgh, most of the boxes are on the wall next to the front door. Suburban and urban.
The rough areas have more dangerous dogs. They say smaller dogs are more likely to bite but the bigger dogs bite harder. It doesn’t make a difference to me. I hear an unkept dog and skip the house.
I’ve gotten messages from a few people asking when I’d be home. I don’t actually know. If they don’t have work for me through Christmas, my manager says to just stay here anyway. In that case, I’d travel back the 26th. Maybe 27th.
As for the new year… I don’t know. At this age, I don’t really care. But if at the last minute I do, Pittsburgh is where I want to be. Belvedere’s or something like that. If I’m here, I don’t know… HMAC maybe. I’m friendly with a handful of people there.
Chuck 