Fishin' Shoes

I started a paper route this week. I've had paper routes in the past, the first one being an attempt to show my son how to work properly. He wouldn't do the paper route nor would he walk the dogs regularly, so I combined the two chores. The first route I had lasted 7 years. Six days a week me and the two dogs went for a walk.

The two dogs were paper-route trained: 'Sit' and 'Stay', of course.
Wait : at intersections
Let's Go : crossing intersections
Stay By Me : if there were other dogs loose
Let's Go To Gramma's House : my mother-in-law lived on my route and we would stop and visit every couple of weeks.

One of the subscribers on the route had a day care business. My big dog would go and lean against the fence so that the little kids could touch her fur through the fence. I had to keep track of which kid got to take the paper to the subscriber. Things like that made it fun to do.

I enjoyed doing the paper route. I liked being outdoors in all kinds of weather. I liked seeing the changes that the different seasons brought. I learned to dress for all the different kinds of weather. I learned to fear freezing rain; no other form of precipitation is as dangerous as freezing rain.

Today I went out and did the new paper route in the rain. I admit, I drove the car. I didn't want 49 wet papers. Even with the car I knew a soaking was inevitable.

For wading thru the wet grass I wore my fishin' shoes. Ratty as they are, they're still comfortable to wear. Shoes that are too worn to be seen in public; well on their way to being trash, but enough protection to wear into a river or stream when you're fishing. If they fall apart you've already got your money's worth from them.

Appropriate attire for a rainy day.