[used to be] Pittsburgh Gage & Supply Co

The 1902 Pittsburgh Gage & Supply Co is now a U-Haul self-storage building.

[used to be] Phoenix Brewing Company

True to its name, the Phoenix Brewing Company building from 1892 as risen from the ashes to become an office building.  It is also across the street from the Wigle distillery.

This building and the ones after this are from Pittsburgh.

Try, try again

I love the turning of the year.

I love that we look back and that we earnestly hope and plan for the future.

No matter how often we try and fail, we get up and do it again.

After Christmas is past, we'll start thinking about New Year's resolutions.  And there will always be people who mock the desire to change, who have statistics about gym memberships, and some who give good tips on making real change in your life.

It heartens me that we try again.  That after failing so many times, in our heart, we know change is possible, we know what's better for us, we know what to do, even if we don't make the best choices in actually doing it.

But first, let's take a few weeks off.  Let's think about the past.  Think about the good, the bad, the everyday.  Let go of goals and have-tos and should-haves.  Let's be at one with the year gone by and the year to come without judgement, remorse, or plans for the future.  Let's take a break from all that.

Take a breath.

Be at peace.

When we start again, know that you're not alone.  Everyone gets a second -- or twenty-second -- chance to make a change.

I'll be there with you.

[used to be] Provident

The "Provident" building is now a Rite Aid.

[used to be] Insurance company

"The Pennsylvania Company" which provided "For insurances on lives and granting annuities" is now a steak restaurant.

[used to be] Lots of things

This isn't really an engraving, but there were enough previous tenants to make this interesting.

[Poem] Next to the tissues

I have a book of poems beside my bed.

It’s new.

I thought, “I should read more poetry."

The internet and an invisible chain of

people brought it to me.

The poems are perfect in length

and depth for my regimented morning.

They are my zen view.