The Newtown Pentacle

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Posts Tagged ‘Pittsburgh Fire Department

End of scuttle, and Hey Now!

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Friday

– photo by Mitch Waxman

A fairly long walk through Pittsburgh found a humble narrator in need of a quick meal, and while sitting in front of a pizzeria on Pittsburgh’s East Carson Street while eating a slice and drinking a Gatorade, a Pittsburgh Fire Department’s fire engine hurtled past.

Can’t resist.

My plan for the remainder of the day involved that slice of pizza forming a late lunch/early dinner, and then I’d down a pint or two of beer at that brewery I often visit, alongside the CSX train tracks.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

On the way, I found myself admiring the simplicity of some of the older residential structures nearby. The people who originally inhabited this area were mill workers, and suffice to say that the built environment is quite ‘humble’ around this zone.

That pizza got me moving again. Amazing what a bit of fat and carbohydrate does for a wandering narrator’s flagging energy level.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

You just can’t ignore it when a composition like the one above appears in front of you, you just cannot.

I arrived at the brewery, ‘inspected the porcelain,’ and then bought myself a beer. One had been in constant movement for about six hours, with an hour of sitting down at the library lecture right in the middle of that.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

CSX #990 appeared, which rounded out my scuttle, and offered a logical juncture wherein I could ‘hang my hat’ and say ‘that was a day.’

I was actually on my second beer when they showed up.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

I slurped down the last of my glass of suds, and paid the tab within.

Another inspection of the porcelain, and then I was back in motion. One was physically tired in a muscular rather than psychological sense, and it felt like my back and legs definitely had a decent workout. The meal and the drinks had filled me with carbohydrates so I was ready to roll again.

The camera straps were arranged, the heavy backpack slung across my horrific frame, and then things were leaned into for the final movement.

– photo by Mitch Waxman

Within a few minutes of walking, I was soon at a T light rail station called ‘Station Square,’ whereupon my chariot arrived.

Back next week with something different – at this – your Newtown Pentacle.


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Written by Mitch Waxman

July 17, 2026 at 11:00 am