Early Morning Drive - Transcript

[Patty Johns, Newspaper Carrier] "Good morning, I'm Patty Johns and I'm a motor route carrier for the World-Herald.

"I usually pick up the papers between 1:30 and 2:00 is when the bundle hauler comes in from Omaha and drops them at the Gas'n Shop.

"I like the independence of it. It's a good time of day it gives me the rest of the day with the kids and going to their school functions taking them to soccer and kind of the important things...being home when they're there. It puts a lot of miles on the vehicles. [I] get the oils changed a lot on them. But that's the job.

"Oh we have dirt here this morning.

"There's a lot of clean up after a morning of a heavy rain.

"A lot of times people'll call me and say, 'How are the roads out there, Patty?'

"You know I think it would be a good experience for everybody to give it a try even if it's one day just to experience it. So they understand a little bit more thoroughly of how dedicated and committed people that do this kind of job are. Just like farming is an everyday [job] you have to go into work everyday. It's a job that not too many people would want to do on a daily basis, and getting the paper is just as imporant as getting their mail -- the newspaper is right up there with it.

"It really takes you back to the important things and just really how beautiful and blessed we really are.

"Ohh, I like the sun coming up the best. Do your best and make the best out of whatever the situation is and you'll be happy. And I am!"