I took a turn off the highway on a recent photo trip through the heart of Pennsylvania coal country. I was drawn to laundry hanging on a clothesline. I turned into an alley with the appropriate name “Coal Street,” and before I reached the image in my mind I saw a man in a garage working on an old pickup truck. I stopped to talk and thought maybe there might be a portrait here. From deep in the darkness of the garage and I guess from under that old truck came Jim. I actually was surprised and asked the men if I could take a few pictures. They were surprised but agreed. I asked the first man if Jim was his son and was told he was the neighbor. Jim really didn’t say much, but to me he kind of epitomized the feel of the coal region. I grew up here but now it feels like a million miles away from my life. I venture back and feel at home but somehow it’s another world. Thanks Jim!