Archive digging.
#071
A few days ago, I got an email from an archive producer asking about the possibility of licensing some images from an assignment back in 2019 for an upcoming television series. While gathering an edit of images for him to review, I selected a handful of images from 2018 and 2019 to dust off and share in this week’s newsletter.
Years ago, a now former West Virginia governor and billionaire coal baron refused to pay miners who’d once worked for him. The miners sued and as part of that process, assets of the mine were inventoried via court order for potential sale to satisfy the debt. The inventory included going underground in a 48” coal seam to photograph equipment. The mine foreman wasn’t too happy to be assigned this job, but it was a pretty cool experience.
In 2018, I worked on an assignment for The Wall Street Journal about the impact of the opioid crisis and the midterm elections. There, I met the Lucion family in Roderfield. They were incredibly warm and open about their family story and shared their perspectives with writer Kris Maher and me.
Each time I visit my grandparent’s graves in Martin County, Kentucky, I’m taken by this pair of red cedars (that is, I think they’re red cedars). I’ll be heading there soon to install new headstones on their graves and will again visit these incredible trees.
On our way back from giving a talk in Tennessee in 2018, I saw this from the road and had to go make a picture of it. We got off the highway and navigated around to the Dollar General, parked, and walked out back to this incredible sight. I should probably do a “Behind the Dollar General” series.
Here are a few things that brought me joy this week:
A few days ago, we were in Rural King to get a few things and while I was walking by the feed area, I overheard a couple of kids working on their parents to buy a bunny. The kids announced their plan to care for the rabbit even down to a schedule. I grinned as I walked by and made eye contact with the dad. Later, while standing in line, I saw the family walk by with the rabbit and a package of bedding with two of the happiest kids on the planet.
I visited a couple of Masonic lodges in Ravenswood and Kermit.
I discovered Steve Gunn and have listened to Way Out Weather and Lurker more times than I can count.
The garden is in! We planted half-runners, four different types of tomatoes, two types of cucumbers, kale, beets, carrots, lavender, peppers, and basil.
I’m breaking in a pair of KEEN work boots, which I’m pretty happy with so far. A couple of years ago, I tried Thorogood moc toe boots, but after months of trying to dial them in, they just hurt my feet too bad. I sold them on Marketplace and kind of gave up until I saw the KEEN San Jose boots. I’m hoping I’ll have better luck with these. They’re made in Shepherdsville, Kentucky.
Thanks for reading (and looking at) this week’s newsletter! As always, please consider sharing this with someone you think might like to read it.
Hope you find some joy this week.
- Roger
The Behind the Dollar General Series is a must. But, please be careful.
Steve Gunn is a great player and can collaborate with anyone. You might want to put on this album he did with a creative old-time group in from VA/WV. https://blacktwigpickers.bandcamp.com/album/seasonal-hire