Jack Metzger has an amazing Cornucopia of antiques, signs, lams, folk art and sculptures on his shop, which sits at the heart of Main Street. Most days, you can find his big dog Luke dozing on the porch. Every month or so I drive by with my camera, looking to see what is new. Outback Jack’s is a window on the world, past and present, symbols of where we have been and where we are. Jack scours the land, visiting farms and old houses and estate sales, he has a genius for picking out icons that touch us and remind us of the true nature of life.

He knows what everybody likes, and sometimes he shows up with stuff I have not been able to resist. Lately, I’m not buying great old stuff, our house is small and so is the budget. But sometimes I can’t resist, and then, Jack is a dangerous man to be around.

I am disciplined about rarely going in there, because I always want to buy something (like that “Record Breaker” sign). Like some antique dealers, Jack sometimes likes to haggle, and he is fun to haggle with. If he gets his hook in, the odds are you will bring something home. It is always fun to hear his stories and negotiate with  him. He is a great friend to George Forss, whose gallery and darkroom is right next door. Jack is a generous man.

Every book I have written upstate is written on an old farm desk Jack sold me, and he always has rich stories about what he sells to bring it to life. His steps are a snapshot into my world, a peek into a simpler and evocative past.