Sunshine and Olly

by Jonathan Blaustein

Well good morning, everyone. 

I know it’s been a minute. (More like a couple of months.)

I haven’t kept up with the blog lately, without a compelling need to share.

Life has been pretty intense out here in Taos, as my daughter has been battling a serious bout of clinical depression, and unlike the old days, (when I shared every detail of my family experience,) it’s felt more appropriate to keep it tight. 

We also lost our dog Billy Bones, who was getting older, and had his back legs give out all at once. 

Luckily, (if there is such a thing in those circumstances,) a family friend called in a favor with the vet, who came out to our place and helped Billy transcend to the other side, comfortably under an aspen tree, as Jessie and I gave him kisses and pets. 

I cried, because letting him go was really hard. But he was so sad, and partially paralyzed, so it was the humane thing to do. 

How have you been?

Anything interesting going on in your world? 

I’ve been working on a new photography project here in the house, and it’s finally in a place where I’m doing my best work. 

It’s been a long time since I felt on top of my game as an artist, so reconnecting with that part of myself has been a gift. 

(And with the difficulties going on, having the outlet has been amazing.)

Frankly, that’s why I decided to write today. 

I don’t do it nearly as often as I used to, but I still love to write. 

The feeling of my fingers flowing on the keyboard, of allowing my mind to share thoughts directly from my subconscious to the computer screen, has always felt like magic.

Like the first time a photographer watches a black and white image emerge from the chemical bath, onto a piece of photo paper.

It’s a feeling I could use more of in my life, even if blogging doesn’t seem relevant anymore. 

With the arts in the shitter here in the US, (more or less,) the entire endeavor can appear pointless.

Why share without an audience? 

But it’s not the real reason any of us should be making art.

Creating things helps us process emotions. It’s catharsis, when done properly.

And who couldn’t use more catharsis in his/her/their lives in 2026?

(What a batshit crazy year.)

In fact, my new catchphrase is, “It is what it is.” 

I find myself saying it at least twice a day. 

Trump remade the world in his image, and we’re all just hanging on to the back of the dragon. 

Am I right?