THE NEW NORMAL

On my mind this Sunday morning, as I sit in my Studio in the heart of Paris, I am reflecting and rambling (and defrosting the refrigerator at the same time haha).

Take a look at the photograph featured above.  I have used my very favorite shot as the “featured image photograph”.   What do you see?   I see  (in the foreground) a large garbage container, the Seine River, the reflection of church and sky in the river, a couple of trees, a cloud-filled light and dark sky, some sun, silver linings, and Notre Dame Cathedral, as it now exists.  Did I miss anything?    This is Paris 2020.  A gorgeous shot!!!   My shot.  And, I think this photograph represents the NOW – April 26, 2020. 

This is the beginning of the new normal.  We are living during the time of the Pandemic-2020. 

This morning, I read a commentary that I liked very much.  It said that “history repeats itself because no-one learns from it.”  I don’t agree.  I think that a lot of people choose to remain self-centered at the cost of the community.  And, dub this “socialism”.  Ugh.  In other words, I don’t agree that no-one learns from it.  I think there will always be people who want to remain ignorant “lest they be altered by education”. 

I will admit that people can lack education and still be intelligent.   However, intelligence by itself doesn’t cut it. A person also must have smarts to manage the intelligence – a process that ends at time of death.  Not before.  AND, my hope is that there are more intelligent people with “smarts” (who may or may not be educated) who hope to make a better world for our children.  The world is changing, but it is up to us to decide how and for whom we make those decisions. That said, in my photographs, I try to capture our changing NOW world.  The photograph NOTRE DAME (see below) – THAT WAS  A “THEN” PHOTO (2015 – with Steve)

NOTRE DAME NOW.  Five years later.   Look at the picture again.  What have I missed?  I think that – intuitively – this photo says it all.  I don’t know where I was standing in 2015.  Down the street.  I will find it.  Just sayin……

In my  NOW world photo, I have garbage, beautiful waters, lovely trees, clouds, skies, sun, silver linings.  And, I live in an all-inclusive world – Paris.  Yes, immigration is a problem.  Yes, there will always be immigrants. Yes, it is not easy. Yes, I am willing to compromise conveniences.  Yes, I want a better world for my children and grandchildren.  So, none of us knows what “the new normal” will be.  In other words, we KNOW that we don’t KNOW.  No one knows.  It has yet to be created.  Fingers crossed.

Now for some more of my NOW favorite photographs from my camera ((as you can see, I like to see the sky in my photographs.  It adds to the mood of the piece (for me)).

I am writing more posts because I am in lockdown and writing more.  Period  Here, I have a good forum.  Sorta selective.  Life has good changes …  so far.  Haha.   Just sayin……. Stay tuned…….

Best, Jay  (I am posting a photo that makes me feel good – with light hair and makeup!!  This is one I like!

Oh, by the way,