“If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.”

~ Oprah Winfrey ~

It shouldn’t come as a surprise when economists predict the 2nd half of 2021 may resemble the roaring ‘20’s. A time of unprecedented jubilation… Henry Ford ushered in the Model-T… the Charleston took over the dance floor… and jazz music was the genre of choice at the Savoy in NYC.

Perhaps what’s old is new again?

As much as I don’t think flappers are coming back anytime soon, I am thinking the pent up energy of the last 12+ months coupled with the yearning for some degree of normalcy is about to explode.

Last week the airline industry reported occupancy is back to 50% (a far cry from the low of 10% at this time last year). Summer rentals in the NY/NJ/CT area are completely sold out. And, a friend recently told me they rented a summer house in the Hamptons for one week for the paltry sum of $10,000 (note to self: You could buy 2 or 3 new cameras for this amount of money!). Regardless how you reach your summer destination this year, suffice to say, people are on the move.

We’ve all experienced some level of anxiety during the pandemic. I’ve been very fortunate in many regards. Although I managed to contract Covid in April 2020 and coughed/wheezed for 10 days, most elements of my personal & business life weren’t effected. I’ve worked from home for 25 years; thus, various forms of technology were already in place. The idea of quarantining wasn’t new to me either as I work by myself. Even getting out to take pictures didn’t vary much. Photographers are lone wolves by nature and do their best work roaming at their own pace. A short drive to Harriman State Park and I can wander in the woods for hours.

Many friends and family members weren’t so lucky. They dealt with heartache, loss of jobs and/or reduced income, mental stress & loneliness and in many cases, the challenge of working from home while simultaneously educating their children. God bless all of these people for their courage & resiliency.

The vaccine rollout seems to be gaining in America and adding hope as we approach Easter Sunday. Our brothers and sisters in Europe aren’t as lucky and continue to struggle with another wave of this terrible virus as vaccine availability isn’t quite up to par. Hopefully, the world can band together and help all nations control this pandemic. Time seems to heal all wounds, but some level of teamwork seems to be in order.

As I put the finishing touches on this post, the sun is radiating through the office window on what looks to be a another glorious day, and the daffodils out front are dancing to the light of a new day.

Until next time…

Cheers.