This quote showed up in my Facebook memories last week…

I thought it was clever, back when I also thought the “new normal” would last a month or two. One year later, it means so much more to me—2018 and 2019 were hard years for me personally, so I started 2020 burnt out. When the pandemic hit, It forced me to stop and reevaluate. Over the last year, I have learned a lot about myself, what is important to me, and what I want from the next chapter of my life. It also reminded me how vital the connection and sharing of our stories is to our families, businesses, and non-profits.

 

Lead Sheep Productions is still here! 

 

But with a renewed sense of the value and honor of capturing and sharing stories. Thank you to all of you who have trusted us with your stories.

 

I hope we don’t just “go back to normal” but move forward with a sense of the value of a cup of coffee with a friend, our grandparents, all the work our local non-profits do for our communities, and all the small businesses that make our communities unique.

The Roaring 20s

 

 We recently created two videos for galas, The United by the Vine and The Mad Hatters Ball. Both videos included interviews with small businesses and nonprofits on how they have gotten through the last year and their hopes for the future. It was amazing to capture these stories and their message of resilience, community, and hope. 

 

 As restrictions are lifted, many people ask if things could look like the roaring 20s of a century ago? When people think of this time, they think of the lavish parties, gangsters, probation, and fashion. We don’t always connect this with the Spanish flu pandemic and war that proceed this time. There were 2.5 million, primarily young people,that died. This reality created an attitude of what kids today call YOLO (you only live once). 

 

 I am excited about gathering and seeing smiles. I also hope that the stories of the last 15 months will teach us more than not to take life too seriously but also to appreciate our connections, our time, and our strength. 

 

What stories do you want to capture from the last 15 months?
What have you learned?
What are your hopes for the future?

The Dog Days of Summer
 
I have often heard this saying; it always conjures up images of days too hot to move. But according to the Farmers’ Almanac, “The phrase is actually a reference to the fact that, during this time, the Sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius, the brightest star visible from any part of Earth and part of the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog. This is why Sirius is sometimes called the Dog Star.”
(Trying so hard not to geek out with a Harry Potter reference here.)

 In 2021 this falls between July 23rd and August 11th. There is no doubt that it has been hot here in the Midwest. But we have not been lying around. We have been busy telling the stories of businesses and non-profits. Luckily, mostly, in air-conditioned rooms. We even got to film an actual dog, a pit bull named Ben. If you’re a dog advocate, you should check out our client, Doggone Insurance.
Keeping this dog craziness going, Amanda’s sister Kelly just got a 9-week old puppy named Enzo. So, Amanda gets to be a puppy aunt, all the fun, none of the responsibility. Which is good, because puppies this young are a lot of fun, but also a lot of work.

We hope that you are enjoying your dog days of summer! And staying as cool as possible.