The absolute immediate current state is that we're on vacation. This email is hitting your inbox at this moment through the power of technological magic.
It’s been over a year since we sent our last email where, if we remember correctly, we apologized for the length of time since the previous email, and promised to do better moving forward. Whoops.
We've been pretty quiet on socials this year so far - and while we're still there and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, we've got intentional plans for this email space that we hope you'll stick with us for.
All we can really say by way of “excuse” is that living out of our home for 10.5 months, keeping up with all our projects, and navigating some tough personal and professional moments underneath the ginormous umbrella of climate calamity and geopolitical chaos proved to be a lot. And when things are a lot, or dare we say, too much, something’s gotta give and these emails were one of the things that gave.
But we’re back in our home now! It's not a salve for all that ails us but it's a BIG improvement. When we return to our regular work schedule on July 7, we'll be kicking off a weekly, thematic, bite-sized, and (we hope) fun email series. In the meantime, here's an overdue update on all things Porter Loves:
WHO: Nathan has been working diligently on plans and prep for opening our home-based photography studio,
Studio 8000, in and amongst taking lots and lots of photos.
Sam has been delighting in the incredible invention that is air conditioning and peach season. She's been social media'ing lots for clients that certainly contributes to some of Porter Loves social media scarcity. She and Nathan recently celebrated their 4th wedding anniversary and 19th anniversary since their first date. Porter Loves turns 13 this fall!
Porter has had a few senior doggo health scares in recent months. He reached his 15th birthday which we're so grateful for, but we're having to face the reality that our pups' lives are finite and never as long as we want them to be. Congestive heart failure, a heart based mass, and a bout of seizures means we don't know how much longer this beloved creature will be with us. For now we're thrilled to have more good days than bad, that he's responding well to meds (more than week seizure free!), and that we have an amazing care team comprised of many veterinarians, vet techs, specialists, family, and friends.
Jeanie has glaucoma on top her blindness now, but thankfully has responded well to eyedrops designed to reduce the pressure in her eyes. She knows something is up with Porter - they are very bonded siblings - but is thus far maintaining her composure and spending more time cuddling her bro. Such a love bug.
WHAT: Aside from our regular working, we're primarily focused on getting
Studio 8000 setup and ready to open for bookings. We can't wait to make that announcement later this summer.
WHERE: Currently, Portugal. Normally, Swissvale. Most of last year, Ben Avon. Preferably, somewhere outside with trees.
WHEN: We're gonna be honest, we did not think this format through before starting and we don't know what to put here.
WHY: Dog-obsessed creative support for artists, small businesses, and social change agents. Because we believe in serving and supporting the people and organizations striving to leave this world a little better than they found it. And we believe good art is powerful and capable of inspiring and pushing dynamic, loving, and positive change toward justice. Especially when the materials conditions of our world make it increasingly difficult to do that work.
This was a big one. If you made it this far, thank you. If you didn't I don't blame you. Our new email series in July will be much more succinct!
We are off emails and social media until July 7, trying to be really present with our family and vacation surroundings, so if there are any questions, replies, etc, we'll get back to you then.
Thank you for being a part of our community!
