A Day in the Life with JoJo Whilden

By Pauline Rogers

July 24, 2020

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JoJo Whilden, SMPSP, and her film producer spouse Susan Stover, moved from their Williamsburg apartment to their house in South Kent, CT to wait out the pandemic. “We make fires, play Scrabble and cook a lot.” Between keeping up with NYC public school decisions and trying to keep busy, the “stay at home” has taken on a new meaning. One of the bright spots – being able to take a lot of interesting photographs.

Sometimes, I just can’t get up. Waiting this out in bed seems like the best solution.

We play Scrabble and cook a lot.

I don’t know what to tell my teenage boys when we go for a hike.

The schools are trying to make teaching remotely work. Of course, every so often something goes wrong. Like my brand new MacBook Pro getting dropped on the floor during remote learning ‘school.'

I’ve set up a desk, with the idea of writing a screenplay, but it’s harder than I thought. I can see the movie clearly in my mind, but I can’t write the dialogue. I feel frustrated and can’t focus on anything.

Zoom meetings help me connect. We’re trying to figure out how to move forward thru this terrible time. I feel comforted working with these people; knowing we are all in the same boat with the same goals of getting back to work – and getting a haircut.

I spent a lot of time organizing photos in my closet and on my computer. I traded a photo from my Skid Mark series for some work with an unemployed scenic friend (available for sale at ClampART).

We drive to Brooklyn every two weeks to collect mail and check on the apartment. We pick up the electric piano from baby daddy Bill to bring back to Connecticut. Ansel’s Third Street piano lessons continue remotely and working with his piano teacher is a highlight of the week.

I’ve been running to keep my spirits up. I. have logged over 250 miles on 40 runs along the hilly roads in South Kent. One of my toenails peeled off from the running.

My teenage sons have adapted to our new reality with grace and equanimity.

My sister Megan visits from the Berkshires and I try to grow tomatoes for the first time. It’s nice to visit with family and friends.

George Floyd is murdered by the police and Americans are fed up with racism, police brutality, homophobia, misogyny, corruption, and COVID-19. My neighbor, who is a high school teacher, and I put up signs on our property and the town holds a vigil for Floyd.

My friend Larry Kramer died and I am reminded that it is PRIDE month. I hang a rainbow flag on the garage. I am also reminded that I have a career as a still photographer that I want to get back to soon. I loved working on 'The Normal Heart' with Mark Ruffalo and Ryan Murphy for HBO.