Monday, May 18, 2009

Happy Victoria Day



Firecrackers in the field at the school
across the street
For the past few days firecrackers have been going
off in the neighbourhood. The culprits? Mostly
grade eight boys, and parents getting the jump on
the whole Victoria Day, go to a park and share your
expensive exploding devices with the rest of the people
thing, giving their kids a bit of a show in the backyard.

The world is a green, green one, and cold as ice.
But frost didn't kill the flowers last night, and
the masses of weeds are still thriving in my garden.
At this stage the weeds seem overpowering, but we
always win, so I will keep heading out for short
stints and taking out the worst offenders. It is too
early and cold to plant most things.

But here in honour of the holiday and my Winter
2009 classes who I miss are:

10 More Reasons To Be Happy

1. It's a day off -- am I crazy? No -- I'm happy it's a holiday.
2. The cat stopped hollering to get out (yowling and
yowling.) She's fixed so she's not in heat, but she
has a great, Siamese set of pipes.
3. We're probably going to see a super fireworks show
tonight -- we'll have to wear our winter coats, hats and
mittens.
4. It isn't hot. I really love spring weather -- okay a bit
warmer than this, but Toronto in heat stinks - literally.
5. We're having salmon steaks for dinner -- one of
my favorite meals.
6. Steven is buying me flowers today, because we were
too busy getting groceries yesterday.
7. I am going to have some time to paint.
8. I'm reading a great new novel.
9. My son who hurt himself is recovering well.
10. It's a gorgeous sunny day.
11. My friend's daughter got accepted into the university
she wants to attend. (Oops that's 11).

Reality Check


Timbah my cat,
my constant companion this afternoon
when I was hit with food poisoning
(I think it was the cereal)
Timbah certainly made me feel better.

Shortly after I wrote the blog I was hit with a case
of food poisoning, didn't get to paint, spent the day in
bed and just managed to walk across the street to the
local school with my son for five minutes to see the
firecrackers there.



Quick Sketch of Fiona the cat
Sharpie on Bond paper
8 x 10 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009

So things can change quickly. But I do feel better
now, and my family are so kind to me.

Have an any-reason-for-a-holiday-is-okay-by-me day.

10 comments:

claud-hop said...

Hey Barbara,

I'm sorry you got sick, food poisoning is the worst (whether it's coming out of the front or the back... yuck?), but glad that you are feeling a little better now. And thanks for the shout out on your list! It made me smile a real big smile.

Love,
Claudia

P.S. The photo of Timbah is adorable, his facial expression looks like his reaction to you being sick, very cute.

Aliaena said...

Hi Barbara!
I hope you are feeling better too. I just wanted to thank you for visiting my site and your kind comments and encouragement. Forgive me the delay in getting back to you. I am new to blogging and just finding my feet, so have been a little slow in figuring out how to respond to comments etc. Anyway I look forward to following your work and wish you the very best! Aliaena

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Claudia,

You do get the shout out! You are a great girl, and I'm so incredibly happy for you, and proud to know you.

Love that smile. And congratulations again.

Love Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Aliaena,

Blogging does take a bit of figuring out.Your work is fabulous, so free and strong. Love it.

Thanks for your kind concern.

Take care,

Barbara

eldon warren said...

New novel? What cha reading? I just got the Angels and Demons one. Have not started it yet. Soon I hope. Maybe when the work is all done.
EW
Glad you're feeling better.

laura said...

Hello Barbara--I'm glad you are feeling better; cats will do that for you! I was just snuggling with mine ...
I spent most of the afternoon listening to Leonard Cohen (he pulls such overwhelming emotions out of me; maybe I should listen while I paint and see what happens?): my own way of celebrating Canada here in NJ!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Eldon,

I'm reading a pretty light novel by a British author. My son's reading
Angels and Demons now. I read it last year. I'm not crazy about the writing, but the story is good. If that makes any sense. I hope you get a chance to get going on it.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laura,

I don't actually have any Leonard Cohen, but love his lyrics and his voice. He is one of the greats. Of course he's Canadian, but I think of him as being part of everywhere.

Take care,

Barbara

Liza Hirst said...

First Sam, now you - hope that's it for now and glad you're feeling better!! LOVE your cat drawing! And your cat!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

Thanks for your kind wishes.
Yes, we're both feeling just fine now.

Glad you like the drawing. You're my major supporter in the line drawing world.

xoxoxoxBarbara

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!