Journal writing helps

 

Journal Sketch 

Marker on journal paper

6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2025

When I'm making something new to me -- and I'm definitely doing that 
with my current work -- I sometimes get so tense.  So many, 'what
ifs?' come into my brain.  Yikes.  Combine that with even a 
few minutes of news, and I don't know what to do.

The answer is writing in a journal every morning. I'm trying to 
get back to two pages of writing, and then a sketch.  Here's

the sketch from yesterday -- a serious young woman.  And

today the ideas were coming through! Yay.

Have a loving your life day!

For the love of dogs

Journal sketch

marker on
Maison de Haute

 Couleurs Charvin paper

8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2020

When I made this sketch I wasn't happy with it.  But scrolling through 

my blog today I saw it, and thought this captures everything I've
always felt about dogs.  I love dogs -- their enthusiasm for life, and

love of whoever takes care of them.

I was raised with dogs and cats. I love both.  This sketch was based

on a photo by my father, who was an excellent photographer.  I got
a bit lost by the intense shadows. That happens.  Artists get
stumped by small things sometimes.  Right now I'm encouraging
myself not to go there.  "Yes you can!" is the corny message we
need to give ourselves.

Have a loving your life day! 

More coffee please

Now that was good!
Journal drawing

Black marker on notebook paper

6 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 

Coffee has been a big theme today.  I enjoyed visiting
with the friends in the neighbourhood who get together
for coffee.  And I spent the rest of the day painting,

running on coffee after coffee so I could keep going.

I feel pretty happy about the day, and I like this drawing 
of a hotel room service breakfast, which as you know
is one of my all time favourite meals.  And of course

there is always lots of coffee!

Have a loving your life day! 

I'm grateful for my wonderful mother

Isabel Muir
by Christopher Muir

Christopher Muir © 

This is the anniversary of my mother's death.  I miss her so much!
Here's what I said in a former blog, with the date updated: 

"My mother died 12 years ago on this date.  It was Thanksgiving Day. We were
in Ottawa where she lived, and were in the hospital with her the night before
she died.  Our family who were in the city, had lunch together, then we drove
home to Toronto for another Thanksgiving dinner. All in her honour.

The beautiful portrait photo I'm showing you is by my son, Christopher.
I love it because it shows her strength, her beauty, and the nature she protected
with letters, her voice on call-in radio on CBC, in protest marches even when
she had a serious chronic lung condition, and with donations.

Here's what I wrote about her in a former tribute:

"A couple of weeks before she died, I sat with my mother, who
was totally blind, helping her fill out cheques to organizations she
believed in that protected the environment -- wolves, whales, parkland.
Those weren't her only passions -- she gave to women's shelters, money
for hurricane and famine victims.  Small amounts to be sure -- but this
mattered.

She was a good, kind and supportive mother. What shone through with
 her was her love for her family, her intellect, (she had a Masters in
 Bacteriology), her concern about the future of the planet."

We miss you Mommy.  You made the best Thanksgiving dinner.

Have a loving your life day. 

Happy Thanksgiving weekend -- and thank you family

 

Thank you family and friends
Photo: 
© Barbara Muir

This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, and today we went 
on a long, beautiful drive to celebrate with family.  The best time.  We
brought some parts of the meal, and the whole thing was delicious.

And so much fun.

A bit tired tonight, as we just got home.  I love Thanksgiving and feel so
grateful for my family and friends.  Thank you all of you.  It is one of my
favourite holidays as I'm sure I've said many times.

Have a loving your life day!

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving weekend

Today's flowers from the garden

Watercolour and black marker on 

watercolour paper

6 x 9.5 inches

Barbara Muir © 

I’m a firm believer in gratitude — being grateful for the
people in my life, and for what life has given me. That’s
why I love Canadian Thanksgiving, a celebration that happens
this weekend. 

Canadian Thanksgiving is a celebration of the harvest.
We give thanks for a great harvest, for our unusually
blessed lifestyle, and in honour of that, eat a meal
together. It is not about religion, or history, or which
culture you grew up in.  And that's what I love about it.
Everyone can share in the harvest.  Everyone can get in
the spirit together, and we all understand the meaning of
the holiday.

Judging from the run on turkeys, that part of the meal may
be the same in many homes. 

Happy Thanksgiving weekend!

What kind of coffee cup do you like?

 Coffee with milk in

a cup

Acrylic on canvas

8 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 

(This painting seems perfect

for today.  And I like that it

went to live in

Texas with my friend, 

the artist Susan Carlin.) 

I'm pretty sure I drank this cup of coffee in a restaurant.  On
a normal day I drink at least 3 large mugs of coffee, and my
preferred mugs are straight up and down, with maybe a slight curve
at the top and bottom of the mug.

What do you like?  I like white coffee cups.  Though my favourite
ones are hard to find now, and they were horizontal turquoise and

white striped mugs.

At night when I'm watching TV with Steven, and I've had more
than the three cups of coffee, plus a couple of decaf coffees, I drink
sugar free hot chocolate. 

Of course in Europe everything is different -- espresso mainly.
But coffee -- I love it.  It is the fuel I run on. Speaking of which -- walk 
time, and then back to painting.  I had a great day painting.

Have a loving your life day!