The 2011th thing I learned again in 2023 -- Pets are amazing

Monet the cat
It's the second
anniversary of her
adoption.

That's right folks.  The actual challenge from Howard Wolinksy in 
2018 was about 2018 things I learned in 2018. Remember back
in 2018 -- before COVID? Now it seems like such a magical time,
and in North America we had no idea what was coming. I'll catch up on
the 2000 part by the end of the month Howard.

This is the second anniversary of our adoption of our cat, Monet.
She is a wonderful warm, intelligent cat.  My husband Steven
has his office in the basement.  He comes up to the kitchen for lunch,
and Monet comes up with him.  When he is ready to go back to work, he says
to Monet, "back to work," and Monet runs downstairs and jumps
into her basket on top of the dog's cage, that's in Steven's office.

Our dog Sally will sing Monet a Happy Adoption song tonight, and
our cat Fiona, who is 16 will be jealous, and everyone will get a treat.
Fiona is also wonderful, and has been our cat since she was 9 weeks old.

Here's to the animals!

Have a loving your life day.

The 10th thing I learned all over again in 2023 -- Be happy

 

This was my most popular image on Instagram in
2019.  Me with my painting Cloud Magic at
the opening of the Encounter exhibition at the
Heliconian Club.  Meeting some of the wonderful
artists who are members in the Helconian Club,
was a highlight of this year again.
By the way this painting is still
available, and it is even more
beautiful than it looks here.
If you want it for a special
holiday present -- DM
me at barbaramuir.art on
Instagram.  Free
delivery in Toronto. 

In some ways life in the world gets more and more heartbreaking.
I still believe that if we take action whenever we can, and give
what we can to help with what we can, we owe it to those who
are suffering to appreciate how blessed we are. And we are.
We are not in a war.  We have food and shelter, and people who
love us, and work.

This is what I said about it in 2022, and it still applies:

"Be Happy!  Doesn't that sound simple? It is, but we
lose our way over such ridiculous things -- like
traffic.  Hardship and sorrow come into every life --
and of course have been, and are part of mine.  As well as
the richness of discovery, love and an exciting life,
there are the hard times, the silly arguments, the occasional
sleepless nights, and worry about other people's health and
happiness. This year I've tried to listen to a voice in my head 
that tells me to rethink my attitude (it sounds like my mother),
to notice what is great instead of what is wrong whenever
possible. I'm keenly aware that our time on the planet is limited,
and that I am incredibly lucky. So in my best moments,
I choose to enjoy life moment by moment and in the case of
enjoying you -- your support, your beautiful art, and great
thoughts -- that is a given. I am so blessed that my family and
friends are wonderful!"

Have a loving your life day."

Humour saves the day -- the 9th thing I learned again in 2022

Steven and Me laughing
I know that I'm lucky I married
a man who loves to laugh. 
This photo was taken in the holidays in 

2007, but laughter is still a
super part of our family life..
Photo

Chris Muir © 2007

It's Saturday night and we have a ton of chores to do so I'm posting
a photo today that makes me happy every time I see it. I loved reading
about Dame Judi Dench.  She said she wouldn't have anyone in her
life who didn't have a sense of humour, and I understand that
This is one of the things I love about my family -- at the best of
times they are funny.  They are actually some of the funniest people
on the planet, which makes me feel so lucky.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend filled with joy and laughter,
and stay well.

Have a loving your life day.

The eighth thing I learned again this year -- we love Paris!

Our Eiffel Tower is always up.

So far no snow like in the
picture, but snow will come.

Let the holidays begin!

(No we'll be working until the

the 22nd probably, but we can

dream -- right?)

The eighth thing I learned again this year is that Steven and I are in love with Paris.
We never took down the Eiffel Tower this year that sits on our front lawn. We just
refurbished the lights when they went out and people probably think that it’s a
Christmas tree, but no.

When we went to Paris for six days in August, it was the second time in less than a year.
We were warned that it would be hot. And we were told that our Parisian friends would not
be there. It was hot -- 40°C some days.  But our hotel room was air-conditioned and very pretty,
and at the hottest times of day we put a suitcase on our bed and watched the TV show we'd
been watching in Toronto on Steven's computer. We were super happy, and when the day
cooled down we'd head out, and then meet friends for dinner.

People who do videos about what to be aware of when you come to Paris say, don’t try to visit
all the museums. Just enjoy the city. But before we left, everyone was full of ideas of
where we must go. We would love to visit Giverny, and will another time, but we loved, just
sitting in cafés and watching Parisians (Yes, there were many Parisians in the city) conduct their lives.

We did visit the Musée D’Orsay, and the Orangerie, and enjoyed every minute in those museums.

Will we go back anytime soon? Yes! As soon as possible.

Have a loving your life day.

Light Chasers -- The 7th thing I learned in 2023 -- love what you see!

 

A most beautiful tree

Photo

Barbara Muir © 2022

I've been painting all day today -- and having so much fun.  I watched
one of my favourite painters, Daniel Bordi, doing a painting from
start to finish, and then decorating the packing paper, packaging it
and getting ready to ship it. He was so inspiring that I went into
my studio, gessoed a bunch of canvasses, painted out work that
wasn't working, and began a new painting that is going to be
beautiful.

I like what I wrote about last year actually on December 8, because it's still
true and Steven and I have driven by this beautiful tree and cheered
again this year.  I hope the people in the house didn't hear us!

"Steven and I are light chasers.  I realize that.  All year round we
try and see the sunset. And this month when the 21st comes, and
the days start getting longer we will be toasting one another
with a small glass of champagne! Hurray.

Meanwhile the brilliant (pardon my pun) thing about December,
especially in a colder climate, is that in the darkest month there
are lights everywhere.  Steven and I take a route home from our
favourite grocery story, up a tree lined street, and then into a
neighbourhood that has one of the most beautiful trees -- pine I
think -- in the city.  

Last year this very tall, majestic beauty was lit so beautifully in
December that we were in awe every time we saw it.  This year 
some people put lights on in November, and we kept thinking
the tree would be lit early, but it wasn't.  December 1, we drove by and
started shouting yay, and almost jumping up and down in our
seats with excitement. (That's right some people never grow up.)

The picture in no way does the beauty of this 50 foot tall beauty
justice, but it does give you an idea.

Have a loving your life day."

The sixth thing I learned again -- wonderful surprises happen

Ready for joy

Charcoal on bond paper

12 x 14 inches

Barbara Muir © 2010

(This drawing was in preparation for

a painting in the same pose.

I really like the drawing. )

I chose this drawing because
a former student posed for me
for this.  And tonight I discovered

that it was the drawing I posted
on my first night of classes at

the Community Center.  And boy
was I right.  It was a joy
filled experience.

I could not have imagined a year ago that I would have the
fabulous teaching experiences I've had teaching Presentation
at a Community Learning Center in downtown Toronto. I have
always loved the classes I taught, but the support I received
in my most recent courses was incredible.

Plus the excitement, hard work and enthusiasm in those classes
made me so happy, and gave all of us taking part hope that
if we work together we can create change. Not just locally,
but in the world.

That was actually part of the course -- working on how to
advocate for necessary changes in the neighbourhood.

I am super grateful for that lesson.

Have a loving your life day.

The fifth thing I learn over and over -- Friends make the world go round!

The photo of me and Miranda Brouwers that appeared in the

Dutch newspaper, The Carillon on December 29, 2015.

We are standing in front of the landscapes

Miranda showed at the Florence Biennale in October, 2015.

Miranda is a very positive person, and we started the
Happy People Group (not official) at the Biennale to help
all of the artists we knew stay positive.

Today it was Sinterklaasavond (Sinterklass evening) for my friend
Miranda Brouwers and her family who live in The Netherlands. Sinterklaas
is like our Santa Claus, and people give gifts and celebrate. Tomorrow will
be a day of celebration too because it's the feast of Sinterklaas.

Miranda and I made friends at the Florence Biennale in 2015 and have
shown together in the Carousel du Louvre in Paris too.  But what is
wonderful is that we talk on the phone once a week, most weeks, and
the conversations are delightful.

I am lucky to have wonderful friendships with artists. Their work, posts
and encouragement make me so happy.  

This year we were so lucky to get to visit Paris in August, and Miranda and her
husband Rolf made the 5 hour drive from the Netherlands to spend some time
with us.  Miranda has a wonderful laugh, and is generous, and kind beyond
 measure.  

Because the holiday festivities start earlier in the Netherlands, Miranda
and I missed our normal call this week. I look forward to hearing all
about the festivities. 

In Paris in August we also had dinner with our friend Alessandra Masha
Mascitti, who we met when she was helping manage an exhibition I was in
at the Carousel du Louvre Art Shopping show in the Musée du Louvre in
Paris in 2015.  Alessandra had dinner with us one night at our favourite
Thai restaurant, and we had so much fun.

I love this photo from eight years ago of me and Miranda.  I hope we can
show together again. 

Have a loving your friends day.