Saturday, January 10, 2009

A full house



Fiona and Timbah watch the birds
-- their idea of entertainment

The people who run my house tell me they want more
"quality time". That's what they used to call the half
hour I spent reading my children stories before bed
on weeknights when I was working at a full time job.
Those snatched moments after a long working day
were supposed to be quality time, not a mad dash
through pick up at daycare or school, whipping home
(luckily across the street), rushing through dinner
which we always ate together at the table with
flowers and candlelight even when the menu was
beans and rice, then bed for the children,
and maybe an hour before sleep, and the whole
whir of it began again. Whew! I really feel for
parents.

Timbah, Zoey and Fiona wait for supper

Well now that we've got our babies
out the door for the moment, the cats and dog
demand the same "Q" time. So as I've been
working quite a bit for the past few days --
got to go.

Have a life-is-fun-and-easy day.

4 comments:

Theresa Rankin said...

Quality time?? I am with you...right there....finding the time to spend with everyone in and out of the family is a most difficult thing. On the other hand...when I do...and I always do...it is so very rewarding! Are you sure we weren't separated at birth? We have so many similarities. Candles at dinner...sometimes...but an oil lamp...almost always...yes, no matter what was served we always ate together! Your writing is always uplifting!

Melinda said...

Isn't it amazing how the animals take over and 'run' us?! They just seem to know how to give us the right looks to engage us.

Now, that cutie, Zoey, looks like the dog that is completely 'run' by Fiona and Timbah!

And, those kitties look like they're hatching a plan for spring. Nice to know that domesticated cats are mostly unsuccessful in the hunt, yes?

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Theresa,

You are right. I always do find the time too -- and aside from painting, reading and sleeping like nothing better than to be laughing with my family and friends -- like you. I think we may have been separated at birth. I'm glad you're back at this stage in my life.

xoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

The alpha "dog" in our house is Fiona, the Siamese. But if Timbah and Fiona are fighting, Zoey gets very upset and ends the fight. Both cats adore her.

The kitties never go out except on leashes. Timbah is a shelter cat who had been abandoned and was starving when they found him, so we had to promise not to let him out, and Siamese cats are not safe alone outside, people either fear them, or take them. So both go out only
when we take them out.

But you're right, they are waiting for spring, when we'll take them down into the garden.

Take care,

Barbara

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!