Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Winning the lottery



A class sketch -- very fast
of a beautiful model
acrylic on canvas
16 x 20 inches
Barbara Muir © 2009

On the way home from the LCBO tonight (The
Liquor Control Board of Ontario) or the store where you buy
your alcohol, I apologized to Steven for not winning the
lottery. The vast Summerhill LCBO store, a former
turn of the century Train station, brought back to
life by a brilliant architect Phil Goldsmith, was in
an oddly festive mood. A workers' strike is predicted
for midnight (just about now) and the shelves were
practically bare -- something I've never seen in the
years we've shopped there. Torontonians already
faced with a two-day-old garbage strike, were not
about to go without wine and spirits just as summer
hit. No! So they were stocking up like mad before
closing tonight.

It is our wedding anniversary today (June 24), so we bought
champagne to toast one another. Back to my
apology. I'd like to win the lottery so I can buy
my friend's house in France, and give it to her.
Alas. I didn't win again. But then I brightened.
Taking Steven's free hand as we drove along I said,
well in reality I did win big time -- because I spend
my life with you. Then we both smiled. I won't say
no to winning the lottery, don't get me wrong. But
a happy life is the ultimate gift. I have that, and
am equally blessed to know that it's true.



Steven and me
Taken a few years ago.


Have an enjoying-celebrating-life day.
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12 comments:

  1. Liza HirstJune 24, 2009 at 10:55 AM

    What a beautiful picture of you!!
    You both look great! That's how I feel about winning the lottery, too. Although I also wish you had won it.....
    In german we say "Pech im Spiel, Glück in der Liebe" which means "bad luck with gambling, good luck with love", so I guess we might never win the lottery!
    Happy anniversary, Barbara and Stephen!!!

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  2. MelindaJune 24, 2009 at 1:43 PM

    I knew today was a special day. Congratulations! I am so happy for you and Steven. What a kind and generous thought about winning the lottery. I wish you had won. Well, there is always another day!

    Have a fabulous day! Best of everything always.

    ReplyDelete
  3. lauraJune 24, 2009 at 3:50 PM

    Great photograph--happiness radiates from you both! Congratulations on your anniversary.
    The painting is beautiful too--a gorgeous face!

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  4. AnonymousJune 24, 2009 at 7:13 PM

    You certainly have won the lottery Barbara- with Steven, the boys, your creativity, your writing and here you are sharing it with all of us!
    Congratulations to you both!
    love, Flora xoxo
    PS: another fabulous painting...I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Barbara MuirJune 24, 2009 at 8:21 PM

    Hi Liza,

    Thanks so much. I so wish I had won it. Lets concentrate on me winning it next time. Maybe what we need is Glück in der Liebe, Glück im Spiel.

    Thanks for your warm wishes.
    Concentrate.... concentrate.
    You are great!

    xoxoxoxoxBarbara

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  6. Barbara MuirJune 24, 2009 at 8:34 PM

    Hi Melinda.

    Thank you. Yes I wish I'd win too, and I would use it very well.

    Best of everything to you too!

    xoxoxoxoxBarbara

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  7. Barbara MuirJune 24, 2009 at 8:35 PM

    Hi Laura,

    Thanks so much. The painting doesn't do the model justice. She was an intensely beautiful woman. I'm glad you like it, and thanks for your kind wishes. They mean a lot to me.

    Take care,

    Barbara

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  8. Barbara MuirJune 24, 2009 at 8:37 PM

    Hi Flora,

    It sounds like you're in the new house. Right now the lottery is about painting 24/7. That's a good one isn't it. Thanks a million for your sweet message. My love to you and Larry, and I know the house is fabulous.

    xoxoxoxxoxBarbara

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  9. Gwen BellJune 25, 2009 at 3:25 PM

    What a handsome couple! You kids look so happy. Happy Anniversary!

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  10. Barbara MuirJune 25, 2009 at 5:09 PM

    Thanks Gwen,

    It was a happy anniversary. We are both working very hard -- me at painting, Steven at his work, but we carved out a few hours and had a lovely dinner together.

    Still in love.

    Take care,

    Barbara

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  11. eldon warrenJune 27, 2009 at 4:36 PM

    Well, as they say, money deosn't buy happiness but it can make a nice down payment. There are two things I'd like plenty of that I don't get right now. Money and sleep.
    Good luck on the lottery thing. :)
    EW

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  12. Barbara MuirJuly 1, 2009 at 11:19 AM

    Hi Eldon,

    Those are two things I could do with too. Money and sleep. Let's affirm that both are coming to us.

    Take care,

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete

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