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.

12 comments:

Liza Hirst said...

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!!!

Melinda said...

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.

laura said...

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

Anonymous said...

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!

Barbara Muir said...

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

Barbara Muir said...

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

Barbara Muir said...

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

Barbara Muir said...

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

Gwen Bell said...

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

Barbara Muir said...

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

eldon warren said...

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

Barbara Muir said...

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

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!