Friday, February 22, 2013

Car accident and keeping it going on the iPad

 Happy Memory
iPad drawing
8 x 10 inches
Barbara Muir © 2013
Last night we were heading home from shopping with
our son in the car, stopped at a stoplight, and BAM!
The loudest bang I think I've ever heard short of
I don't know what.  We were rear ended by the car
behind the car behind us and sent into the intersection.
I would bet the girl who slammed into us at what felt
like at least 60 k was texting, because it's pretty
easy to see red stoplights at night. 

Steven, Sam and I all have whiplash, and have been
 lying very low today, nursing our aches and pains. 
But I can't stand it -- not doing some art -- so I did
a little portrait on my iPad, of a girl I drew a few years
 back on Skype -- one of my very first Skype portrait
jobs for a New York firm. It was fun then, and fun now,
trying to draw her with my finger.  I feel grateful for the
 iPad, and for seatbelts, and that we are all going to be fine.

Please don't text, or talk on the phone in your car.  We
were lucky, the next people might not be.

Have a keeping-your-eyes-on-the-road day


21 comments:

Linda Popple said...

That accident sounds very scary! I've been almost hit twice because the driver was texting. It's such a stupid thing to do. Very grateful that you are doing ok, but wish that aches and pains didn't even happen. Feel better soon!

Your IPad drawing looks great and such fun!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Linda,

Thanks so much. It was scary. Glad you like the drawing. Yes it is among other things a senseless waste of time.

XO Barbara

Anonymous said...

Oh no! How frightening. Sending healing vibes to your and your family.
Stay inspired!

Sea Dean - Paint a Masterpiece said...

So glad you're OK. Don't know what I'd do without your bright portraits in my inbox.

I must add that it's not just texting, it's doing anything which distracts you; putting on make-up, drinking coffee, fiddling with the radio, taking drugs - prescription or otherwise, alcohol, ... and the list goes on. If everyone just focused on one task and did it to the best of their ability it would lead to a more rewarding life for everyone concerned.

So your one task for now is to nurse yourself :o)

Carol said...

Oh dear!!! Sorry for all of you, including the driver behind you who I hope learned an important lesson...

Barbara, readjust expectations and take life a bit slower while you recoup and get well soon!

Unknown said...

oh my goodness, that is an awful shock, and scary! I'm so glad you are all alright. Despite the laws many people still check their phones and text behind the wheel; i notice it all the time when i'm out there driving.
Your i-pad drawing is lovely.

Nicki said...

Oh Barbara!

I am so happy you were not more seriously injured! What a horrible ordeal. And thank goodness you weren't hit again when you got pushed into the intersection. These things can happen so suddenly and without warning. Yes, seat-belts are a blessing.

Take care and get lots of rest, you may even find you are more sore in a week's time.

Thinking of you, Steven and Sam.

Hugs,
Nicki

Mary Lou van Schaik said...

What a scary experience, Barbara. I'm sorry to hear that you all are suffering from whiplash. Take good care of yourselves. Love -- Mary Lou

Barbara Muir said...

Thank you Michelle,

I really appreciate your kind thoughts.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sea Dean,

Thank you, but the main one I see is texting. You can drink coffee looking forward, you cannot look at the road and text. It's probably different everywhere, but in Toronto texting is a huge traffic problem.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Carol,

You are sweet. Thank you. I agree and I do feel sympathy. It's hard to feel for the driver -- waiting for the police to finish their inquiry she was texting like crazy. I hope she's learned her lesson and that she puts her phone away while she's driving.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Talking on the phone was not good, but texting. Really scary to see people beside you in the other lane going 80 with their heads down.

We are feeling a lot better.
XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nicki,

Thank you, We are all doing well. Thank goodness also for our amazing chiro who saw us yesterday before her office hours. She is wonderful. I hope we don't feel worse in a few days that would be a nasty shock. Take care. I love your work.

XO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Mary Lou,

We have been very quiet since the accident. Not very spunky, but just hanging. Our chiro is a miracle worker, and I think we'll feel right again soon. We are taking care. Thank you.

Love,

Barbara

cohen labelle said...

Isn't it illegal to text while you're driving?! The party who rear ended you was breaking the law. She should really have her license suspended. City driving can be nerve racking - you need to be totally focused at all times on manouevring your car through traffic.
I'm so sorry you all had whiplash which I know from experience to be extremely painful. Any injury to the neck is a serious matter.

On the bright side your lovely ipad drawing and a chiro who can work miracles.

Love to you all and speedy recovery,

Marcia

Barbara Muir said...

Thanks Marcia,

Coming along. Well of course I don't know as we were crashed into, not witnesses. I just can't imagine how you'd be going that fast and miss a stoplight in midtown.

Keep drawing, that makes me feel good, seeing your work.

Love,

Barbara

Sheila Vaughan said...

Hope you are feeling better today Barbara but it's a nasty shock. I guess you were lucky it was not worse but scary nevertheless. There are such stupid drivers on the roads today. Trouble is they involve those of us who take care. Rest up and take your time to get back to work.

Flora said...

Oh Barbara, that's awful!! I'm SOOO glad you got it looked at immediately...perhaps you'll be saved from further pain. The very same thing happened to Larry and I about 15 years ago. Also in the city and we were stopped at the red light. A guy slammed into us, then another car hit the car behind him and he hit us again! I was in pain for a long time, but Larry was better much faster. We didn't have your clever chiropracter then ;) so it took us longer to get better.
There wasn't even texting then. There should be a way to automatiically disable texting in moving vehicles.
It sure hasn't affected your beautiful drawing/painting ability!
xo

Liza Hirst said...

Oh Barbara, I am so sorry to hear this and to have missed it earlier! Luckily you are all well (I hope!)but it could have ended very different. So, your guardian angel was there with you and I am glad he was. Makes one cherish every day, doesn't it?!
Take care, my friend, XOXO Liza

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Liza,

I do cherish every day, and now every time you answer me I see your red coat and red shoes and shining face and feel exuberantly happy. Take care my friend. Yes a guardian angel must have been there.

XOXO Barbara

Kim Rempel said...

Oh Barbara, that is scary. Things happen in a split second. I am so thankful all of you are fine. Are you still sore or stiff? Geesh! Yes, people have to STOP texting while driving. I was t-boned when I was pregnant by a young woman who ran a red. It definitely shakes you up! Hugs xo

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!