Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Summer thoughts working through the week

 

Peach paradise
Acrylic ink on
cradled birch 
6 x 6 inches
Barbara Muir © 2020

Monday my watch word when I woke up was puddle. What did I mean by that? I meant that my goal for the day was just to puddle along trying to get things done as the ideas came into my head. You can’t find that as a verb on the Internet. But I looked in the Oxford hardcover dictionary and puddle is a verb meaning more or less to mess around, or do things inexpertly.

How did that process work? Well not that badly. I did a bit of painting. I visited the Art store and bought paint. I worked a little bit on the portrait I’m doing. and spent some time in the garden.

Most surprising of all I actually froze a tray of peaches to put away for the winter. I do love peaches, so maybe I will put a painting from last summer of peaches up again here tonight.

As I moved on through the week – I may put a little video of the sound of the construction on our street today up for your pleasure – my word yesterday was persistence. That was handy as I was stuck in very long traffic jams, so that it took almost two hours to do two small errands. 

And the word for today was organize because we had people coming to the house to do some work that was important. My advice to parents is not to ground your children if their rooms are a mess. You’ll turn them into adults like me who are allergic to that word. Luckily one of my most delightful jobs was teaching positive psychology.  And because it was for college students, organization and time management were crucial add ons to a course designed to build self esteem. 

Teaching that changed my life. And now I can pull it together when I have to.

What was your word of the day? (Polite please!)

*Note.  Haven't been able to upload the video yet.  When I can, it will be here.  Have a great 
rest of the week.

6 comments:

Marilyn Flanegan said...

Hi Barbara! It's been a minute since I last checked in. My last couple of weeks have been tearfully challenging. When I saw your post in my mailbox, I believe it was the Universe suggesting a Barbara Boost. Though I don't comment as often as I should, I appreciate your magnanimity beyond measure. :)

Barbara Muir said...


Hi Marilyn,

I'm sorry your weeks have been tearfully challenging. That sounds rough. I am hardly using social media lately. I want to get back to it. Love your work, and thank you for your kind comment!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Evelyn Oldroyd - painter said...

My word is clean. Seems never ending right now. But I like the results. I love the peaches. So vibrant and ready to just pick off the plate. I have a small box right now too and am eating fresh ones every day.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Evelyn,

Great word. Thank you. I need to get another basket of the beauties and do another painting.
Love your work. Will try and get to cleaning today!

XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Jennifer Rose said...

what are these words organize and time management? my ADHD brain has no idea what they mean lol

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Jennifer,

I have a similar problem. We found out on a Tuesday that we could go
on vacation Friday, and there was a lot to organize. I get on the road,
get to a hotel, open my suitcase and think, "what was I thinking?"

Love your work,

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO 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!