A Year Of Finding Love

On the road today

I love to ride motorcycles. I owned my first bike when I was 18 years old and lived in England. When I bought the bike, I had no idea how to ride, I just paid the man for the bike, jumped on and took off. Though it had a small engine (125cc), I came close to wrecking it and myself a number times, usually going full throttle, often without knowing what was around the bend! I was a little reckless to say the least, and a LOT lucky. But I was hooked.

About 7 years ago after a long respite from riding, I took a class to learn how to ride bikes the right way (I recommend this way to anyone considering owning a motorcycle.)

Nowadays I still love the speed and power (my current bike has about 1640cc's), but I'm a lot safer rider.

But the thrill hasn't changed, and I feel like a Bad Ass, as I ride like the wind...

Engine,

Heartbeat,

Vibrate,

Chrome,

Rev,

Torque,

Power,

Rush,

You get the idea...?

I dream one day of riding my bike through the Southwest, me , my bike and miles of open road and beautiful weather...

In order to be as safe as possible, you have to be fully present, in the moment.., all senses on alert. So many other things I do during the day I can do on "automatic pilot," but not this, my life depends on it..., which is why I love to ride.

A Year Of Finding Love

I'll be honest, as soon as I published yesterday's post, I began to feel nervous, and started to question myself.. but I had a list of chores that I had to get on and do, so I dropped the worry and got on with my list. Topping the list was a trip to the post office, so I took off and stood in line with several folks. I heard a woman's voice start talking to me from behind, saying how beautiful the day had been and weren't we all blessed? When I turned to see who was speaking, I saw an older woman with a sweet smiling face, her silver hair pulled back into an elegant bun. I couldn't help but notice her lovely voice, she had a southern accent, very gentle and polite. (think Jessica Tandy in the movie "Driving Miss Daisy.") She told me that even though it was sunny outside at her age of 89, she still had to wear a winter coat, as she felt the cold more, than when she was younger. I was quite taken aback when she told me her age, and told her how amazing I thought she looked! I went on to ask her what she thought her secret was to her obvious good health and longevity.. and she smiled her sweet smile and said in her lovely southern way, "Why.., LOVE of course," and gave a little secret laugh, more to herself than anything, like she was recollecting something sweet. She explained to me that her husband of 65 years (who was also 89) still worked full time as an engineer, despite having arthritis he was still able to work because he had a great mind and that he loved to work. She went on to say what a wonderful husband he had always been to her , and to this day he would still write her love letters and poetry, she sighed gently and finished by saying "I am lucky to have him, he is my angel." As I watched her describe the man she had loved for so many years, her face lit up, her eyes glistening, skin that glowed.., showing me that truly LOVE was her secret to wellness, health and beauty. I thanked her for sharing, and took my turn at the front desk.

Driving home I couldn't help but laugh at the irony of this conversation in a post office with a total stranger on the very subject of.... what else, but LOVE.

Perhaps I had been visited by an angel?

A Year Of Finding Love

A Year Of Finding Love

I invite you to join me daily (or however often you feel like it) on my year long quest to write about love.

I have given myself this task, so that I can remind myself each day that even though the world is filled with much pain and suffering, anger and hatred, I have much to be grateful for and love to share with all who care to join me.

So many times in the day I experience little, fleeting moments of love (along with many other more "challenging" emotions!)

I am committing myself to a year of documenting these beautiful snapshot, heart-squeezing moments, that bring love and joy into my life, and then share them with any of you who are interested.

I shared my idea with a very good friend, who I know cares about me deeply, and she was concerned for me that a) a year is a huge commitment to do anything (true, but whats the point of life if not to jump right in to it and start swimming? Its like the half marathon I ran in November, I didn't know I could run till I jumped in and started, the next thing I knew, I was a runner and completed a half marathon!) her other point was b) what if nobody reads it? Well, I'm doing this primarily for myself, with an open heart to share with anyone who's out there and is remotely interested. This is like a spiritual/creative practice that I am happy to share with others. But like most spiritual practices I am the one who will benefit from it regardless if anyone else reads what I write or approves.

So, here is my first entry in A Year Of Finding Love. Above is a photo of my two beautiful daughters, Sophie and Isabel. They are, and continue to be the loves of my life.

From the very beginning when they came into this world and my life they have been my greatest muses. I am truly blessed to call myself their mother. They, more than anything have inspired me to be more - more loving, more thoughtful, more ambitious, more creative, more capable than I would ever thought of for myself. There have been some hard and challenging times in my life, and they have come to my rescue by just the act of giving me the look of love that says,,, you can do anything Mama, you're the best, I know that you'll make everything ok, because you're strong, because we see something in you that we love and know we can trust.

And when I look at them , I KNOW that I can move mountains.

Neinah

Happy Belated Valentines...

I'd planned on writing sooner, but things don't always work out the way we plan. I did however manage to send my "Valentines" their Valentines on time. For some wonderful, unknown reason, this year, I was really overcome with a desire to spread the love.., I planned early enough so that I would have time to make all the sweet things I needed to, that I hoped would convey my love in the best way I know how..., HOME MADE (baked sweet things - gluten free of course, cards, and little dolls holding hearts with special heartfelt messages.)

To say I enjoyed myself is a huge understatement. As I sewed the little doll bodies, and made the heart shaped cookies, my thoughts dwelt on the special people in my life, and I understood what a gift it is to have people to love, and for them to be able to receive this huge, unpredictable, sometimes inarticulate, awkward, heart of mine.

So, Happy Valentines to all of you, even if you didn't receive a card, cookie or doll.

Love,

Neinah

Northern Flicker colaptes auratus

Look who came to dinner!
Actually, my friend Flicker is a regular diner at Chez Deck.

He usually shows up a time or two in the late afternoon to check on the status of the suet feeder, along with a very noisy, bustling, busy, oh so cute chattering family of Bushtits Psaltriparus minimus, there a bit tricky to photograph as they are SO very busy and are in constant motion, but thanks to my new Canon PowerShot SX200IS with a really cool zoom and anti-shake thingumy, that my Dear Sweetie gave me, my chances of getting a free from blurry shot are much better than they used to be! In fact, I have my new trusty camera with me at all times..., just in case..,, this new camera has inspired me to a whole new level of photo taking... so,,, watch this space:)))
Neinah

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Wishing you all Peace, Health and Happiness.

Thank you for staying in touch and being part of my community of friends and family.

This coming year I will be writing more, creating more and running more:)

I love hearing from you and hearing about whats going on in your worlds, so if any of you blog.. sign me up, and if you email..., drop me a line or maybe send me some photo's... Time (life) is flying by, Sophie's now in college and Isabel is in her second year of high school.. They're both busy people in their own right with friends, commitments, work, dreams.. I am blessed to have them both at home for Christmas.

My wish for us all, is that we have a sweet, kind, loving, peaceful christmas.

With Love and Appreciation.

Neinah

I DID IT!!!

Last Sunday, I ran the Seattle Half Marathon, I was one of over 8,000 runners, I finished somewhere in the middle of the pack. I walked for the first mile, not really sure how to act, what to think, it was all new to me (intimidating.) I struck up a conversation with a young woman from Spokane who planned on walking the whole 26.2 marathon course, I explained to her that I wasn't sure what I would do, I told her I was worried about my knees, this was my first time, I really had never been a runner... Suddenly from behind us came a small group of runners charging up the hill, flanked by motorcycle police. They were running so fast, as if their lives depended on it.., though it was still not day light and temps were freezing cold, they wore only the lightest of running clothes that were already soaked in sweat it was as if they were running a race in Bermuda instead of the freezing damp of Seattle. The air crackled as they passed by, I felt a jolt of something, like panic, or maybe sheer thrill... I was a child again, and I'd just been invited to come and play with a bunch of kids who were heading out to have a wonderful adventure..., didn't I want to come too??? I suddenly found myself saying goodbye to the young woman from Spokane, explaining that I was ready to do what I'd come to do..., run. I took off and joined the enormous shoal of runners, and didn't look back. It seemed like many passed me by, but I kept on going, stayed focused, listened to my body. My Ipod, loaded with music from my teens, Electric Light Orchestra, Hot Chocolate, Blondie, Fleetwood Mac, Beatles, Elvis Costello kept me company and my pace rhythmic and sure. When I crossed over I-5 and saw the last mile marker, I knew that I'd done it.. I had energy to run the last mile faster and cross the finish line with a new story about me. I did it:)

I'd started training in mid September, and on November 29th, I ran the Seattle Half Marathon.

During the run, as I was listening intently to my body, It occurred to me that I'd always told myself that I wasn't a runner and so I never tried running for real and here I was running in a half marathon! Now I'm asking what else have I told myself I'm no good at, can't do, shouldn't even try doing??? I'd no idea until this race what a lot of stories I've been telling myself about who I am, and what I can and cannot do, so guess what?

I'm ready for some new stories:))) If you'd like to see a wee clip of me crossing the finish line

click on the link below.

Thanks for listening.

Neinah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr0h9a8IRco