Tales of a Magpie: IO's last ride and other stories

Who's IO, you might ask. Many of you probably know that I named my Triumph Bonneville Bruce. IO (pronounced Eee' oh) is Danielle's bike. I mentioned in an earlier post that her bike broke down but what I didn't mention was the severity. So last Sunday, Danielle picked up IO from the shop and rode it to Lancaster where it will be resting until, hopefully, someday, she can make the major repairs. I thought about what to write in regards to this last ride. I took photos. But I just couldn't seem to find the words to describe such a heartbreaking event for my friend. But I guess I really don't have to, because Danielle has written so beautifully about it and you can read it here.

She circled around IO.

We chatted with Gary, an artist working on a sign at the shop. It's a bit of a diversion for us, for Danielle. Something to momentarily take our minds off the inevitable.

I'm intrigued with this artwork and later we talk about going back to check on the progress. He has some miniatures hanging up nearby, three dimensional studies that now won't leave my mind. I wonder what he has planned for them.

Then Danielle is on the road. If you read her telling of it, you'll know that she had to pull over a few times. She called us and we pulled off an exit, waited for her to go by so we could follow and make sure she got to her destination.

She does and the bike is at a friend's place in Lancaster. A new bike is in the works and she is going to see it today. And I am hoping it is love at first sight. Or if not at first sight, then at least a hey, I think I like you a lot. When you ride a bike for thousands of miles, just you and the bike, there's a different relationship to it. It's just you and the bike. You're going down the road, feeling the wind, smelling the grass, the heat, the road and suddenly there's a moment, maybe longer, when everything falls away. Silence. A stillness in the movement, a connection so profound that it is no longer you on a bike, you have become the bike, the wind, the grass, the heat and the road. Snap. You are back. I miss it still...

So now, what have I been up to this week? Busy, busy as usual. A really good busy though.

Rain has set in here. I am starting to become amazed at how much rain can actually fall from the sky. There is supposed to be more today and I am wondering how that is possible. It doesn't let up. And I decide that it will not keep me in. I signed up for a class the week before last, after Danielle and I visited South Pasadena and went to the shop Zinnia. I signed up to take a class on making assemblage dolls made from tins. The teacher was Paul Murray. To say I had fun is an understatement. Paul was a great teacher; I enjoyed his creative energy, his lightheartedness. And there was such a wonderful group of students, complimenting each other, sharing ideas and excitement over what each of us were making.

So here is my doll:

It was so much fun to make that I am now planning on taking down a picture in the kitchen so I can make a whole wall of them.

Now if that isn't enough, there was even more enjoying in store for yesterday. Danielle and Forrest had a gig at The Coffee Klatch. The evening started with Forrest opening, playing the keyboards:

This was his debut, playing his own music and I really enjoyed it. Then he was accompanied by Leeann Edwards (I think I have the name right, but if I don't, someone please let me know!):

This was a really wonderful combination. I could have listened to more and hopefully, someday I will get the chance to. Danielle played her fantastic music with Forrest accompanying on the percussion:

Friends came to hear her play and it was beautiful evening. And as what usually happens to such days, they come to an end too soon it seems. We went out afterwards for a bite to eat and to visit with each other. Pure fun. The day was a continuous thread of enjoyment.

And today? Today it is quiet, dark, wet. I am going to see a friend in a few minutes and once more not letting the rain get it's way of keeping me inside. That would be easy on such a day. After all, it is a perfect day to bead, to make another tin doll, to read. Maybe later. But for now I am off. I have caught up a bit here and think about making another promise not to go so long without blogging. I plant myself firmly in The Land Of Good Intentions, a place I am sure actually exists.

I hope everyone is having a peaceful weekend.