April is Parkinson’s Disease Month which prompted me to do the Pedaling for Parkinson’s project in hopes of raising money for PD research. Many of you know I was unexpectedly diagnosed with the disease in 2007 at the age of 47. I had never painted a day until I was told I had PD. Three months later I was compelled to picked up a paintbrush. I thank God everyday for art, family, and friends. These are the lifesavers that keep me motivated, positive, and happy regardless of what the future may hold. I receive a lot of e-mail from different organizations that are working towards improving the lives of PD patients and their families.

Yesterday I received a special message from The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, a wonderful organization that is highly respected and admired for their dedication to helping people affected by PD. The article mentioned two amazing donations that were kindly gifted to PDF by two unique individuals who are currently battling Parkinson’s Disease. The first person is Mr. Irving Brilliant, a long-time resident of Brooklyn, NY, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2003. A Harvard-trained attorney, Mr. Brilliant spent most of his career on Wall Street. The second person is Mr. Bob Benjamin, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1996 at the age of 38. Shortly thereafter, Bob founded the Light of Day Foundation, which holds concerts all over the world to raise funds for Parkinson’s research. I have a personal attachment to Bob, he holds a special place in my heart.

Last year I was contacted by PDF and was asked if I’d be interested in creating a painting for Mr. Benjamin that would  be presented to him at a gala event honoring him and his foundation. I was thrilled to be asked, and quickly said yes. I didn’t know who Bob Benjamin was at the time, but quickly began to research the man behind the name. I became intrigued with his story, and quite impressed with his amazing fortitude and soulful vision. The shot below is Bob being presented with the painting I created for him called “Bob’s Town”. It warms my heart every time I see this picture.

Robin Elliott, executive director of PDF, presenting Bob Benjamin with artwork at the Bal Du Printemps Gala in New York City 2010

Take a little time and watch the video below, I’m sure you’ll find Bob B. as inspiring as I do.

One of the struggles I have had the last couple of years is being able to walk long distances. I’d walk about 50 feet and then have to stop to regain momentum. I actually felt like my body was going to give out on me. I just assumed it was the Parkinson’s that was slowing me down. Six months ago I stopped walking to the dog park with my husband, simply because it was too difficult. A year and a half ago I accepted the fact that I was ready for a parking placard, an emotional day to say the least.

Since my weight loss surgery things are really starting to turn around, most importantly I’m walking better! With 50+ pounds off my small frame, I have a lot much more energy these days and I’m walking better. Not only can I walk distances without stopping, I’m bending, reaching, jumping, dancing, and sleeping (when I do got to bed!) better. I feel like I literally have my life back!

Last week Terry and I took a stroll on the levee behind our house. He was more surprised than I was when I kept on walking…and walking….and walking! We ended up doing a two-mile walk, which led us to a charming marina called Paradise Point. I was smiling from ear to ear when we reached our destination. I’m starting to  feel like the old me that I once remember, just a healthier and better version

Here are some shots of our walk…. I mean hike!

Everything was so green and lush.

My guy (Terry) enjoying the fresh air.

Great place to skip stones even though I suck at it!

Fun to look at all the houseboats.

Quack Quack!

Not sure where the bridge leads to.

A bit overcast, but warm balmy breeze.

Living life to the fullest seems to be a common challenge for most of us. We dream of living in a place that will instantly fill the empty hole in our heart. Our “destiny” quickly becomes the focus, and the “journey” itself  is often ignored. I was very young when I began to yearn for inner peace and joy. I longed to belong to something or more accurately, “someone”. I wanted to live life under The Big Top, a place where things sparkle and magic happens.

I like to call the first half of my life the “When I“ Years. It looked like this: “When I get married I will finally feel complete. When I have a baby I will finally feel complete. When I land a high paying job I will finally feel complete. When I lose 15 pounds I will finally feel complete. I wasn’t taught that bliss resides within oneself. Like most folks I thought happiness was a mysterious state of being that existed outside of my reach.

Life’s challenges, disappointments, and tears prepare us for joy ownership. Painful experiences weave everlasting gratitude into our hearts. These soul-bearing struggles marinate us to a point of humility and true appreciation.

I was 47 years old when I finally figured it out. No, it wasn’t a sullen faced $250 an hour shrink who taught me the secret to an inner smile, it was actually an incurable brain disease. Yep, an incurable brain disease taught me the meaning of happiness. Parkinson’s Disease taught me how to tap into the tiny treasures that fill each day. It slowed me down so I could not only photograph the roses, but also smell them.

The path to happiness is designed for true emotional warriors….people who are willing to face roadblocks, pot holes, and detours. Happiness Seekers must be brave, gritty, and possess a bodacious sense of humor. They must throw caution to the wind, and be willing to let go of dysfunctional payoffs that inevitably come from living in a dark hole. They must be willing to shed negative thoughts and unhealthy behaviors. They have to be able to laugh at themselves, and risk looking utterly stupid at times. They have to be able to see life from the other side of the fence and without rose-colored glasses. They have to stop over-thinking every little thing and begin trusting the process. They must be courageous enough to ask for help, and also courageous enough to go it alone.

Most importantly a Happiness Seeker must truly commit to finding joy. Pain addicts feel at home wearing overcoats of shame and sadness. They define themselves through what’s missing in their life, and actually derive an odd sense of comfort from doing so.

Every now and then I randomly open a book to see which page I turn to. Usually a poignant message is sent my way. Before I wrote this post I opened to this page….

Regardless of my diagnosis, I feel incredibly blessed. Most mornings I wake up feeling happy, grateful and excited about life. I’m filled with deep gratitude for life’s blessings which include a loyal tribe, an artistic spirit, and a luminous sense of faith. Wishing you a lifetime of tiny delights.

Today I was introduced to heirloom tomatoes and learned the ins and outs of growing the “real deal”.  My friend Lauren is the Lifestyle editor in our local newspaper and she recently wrote an article on a gal named Mia Brown. Mia owns and operates a company called “True Love” tomatoes, which is located in Lodi, CA. Lauren invited me to the seedling sale today, and I jumped at the chance! When we arrived at the sale, we were surprised to see a sign posted on the fence that read, “Sold Out”. Mia had amazingly sold all 600 tomato seedlings within 2 hours!

She could tell we were disappointed to be leaving empty-handed, so she quickly hunted down a few extra seedlings hiding in her cheerful greenhouse. She then placed each plant in a new pot and generously handed them to both Lauren and me. Truly a class act.

Here’s a few photos of Mia and her world…

47 heirloom varieties!

On our way home we passed a nursery and decided to check it out……it turned out to be a great find! Take a peek~

As we drove away from the nursery, we noticed this chair abandoned on the side of the road, a perfect foto op!

Last stop was downtown for lunch and some browsing….check out these creepy statues that were on display~

My energy is increasing daily and my brain is buzzing non-stop with ideas. This is actually a common side effect of Parkinson’s drugs, and it’s not uncommon for PD patients to have bursts of creativity. My overly active brain seems to be in the fast lane since my weight loss surgery. (an awesome turning point today: Since Feb.3, I have lost 50 lbs! More sharing coming soon on my WLS journey)

Anyhow, having a never ending supply of ideas zipping thru your head may sound kinda cool….however it can actually be annoying at times. The problem is that when I’m walking from one room to another, say to get the hammer, or some water……I see something that will prompt another creative idea. This means I usually have multiple projects happening at the same time. Sometimes I long to rest my mind, read a magazine, and just chill…however my mind has a hard time slowing down. The upside is: I’m never bored….I’m happier than I’ve ever been…. and I’m hopeful that a PD cure will be arriving sooner than later.

Question for the day: What does a PD patient do when she’s overwhelmed with 98 projects? She creates #99! Here’s a peek at what I’ve  been up to in the wee hours of the morn…

Got Modge Podge? Collage your desk!

Retro images creates a fun look.

Wish I had pink luggage!

Remember the old McCalls patterns? My grandma made me a flannel nightie like these.

All you need is some old art, a magazine or two, Modge Podge, scissors, and a foam brush. After the images dried, I finished with a protective a layer of varnish.

Tiffany blue, pale greens, baby pink, and splashes of teal and fushia.

Created this little cottage on a wood panel to match the desk.

Went a little collage crazy yesterday!

I’m feeling better today! Friday my brilliant doc prescribed some magic pills, along with a bottle of octane powered cough syrup. I’m now starting to see the light at the end of this hacking, sneezing, and achy tunnel. Slept a full nine hours which is double what I normally do on a so-called “good night”.

Today is dedicated to “Starshine” the hippie bike, in fact I think I’m going to paint her in the backyard today. I have a big umbrella I can nest under, and I’ll be able to hear the birds singing and the fountain humming. The dogs love when we spend time in the yard, especially Mikey. He turns into a wild man and starts racing around like a jack rabbit. He loves to chase the water coming out of the hose when I’m watering the flowers…very funny! Here are some recent shots of Mr. Michael J. Fox…Mikey for short

Mikes hair getting long...time for a spa appt.!

I like his bangs this length...you can see his cute eyes! Yes, he has pink lips

This afternoon I worked a bit on a commissioned piece, not sure what it’s titled yet. Here’s a couple of pics of the  progression:

Soft colors~ sage, pink, brown, and pale blue

Here it is again a little further along. Title ideas are welcome!

I saw this magical dwelling online yesterday and fell in love with it! I want one soooooo bad, Just bigger with air conditioning, running water, stereo system, and small fridge…..and maybe a tiny bed for nap time. A dream come true art studio. A gal’s never too old to have her own playhouse is she? Check it out here: Cozy Cottage   Hope everyone has a peaceful Sunday and a great week ahead!

Greetings fellow bloggees! I’m still under the weather…weak, cough, headache…the whole enchilada…ugh. I’m  headed to the doc this afternoon, thinks it’s time to bring in the big guns…antibiotics that is. Just realized I’m doing the one finger type right now…I’m off my game, even forgot to take my PD drugs this morn.

I didn’t want to much time to pass without saying hi to you all, think I will post some pics of my outdoor garden project. I have also been working on “Starshine” the hippie beach cruiser bike….she is soooo cute! Raffle tickets are available  on my website, and the tickets are only two bucks each. Who knows, you just might win a brand new bicycle! (updated photos coming soon)

Hope you’re enjoying the spring sunshine and you’re sporting a smile on your face and also in your heART~ Be back soon

Love the vintage look of hydrangeas.

A toadally cool dude.

Morning dew.

Tin blooms are easy breezy.Shazam!

A step in the right direction.Created by a brilliant spider weaver!

Pretty in Pink.

Never too old for pinwheels.

Love the polka dot wing

for fleurs.

Birdie Condo

Colorful Flutterby.

View form my studio, love the sound of the fountain.

It’s late, and I’m not not feeling well. Terry has had pneumonia this past week, and I’m afraid I might have caught his bug. This is the first time I’ve seen my husband sick in 11 years….really! Poor guy has been down for the count, thank god the antibiotics are starting to work and he’s eating and sleeping through the night. Wish I was. I have felt queasy with no appetite for the past four days. I wasn’t sure if it was bypass stuff or the nasty bug. A sore throat and cough kicked in about three hours ago, so looks like I might have caught my man’s cooties….ugh.

I’ve been working at the art table quite a bit lately, basically trying to get caught up on commissioned orders. I was thrilled when I recently received a call from a surgeon out of UCSF’s movement disorder clinic. She had heard about my artwork, and was interested in displaying it in her clinic.

Terry and I met with the doctor two weeks ago, and had a very nice visit. We sat in her office and looked over my artwork, and after some though she decided to go with a variety of pieces. I’m going to enlarge and frame the prints so they will make a colorful and positive statement.

I created a collection of San Francisco images for the main waiting room, here’s a peek:

"Powell and Market"

"Golden Gate Magic"

"Coit Tower"

"Hyde Park"

Here are a few other things I have been busy with!

A set of personalized notecards.

I’m still working on “Starshine”…her retro paint job is getting closer to being finished. Starshine is a sharp brand new Electra Beach Cruiser bicycle kindly donated by a kind soul named Danny Morris.

Starshine's fenders are currently on my art table getting customized!

Danny owns a first-rate bike shop in Stockton, Ca. called Robby’s Bicycles. www.robbysbicycles.com This is where I bought my beloved Beach Cruiser “Petal”, last year. The staff is kind, patient, and extremely knowledgable. I had gone in a bit nervous since I hadn’t ridden a bike in a few years. My balance is off due to the Parkinson’s which added to my apprehension. By the time I left the shop I felt confident I had chosen the right bike simply because the staff had taken the time to go over everything with me. They even helped me pick out the perfect bell! Here’s a shot of my beloved Petal~

"Petal" aka Pedal is one cool ride!

Raffle tickets are now available online for only $2.00 each! The drawing will take place on Saturday May 7, 2011. When you order tickets on my website your name will go in the barrel for each ticket you purchase. 100% of all profits will be lovingly donated to The Parkinson’s Institute www.thepi.org and The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation www.pdf.org

To purchase tickets go to  http://www.cindydeluz.com/PEDALING-FOR-PD.html Here you will find an easy to use shopping cart at the bottom of the page. If you prefer to send me a check, no problem. Just email me at deluzcindy@yahoo.com, and I will take care of the details for you.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity with this very important cause. Having Parkinson’s Disease is the scariest thing I have ever faced in my life. Not knowing what my future holds is terrifying. Knowing a dopamine thief has taken up residency in my brain and steals at will is overwhelming at times. I dream of one day dancing at my daughter’s wedding, holding future grandchildren without be nervous I will drop one, hiking in Kauai with my husband, riding Petal to the park, walking without the help of a walker, being able to button up my own clothes, and making it up a full flight of stairs. The list goes on and on. These things sound so very simple, and they are, unless you suffer from Parkinson’s Disease. When the dopamine dies off, so does the ability to move fluidly. It can be crazy making if you let yourself think too much about it. Instead I have chosen to stay positive and hopeful, and continue to find purpose and meaning in my life. Every dollar we raise helps us move closer to finding that elusive cure. They say we’re getting close, so this is the time to push forward. Thanks Again~ Cindy

Memories from Woodstock

I do love you!