Art By Dabs

This is my old blog...

2011-11-13T19:23:00.001-07:00

and I am debating what to do. I switched to Wordpress a few years ago (oh... two years ago almost to the day!) and basically like it very much, however I like what Blogger has done and all the connection with Google. It is easy to set up a blog roll here... not so on WordPress.

If I could move all my posts from WordPress and photos over here I might do that. I am trying to condense the number of blogs I have going... the number was 4 though 2 not active. I am down to 3.

I must ponder... and I should be painting! :)

I am impressed with WordPress!

2009-11-17T11:15:00.002-07:00

Hate to say it, but it is true. After 3-4 years with Blogger, WordPress has won me over. Why? Mainly... the variety of themes, added features and ease of use. I would love to add "Follow" and my current followers on this blog, but you have to do it yourself so please subscribe here:

Subscribe to Art By Dabs - Postcards From The Road by Email

Testing WordPress Blog

2009-10-30T14:01:00.003-07:00

I am always looking for a better blog, etc. and have had the time to play with WordPress today. I like many of it features though I am still learning a great deal. Anyone who uses it please let me know as I need some tips on transferring links, etc. I am not sure how to transfer the followers feature... don't think I can, but if you have any info I'd appreciate it.

Here is the link:

http://artbydabs.wordpress.com/

Dabs

Wildflowers - Kansas inspired

2009-10-29T16:35:00.001-07:00

Wildflowers - Kansas inspired
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I finally got a waterproof pen so I did these flower sketches yesterday mostly while bouncing in Memphis, TN. I plan on adding watercolor to them.

What's goin' on!?!

2009-10-27T18:15:00.001-07:00

Finally!
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

While we were in DEnver, Colorado waiting for our next load, there was this adorable teddy bear of a puppy that was so very curious as to what was going on around him/her. The adorable face kept popping in and out of the window... looking at me and then at the trucks going by.

After many attempts... I finally got one photo of him/her!

Hawk sketch

2009-10-27T18:05:00.001-07:00

Hawk sketch
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

There are A LOT of hawks in Kansas... and we have gone through Kansas now twice in as many days. I look for these guys and finally had to attempt to draw one while bouncing along the roads!

Pumpkins

2009-10-27T17:57:00.001-07:00

Pumpkins
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I am way behind on my blog... Flickr... or rather my computer has been giving me a tad of trouble... and then with constantly moving it is still hard to get connected even using my cell phone as a modem.

I did this last week while we were going through Virginia. The Fall colors were spectacular!

Flickr?

2009-10-25T10:15:00.002-07:00

What's up with Flickr these days?

Several times now I have tried to access Flickr through the past month or two and can not get connected. I am hoping they are not getting too big or about to sell out, etc. I like the ability to upload photos to Flickr first, then edit them, add some description, etc. and then upload it to Blogger... it has been a nice fit.

Meanwhile... we are in CO and it is snowing! Woohoo!

Breakfast - in IL...

2009-10-24T06:10:00.001-07:00

Getting ready for the day.

Trio of Pears

2009-10-21T14:16:00.003-07:00

Trio of Pears
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I finally got time today to sit still and paint! I didn't have a subject at hand so I just made up these pears from memory.

The paper is inexpensive sketchbook paper... I was a bit more ruff with it than it probably wanted me to be, but I was desperate to PAINT! I am using the Sakura field box set and it does perform pretty well. It has white in the set of 24 colors and I have been itching to use white with all the colors rather than the usual practice of sticking mostly with transparent colors. It was a LOT of fun to add the dashes of white for a change and it felt good to "paint"! I tried to add some flair to the brush strokes... it has been a while and I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do... or what the paper would allow me to do. I digitally added the mat and frame.

Just in time... we're in PA and just got to load going from NJ to Colorado! Woohoo... cooler weather here we come! :)

Oops - not a good thing!

2009-10-21T13:54:00.001-07:00

Oops - not a good thing!
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

This driver was having a bad morning... the tractor going one way and the trailer another. Apparently the kingpin was NOT secure when he attempted to leave the dock. Fortunately, the trailer landed on the tractor and in the end he was able to dis-connect and re-connect properly... with the help of a tow truck.

This was not us thank goodness.

Fall Color!

2009-10-19T12:18:00.002-07:00

Fall Color!
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

This little guy stood out from the rest of the group he was with. He/she is really making a statement!

I didn't think we were going to get to see much of any Fall colors as we had been circling TX the past 3 months, but we finally got some loads going through VA, KY, TN, MO, IA... and the colors have been wonderful! Currently in IA... the colors are past their prime, though we did get to see the peak in VA, TN and KY I believe.

Fall is my FAVORite season... the cool, crisp air, the warm sun, the smell of dried grass and fallen leaves... and Nature palette of colors! The colors just run a muck with wild abandon! I wanted to paint and paint, but then I could see the colors so I just painted in my mind while we drove along the highways. I was mixing this color and that color... having a few Aha moments when I figured out how to get certain muted colors. I can't wait to really paint them!

Where in the world is Dabs?

2009-10-16T09:35:00.001-07:00

Last seen in Virginia Beach area....;)

New Logo & Stuff

2009-10-12T13:17:00.004-07:00

After hours of editing and re-editing... I have a new logo for my blog. You know... it starts out as a simple, quick thought... "I'll try this..." and hours later you are still tweaking it... as it is "close", but not quite right. Whew... finally, I am happy with it...:)

Currently we are in Oklahoma... it is cool and rainy. I hear parts of the north are getting snow and record lows were recorded last night for Amarillo, TX. It seems Fall is going fast with Winter right behind it and honestly... I am loving it!

We celebrated our 13th anniversary this past week and got to be in Flagstaff for part of it... twice actually... as we had one trip going to CA and one from CA routing us back through AZ. The first time through 'Flag was more of a "cleansing" process... the second trip through was the celebration time... if you get my drift...;) We are looking forward to rocking chairs on the porch... celebrating many more anniversaries in the years to come.

The addition of a watercolor field kit on board has lifted my spirits... it is amazing how COLOR brightens your day. I went through my graphite sketchbook and added some watercolors to various sketches... I really liked the results! I'll be posting more as I can... I need to be patient and take the photo of the sketch while we are stopped and not while bouncing along...:/

We've given our current employer notice and are so looking forward to working with JCT come next month. I've talked to several of the JCT drivers via the internet and the company sounds like what we are looking for. Just a month away! We keep talking about the move back to Alaska... our first choice... though if something was to prevent that we would be very happy to live in AZ again... somewhere around Flagstaff. So... for now... we ride the roads and talk about the future... dreaming the dreams...:)

Berries on a Tree

2009-10-12T10:14:00.002-07:00

Berries on a Tree
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

This is a tree at a rest stop in New Mexico. I am not sure what type of tree... the leaves were turning golden and producing these berries. It was lovely, the day was cool, but the sun warm.

This trip... from CA to OK... we have gone through the deserts of CA, AZ &NM... and the Fall colors are wonderful. The scrubby trees... don't know what they are have been a beautiful burnt oranges and golden yellows mixed in with the dusty sage color. I have wanted to paint them in an actual painting... though for now I'll be content with my sketchbook and painting in my mind...:)

Rant about blogger...

2009-10-09T14:33:00.007-07:00

It started out simple enough... make a few changes to give the blog a fresh look. I get tired of the same look and colors on my blog and my main complaint about Blogger is the small choice of templates. I would have thought by now that they would have added several new designs for us that remain true to them. I have spent hours now going through the few templates... and yes, I know you can tweak the html... if I knew how... and that I have some color, font, etc. options... all of which gets overwhelming after several hours... and here I am basically back to the same layout and colors.

It makes me want to switch blogs...

I have tried a few others... I dislike the ones that have ads all over them... some are just too time consuming to learn and I DO like the ease of first posting to my Flickr account and then uploading to my blog. Maybe I need to see what other blogs Flickr will let me post to from there.

We are in Bakersfield, CA waiting on a load of carrots. Yup.... carrots for Oklahoma. It pleasant out here temperature wise though the truck gets hot with the sun beating on it so the a/c is going.

OK... some more blog research is in order...

Desert Inspiration

2009-10-09T11:18:00.001-07:00

Desert Inspiration
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

With the desert for inspiration I sketched some various plants as we traveled along I-10 from AZ to CA. Cactus and palms are wonderful pants to sketch and paint!

Stuck in traffic I 10.

2009-10-08T18:11:00.001-07:00

Stuck in traffic I 10.

Sunset...

2009-10-06T17:37:00.000-07:00

Sunset...

Fall Colors and Flowers

2009-10-06T14:08:00.001-07:00

Fall Colors and Flowers
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

A very loose impression of the Fall colors and all flowers I am seeing... a lot of purple this year!

I'm sketching and dabbling with the paints today... it is SOooo good for the soul! I want to draw/paint everything... LOL... I wish I could set up a full studio in here, but this will do for now.

Fellow Traveler

2009-10-06T13:54:00.001-07:00

Fellow Traveler
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

This pine cone has been with us almost since the start of the OTR thing. It is a large very solid pine cone... not sure what type of pine it came from in CA.

Fall Leaves Doodling

2009-10-05T17:40:00.001-07:00

Fall Leaves Doodling
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

It is a start! It was hard to do this... I'll have to figure out where to put things while painting and sitting up front. The bouncy roads are a big challenge, but I'll flow with it and see what happens.:)

Kansas Sunshine in the Fall

2009-10-05T17:30:00.001-07:00

Kansas Sunshine in the Fall
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

We are on our way to the next drop in Kansas and stopped at a rest area. There were a few sunflowers remaining and I had to get a few photos of them. These are such happy flowers... they brighten your day no matter what!

Koi by Sakura watercolor field box

2009-10-04T10:20:00.001-07:00

Koi by Sakura watercolor field box
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

OK...8 months is long enough... TOO long to go without watercolors!

We were able to stop at a Hobby Lobby yesterday as we were bobtailing (without trailer). My goal was to find an expensive watercolor set up as I have none with me. This Koi set was the best deal, very reasonably priced.

With this and a sketchbook, a couple of very inexpensive brushes plus the waterbrush the set came with... I am more than ready to paint again! Art keeps me sane... and after reading another art buddies post about how her art has kept her going in the past 8 months with their current situation, I realized that I needed to get back to doing SOMEthing... anything with my art. I can't do "paintings" per-say, but I can do wc sketches and practice studying values and shapes, etc.

Very versatile for the right or left handed painter! Palette can attach at three different places or not at all.

See my Flickr site for me pic, click on this image.

Flower Faerie

2009-10-04T10:02:00.001-07:00

First attempt of a faerie while bouncing
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

This is my first attempt of a faerie while bouncing down the Louisiana roads. I have picked up my pencil again after a few months of not doing anything artsy and it feels good!!!

I have wanted to draw/paint faeries and such for a while now... and since I am reading some books with faeries in them I just finaly got inspired to actually start. It is impossible to control your strokes while bouncing down the highways, so I just went with the flow of it after fighting it for a while. The result came out far better than I expected once I gave up trying to do anything "realistic".

It's Tuesday... so this must be Texas....

2009-09-29T11:34:00.003-07:00

Yup... once again we find ourselves in Texas... just came from my "favorite place"... Laredo. I suppose it wouldn't be so bad if we actually planned on going there for a trip or part of a vacation, but then again I just can't stand the heat and humidity these days and there just isn't much there.

I long for the Fall weather, the cool, crisp air... the smell of Autumn leaves... the frost even in the morning! I keep hoping we will break this circle of the past 3 months of loads from TX to IL then straight back down to TX and/or AL, etc. Most all of it in the hot, humid South...;\

September is almost over... WOW it went by fast! We are looking forward to November when we start with another trucking company. We have done our time with our present company and are not getting ahead in the least, quite the opposite... so we are tired of being just one step away from becoming street people. This is a hard life OTR and certainly is a lot less appealing when you are not making enough money to tuck some money away so you can have a humble place to call home.

We finished a run this morning, now hubby is getting his sleep in as he ran all night. I slept some, but wanted to get some 'puter stuff done before laying down again as well. Then we head to Ft. Worth/Dallas area for a local delivery, then...???

Our 13th year anniversary is a few weeks away, would love to do something FUN for that, though it will have to be something quick along the road wherever we might be at the time.

I hope everyone is enjoying the Fall as I know most of you are not Snow Bunnies like I am.... LOL:)

Co-pilot not driver...

2009-09-24T11:47:00.005-07:00

Today we are in the Chicago area... just dropped one load off and picking up another to then head south. I am so wanting to stay in the north and north west in particular as I miss the cool weather and the Fall color must being getting underway.

I have been feeling bad about not finishing school and getting my CDL license. I was planning on going back, but our plans are changing slightly. I have decided that I did the best I could in that school given the way they "train" people, it was just too intensive for me and the heat/humidity just did me in. I "may" drive one of these monsters later on (give me an automatic!), though we are happy with our arrangement... hubby driver... me companion, co-pilot, stewardess, navigator, secretary, bookkeeper, etc. Actually, I do contribute a lot to this operation! :)

I'll keep you all updated as things change!

Fall - my favorite Season!

2009-09-17T14:20:00.004-07:00

I LOVE Fall... and hope to see much of the country's colors this season as we ride the roads. This is a painting I did a few years ago... one of my all time favorites. I love to paint Fall leaves and so look forward to the day I can paint them again with abandon!

We are currently in Texas once again, but headed for IL and hopefully cooler temps and lots of Fall color. That will bring my spirits up... that AND the anticipation of Winter complete with snow!

I am such a Snow Bunny....;)

Road Warriors, gypsies, street people?

2009-09-14T18:08:00.002-07:00

Are we just one step away from being street people? Sometimes... it is a fine line between them.... Tonight I fear the reality...

Memories, thoughts and musings....

2009-09-08T16:15:00.005-07:00

I needed a cool reminder that not everwhere is as hot and humid as Texas! This is one of the photos we took on an Alaskan day cruise a few years back.

I am somewhat sad today as I just discovered that one of my online art buddies I have known for years as passed away... "Cia" Price. She was a vibrant gal... always encouraging. She will be greatly missed by many.

The hubby and I have been talking and planning... the goal is still to get back to Alaska one day in the not too distant future. We are on the lookout for other trucking jobs and companies that will lead us back there. Our current company does not have runs there so they will not be an option.

Still planning on going back to school in a month or so and trying to get my CDL license so we can be a hubby/wife team. We should be more marketable that way.

I miss my art buddies, my friends... all of you all over the country... artist or not. Time on the road is not the same as time OFF the road. Weeks are like days... and they all blend together. You not only wake up wondering what day it is but what week, what month... and oh yeah... what town are you in!? Truckstops all look the same which in someways breeds familiarity and loneliness at the same time. Ah... but "Good Stuff. Trucks bring it."

Truckers are needed to keep the good stuff... the milk, the sodas, the veggies, the meat, the beer, the diapers, the toys, etc. moving to your town... and the next... and the next... and the next. The would be no Christmas, no help for the hurricane victims if it wasn't for truckers. We recently had a load of food distributed to the needy by a church group. Yeah... there are good truckers and not so good truck drivers, but we all "Bring the good stuff" to you.

Beautiful TX sky

2009-09-08T12:57:00.001-07:00

Beautiful TX sky, approaching George West, TX on US 281.

Which way now?

2009-08-28T09:12:00.000-07:00

Which way now?

"I'll take door number 115... Bob."

2009-08-25T07:42:00.003-07:00

Tuesday morning in sunny CA, a bit east of LA... waiting in the overflow area so we can be loaded and head out of CA back to TX.

I've been catching up on sleep as it took over a week and a half to recover from the lack of sleep at CDL school, lose the nausea... as well as studying each day and mentally going through some maneuvers we need to do for the CDL test to get my license.

I am considering my first time there as a scouting mission... to learn what is required and what I must learn to pass the CDL driving test, the written I passed the first time, all 5 tests!

This is so out of my comfort zone... I am surprised I made it a week and a half, especially with the heat and humidity... only getting sick gave myself the mental out to take a break and go back to finish.

We have gotten to practice my shifting once so far as it is hard to find the time and right place to do this. With a bit more practice I'll feel confident enough to go back though it can take a year or so to really get shifting (and backing and... etc.) down.

It is all about learning to drive this truck right now... no real time for art. I am an all or nothing type of gal... when I want to learn something I tend to focus on nothing else until I achieve my goal... or run out of steam! I remind myself this is the means to eventually getting back to my art... to a place in Alaska with a garden, pets my hubby and my art.

Obey the Signs....

2009-08-13T09:32:00.006-07:00

I am yielding...

I started CDL school ten days ago in TX. Today I am leaving... not quitting per say... just need to think while I get over some stomach bug and determine if I will go back at a later and MUCH cooler time of the year.

This is a brutal 15 days straight, 11 hours a day roughly intensive CDL course... in the VERY hot and humid summer TX weather... which pretty much has done me in alone. Imagine standing out on a white concrete backing range for 7 hours a day trying to learn how to drive a semi-truck.... all the while you are fighting waves of lightheadedness and nausea... totally exhausted from lack of sleep and classroom overload. Everything is a two week test... from the 1 star (maybe) motel... the continual push of information... the constant "good cop, bad cop" style of instruction... it's all about pressure and how much you can take while learning the minimum you need to pass the CDL test so then you can actually go on to the training part! They need to know you have what it takes to drive a semi-truck.

Through no fault of my own I did not get to do 2 parts of the class and therefore could not go on, but had the option to start the second week over, plus my shifting needs work, so does most everyone's in the class mind you, but I need more practice. My body and mind exhausted... I was reluctant, but willing to keep going though it has been a day to day thing for me and more so moment by moment. The thoughts of another week in the heat must have had an effect on my body though I was already in the stages of getting a stomach bug... thank goodness they gave me the day off yesterday. I was going to continue on with this until early this morning my stomach woke me up... and I knew by the lead ball in it I could not go on at this time.

Fortunately my hubby was in TX with a load going north of here so he is able to pick me up today. Happily, I'll rejoin him on the truck and we'll review our plan of me getting my CDL.

Those that make it through this course are an incredible bunch of people... and my class had some wonderful southern boys (and gal) that would make their momma's proud.

I'll be looking for you'll on the road...:)

P.S.
After 11 days of being in the heat all day to come back to a HOT hotel room because they make you turn it off while you are gone... it is finally COOL in this room...:/

Spending time in Utah

2009-07-24T22:33:00.006-07:00

Utah is a beautiful state... the landscape is simply awesome! When driving through it this week we quickly decided that if we don't move back to Alaska eventually... that we would choose between Arizona and Utah to live.

OK... so we are here for a week or so... truck is back in the shop as we are still having problems... sigh. So to make the most of our down time Randy is signed for his "train the Trainer" class this coming week so he can be my trainer when I finished my CDL classes here in Salt Lake City. I was going to start this week also... mine is two weeks long, but we have a paperwork glinch to wait on so I won't start classes for about 2-3 weeks. Randy should be getting back on the road next Friday while I "might" hang here another week if it looks like I can start on the 10th.

I use to know some art buddies in Utah, but I can't remember where they lived now. It would be great to meet up with them!

Ouch! LA area accident

2009-07-23T11:40:00.001-07:00

No... this is not us, thank goodness, but I pity the poor driver. I don't know what happened, tried to search online but found nothing. The roof of the trailor is ripped right off... there are scrapes on the driver side of the truck... the cargo is on the ground... pails of something. This happened Thursday mid-morning on CA - 60 west bound.

DSC01551

2009-07-21T15:03:00.000-07:00

Glen Canyon dam, AZ.

2009-07-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

Glen Canyon dam, AZ.

Life... is Good!

2009-07-21T06:32:00.003-07:00

Up early waiting to unload I made coffee in the truck this morning. A lone coffee drinker I am as the hubby does not partake of it. Savoring my morning coffee, loving the warmth of the cup in my hands I observe with pleasure whatever activity lies before me as the sun rises. It could be wildlife, birds, or trucks lining up for unloading... some would call that "wildlife" as well...;)

This morning in Phoenix, AZ we have had brief showers and quite a bit of thunder and lightning. It was awesome to watch the lightning and it reminded me of the ball of lightning I saw many years ago as a teenager. I discovered this morning that seeing a ball of lightning is very rare much to my surprise. It was incrediable and I was very glad that I did not get struck by it though the image will remain with me forever... a big, white ball of light heading my way then disappearing just as I thought I was a goner.

After we unload this morning, we'll be heading north through Arizona and Utah. One of the places we'll we going through will be Page, AZ which is an incredibly beautiful place. We won't be able to stop and enjoy it this time though we vacationed there a few years ago so we have photos and memories of the place. If you have a chance you must visit this area.

We love the four corner area; AZ, UT, NM and CO, though AZ and UT are our favorites because of the landscape. There is so much beauty in the west... the land is so open and raw. Some people would not care for it... too dry, not many people, etc., but not us... we love it!

Now... a banana and granola bar to complete breakfast...:)

Enjoy!
Dabs

Slide show of Lake Powell.
Slide show of Antelope Canyon.

Saguaros - south of Phoenix, AZ.

2009-07-20T16:41:00.000-07:00

Saguaros - south of Phoenix, AZ.

Arizona!

2009-07-20T11:07:00.001-07:00

Arizona!
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I love this state! This is one of my two favorites... Alaska and Arizona...:)
The landscape is awesome. This outcropping of rock formations is on I-10 just west of the NM border. We've climbed around on these rocks on earlier trips exploring AZ.

Various desert plants, NM.

2009-07-19T12:47:00.001-07:00

Most all my sketches are done while Randy is driving so the truck is constantly bouncing. It can be very frustrating and yet a challenge to draw while bouncing, but I am learning to go with it and do what I can. To me it would be like having Parkinson's disease possibly... learn to work with the jerking movements.

I have read that practicing a skill mentally daily can improve the actual skill you are aspiring to improve. Though I am not currently painting I do "paint" every day in my mind. I study various shapes and colors of the subjects that go whizzing by... I'll think about what pigments it would take to achieve a certain colr for the sage brush or the trees or the grasses, etc. I'll do paint strokes in my head and draw a subject mentally as well.

My art though on a back burner while doing the OTR thing is still a very big part of me and my passion. I'll keep painting in my mind.... drawing when I can until I can one day put the actual brush to paper once again!

2009-07-17T15:43:00.001-07:00

Finally... we are on the road again!

2009-07-17T11:02:00.003-07:00

After spending over a week in Laredo with the truck in the shop we are on the road once more... yippee! Laredo, this time of year is hot and humid... and though I can tolerate a dry heat like AZ has I could not take the heat of Laredo well at all, plus having the down time of 7 days was frustrating. There is not a lot to do in Laredo and the heat makes outside activities off limits for me this time of the year. We did walk to close places to eat... and did walk to the mall one day which I regretted later as it was about 2 miles round trip and after that I was not feeling so good and what little energy I had was gone.

But we are on our next trip at the tip of Tx in Brownsville... not any cooler and more humid, but we should not be here long. From here we can only go NORTH! ;)

Been stuck in Laredo

2009-07-13T08:16:00.002-07:00

...for the past 4-5 days... truck problems.... waiting for parts. It is HOT here and humid to us though I would have never though it would be humid I guess it is close enough to the ocean to get the humidity from it. Phoenix, AZ, Utah and NM feel dryer to me. and since I don't do 100 plus temperature PLUS humidty well we mostly have stayed inside venturing out on foot only for food and drinks... and by drinks I mean water and sodas!

I've tried to send a few photo updates recently but they would no go through... either no connection or blocked by buildings, etc. Hopefully today the truck will be ready and we can get on the road again!

Arizona State Mammal - who knew?!?

2009-07-04T07:10:00.003-07:00

We are always learning new tidbits of the various states we drive through... this is one we did not know:

"The ringtail of the southwest is also known as ringtail cat, miner's cat and cacomistle. It is not really a cat at all, but a relative of the raccoon and coatimundi. Ringtails are small, slender animals, about two and one-half feet long. Half of this length is a bushy tail, ringed with black and white. The body is grayish-buff, darker along the back, with black underparts. Huge, round eyes, ringed with white dominate their fox-like face. The ears are large and rounded. They have claws that are partially retractable.

The range of rintails covers almost the entire state. These animals are found in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from Sonoran Desert to coniferous forests. They prefer rough, rocky areas with caves, crevices and broken ledges in which to den. Hollows in trees may also be used for den sites. The young are born in May or June. They are blind at birth and are covered with downy white fur. The young begin foraging with the adults at two months, and are weaned at four months.

Ringtails are omnivorous. They feed on a wide variety of fruits, berries, insects, lizards, frogs, birds and rodents. In turn, larger predators prey upon ringtails, particularly the great horned owl, coyote and bobcat. Except when with young, ringtails are solitary. They are shy and nocturnal, so are seen by relatively few people. The ringtail is listed as a furbearer in Arizona but is not harvested in large numbers as the fur is not highly valued. The population status of the ringtail is not well known, though it seems to be relatively common in all areas of expected occurrence. It is not considered threatened or even rare, just secretive."

Photo and information provided by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Education Branch

California

2009-07-03T09:32:00.000-07:00

California

Southern CA bound from TX!

2009-07-01T08:54:00.000-07:00

Southern CA bound from TX!

Baytown, TX bound, just outside of Houst

2009-06-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

Baytown, TX bound, just outside of Houston. Hot today in the San Antonio area, I hope Baytown is a bit cooler.

Good Monday Morning & Hello Alaska!

2009-06-29T07:52:00.009-07:00

I've been trying to add a photo this morning to this post and have spent 20 plus minutes messing around trying to get a photo to up load. My AT&T phone modem is not like broadband so I can't upload all the photos I take. I'll have to wait until I can connect to a high speed wi-fi spot to upload. I just feel a photo is necessary for a post to make it more enjoyable, but I give up for now... you just get me!

Honestly, I never thought I would say this, but I not missing the time spent on the computer like I use to spend. I am enjoying the extra time away from it. I do miss my online friends and art buddies interacting on a daily basis definitely, but for now this is the way Life is... On The Road.

I'm still adjusting to this lifestyle and since it changes daily you have to be somewhat flexible while keeping to a routine of sorts to maintain your balance. It is not an easy lifestyle, but we do it so we can obtain the dream of returning to Alaska and living out our lives there. The dream keeps you going... everyone needs to have a dream.

Today we are in San Antonio waiting to drop a load and then see where we go next. It is hot and slightly humid... my favorite weather... NOT... LOL... thank goodness for a/c in trucks! Inspite of some concerns over school and the newbie stage of driving I am looking forward to the time when I am a confident CDL driver and can be a part of our "driving team." For now I am the financial advisor, co-pilot, navigator, stewardess, server of snacks, Co-ordinator of showers, laundry and meals, etc. We ARE a team in all aspects now... a wonderful thing...:)

Alaska bound we are even if it takes 2, 3... 4 years, back to the wild, the Moose, Bear and Squirrel... The awesome glaciers, the long winter nights which are great to snuggle up and sleep... and the long summer days to play and watch your garden grow right before your eyes.

Hey, Ice Road Truckers look out... we may be headed your way...;)

Colorado

2009-06-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Colorado

Dust storm! WA

2009-06-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

Dust storm! WA

Back to TX with a load, same route! :)

2009-06-24T10:10:00.000-07:00

Back to TX with a load, same route! :)

Got food?

2009-06-24T04:59:00.001-07:00

Got food?
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

These guys for the most part were not shy at all! Several came up and checked the camera for food...:)

Notes:
I added the date and time to display on my photos for future reference. Also... I can not upload all the photos I take as I would like with my phone internet connection... too slow so I can only do a few at a time.

Communing with Nature - Idaho rest stop

2009-06-24T04:49:00.001-07:00

Communing with Nature - Idaho rest stop
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

These little guys and gals were not shy at all about being fed at this Idaho rest stop. Randy sat with them while I took the photos though I fed them as well. There was a whole community of them and very eager to be fed!

#106 waiting to be called - OTR Ramblings

2009-06-24T03:47:00.001-07:00

#106 waiting to be called - OTR Ramblings
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

As I sit here (OK, not HERE as in the photo, it is dark now so all you would see is black if I took a photo and most places you can not take photos) on my second mug of coffee at 3:20 am in WA waiting for us to be called in to dock for an unload I ponder the good and bad of over the road trucking. We have had a great few days with this load seeing parts of TX, CO, WY, MT, ID and WA... some we were already familar with and some areas new to us. We love the West so this load was more like a working vacation for us. I'm not thrilled with going to bed at 3:00 pm to get up at 1:00 am, etc. to drop a load, but it is part of the job. :)

Yesterday morning we were at our drop at 6:00 am and it took a couple of hours to unload... not really... more like the paperwork took that time to get processed, the unload was a matter of minutes. I took advantage of the time to organized some cubbys, wipe down the truck of dust, sweep the floor, re-organize the cooler and clean the side windows. It was much like having your coffee and then doing your morning house cleaning you would do at home... ah, yes... this is our home on the road...:)

It is a different lifestyle not all would readily embrace. There are parts I am not fond of... lack of regular hours of sleep, lack of the ability to get a daily shower... so you have to think of it as a lifestyle of camping... roughing it to some degree. Yes, there are regular trucking jobs in which you have a dedicated run that you are home more, this is not the case for us at the present. First off we are gaining experience with a company that offers a chance to anyone to gain CDL experience. There are hoops to jump through, lessons to learn both of the job and personal. In some ways it is like the military (I imagine*g*)... they push you until you break or you find your limits and learn how to deal with it all.

I see all types of people out here doing this job including more and more women of all types, sizes and ages. Couples as teams are more and more evident and needed as the regulations get tighter and therefore make it harder for one driver to get the job done on time and legally. I could go on here and ramble about rules and regulations, but I'll save that for another day....

WA - west

2009-06-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

WA - west

WA

2009-06-23T12:14:00.000-07:00

WA - east side.

2009-06-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

WA - east side.

Washington - east side. Volcano beds and

2009-06-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

Washington - east side. Volcano beds and flat!

Waiting to load in Plainview, TX.

2009-06-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

Waiting to load in Plainview, TX.

Cherokee Trading Post Restaurant

2009-06-19T11:50:00.001-07:00

Cherokee Trading Post Restaurant
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

This is one of a few "Cherokee Trading Posts" on I44 in Oklahoma. We stopped at this one for the night for dinner and to sleep. It must have been 97 to 100 degrees, very dry and the wind was blowing steadily... I loved it! I don't mind dry heat, especially if there is a breeze or wind!

This place had a typical tourist shop and a decent restaurant. Is it owned or run by any Indian people... doubtful, but I am not sure.

Bridge on 94 going into Detroit, MI.

2009-06-15T08:22:00.002-07:00

This was an interesting bridge we crossed on our way into Detroit, MI. Pleasant morning here... dry, not humid.. nice breeze. Not sure where we are headed next... I am hoping for AZ, or WA or Maine! I would love to go to Maine... I have not been there yet at all... even though I grew up just 6 hours away from there.

I would also be happy to just go West... Colorado maybe or Oregon. California would be great too, except they are NOT truck friendly at all... and yet they want the stuff ya know!

Looking forward to going to CDL school so I can start driving as well. I see more and more women out here driving... all types, shapes, sizes and ages. If they can do it so can I!

Got to see the inside of a Volvo truck the other day... it is quieter, has a queen size bed, a dining table and has a auto shift transmission. That will be our next truck... woohoo!

Sunset in Michigan

2009-06-14T18:25:00.002-07:00

Ok... not the best photo... we were busy when the sun was actually setting. We have a delivery in Detriot tomorrow and stopped (for the night) this afternoon at a rest stop about 40 - 50 miles out. The rest stop is a nice one, fairly new and well lite... we got a good spot very close to the building and yet grassy around us.

We got out our small triad kites and spent an hour or so hoping to catch a bit of wind to fly them. We did manage to get them aloft a couple of times, but the wind really wasn't co-operating. So we put them aside and had dinner... a sub, chips and dip... followed up with an ice cream sandwhich... all of which we ate at one of the picnic tables while the sun was slowing setting. It was not humid nor hot... very pleasant actually which made for an enjoyable dinner. Life on the road is very much like camping out.

It is cooling down... we are winding down... about to drift off to sleep. Hope you all have had a good weekend.

OK... it's not winter....

2009-06-11T07:57:00.002-07:00

"Where's the snow?" I wonder while walking in the humid heat of an Alabama morning getting coffee at a nearby gas station next to the Wal-Mart we did our early morning shopping at. We dropped our load pre-dawn in Pell City, AL and had time to re-stock the groceries and other truck related necessities before our next load assignment came in. This was an early morning... or late night having to get up at 1:00 am to deliver it. We try to drive through the day time, but it doesn't always work out that way... like this next load, there will be some night driving involved.

We've been looping the eastern south from GA to IL... to AL... back to IL. The farthest west has been Laredo, TX, which he have been to twice in two weeks. We are hoping for a load out west to AZ, or OR... or CO, WA soon for a change of scenery and lower humidity!

We are looking at me going to England's CDL school about mid-July. Hopefully Randy will be able to do the trainer class at the same time so he can be my trainer after school. That way I do not have to go with another England driver for 2-3 weeks for training. If not... I hope I hook up with someone who has to go to the bathroom as often as I have to... LOL!

I do like being outside a lot as you are in this job, I like seeing different places and people. I don't mind hard work and getting dirty... though it would be wonderful if one could be guaranteed a shower everyday. Thank goodness for wet ones! And we are doing this together to re-build a nest egg to get that little cabin in Alaska... rockers on the porch, a garden... to be able to paint and sell my paintings to tourists... to live a simple and enjoyable life.

Part of the job.

2009-06-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

Part of the job.

View from trailer.

2009-06-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

View from trailer.

Hot, hot, hot in Tennessee!

2009-06-07T15:07:00.002-07:00

We are in Tennessee waiting to deliver a load Monday morning so we have been parked at a small local truck stop near the drop. The clouds and rain have moved off leaving it in the upper 80's here... too hot to be in the truck without running the A/C. We've had a couple of meals at the diner, enjoyed the local chatter while playing a few hands of Skipbo.

I'll readily admit I enjoy this lifestyle more so in the Fall and Winter months with the cooler temperatures, but I am hanging in there as best as possible. Thank goodness for Wet Ones!

So... the ole saying: "If you can't beat them, join them" seems to have applied here. We were trying to get Randy off the truck and into some job, but with a twist of fate came about and I quit my job it seemed that the best way for us to be together and save up money as quick as possible was for me to join him on the truck. It also became clear that I might as well get my CDL license so we can share the driving as a team. We are planning on me going to school about mid July and hoping that Randy will be able to be my trainer so I do not have to go with someone else for 2-4 weeks on the road. I have seen all types, sizes and ages of women driving these trucks so I know I can do it as well.

The plan: do this for as long as we can while saving up money and discuss our future options along the way. Alaska still calls us back so that is up at the top of the list, but we are open to other possiblities as well. We are making notes of places we would like to see more of and brainstorming as we bounce along on the highways.

So for now... my art is on hold for the most part until... who knows when though I do have a couple of sketchbooks to sustain me for now.

Life is like a roller coaster... take a deep breath and hang on!

Multimedia message

2009-06-06T08:53:00.003-07:00

Multimedia message
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

Re-learning how to post with the AT&T phone.

"Unattended children will be given an expresso and a free puppy."

2009-06-05T17:23:00.003-07:00

Life takes us on unexpected twists and turns so the best we can do is to hang on and go with the flow of it. Like a roller coaster we go through ups and downs... some of which we face bravely and others we just close our eyes and hope for the best... ever thankful when we dare to open them and realize we came out of it OK.

I'm sitting at a loading dock somewhere in Waycross, GA... the top of the Okefenokee Swamp waiting on a load to finish up. Our dinner and shower plans are getting delayed by the minutes ticking away here. You really look forward to those showers when they are 2-3 or some times 4 days apart... and a meal out of the truck is great.

Oops... we're loaded and ready to roll... more to follow!

WIP - Goldfish - Take Two - more washes

2009-05-03T17:36:00.001-07:00

WIP - Goldfish - Take Two - more washes
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I am stopping here for tonight. I have added another couple of washes and lifted in some areas. I probably need to start on the seaweed for balance of color next.

WIP - Goldfish Take Two - first wc wash

2009-05-03T16:54:00.001-07:00

WIP - Goldfish Take Two - first wc wash
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I had to set this aside for a few days as the week got busy one me. I am starting this one with a fresh palette of pigment though slightly different choices than the last painting, mainly because that pigment had been on the palette for over 8 months and I could not remember exactly what color and brands I had on it. I'm not sure if I like my choices, but it is early yet and more layers need to be applied to get the depth of color still.

WIP - Goldfish - Take Two III

2009-04-29T06:46:00.001-07:00

WIP - Goldfish - Take Two III
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I went back in and darkened some of the areas and detailed the fins with the India ink. I'm going to ponder this a while before the next step which I think will be the watercolor washes. I am enjoying painting these little guys very much. I am going to have to search for more goldfish photos to paint from!

WIP - Goldfish - Take Two II

2009-04-28T17:34:00.001-07:00

WIP - Goldfish - Take Two II
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I've shaded everything now... last time I did not shade the seaweed. I've erased all the pencil marks that could be removed. I like how this is progressing. I might stop for tonight... or take a break and study it for a while... which means do something else and glance at it now and then....;)

WIP - Goldfish - Take Two

2009-04-28T15:59:00.001-07:00

WIP - Goldfish - Take Two
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I've started another painting of this demo using a lighter touch. I'll say that it is so easy for me to get caught up in the shading that I want to just keep going with the ink. I added some bubbles in this one. So far so good!

WIP - Goldfish - finished? not quite.

2009-04-27T06:12:00.002-07:00

WIP - Goldfish - finished? not quite.
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I added the background... not entirely happy with it as I love to leave the white, but wanted to follow the demo to some degree. His background in parts is much darker than mine... and I am not fond of Zhen version so I am opting to stay a bit lighter. I'm still tweaking... will upload another photo soon.

A bit later...

I have decided it is finished! I am not tweaking any more and calling this done!

WIP - Goldfish practice V

2009-04-27T05:55:00.001-07:00

WIP - Goldfish practice V
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

This is where I am stopping for tonight. This is a good practice forme as I can see lots of places I would do a bit differently next time. I am still very pleased with this painting and can't wait to work on it tomorrow!

WIP - Goldfish Practice IV

2009-04-26T19:44:00.001-07:00

WIP - Goldfish Practice IV
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

OK... all three fish have had a watercolor wash. I am going to moveon to the seaweed now and then fine tune the fish later.

WIP - Goldfish Practice III

2009-04-26T19:06:00.001-07:00

WIP - Goldfish Practice III
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I've added the first watercolor wash to this and I can see now that I could have used a light touch on the ink shading, especially on the fins. I'll keep going with this as I do like how it is progressing. I was tempted to just do it in ink... so I might do another in ink only.

WIP - Goldfish practice II

2009-04-26T14:37:00.001-07:00

WIP - Goldfish practice II
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

Third goldfish shaded...

WIP - Goldfish practice I - close up

2009-04-26T13:40:00.001-07:00

WIP - Goldfish practice I - close up
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

Close up of some of the details....

WIP - Goldfish practice I

2009-04-26T13:37:00.001-07:00

WIP - Goldfish practice I
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

This is also from the book: Chinese Painting Techniques. It is a practice demo I have wanted to do for years... yes, years! I have gotten a bit carried away with the shading which is done in ink and brush, but hopefully it will be OK when I add the watercolors.

Red Cap goldfish - practicing

2009-04-24T10:52:00.001-07:00

Red Cap goldfish - practicing
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I am practicing something different today. This little guy is from one of my books: "Chinese Painting Techniques". I'll admit... I am not 100% in the painting groove... I'm abit antsy today so I can see it shows up in this, but he is cute nevertheless. I used a pen brush for the shading and would have had much better results using brush and ink... next time. This is my first fish... I want to do the demo painting of the 3 fancy goldfish or one of my own... and some koi.

I use to have fancy goldfish and just love the little guys or gals! A lot of work... need lots of space, but wonderful to watch!

White Flowers close up

2009-04-22T06:24:00.001-07:00

White Flowers close up
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

Sorry about the shadows I have light coming from a variety of sources so getting a good photo was difficult.

White Flowers Practice finished

2009-04-22T06:23:00.001-07:00

White Flowers Practice finished
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I think this is finished. I put it in a frame to see how it would look and so far I am satisfied with it!

WIP - White Flower Practice III

2009-04-21T21:02:00.001-07:00

WIP - White Flower Practice III
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

A little bit farther along... I have struggled with white flowers for years usually putting too much color on the "white" petals. This one seemed to flow which has been a great boost since I have not painted for maybe 8 months or so.

Yes, I AM going to bed now!

WIP - White Flower Practice

2009-04-21T19:48:00.001-07:00

WIP - White Flower Practice
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I am abit farther along, probably stop for tonight on this. The color is off a tad in the photo, I'll try to get a better photo tomorrow when I work on it. It feels great to be painting again.... very relaxing and meditative for me.

WIP - White flowers - Practice

2009-04-21T17:38:00.001-07:00

WIP - White flowers - Practice
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

OK.. I actually am putting some paint to paper, woohoo!!! Getting back into the painting groove with this exercise from one of my many books, this one being "Painting Flowers with Impact" by Judy Collins.

It is a start! :)

Slow posting...

2009-04-21T16:07:00.004-07:00

I haven't posted much in the past few weeks as life has kept me busy. I decided to postpone the medical terminology class and may back out of it all together as my temporary part time job has turned into a permanent job!

The Financial Clerical course I'm currently enrolled in is taking up 3 nights a week still until mid June. We just started the accounting/bookkeeping part and I believe I am going to enjoy that as well as learning how to use Excel.

The hubby and I are doing well, he is due home again around the 11th of May... woohoo! Right now he is at the top of Michigan... I've always wanted to see that area!

I have cut way back on my internet activities. Closed my Facebook, the Twitter account and a few others I had played with to see what they were all about. Too much time spent on the computer that I could be better using on other activities... like painting! I'll keep my blog and Flickr accounts they are handy and linked together so posting to one or both is easy.

Spring is here in the North Country and we have had rain and gray skies... typical for Spring of course, but warmer weather and sunshine is heading out way. I hope to get out with the camera and get some reference photos to inspire me to get painting again!

Dabs' new (used) car

2009-04-08T18:37:00.001-07:00

Dabs' new (used) car
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

Just got it today. So good to have a car of my own again! Got my lover hubby and a car... Life is coming together again!

Hoping for a bite of lunch!

2009-04-08T18:24:00.001-07:00

Hoping for a bite of lunch!
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

I finally got a new (to me) car today... ... and one of the things to do in this town is to go down to the docks and eat lunch. It was cold and snowy so I ate inside the car. Growing up on the Saint Lawrence River we have many Sea Gulls who beg for anything they can get. Having "companions" for lunch is very common.

Across the way is Prescott, Canada.... Waving to my Canadian art buddies!

"I'd Find You"

2009-04-05T18:17:00.005-07:00

In a crowd, in the dark
I would walk straight to your heart
Without any hesitation
Every turn, every town
Every highway I go down
Baby, you’re my destination
And even if nowhere was where every road lead me to

Chorus:
I’d find you
I’d find you
In the day or the night, in the black or the white
In the red of a rose of the depths of the ocean blue
I’d find you

Even if you and I
Never met, still I know I’d find
You among the millions
It’s beyond my control
Like a magnet pullin’ my soul
Across the great division
And even if I lost my way in this world I walk through

Chorus:
I’d find you
I’d find you
In the day or the night, in the black or the white
In the red of a rose of the depths of the ocean blue
I’d find you

All my life I need you next to me
‘Cause in your eyes I see my destiny
And I’d find you
Yeah I’d find you
In the face of a child, in the warmth of a smile
On the first day of spring when the flowers grow wild
Every song ever sung about bein’ in love
Every kiss, every hug, every touch
Anytime, anyplace, in the whole human race
In the sweet memories and the ones yet to be
In the wrong and the right and the beauty that lies in the truth
I’d find you
Yeah I’d find you

by Chris Cagle - Anywhere But Here album

Chris Cagle - Lovin' You Lovin' Me

2009-04-05T17:34:00.004-07:00

I was trying to put the youTube version of this song here, but I don't know how to embed it. Chris Cagle has been around for many years now dazzling us with his songs, but I just "discovered" him last night when looking up the lyrics for this song "Lovin' You Lovin' Me". You see... my hubby and I are back together things and are going great. Life is coming together and I'll be able to get back to my art soon after my classes are finished!

Introduction to Medical Terminology

2009-03-16T20:19:00.004-07:00

Today I got my first sampling of my Medical Terminology course. Wowsers... there is a lot to learn! I am excited about it though as it is a challenge to see if I can learn something I "think" is terribly complicated. I am really trying to come from a different, positive perspective about it... telling myself I CAN do this! Even if I have to take this course twice... I'll master it...:)

I think the advice the book gives... to view this like learning a language might be less intimidating... we shall see!

Life is busy right now... adding this online course to my 3 night a week classes... volunteering at the Wound Healing Center for work experience 3 days a week (12 hours a week)... and I started the part time job this past week.

On top of this... the hubby is coming home for a visit this week. It has been 2.5 months since we have seen each other, we have been talking and we both are looking forward to his coming home. Reconciliations are in the air....;)

"The secret of getting started is breaking
your complex, overwhelming tasks into
small manageable tasks, and then
starting on the first one."
- Mark Twain

Dancing on the Wings of Your Love

2009-03-10T15:05:00.007-07:00

For my Twin Soul....

This is another beautiful painting by Ali Miner. Such a wonderful artist... his works are incredibly inspiring. This is one of those times that I wish I painted with oils... the vibrancy of the colors!

I'll attempt something of this nature in the future with watercolors on canvas.

Transformation by Ali Miner

2009-03-09T21:15:00.006-07:00

I came across this artist's web site tonight while searching on articles and images on Twin Souls. Please visit Ali Miner's web site you will not be disappointed! The colors... the movement... the expression... all so lovely!

I just want to fall into the painting and be One with the colors...

Volcabulary of Authentic Power

2009-03-08T20:22:00.003-07:00

From the web site of Gary Zukav....

Authentic Power – alignment of the personality with the soul (with harmony, cooperation, sharing, and reverence for Life).

Characteristics of an authentically empowered personality – humbleness, clarity, forgiveness, love.

Clarity – the perception of wisdom and the ability to see the soul in action in the physical world; turns pain into suffering and evaporates fear; allows you to see the world of physical matter for what it is – a learning environment that is created jointly by the intentions of the souls that share it.

Cocreation – occurs when individuals bring all that each can offer to a joint effort and at the same time, open themselves to a larger, or higher, idea that may not have previously occurred to them.

Cooperation – an intention of the soul. Multisensory cooperation is a Cocreation.

Detachment – allows you to remain aware of what you feel while the events of your life unfold.

Earth School – special learning environment in which all that needs to be examined and brought to health in each individual is revealed to her or him in the intimacy of her or his personal experience.

Emotional Awareness – becoming aware of everything that you are feeling at every moment.

Emotional Energy Center – specific location in which energy flowing through the emotional energy system is processed in love and trust or processed in fear and doubt.

Emotional Energy System – seven energy processing centers between the crown of the head and the base of the trunk (chakras)

External Power – ability to manipulate and control things that appear to be external.

Fear – produces painful emotions (physical sensations).

Five-sensory perception – perceptions of the physical world: tasting, touching, hearing, smelling, and seeing.

Forgiveness – not holding others responsible for your experiences.

Frightened Part of the Personality – autonomous aspect of personal consciousness that is rooted in fear and expresses fear (e.g., anger, jealousy, superiority, inferiority, vengefulness, etc.)

Harmony – flow of caring energy that is unobstructed by second agendas of external power. An intention of the soul.

Humble – free to love and to be who you are; no artificial standards to live up to; content with the fulfillment of your authentic needs; not burdened with artificial needs.

In-tention - the quality of consciousness you bring to an action.

Intentions of the soul – harmony, cooperation, sharing, reverence for Life.

Intuition – perception beyond the physical senses that is meant to assist you; the sensory system which operates without data from the five senses.

Love – energy of the soul. There is nothing that cannot be healed by love. There is nothing but love.

Loving Part of the Personality – autonomous aspect of personal consciousness that is rooted in love and expresses love (e.g., gratitude, contentment, appreciation, awe, love)

Multisensory Perception - the ability to see and experience beyond the limitations of the five senses.

Out-tention – the application of your will to accomplish a physical goal.

Personality – the part of you that was born on a certain date and will die on a certain date (your body, “personality”, and intuitional structure).

Present Moment – requires awareness of all that you are feeling – including how your energy system is functioning – moment-by-moment.

Power Struggle – conflicting pursuits of external power.

Responsible choice – choices that create consequences for which you are willing to assume responsibility.

Splintered Personality – unintegrated aspects of personal consciousness in conflict with one another, e.g., compassion and disdain, caring and anger, jealousy and admiration.

Reverence for Life – the experience of accepting that all Life is in and of itself, of value; engaging in a form and a depth of contact with Life that is well beyond the shell of form and into essence; contact with the essence of each thing and person and plant and bird and animal.

Scanning – experiencing the physical sensations you are feeling near each energy center.

Sharing – an intention of the soul; giving all that you have and receiving all that the Universe gives you; an energetic dynamic that enriches both the giver and the receiver.

Soul – the immortal part of yourself that existed before you were born and will exist after you die.

Spiritual partnership – partnership between equals for the purpose of spiritual growth (creating authentic power).

Stress – painful experiences created by resisting your life.

Temptation – dress rehearsal for a negative karmic event; an opportunity for you to choose differently before you create destructive and painful consequences.

Trust – active partnership with the Universe; knowing that the circumstance you are in is working toward your best and most appropriate end.

Universal Human – a human who is beyond nation, race, religion, sex, and economic circumstance; a citizen of the Universe whose allegiance is to Life; the highest potential of a multisensory human.

Dabs

2009-03-07T12:05:00.001-07:00

Dabs
Originally uploaded by ArtByDabs.

Playing around...

and celebrating 51 pounds lost so far!

Uploaded by ArtByDabs on 7 Mar 09, 11.54AM MST.

The Void: Where The Change Process Stops Us

2009-03-07T09:45:00.002-07:00

Another good article to read:

"To significantly change in our lives, there must be changes in our subconscious minds and our belief systems. As these changes occur, we find ourselves in a transition zone, a place of the unknown, the lull, the fog, the void, the dead space. It is like being between first and second base on unsafe and vulnerable ground. It is uncomfortable, new and often scary. Often we get fearful and go back to the old safe place on first base. And that's O.K., but at some point, we may want to leave the rut that was not working for us.

Change requires a letting go and trust that there is a second and third base and that I can make it there. It is about trusting myself and God and the universal laws to unfold a new reality for me. It is knowing that my vision, prayers, visualizations, affirmations and wishes will come true.

Too often the test is right to the eleventh hour, where I must totally give up and let in the new. To make it worse, everything seems to go wrong at the same time. This is a place where my life turns upside down. It’s a place that calls for surrender and faith, knowing that my beliefs are being changed at a deep level.

When I was in the consulting business, my heart wanted to move into the personal development and education field. As I was planning this process, my client offered me a phenomenal opportunity, with substantial equity in a company in the personal development field. It was like falling in love--the infatuation, the fantasy, the excitement. My mind was full of ideas.

After a few days, I sat down with myself and analyzed it more closely. Something was saying it wasn't the right move. But I kept the door open on the opportunity and was getting pressure for a commitment.

During this time, my mind was in a fog. It seemed like I couldn't think or even add 2 + 2. I was torn between what looked like the offer of a lifetime and what my heart wanted to do--my own programs, not someone else's. And I did not want to let my friends down.

This fog brought on tears (yes, men can cry). It was scary to be unable to break out of my stuck thinking patterns. My mind seemed dead to new ideas and everything in my life was going wrong or stopped flowing. Finally, I had to make my stand. I did not join their group.

Making the decision relieved some of the fog, but it was a few weeks before the dust settled and I was fully functional mentally. During that time, I was gentle with myself, not creating too many pressures or new decisions. I soon realized a new level of commitment to creating and delivering my own programs and taking control of my life.

Now, when I sense I am in this fog or transition zone, I work to just be there and identify with it. I step back and watch myself, careful to avoid overreacting to situations. I keep my focus on the results I want, and I act as though they are already in place. I stay open to opportunity. I'm glad I've learned how it feels to be in transition, because as I grow and change, there will be more of them, and I want to become a master at navigating through the fog into my next vital stage in life."

John and Patrice Robson
Higher Awareness (http://www.higherawareness.com)
Hundreds of resources and tools for Personal and Spiritual Growth

Saturday Words of Wisdom

2009-03-07T09:24:00.004-07:00

Weather:
overcast... 43 degrees... feels like 38 degrees...

but hey... Spring is just around the corner. I've been hearing the birds more and more each day happily chirping away. In fact tonight we lose an hour as we set the clocks forward... don't forget!

Words of Wisdom for today I need to reflect upon and apply to my life:

"Is life getting just too complicated? Do you feel absolutely overwhelmed with information? With the information explosion that's upon us, it's clear that we can't logically figure everything out. We also can't control so many influences. So what are we to do?

SURRENDER! Shakti Gawain says that our life journey is "a process that flourishes in a spirit of acceptance, compassion and adventure." We might try on some new perspectives:

Let go of our need to figure everything out.
Let go of our need to control.
Let go of our need to be right.
Go with the flow.
Detach and observe.
Accept rather than resist.
Take life and ourselves less seriously.
Trust - ourselves and life. Have faith.
Open and love and laugh more.

The more convoluted our thinking, the more we're trapped in our minds. The more we're trapped in our heads, the less present we are to reality. Life is really too much for the ego. And when life brings the ego to its knees in surrender, the intuitive heart can step forward.

When we connect with our hearts, we discover a part of us that is all-knowing. A part of us we can learn to trust. So take heart! As we continue to grow in consciousness, we increasingly see the bigger picture of life. We see more and more evidence of a higher power, of universal laws at work. We do begin to see clearly. And we gain the security to let go."

Quoted from: Higher Awareness

"Most of our obstacles would melt away
if, instead of cowering before them,
we should make up our minds
to walk boldly through them."
- Orison Swett Marden