Where the rubber meets the road

hungry on Donners Pass

desertbellydancers — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:14:19 GMT

On my way home I got real hungry up on a snowy Donner's Pass Donner....party for one...

4 wheeling it through Arches

desertbellydancers — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:45:08 GMT

A foot of snow and unplowed roads made for a sweet time in my new truck, gads it was fun. There were only two other folks in the park..the best..reconnected with my friends in the park service and mushed through deep snow with sunny skies. Leaving Moab is a bitter sweet experience...I have so many friends here and want me to move back..but with out a doubt, .there is evil here ...

back to my Dine home

desertbellydancers — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:07:53 GMT

This morning I took my new truck on a maiden voyage to Monument Valley..at least that is where my truck drove me. I had no clue where I was going when I pulled out of the drive way and this is what happened to me. I couldn't believe my luck..but I had high hopes for a full moon wherever I was. The night was so light I could see every part of the Valley..the sunrise was full of color and a full moon setting. I've been dancing on the sandstone .....and feel particularly blessed.

Have a Greatfull day everyone..

desertbellydancers — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:49:28 GMT

Caught the sunrise in Arches this am. It felt so good to be back here in Gods country. I am truly greatfull for all of my friends..a blessing I cherish!

RIP Alex

desertbellydancers — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:35:09 GMT

My dear friend Alex Van Hemert passed away to a better life this morning after complications from back surgery and a long life of hard drinking. Alex was my boss when I worked for the BLM and he was the river ranger for the Colorado and Green along with the San Juan. For 15 years he was the head dude for Recreation at the Moab District. He was also the Big boss ranger for Grand Gulch, one of the most amazing canyons in SE Utah....We did many Telluride Blues and Brews together, always indulging in the VIP tickets..he took me down the San Juan, Westwater and the Colorado many times. We skied together at Telluride and had way tooooo much fun. I am so sad. I will be heading for Moab tomorrow..can't wait to see my beloved desert and my new grandaughter Sienna. Rest in Peace Alex.

off the grid

desertbellydancers — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:11:22 GMT

I am in a room with power and a TV..eeegads, I have been without power, no TV (thank-god) and off the grid since June 1st. Yes it is good for the environment, but to have a light turn on is a good thing. Fun too. I have been Helen Kellering it for some time now and have the shin bruises to prove it. I am a pro at cooking on fire, but I love a gas stove. I have all the lights on, the TV roaring the comedy channel, my computer going, I plan on keeping that ol coffee machine dripping all night and I plan on ironing all the sheets in this here motel room and anything else I miss..... The view is spectacular out the patio door...here in Fort Bragg.

Leave room for baby Jesus

desertbellydancers — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:59:58 GMT

For the past 2 months and then a 16 hours Tango intensive this weekend, I have been exploring the very difficult moves of the Tango. The 3 day workshop this weekend was taught by world famous Neh Meeno and Jennifer Bratt. www.studiotangovida.com To top that off it was at the Virgin Redwood Ballroom at The Weller House www.wellerhouse.com .in Fort Bragg by the sea. Two windows overlook the ocean and the breezes would blow in and cool us off. My Tango photos were used for the advertisement brochure for entire year of monthly workshops..Yes! I made money from my work. The Tango is very difficult..the follower has to bend at the waist and put her chest up against the lead and cheek on cheek (face)...for the closed position and she does this on the balls of her feet..in heels..new for me! She can't let her thighs touch him.."leave room for baby Jesus" Ney would say . The whole thing is to make the follower look like she is leaning, but in fact she is perfectly balanced and ready for the slightest move from the leader..This is not easy for one who has been dancing with a sword on her head for the past 30 years. I feel like a baby in the bathtub, but I am getting it. Every Wednesday there are 3 hour classes and I have been taking them and having a blast. The folks are very forgiving and fun to be around. They like to party and dance, what more could you ask? .Next month the workshops are taught by Filipe Martinez & Rosa Corisco. wwwtangonnection.blogspot.com .

loving life in California

desertbellydancers — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:38:55 GMT

I am loving the beautiful weather here in Northern Ca. I get to the beach(Fort Brag) once a week to take my Tango Classes and foto the ocean. I have sold more photos..to the Weller House Bed and Breakfast Historical Inn. I am also teaching a 3 hour belly dance workshop in Oct. in the Virgin Redwood Ballroom which looks out to the ocean. I love the Tango and the dancers are so great to be around. Nice too. My troupe continues to dance in Moab and Tabatha is currently teaching a regular class..I trained her well. I have taken over 500 fotos this last month, exploring the outer banks of the Mendicino Coast and post them for all my dear friends that are not so lucky to be by my side and see all these marvelous sites!

ocean wonder

desertbellydancers — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:55:32 GMT

Spent the day fotoing the birdies and sea lions..and getting rocked to sleep by the waves. Truly a relaxing experience. Then Tango last night..it is such a beautiful dance. Fort Bragg has a large Tango group and they are really nice folks. I will be teaching a 3 hour belly dance workshop here at the Virgin Redwood ballroom on Sept 12th. I have stoked!

now this is life

desertbellydancers — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:29:53 GMT

I find the ocean and the forest so thrilling. life in your face...I am also in grandma heaven with my grandkids. I visit the coast weekly and also take a Tango lesson on Wed. Argentine Tango rocks my soul! I also have many little hummers..mostly Anna's hummers. What a switch from Moab.....it is so nice to be out of there. I loved the red rock but things here grow and grow big!

here in the Redwoods!

desertbellydancers — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:57 GMT

to all my dear friends...I am still here..... only now in in the redwoods in a beautiful house in the boonies. I have a baby racoon and two of my beloved cats, who love their new home. It is soooooooo good to be out of Moab and so much drama. We have moved the festival Tribal Sands to June 26th 2010 and have Sharan Kihara, Amy Sigil and Anita from Fat Chance lined up for a whoppin good time. More details on that a bit later. I am surrounded by the most beautiful trees and many butterflies and birds. ..totally amazing. I will be posting the zillions of photos soon..especially of my baby coon who spends the days in a tree. I am only 30 miles from the ocean and what a great place..baby seals and tons of star fish in the little bays. I am opening a new shop and selling my photos..yea~ It is great to be with all of my kids and most of my grandkids! Willits is an awesome town..lots of hippies like me. Lots of great cultural happenings goin on all the time. life is too good to me!

The Durga Tour show was a huge success!

desertbellydancers — Sun, 31 May 2009 18:15:41 GMT

Thanks to Tempest and Tim for being so wonderful and talented..we had such a good time. This was my last performance in Moab until Tribal Sands June 2010....more videos to follow..the show was so amazing! Contact Miso for video for sale http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1176724341002&ref=nf

Dancing up a storm

desertbellydancers — Tue, 26 May 2009 23:36:35 GMT

We just happened to nail all the good breaks in the terrific rain storms here to perform our three shows..2 for the Arts Festival and one out a the huge rock festival..Desert Rocks. We got two rainbows and didn't get wet. My troupe really looked awesome in their new outfits I sewed... Now the Durga Tour this weekend and then folks I am out of here..moving to California and out of this radio active dump called Moab. I am moving smack dab in the middle of the Red Woods so I promise to continue to post photos of the great things I see. Tabitha will take over Desert Veils and I will start a new troupe..Ocean Veils cause I can see the ocean from my 25 acres of property!

exploring our past in Anasazi land

desertbellydancers — Sat, 09 May 2009 01:20:55 GMT

I just returned from hiking parts of Cedar Mesa south of Blanding ,Utah.I went up Mule canyon and the North Fork of Mule Canyon. I was witness to some of the most beautiful and semi pristine ruins in the SW. Many are ravaged by pot hunters but hold the ancient out lines of their homes and Kivas. I was able to photograph over 20 ruins and hiked over 20 miles of rough terrain..the kind if you miss a step you die kind...and gorgeous stream bottoms and gorges. One night I hiked with only moonlight to get the beautiful colors in a couple of my night pics. The really sad part of this journey was the immense destruction of the land by range cattle..already in March thousands were out with their calves and wading in stream bottoms. There was not a place in the lower canyons and much of the mesa top that didn't have cows and tons of shit. Their hooves destroy the cryptobiotic soil that holds moisture in the desert. The BLM manage this mess...Coyotes and owls sang me to sleep at night..and gentle winds kept the temperature perfect. I will never forget the feeling I had walking through this magical place. Photographs can't do this place justice, but I will give it my all!

Rain in the desert

desertbellydancers — Mon, 04 May 2009 01:08:07 GMT

Rain brings us Spring flowers and rainbows..amazing ..the desert! I wish I could be many places at once.

It's coming together!!!

desertbellydancers — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 01:41:20 GMT

The Durga tour details are getting finalized..it is going to be a great show. The performers are really going to add to this night., I am thrilled. Workshops are filling fast and they are reasonably priced so anyone can take them.I have a lot of work to do between now and May 30th, but this is fun work. There will be a party in the desert Friday night. The foto is the beautiful Tempest. I just gotta say if you have ever called me a stalker .... it would be advised not to show up at the door, as you planned and posted in facebook...you will get a police escort out....like who are you kidding?????

Easter Sunday in Arches

desertbellydancers — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:08:04 GMT

I spent this glorous Easter Sunday in my fav place. Sunrise came with many filled potholes from the early morning rains..Few people get up that early so I had the most quiet , peaceful time. I decided I want to marry the Earth.

This is where I will be to photograph the International Festival of Meditational Cultures!

desertbellydancers — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:13:03 GMT

I am so excited I can hardly stand it. As some know, I have been asked to be an official photographer for this most amazing festival. It is in Northern India and it looks like SW Utah.This had to go in front of the United nations and it passed!. I got this photo from Debbie, my tribe friend who is helping me with all I need to know about staying in Rishikesh, India.

March equals insane wind here in Moab

desertbellydancers — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:49:41 GMT

If you weren't connected to something today, you could have blown away. I managed to keep low and still take some pictures of the Spring flowers which are bursting forth in the park.

petroglyphs in abundance

desertbellydancers — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:45:46 GMT

Today I just couldn't stand one more day of being so sick here in Moab so my son and Melissa and I took a hike up Thompson Canyon and what a treat! I feel better just mingling with the past. We found the biggest and most colorful petroglyphs I have ever seen. it is an old coal mining community and very old building are interspersed in the sage brush. Some of these petroglyphs are from 6oo ad. Of course idiots have written their names and shot at most of them, a true assault on the history of the Ansazi and Fremont cultures. What makes people be so stupid? I will never get it. This petroglyph has been shot at and yes that is cow shit underneath. These are 7 ft. tall. There are more pics in my fotos!

Life goes on

desertbellydancers — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:15:12 GMT

First a huge thank-you! I am absolutely humbled by all who supported me and my family through this very difficult time. Reading your kind words helped me immensely! Being so sick made it especially hard, but having my kids and grand kids here was a light that shown and lifted my heart. The raccoons and skunkies have been making their selves known..and Rosie is still as tame as ever. She is healthy and I believe has 3 tiny little babies nestled under my trailer. Last night we made contact and the primeval smell and feeling I get from these critters grounded me and made me so happy. She still eats out of my hand. I was able to shoot with my left hand..( I have an amazing camera) and get the shot I wanted..

In honor of Lana

desertbellydancers — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 19:43:12 GMT

who passed on this morning. here with my daughter Sadie and shared grandaughter Tali

No words to describe this

desertbellydancers — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:21:30 GMT

Dear friends, i haven't been on much, way too sick..and dealing with the final stages of the other grandmother to my grandkids and dear friend to pancreatic cancer. She had a real rough night last night and doctors told us it is a matter of days..My kids are here from Ca. and all are preparing for the events of her journey. Please pray for us especially the wee ones. I am too sick to even cry.

The fashion show is over, my outfits all sold for the big bucks and I am off to the desert ..

desertbellydancers — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:21:33 GMT

I am off to the desert to spend some quality time with the quiet. The fashion show was a huge sucess and I had so much fun. It really makes it when I get to dress up my oldest son as the grasshopper..just like old times, I have been doing that for 36 years. I love being close to my kids, they are truly my best friends! A lady in the buyers seat yelled out "How much for the model?" when Josh took to the runway..they did that last year too..he is just to good looking for words. He made the fiddle and it was auctioned off too. It lit up! (pics in my pics) http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=56304241705

Watch the Fashion show live

desertbellydancers — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:39:55 GMT

Tonight the WabiSabi fashion will be live on www.wabisabimoab.org . You can see what a fine time these folks can have. My line in Insex...and I am 7th. Have fun! The pic is my Dreaded Sacred Datura Moth. Happy Fat Tuesday! www.wabisabimoab.org