SugarBear Mobley

orange tom cat laying in the sun against a golden wall.

I set a goal this year to start an art business. Well, today, that goal is achieved. Please visit my Etsy shop where you can commission me to do a portrait of your pet.

www.etsy.com/shop/TheSuga...

Moribana style arrangement either giant purple allium, sunflowers, and palm fronds.

Moribana style arrangement with white hydrangeas and sunflowers.

This week's #Ikebana(s). Times like these call for more flowers, more beauty, more appreciation, and more joy where you find it. My Ikebana teacher say there is great hope in flowers. May we continue to rise. #wafuikebana #bloomscrolling #hope #flowerarranging

Forgot to add the URL: www.sashamobley.com/listen/2025/...

Xray of my brother’s broken arm, sink sink sitting on kitchen counter in front of kitchen window and cut out for sink plus text: February 20th to May 30th 2025 20th to 24th Looking at the Xray of the break, I couldn’t believe my brother was entertaining not getting surgery. The best effort to manually reset the bone resulted in two overlapping ends with no chance of healing properly. I can’t believe his ability to not acknowledge pain. After that, the week was about onboarding at my new job, fighting with the bank, and trying to finalize a place for him to do transitional recovery. The place I thought was perfect said “no” because of the crack in his C2. 25th to May 30th So much has happened since February. Today I just wanted to say caregiving and starting a job and needing to adapt to, if not embrace, shifts, adjustments, and changes galore, threw me off my visual journal. Mike had the surgery and is living in a different assisted living arrangement. He has nerve damage so his wrist is paralyzed. Permanently? We don’t know. Will he get to be independent again? We don’t know. I take him to appointments and take care of his affairs and the house. I took on replacing the kitchen sink which was an old cast iron thing cemented into the counter. I dislodged it with a bottle jack and pulled it out with ratchet straps looked over an iron pipe suspended on jack stands. Ok, enough for now. More tomorrow.

February 20th to May 30th 2025—full text in ALT or go to:
#artjournal #visualjournal #art #suddenchange #overwhelm #resilience #stress #birthday #eldercare #optionb #lifegoeson

Moribana style arrangement with red pin cushion protea, New Zealand flax, astrolomeria, and lemon leaf in a brown compote container

This week's #ikebana and last class of Spring session. #wafuikebana #flowerarrangement #bloomscrolling

Irises in a flower bed. White, blue, and maroon

Iris bed mid season #flowers #irises #bloomscrolling

Nagiere style ikebana in a blue vase with bronze roses, lilac, and cedar.

This week's #ikebana. #wafuikebana #flowerarranging #bloomscrolling

Ikebana nagiere style with dogwood blossoms, pink mums, and sage in an off white vase with a ribbed pattern.

This week's #ikebana is a little late. Today is the four year anniversary of my Mom's passing. She would be 101 year's old today. She and I had/have the same Ikebana instructor—Mom was her student when I was just a child. #wafuikebana #bloomscrolling #flowers #grief #rebirth

Nagiere style arrangement in a blue vase with peach branches, pink mums, and cypress fronds.

This week's #ikebana with peach branches, pink mums, and cypress. #wafuikebana #flowers #bloomscrolling

Ikebana with pussywillow, sunflowers, and cypress in a black container

Ikebana of pussywillow and cypress in a small vase.

This week's #ikebana. #wafuikebana #flowers #bloomscrolling

I’m waiting for the Pol Pot episode.

This week’s ikebana. White chrysanthemum, purple statice, lemon leaves, and pussy willow

This week's ikebana. White chrysanthemum, purple statice, lemon leaves, and pussy willow #ikebana #wafuikebana #flowers #sprinftime #bloomscrolling

UGH! WTF GAVIN?????

Koi pond plus a buñuelo plus a green heron plus text: February15th to the 19th 2025 My birthday to 2nd day on the job     15th Happy birthday to me! Keri and I spent the day looking at places for my brother to do his next phase of recovery.   The first place had a grand piano, an ice cream bar, a koi pond, and a full calendar of activities. The next place smelled like someone used knock-off Yankee candles to hide-a far worse smell.   Keri made the day sweet with coffee breaks and dinner out at Luna’s. I ate far too much.   16th I had my first exercise in a week- a chill 3 miles at Vasona park. Had a good conversation about "luck" being the confluence of opportunity and willingness. I’m having to unlearn my conditioning to refuse help and say no. I’ve managed to visit Mike every day - sometimes twice.   He's now progressed to wearing clothes instead of a gown.   I feel more optimistic as little by little he seems like his old self.   17th More looking at  places for Mike but also we hired house keepers to give Mike’s house a deep cleaning. Everything scrubbed and dusted – shining floors and porcelain. Nine hours!   One of the places we visited had a "respite" program that is per diem and includes everything. Small place with a view of the green foothills. I think we found it! I felt I could breathe.  

Text: But that was short lived. I saw a text that Mike’ s appointment with the orthopedic surgeon was the next day- also my first day at work.   I called a million different numbers to reschedule but it was after hours on a holiday.   18th I got in touch with the social worker and moved the appointment. In my first meeting with my new boss, I explained my current reality. I have a ton of PTSD from ex emplover's mishandling communication  being complete assholes when I had some horrible life events (including my brother's suicide). My new boss was refreshingly kind. I’ll take it. The company sent a Windows laptop. I spent the morning making it work with my peripherals and the afternoon in compliance training.   19th I needed to go to the bank to make them aware of my Power of Attorney status - they said they had a "different" process and even though I had a notirized POA in my hand, their process could take 5 days.   But what about paying his bills?   The banker said those checks would probably bounce. Moral of the story? Don’t bank at Chase.   Not too many drawings this time. I hope to get through this and be daily again but I’m tired and being another person's advocate etc plus starting a job…well…it’s a lot.   More soon.

February 14th to 19th 2025—full text in ALT or go to: https://www.sashamobley.com/listen/2025/3/12/february15th-to-the-19th-2025-my-birthday-to-2nd-day-on-the-job

#artjournal #visualjournal #art #suddenchange #overwhelm #resilience #stress #birthday #eldercare #optionb #dontbankatchase

Red rose, pink carnation, cedar centerpiece in a red glass basin

This week's ikebana is a center piece with these sumptuous red roses! #ikebana #wafuikebana #flowers #bloomscrolling #roses #valentine

Valentine’s card plus a latte plus a hummingbird next plus a pizza and soda plus text: February 14th, 2025 V-Day   I was up early -partly because I'm having a hard time sleeping peacefully and part there is a lot to do.   I had to make calls to visit places for next phase care   I did find time to make Keri a card.   Also time for a latte before mikes PT.   And time to notice the humming bird nesting peacefully and safely under the eaves.   "A" met me at Mike’s house and we automated the lights and thermostat, cleaned closets, and discussed other ideas to make the house safer.   Keri gave me a cute and silly Valentine’s card and we went to visit Mike to send him off to sleep.   We had aspirations of something posh, but relaxing at the Garret with a pizza was perfect. More memorable than many outings. It's a love holiday. I felt really loved.

February 14th, 2025—full text in ALT or go to:

https://www.sashamobley.com/listen/2025/2/15/february-14th-2025-v-day

#artjournal #visualjournal #art #love #suddenchange #overwhelm #resilience #stress #valentinesday #optionb

Key ring plus Mike getting his PT plus text: February 13th, 2025   Stress can make simple things into complicated nightmares. Like holding onto a set of keys.   Yes, the keyring with all the keys to my brother’s house went missing. Despite assurances from my loved ones that they would turn up I called a lock smith to let me in.   I couldn’t find another key inside so I replaced the lock. It was a reasonable thing considering the circumstances.   Later, the keyring was discovered in my bathroom wedged between the toilet seat and the tank.   In other news I sat in on Mike’s pt. Mike is very resilient and tough. I see now how hard the PT/OT people have it because most of the clientele can barely move and seem very far away mentally. I won’t be there next week to cheerlead and help.   I see the tired, polite expressions of the staff. energy goes where energy flows. You must show up.

February 13th, 2025—full text in ALT or go to:

https://www.sashamobley.com/listen/2025/2/15/february-13th-2025

#artjournal #visualjournal #art #love #grief #loss #suddenchange #overwhelm #resilience #stress

Daffodil plus text: February 12th, 2025   I’m reminded again and again that one of the most powerful remedies against gazing at the horrors of the world is to focus on what is real right now.   Mike’s future is still unwritten.   But so many people are good at what they do and are being helpful to him and to me.   I’m doing things like cleaning Mike's room and doing his laundry. I show up and cheerlead him through PT/OT and make him promise to do his part. Keri visits him and supports me. Val is getting benefits sorted.   "A" does a little of everything.   I’ve forgotten to eat more than once this week. I forgot to drink water yesterday but self-maintenance is critical. After mom passed away my gallbladder rebelled and needed removal. I got a kidney stone too!   It all matters. We need more ability to see our small worlds - not just our crisis but potently our joy and good fortune. Even when life brings waves of difficulty, we have each other.

February 12th, 2025—full text in ALT or go to:

https://www.sashamobley.com/listen/2025/2/13/february-12th-2025

#artjournal #visualjournal #art #love #grief #loss #suddenchange #overwhelm #resilience #solidarity

Sugarbear holding and comforting MoMo plus text: February 5th through the 27th, 2025 What happened?   5th Visit with MoMo's vet confirmed what we knew inside but hoped for different. We agreed to comfort care and took MoMo home   6th The rain came hard and knocked out our power until late in the evening and took our internet with it. I figured I could catch up when everything was restored.   7th Inernet wasn’t restored until after dark. The fiber to the house snapped in two pieces. I focused on MoMo. 8th MoMo had pretty much stopped eating and could no longer stand. It was time to say goodbye. I held him a long time until he was calm before the vet did the terrible yet necessary thing.   I wanted to be quiet and grieve but my sister said she couldn’t reach my older brother. When I arrived at his house I called for him several times until he answered. He was taking his daily bath. That seemed normal so I gave him back his privacy and let my sister know all was well.   9th Except Val couldn’t reach him in the morning. I went over and everything was as it was the night before. I called out for Mike and knocked loudly on the walls as I went up the stairs. Mike finally responded but wasn’t making sense. I called 911. I cracked the bathroom door and found Mike face down on the floor. continued →

Mike holding his mermaid sculpture plus text: It took five paramedics to get my brother out of the bathroom and down the stairs. In the ER they discovered a broken arm and other injuries related to the fall. Keri and I stayed in ER until midnight - they got him into a room around 4am. Valley Med deals with a lot of suffering - a main trauma unit we heard helicopters arrive. Mike wasn’t their only case but he was receiving lots of care.   10th “A” came with me to find Mike’s benefits paperwork and to lock down the house. I gathered his laundry and got together a few items depending where he would go next. By the end of the day he was moved to a regular room. I held his drink so he could sip through a straw. He fell asleep shortly after so I went home.   11th More organizational work. I was supposed to start a new job but my company pushed the date a week out to help me. Mike was transferred to skilled nursing. There are many details I’m not going to share but suffice it to say, this is why i haven’t journalled.   Mike made my childhood much happier because of his love and attention. He needs me to help him through this even though he doesn’t think this is a big deal.   I had lots of sketches to illustrate these days but my band width is limited.   Mike, Best of Men, holding one of his famous mermaid sculptures.

February 5th-11th, 2025—full text in ALT or go to: https://www.sashamobley.com/listen/2025/2/12/february-5th-through-the-11th-2025-what-happened

#artjournal #visualjournal #art #sickcat #seniorcat #love #cat #grief #loss #suddenchange

I think it turned out very lovely. I’m new to gouache as well. Great highlights.

MoMo the cat in a comforter fort plus tacos plus text: February 4th, 2025   MoMo was about the same. Lots of napping and lap time. I fret about his potassium levels and blood pressure but he’s alert and seems pretty comfortable.   He has a follow up tomorrow. The total hospital bill was horrible but not as bad as feared. I’ve never regretted helping our fur kids. I’m grateful we can.   I made peace with someone yesterday. The falling out we had devastated me on multiple levels but it’s time to let go. No one should be defined solely by mistakes. And as she said to me, the only way we'll get through this world pain is together.   Right now, in the Whitehouse, is a person who has never let go of any perceived slight or loss. he is pulling us towards catastrophes never imagined because his heart is rotted away from his thirst to win and be avenged.   I used to think forgiveness was demanded of us as a way to shut us up. But that’s just a bypass. You still have to stand up. The trick is not to be eaten from the inside out.   In other news, I made tacos for lunch.

February 4th, 2025—full text in ALT or go to:

https://www.sashamobley.com/listen/2025/2/5/february-4th-2025

#artjournal #visualjournal #art #sickcat #seniorcat #love #cat #peace #forgiveness #solidarity

Ikebana with forsythia, kale, and cat palm in a compote suiban.

This week's ikebana. #ikebana #wafuikebana #flowerarrangement #moribana

The Treasury Department right now. People are turning out against Musk and DOGE staging a takeover of the Treasury’s payment system. This crowd is big. The whole block is packed. “Lock him up,” everyone yells.

Hamtar

MoMo the cat plus sign for Day Without Immigrants plus text: February 3rd, 2025   MoMo found his way out of bed before we woke up and was waiting like little gentleman for breakfast.   Today is not the day. Today is a gift. I'll take it. I know he doesn't have long. Today with him is a good day. Hope doesn't always kill you.   I was famished after working out and went in search of tacos. Every taqueria near me was closed! I started to wonder if it was a strike. I then saw this sign: Feb 3rd We Are Closed—Day Without Immigrants Thanks for your support.   It’s a big sacrifice to shut down a business wholesale. People won’t get the message until life is disrupted. When it hits the fields we are in big trouble.

February 3rd, 2025—full text in ALT or go to: https://www.sashamobley.com/listen/2025/2/4/february-3rd-2025

#artjournal #visualjournal #art #sickcat #seniorcat #love #cat #daywithoutimmigrants #strike

I got teary reading this. I’m so happy for you lovie.

MoMo the cat resting with a blue blanket covered with fireflies plus text: February 2nd, 2025   During Ted Lasso S1 I learned the phrase "it’s the hope that kills you."   I was more than thrilled to bring MoMo home.   but...   He seemed worse.   Weaker. He spent a weekend on IV therapy that was supposed to help him be at least a little like himself. When he dragged himself to his box and laid down and voided his bladder, Keri and I looked at each other and started crying.   We called the vet who kindly heard us. We agreed to care for MoMo overnight at home and see how he would be in the morning. We called our best friend to come for a visit. We gave MoMo some plain tuna which he appreciated and took turns cuddling him until he indicated he wanted to sit on the floor. I bathed him and brushed him and placed him between our pillows on the bed.   I read a while with my hand tucked next to him and turned off the lights. No matter what, it’s a gift to care for him and love him.

February 2nd, 2025—full text in ALT or go to: https://www.sashamobley.com/listen/2025/2/3/february-2nd-2025

#artjournal #visualjournal #art #sickcat #seniorcat #love #cat

I knew it!

Thank you! She’s a pretty girl.

Yellow Labrador laying on a blue comforter.

Portrait of my friend's beloved dog, Gracie. #art #dogs #yellowlab #petportrait #dogportrait