Chew On This

1st Saturday Hafla, 02/7/2026, Mt. Vernon.

Located about 75 minutes drive north of Seattle, bellydancers of the north end meet monthly.

Leopard print costume with gold beads. Catching veil mid-flight produces unexpected moments.

Where next?

#bellydance #Egyptiancabaret #onceadancer #veil

Another new-to-me dance costume.

I call it, “Strawberry Swirl.” A dancer suggested I save this costume for spring. In my culture, the Lunar New Year signals spring, just sayin’.

I did wonder if I need to sew a hidden pocket for my passport. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

#onceadancer #bellydance #Bellacostume #pink

One of my favorites from the time just before diagnosis with Autoimmune Disease (2012).

The movement: the Vortex, when you bring the hoop from the waist to overhead by grabbing it from the inside and then maintaining movement in the open hand position.

#photography #hooping #dance #hulahoop

Cats snuggle and face away from you when they feel safe and trust you.

Sometimes I think I have an ESA. Other times I think I might be hers.

#cats #catsofbsky #americanbobtail #superfloof

“During the darkest days of the AIDS crisis, we buried our friends in the morning, we protested in the afternoon, and we danced all night, and it was the dance that kept us in the fight because it was the dance we were fighting for.” (Dan Savage)
#bellydance #artistsfordemocracy #ICEout #humanrights

Two years ago, we took Minna home with us. She was scared, took to hiding, and we wondered if she would be happy in her new home.

Minna spent her day in my office today, getting pats, sleeping in her little bed by my desk, a happy cat.

#cats #catsofbsky #superfloof #americanbobtail

Did Minna get into one of the catnip-laced toys? She kinda looks a little stoned.

#cats #catsofbsky #superfloof #americanbobtail

Minna watches me run on a treadmill.

The number of miles I will run this year and the hours of work I do require a treadmill (hop on, hop off seamlessly).

And sometimes she sleeps under the race medal holder.

#cats #catsofbsky #americanbobtail #superfloof

Sending out calm yet resolute kitty vibes for anyone who might need it today.

#cats
#furballfriday #catsofbsky #superfloof #americanbobtail

For #caterday

#cats #catsofbsky #superfloof #americanbobtail

Purrfect!

While I have not read that book, I hope there is at least some mention of knocking over things, stealing socks, and running around fast. I would assume the “cats not giving any f**ks” is a given.

Ms. MInna the superfloof is comforting, yet my heart breaks for so many reasons.

None of this is normal. And my cat is shadowing me like she knows how shattered I feel as a woman whose name means “America, the Beautiful Country.”

#cats #catsofbluesky #americanbobtail #superfloof

My little wild thing.

#catsofbsky #cats #superfloof #americanbobtail

Minna, loafing as usual.

#caturday #cats #superfloof #americanbobtail

An apres-ski moment, minus the brews in #Whitefish #montana (Dec 31, 2016 iPhone X).

For composition in the fading afternoon light, I used the neon light nearby.

It reminds me of Vermeer’s painting, “Girl with the Pearl Earring.” 😂

Happy New Year! 🎉

#bigsky #winter #photography #light

Rotorua and the Polynesian Day Spa, #NewZealand (Dec 31 2019, iPhone X).

A moment of serenity and calm before the storm of 2020.

#photography #spa #newzealand #travel #vacation

Sunrise in the nook #CaboSanLucas (Dec. 2022).

Because sometimes we have to escape the cold, and that particular winter we barely escaped an ice storm.

#photography #beach #cabo #sunrise

Sedona during Golden Hour and under clouds
(Dec.2023, iPhone 13s).

#photography #goldenhour #sedona #arizona #naturewins

Meowy Christmas, from the superfloof!

#americanbobtail #catsofbsky #superfloof #catcondo

Holiday time #glutenfree #baking that is GF, DF, soy free, and ready to share with family members who also need free-from options.

Having Celiac Disease and other food intolerances have unleashed a superpower I didn’t know I had over 12 years ago.

I got this!

It’s taken some experimentation to perfect both the crumb and timing an active #glutenfree #sourdoughstarter, yet I finally did it.

I have made a #GFbread that tastes better than anything commercially made, with the right texture, crumb, and flavor.

*cries happy tears

Still interested in connecting with other Bellydancers, SWANA, and MEHNAT dancers, dancers of color.

New-to-me costume, first fitting. I take photos and video to see how it fits and moves. Since I grew some lats, adjustments must be made!

#bellydancer #onceadancer #costume #petite #photography

Minna is practicing the “flop” command.

#cats #catsofbsky #americanbobtail #cattraining #superfloof

Reflection in a puddle (Dec. 2024, iPhone 13s).

The floating leaves and grass frame give it away.

#photography #fall #reflection #naturewins

Lighted wings and tree at Redmond Lights Festival opening day (Dec. 2025, iPhone 16 pro).

Annual festival sparks creative ways to display lights. With a dark sky and no rain, these lighted Wings of Isis for bellydance came out to play.

#festival #photography #wingsofisis #angelwings #bellydance

Infinity Light Box, Redmond Lights Festival (Dec. 2022, iPhone 13s).

This photo gets questions: what is it? Where was it? What does it do? The creator did not give answers on their installation placard.

#photography #lightbox #redmondwa #lightfestival

Baladi is perhaps one of my favorite styles.

Redmond Lights festival (Nov. 2022, iPhone 13s).

The PNW is deep into, “The Big Dark,” the stretch of days when the beginning and ending are the same - darkness.

Light, functional and artistic, is essential.

#photography #light #festival #thebigdark #pnw

Ms. Minna Thunderfoot (Nov. 2025, iPhone 16pro).

It’s the camera angle that makes her look like Jabba the Hutt. Really, she’s not chonky. Fat shaming is real.

#catsofbsky #cats #superfloof #americanbobtail #photography