Problems with dimensioning

I am having problems with getting things set up to do the dimensioning.  I guess that I do not understand the setup instructions.  
As you see, I am getting the arrows, etc. bur only a box (?) but no dimension.  I've tried changing the numbers but have not had success.

Why do I not see the text associated with dimensions?

LordOfBikes wrote

Why do I not see the text associated with dimensions?

That, my friend, is the million dollar question!!

Possibly you missed, that this is a link?
You have to follow it to get the answer.

Yes, unfortunately I didn't realize that.  Thank you.

I am back trying to get this to work.
I have been able to get the dimension to appear, but in most cases it remains covering the drawing line instead of allowing me to move it off the line, out of the drawing.

I'm not sure if I understand what your problem is.
Usually it is best to have Free Snap on all the time, together with other snaps you want. Otherwise the dimension line will be forced to jump to the next possible snap point, unable to be positioned freely.

It seems that that was the problem.
Thank you.