Today Mom called Kern Medical Center today and scheduled an appointment for me to see a health care provider on Friday afternoon. Hopefully I can then get an MRI to see what's going on; however, my headaches are a bit concerning as I keep losing sleep, waking up at 4:30 AM and feeling too weak and sick to move even to get Aspirin. Hopefully I can find out what's the matter soon. Anyway, I really appreciate you all for caring about my well-being. Please keep praying for my speedy recovery.

No, I still haven't gone to see the radiologist, I just thought I wanted make a statement. Today I have been feeling a bit better, I think. My mouth and hand don't seem quite as numb as before and, although I have been having headaches, they seem to be under control today. My right hand does hurt somewhat, though, and to be honest, I have mixed feelings. I really don't know if I'm just getting used to this condition, or if I'm actually getting better; I hope it's the latter. I tried drawing with my right hand again and, while I can't say it's ready for action again, it does look promising. I found out I can feel, say, a hot flame with it, and it hurts my fingertips when I clench it tightly; for the most part it remains numb.
Maybe I'm just being overly optimistic, but I like where this is going. Please feel free to pray for my recovery if you like; I know I'll be hoping and praying for a full recovery.

Yesterday evening Mom took me to Kern Medical Center and we went to the emergency entrance. I had to wait for several hours, the doctor ran some physical tests, and then I took a comprehensive blood test. The good news is, the blood tests came back normal, and the doctor doesn't think it's a stroke, since I was able to smile and my smile wasn't crooked. He also said he doesn't think it's a brain tumor either, since there would be other symptoms present that weren't. However, since my shoulders could not fit in the MRI machine that they had, they will be assigning me a primary care physician for a follow-up, and I will hear from them in the next few days. I will be getting an MRI at Kern Radiology to make sure there's nothing wrong with me, but in the meantime I'll have to wait and see. Needless to say I am relieved that God has given me a second chance, and I will do everything in my power to lose weight, eat right, and exercise. I also will be making an effort to visit the doctor annually, especially since Medicare covers hospital and doctor visits, and the supplementary insurance I was recommended wouldn't cost that much either.
So anyway, I bet you are breathing a sigh of relief too, because I sure am!

Lately I have been having issues with my face; the right side is partially numb, my speech is sometimes slurred (though with some effort I can still talk clearly), and I tend to drool a lot. My right hand, though it does still seem to retain its old strength, seems numb, and at times, so does my right upper arm, both of which are symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It's become really difficult to type anything with just my non-dominant left hand, but I guess I'll have to get used to it. Yesterday I finally bought a splint for my arm at Walgreens. Mom says that, if nothing else, it should help remind me to leave that hand alone, which has been a real challenge for me.
I still have metal parts to polish for my customer (and the parts I've done so far still need a lot of work), the pipe in the front yard still needs to be fixed, and I still have a handful of commissions in my queue.
Night before last, I clumsily gave myself the worst shaving cut ever! I mean, it bled so bad it took a while for it to stop.
Perhaps most concerning of all my symptoms are the headaches. I have been worrying that I might have brain cancer, though I hope to God I don't. Aspirin barely even helps sometimes. Though usually, as long as I sit still I'm fine; it's mostly when I move around that bad headaches happen. I think it may be related to the hear; we’ve been having triple-digit temperatures for a long time here and I, for one, am more than ready for a cool autumn.
I have been on Social Security for several years now, and as part of the package, I got a Medicare membership card back in 2008. It's for parts A and B, but I have never used it, so I have been doing research on how I could go about using it. Hopefully I can go see a doctor in town soon enough, and can get whatever ails me diagnosed and taken care of.
I wish I were just making theses symptoms up; I wish this was all just a horrible nightmare that I could just wake up from and everything would be okay. Sometimes I feel like just lying face down in bed and crying myself to sleep. I hate feeling like a burden, to you and my family, but I don't know when (or if) I can get well again.
Anyway, that's what's been going on with me; sorry if I worried you guys but I just felt like I needed to vent really bad. Thank you for your attention, and for caring.
Current queue:
 Sun_Burnt_Wolf--1 animated icon commission (sketched, cleanup begun);
 DrebinGrey39--1 four-character commission (sketch begun).

Yesterday afternoon we had a power outage that lasted about fifteen minutes. I guess that shows how quickly PG&E can fix power outages.
Last night on the way to Rusty's Pizza I kept worrying that may have had a stroke, and that that's why I'm having trouble talking, typing, and using my right hand. Hopefully, though, I just need to rest my right hand until it's healed. I'm not skilled enough to use my left hand for commissions just yet, so I may have to put commissions on hiatus for now.
Also, when I got home from Rusty's, I noticed I couldn't find my Ray Bans sunglasses, and then I panicked when I also couldn't find my wallet. So I walked all the way back to Rusty's to see what they found. They didn't find my wallet, but they did find my sunglasses. When I got home, I found that my wallet was deep in my back pocket the entire time! So, being very tired, I breathed a sigh of relief, though I couldn't sleep 'cause I was restless.
Current queue:
 Sun_Burnt_Wolf--1 animated icon commission (sketched, cleanup begun);
 DrebinGrey39--1 four-character commission (sketch begun).

I mean, since I drew these three pics https://www.furaffinity.net/view/48504274/
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/48533881
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/48606749
and this one https://www.furaffinity.net/view/48617622 has anyone noticed any difference in my drawing ability? Because I'm worried that my right hand may not heal, and if it doesn't, I don't know what I'll do. I am looking into getting an appointment to see a doctor, so I should be able to find out what's gong on with me.
Current queue:
 Sun_Burnt_Wolf--1 animated icon commission (sketched, cleanup begun);
 DrebinGrey39--1 four-character commission (sketches begun).

I can't believe it's already been four years since I created this account! I remember creating it strictly for babyfur art, and only in a certain style. I hope to see many more years on this account and on fA in general. I also hope you enjoy my art here.

This afternoon, I had to go to Harbor Freight to buy some more lamb's wool buffs for my polishing project. Unfortunately, however, Mom and Dad had their trucks, so I had to ride to and from Harbor Freight on my bicycle in the blistering heat of Southern California! I even thought that the experience has shortened my life expectancy. Once I got home, I was so exhausted I couldn't do much of anything; in fact, I had to put off finishing my polishing job till tomorrow. I hate delaying my work, but it's unavoidable.
Also, in addition to drooling constantly, I have been noticing that I have also been mumbling and stuttering uncontrollably to the point where it is much harder for me to speak or even to type lately than it has ever been before, and it seems the more effort I put into it, the worse things get. I know I'm in a very bad way, but I can't afford to see a doctor or anything.
One more thing, tonight's dinner was woefully undercooked, despite the fact that I took it back to the barbecue to cook an extra fifteen minutes or more. So today has been a really miserable day for me, in more ways than one!

I have decided to close commissions for the time being. The reasons are two: 1. I have some metal polishing work, as well as other work to do around the house. 2. I still have several pending commissions that I have yet to finish.
So, commissions are currently closed for the time being.
Current queue:
 Sun_Burnt_Wolf--1 animated icon commission (sketched, cleanup begun);
 DanielMania123--1 2-character comic page;
 DrebinGrey39--1 four-character commission;
 PokemonAll4One--1 2-character comic page commission;
 ArtieCanvas--1 5-character YCH commission (awaiting sketch).

First off, an apology for the last journal; I know how many of you feel about this account and how sad you'd be if I got rid of it. So I've made my decision about this account: I am not going to delete it, though my activity here may be very infrequent. I would like to upload to it if and when I can, but I can't keep a regular upload schedule.
Then again, I may create some gratuitous pics to upload here from time to time as filler. Who knows?

....retire this account. What do you guys think? Since I haven't uploaded anything to it in months, I hope you will understand if I retire, or outright delete, this account. I mean, I'm actually ashamed to have created it in the first place, especially since it only has a small h andful of followers, most of which are desd accounts anyway, so if you have any suggested reasons for why I should keep this account, please leave them in the comments below. That's all I have to say for now.

First of all, I hope you all had a great Fourth of July, for those of you who celebrate it, that is. I spent part of my Fourth of July trying to get my dog, Rufus, out from under my truck after he chased a pair of grey squirrels that ran into the engine compartment. (I was able to coax him out with a couple of small pieces of beef brisket I had cooked the previous night or two)
Anyway, yesterday the Populo(R) drain auger Mom ordered had arrived, and she wanted me to use it to unclog the kitchen sink's drain, so I went to work on that. It took a while, and I both disassembled the drain pipes and removed the plug on the service pipe in the TV room that shares a common wall with the kitchen, and then I tried the auger and fed the long, springy cable into the pipe as far as I could. At first I could get nothing cleared, but after a couple of tries, I finally got the kitchen sink to drain properly, without any trouble at all, and it seems that Mom's $100 investment in this new tool was no waste of time or money after all. So now it's good to have a working, draining kitchen sink again, and I can add "plumber" to my increasingly long resume.

For those of you who may wonder, let me explain thus: No matter how many people keep telling me that my art is great, or that I'm somehow a great person, I live everyday in constant fear and dread that I will eventually be exposed as the charlatan I have always truly believed I am. Is that wrong? Tell me please, I want to know. Am I really wrong to think this?

This is a follow-up to my last journal on this account, since I wanted to clarify what I meant to say. Here goes...
I am not Tato. In his absence this past year I have tried my hardest to keep up morale among our small circle of babyfurs, and even to emulate, as best I can, the style and quality of his art. Of course, I have fallen utterly short of that goal and been a disappointment to myself and, most importantly, my friends who, like me, were expecting better. If Tato had any contingency plan for a situation like this in which he was absent, he never told me about it. Just the same, though, I think he wouldn't want us to be bitter or quarrel amongst ourselves, but rather just make the best of the situation. What do you think?

Since  Tato departed this site. and it happened around Flag Day weekend, which is precisely why Flag Day will always leave a bitter taste in my mouth. Nobody deserves the terrible treatment they got, and I hope their life improves as it has been months since aught but rumour has been heard of them. I wished it had been me instead of Tato who left, and I'm sure many of my followers wish that as well. Come on, don't deny it, Tato's still a better artist than I am; I mean, just look at how many more watchers they have than both my main account and this one combined.

For the past four days or so, I have noticed that my left lower leg/foot are swollen. It is uncomfortable to put on even my slip-on shoes, so I mostly go barefoot. I think it has something to do with the blister on the back of my left heel, a blister I got some weeks ago when I put on my new boots. Apparently I didn't tie them up tight enough, so the heel rubbed against the inside of the boot, causing a blister. Now the blister looks more like a cut and, while not bleeding, is still open. Every morning I soak my foot in warm water with Epsom salts, and take Ibuprofen every four hours, but it seems not to be getting much better, if any. The swelling isn't red or hot to the touch, so it likely isn't infected, but today I noticed a red rash on the outer side of my left foot. The swelling on my foot feels soft, like it's full of fluid. I'm afraid to go see a doctor, partially because of what I may find out, and partially because of the potential cost. Just when I thought I was overburdened enough, I now have this issue to contend with. So now you know what kind of situation I've been in lately.

Because I sure feel worthless and a burden to you all. Am I not?

Last night I had a really weird dream, in which I had to find a replacement part for a motorcycle, since the one we had was broken. So I went to a dealer in town, and we talked, and I don't remember if he got me the right part, but I remember going home. There, in the backyard he was, and I forget what we were talking about when all of a sudden the sun's light seemed to be dim. There were no clouds in the sky and it was nowhere near setting, being only about 2:00 PM at the latest. Then I realized the sun was being partially eclipsed by the moon. So as the eclipse progressed, I went inside to tell my sister (who hasn't lived with us in 20 years btw) that the eclipse was happening, so she reluctantly went out and we watched the sky turn black. During the eclipse, I saw a patch of iridescent colors streak across the sky, and then the eclipse was over. Amazingly, I didn't go blind from the eclipse. But then again, dreams often make no sense.
On an unrelated note, yesterday Mom talked to my brother Will, and he suggested a new router to get like the one he uses. So Mom bought one on Amazon, but it won't be here until Wednesday, so I won't be able to stream again for another couple of days at least. Still, knowing that we're getting a better router does give me great hope.
Current queue:
 Sun_Burnt_Wolf--1 animated icon commission (sketched, cleanup begun);
 DanielMania123--1 4-page comic commission (first 2 pages inked and colored, sketching and lettering completed);
 Chistoso-TheJoke--1 7-panel comic page commission (sketches and lettering complete);
 DrebinGrey39--1 four-character commission;
 PokemonAll4One--1 2-character comic page commission.

Today is  TaviMunk's birthday, so please be sure to wish him the best on his special day. I will try to do a birthday pic for him, but most likely not on-stream.

I have noticed that this account has an average of about 31 favorites to each submission while my  warpwarp1929 account has an average of only about 19 faves to each submission. I wonder what could possibly account for the ratio discrepancy? Maybe because babyfur art is more popular and this account is all babyfur art while that one is only mostly babyfur art?
Also, some of you may have noticed that I now have 6 years of doing commissions under my belt. My first commission ever was this: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/19357192/ I must say, I am proud of that first commission, even though I've gotten better as an artist in the six years and ten days since then (most especially since I bought that Wacom One in early June last year) and hope to get at least six more years as a commission artist.
Finally, here is the current queue:
 Chistoso-TheJoke--1 five-panel comic (sketched, partially lettered);
 Sun_Burnt_Wolf--1 animated icon commission (sketched, cleanup begun);
 DanielMania123--1 2-page comic commission.

First of all, I hope you all had a great St. Patrick's Day. I sure did, and I even got to make soda bread (which uses no yeast, but does have raisins); it was delicious, to say the least! This was the first time I've ever made bread, by the way. I hope to make that kind of bread again sometime soon!
By the way, does anyone know why  ChespinBeefeater got suspended again? 'Cause I have no idea why; we were watching each other, and I was going to (possibly) do a pic for him. If anyone watching me knows, please let me know in the comments below.
One more thing, tomorrow is  Wen's birthday, so please be sure to wish our favorite adorably freckled bunny girl a happy birthday! I will try to make her a birthday pic.
Current queue:
 Chistoso-TheJoke--1 five-panel comic (sketched, partially lettered);
 Sun_Burnt_Wolf--1 animated icon commission (sketched, cleanup begun);
 DanielMania123--1 2-page comic commission.

Who'd like to see me draw Gammamon?

I mean, I recently stumbled across videos of him, and I gotta say he's just the cutest little guy ever! I think he'd look especially cute padded. What do you guys think?

Well, there was a change of plans. My sister came over last night, but her husband wasn't with her, and they have something planned for Tuesday. So Mom, Dad, and I went to Kernville today. However, the Cracked Egg Diner wasn't open, seeing as it was Monday, and neither was Cheryl's Diner, so we ended up eating at Kern River Brewing Co. and Restaurant. We had some beer (mine was Sequoia Red) and fish and chips for lunch. I almost filled up the Kern River Brewing Co. growler I brought along with me, but instead we got a souvenir tumbler from them. Then we went to Indian Wells Brewery, where we filled two other growlers and got some beer bottles.
On our way home, however, we broke a bottle of Brookie Bock (which we carried in the back), thus wasting a perfectly good bottle! And then when the cab door was opened, my empty growler from Kern river Brewing Co. fell and broke! So that was disappointing. Other than that, though, we had a pretty good and fun day.
Current queue:
 Chistoso-TheJoke--1 five-panel comic;
 Sun_Burnt_Wolf--1 animated icon commission (sketched, cleanup begun);
 ChespinBeefeater--1 remake commission;
 DanielMania123--1 comic page commission.

First of all, I know it's been a few days, but thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes. You guys are great. However, my birthday celebration is not over. Tonight my brother and sister-in-law and their kids are coming over for my birthday party. We will be having pizza for dinner, and it promises to be fun. Also, since my sister and brother-in-law have Tuesday off, we'll be going to Kernville and Indian Wells on Tuesday for my annual trip. I'm sure to enjoy that as well.
Keep in mind, though, that I have a couple of motorcycle fork sliders to polish for a customer, and it will take a couple of days to finish it, so please bear with me.
Current queue:
 Chistoso-TheJoke--1 five-panel comic;
 Sun_Burnt_Wolf--1 animated icon commission (sketched, cleanup begun);
 ChespinBeefeater--1 remake commission;
 DanielMania123--1 comic page commission.

Okay, so I admit I've been away from streaming for far too long now; things haven't been too great for me around here lately and I've been super fatigued and unmotivated. I guess it's time for me to finally get to doing a stream. Keep in mind, though, this will be one of two streams I'll do today, and it will be a dual birthday stream for two of my watchers. The second stream, if I don't end up having to do other things around the house, will be to start drawing  Chistoso-TheJoke's comic commission, which I have already delayed for too long, and for that I apologize. The stream will begin around noon PST, and you can watch it at https://picarto.tv/CoffeehoundJoe/
Current queue:
 Chistoso-TheJoke--1 seven-panel comic;
 Sun_Burnt_Wolf--1 animated icon commission (sketched, cleanup/color needed);
 DanielMania123--1 3-character commission.