I mean, I did tell you to run in the last journal :shrug:

How're you amazing folk doing? Everything great? Fantastic? Totally bombastic?

I know, I know. I read the news, too. There's a lot going on that's not right, a lot going on to make us uncomfortable and afraid and that's trying to petrify us into compliance. But I take heart watching all of you. I love furries. We fight. We know how to lift each other and help each other and fight for what's right. I mean, all groups have their bad players and negative elements. But furries? I love watching how we try our damndest to root out that and those which and who would bring us down. I love seeing how much love and kindness is inherent in the community, and how much inclusivity and acceptance is here. Does this heart o' mine a joy, and I am so, so fortunate to be a part of this community. Ya'll make me proud. Seriously. And I love each and every one of you.

Keep the faith. Keep that thing with feathers perched upon your soul. We'll get through this. We got this <3

We here at the Oakenhome have been doing well! I'm doing physical therapy exercises at home and have started regaining more strength and mobility in my legs and back. Folks... I can mow the lawn again! I know it may not seem like much, but consider: I was wheelchair bound in 2018/2019; I was walker and wheelchair in 2020, walker in 2021-2022, cane and walker in 2023/2024, and this year I am solely using the cane and I haven't fallen once. Mowing the lawn is huge for me, and I'm so freakin' ecstatic that I can! I still can't produce dopamine on my own; those Parkinson's and dystonia related symptoms and issues will always be with me. But I'm managing them so much better nowadays; that gives me hope :)

Yeah... I'm a weird wolf

I found I have a love for public speaking. This conflicts me. I hate being in groups, am a major introvert, and am really hesitant to share anything I write. But damn... I got to officiate a wedding recently, and I absolutely loved it! Focusing on the couple, watching their eyes watching each other, watching that love... that calmed me so much and I got to read my prepared remarks, conduct the ceremony, and in the end, I was riding a high I haven't felt before. Maybe it was the meds I took to keep me upright and out of pain, who knows? All I know is that I had a lot of fun, and I got to see two amazing people who are dear to my and Elora's hearts mark an amazing milestone in their lives. That, and I got to watch them use an authentic Viking seax to cut their cake and "sign" their guestbook using a Lego minifig. That was fun ^^

I'm in a really good place mentally nowadays. I've worked through quite a bit, come to terms with quite a bit, and learned much better how to manage the issues at hand. In particular, I've learned a great deal more about DID and why it comes about and how it actually helps. I've learned to work with it rather than against it, and learned to trust myself more, especially when it comes to that disorder. Management and healing go hand in hand. And I'm healing, and growing, and learning more and more about myself as the days go by

Elora is doing fantastic, by the way! She is still my rock and my river; the fresh air in my lungs and the energy in my soul. And she's still gorgeous as ever. She keeps throwing out the whole, "Men get distinguished; women only get older," when she talks about aging, but I wholeheartedly disagree. Everyday, she grows more and more beautiful to me, and everyday she shines brighter and brighter. I have no idea what this old wolf did to have such an amazing panda tiger in his life, but everyday I'm grateful

We still hope to find a third to join us in our life as a partner and a best friend. We've been using my Eleanor the Unicollie OC as a stand-in for our future third in pieces we commission. I know it may seem silly, but we really do hope and look forward to her joining us. Dating is an issue, especially in the deeply conservative state in which we live, but we persevere. We don't need a third for us to be exquisitely happy with one another; it's more a desire to share our lives and love with another, and to compound that love, and to be open to offer another something that we searched for for all our lives: A home filled with peace and comfort and fun/silliness and joy and irrepressible love and dedication. There is some concern about introducing drama and upsetting what we've created. We both realize it's a big ask for someone to enter into an already established relationship and to not feel like a third wheel or like they'll be loved unevenly; or to feel like, should there be a falling out, they'd be left alone and heartbroken. But that isn't us, and this isn't something we decided lightly. We'll be in it for the long haul with them. So. TL;DR: Still demi, still poly, still looking, still hoping.

I haven't posted any art since... damn, April of last year?? What's wrong with me!? I'll make sure to start sharing some absolutely fantastic pieces I've received since then. I'm... not sure I have all of them saved, so if you come across any out there in furry land and I don't have them here after the dump happens, please let me know. Much appreciated xD

Keep the love, folks! Fight for one another, fight for yourselves, and please, for the love of all, remember to hydrate and to say at least one kind thing to yourselves everyday. You have so much worth and so much greatness in you. Let yourself see it without any deprecation or "buts." You rock. I see it in you. Let yourself see it, too <3

Love ya, folks!
Later!

~~ Oakstone