Do not forget that the ashes falling from the sky,
are all that remains of the pine,
and the grass,
and the thistle,
and the bear,
and the coyote,
and the deer,
and the mouse,
men and women,
which could not escape.
Scoop some up in a sacred manner.
Take it to your altar and offer prayers for these beings.
Honor their death.
Pray for life.
Remind Fire that it is full,
has gobbled enough,
and should make way for Rain,
so it may rest.
May all beings be safe.
May all beings be loved.
May all beings be remembered.
May all beings be mourned.
So mote it be.

Sad news friends.

 rileykit just posted to their Twitter account that they lost their home to the wildfires that have ravaged the west.
https://twitter.com/rileykit/status.....562364417?s=21

Check their journals. I believe they've started a "GoFundMe." https://www.furaffinity.net/journals/rileykit/

Please keep them in your hearts.

Swifty

I have heard it here and elsewhere in Social Media, from friends inside and outside of the Fandom. This Pandemic and everything about it drags at the psyche like a spectre hovering menacingly behind.

I know I feel it's presence also and there are times, especially toward the end of the week when I am exceedingly tired and exhausted, that I feel myself slipping into melancholy. I won't say depression as I've been there and I am so very far from that. But that's when I have to grab hold of myself and find something or do something I enjoy or find happiness in.

A lot of times it's a matter of acknowledging the things that bring happiness into your life. It doesn't have to be complicated. Often the simplest, most mundane things that bring happiness are the best as they are easy to embrace and experience when you need to.

I can't say what those are for you, but for me these things are humming a favorite song, sitting down with one (or all) of my Shelties, gving a favorite plushie a hug, or losing myself in Animal Crossing. If I have more time, I like to make time to play and sing along with my Ukelele, take in the freedom of a bike ride, or play World of Warships or hop on VRChat.

I guess what I'm trying to share/get off my mind is that I fight, everyday, to keep ahead of the feelings of hopelessness and anxiety, by using what I learned 20 years ago that helped me to pull myself out of the 2 decade long dance with Depression that I lived with....Take care of myself (Eat, Sleep, Cleaned & Groomed), Recognize the signs of Depression, and have an arsenal of things that bring me happiness to fight it off with.

As this crisis continues on, I find myself fighting everyday...and that fight is the good fight and it's worth every moment.

Hello friends!

Just a quick note to let my friends know that I have been poking around on VRChat recently and I'm looking for other friends to chat and interact with.

My nick is Swifty Fox there...not sure how you can search for me in the game, but I figured I'd throw it out there.

Playing through PC mode at the moment, but I think I've settled in on a cool Rexouium species avatar while I'm taking it for a test drive and kicking the wheels.

Other than that, still keeping pretty much to myself,  silaria and I, due to the COVID. I've been back working in the office since late May when PA lifted the restrictions on Construction companies. Sil is working from home. Dog agility has been happening since PA went to Green and we've been to two trials so far wearing masks and socially distancing as much as we can. We have another trial this weekend.

I haven't stopped running emergency calls with the fire department. That's probably one of the things that has helped me through the isolation. As an essential employee in that capacity, I have had the ability to get out and perform my role. Luckily the run in with COVID has been limited to two incidents and we applied overwhelming precautions while operating at those incidents.

Gaming wise I'm still playing World of Warships for an hour or two in the evenings when I get the chance. I've also become a "Servant of the Nooks" playing Animal Crossing New Horizons on our Switch. Speaking of the Switch, I recently bought Spirit of the North to play on it, as it was on sale. What a wonderful game. I'm loving the environment and the music. As an old fart I do struggle with the hand/eye coordination needed to beat the skill challenges in a timely manner...but so far I have been persevering in propelling my little foxie through the challenges. Let me know if you'd like my Switch Code in the comments.

Sil and I have also been dieting since the beginning of the year. She's lost over 50 pounds and I've dropped 20. I'm trying to maintain a weight now under 190 pounds.

Our little Aliner RV has been a God-send over the last couple months. It has allowed us to get away from the house for a day or two, just to change the scenery.

Anyway, that's it from the Fox's Den. Hope you are all well and staying safe!

*Warmest hugs*

Swifty

...but, well anyone familiar with my gallery here can see that I'm a believer of quality over quantity.

That leaves so many options out there when it comes to chasing down new commissions, art and literary, and as such it makes it super difficult to make a choice.

SO...I'll ask instead, is there anyone I'm following who has wanted to do, or has been waiting for me to ask for a commission?

Be honest, I'll give it some consideration.

Thanks!

Swifty

Hello friends!

I've been playing World of Tanks and World of Warships for a couple years now and I've just started live-streaming my games on Twitch.

If anyone is interested in checking out my streams and saved videos that I have there, please hop on over, take a look, and subscribe if you like. Not asking for any donations or anything like that. Just a friendly "Hello" from time to time.

https://www.twitch.tv/swift_f0x

Thanks for your time,

Swifty

Hey friends!

Given the state of things right now, I thought this song was appropriate to record and share on my Enya MAD Solid Mahogany Concert Sized Ukelele.

Please enjoy Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" played and sung by myself.

https://youtu.be/06wwuJZqqmM

I am so glad for the warmer weather! I can go out again and practice playing my Ukelele over my lunch break.

Sure I'm still trying the master the same songs I started with, but I've added others to introduce new chords to practice and play.

Playing and singing along to the Uke is very invigorating and makes me feel awesome! Creativity for the WINZ!

*Hugs*

Thanks for taking five to read this.

Swifty

Hello Followers,

Way back when beaches were rocks and puppies were the oldest living things I used to be a fairly prolific writer.

When my Mother passed away I really lost myself and my muse to write like I used to. I've been able to push out a few pieces over the last several years, but nothing like I had at my peak.

Right now I've got an idea dancing in my head that is begging to be fleshed out. I could very easily fill the two roles with my own imagination and share it out as always. But why do that when I might be able to bring some happiness to a couple friends by putting it out there as a commission?

The story would revolve around two adult characters, one a caregiver, the other newly introduced into wearing (and using) diapers, and a "Dial a Nurse" on the other end of a speaker phone. The diaper wearing character will have messed his diaper for the first time and now has to submit himself to a diaper change. As a way of adding a little humiliation to the scene, but keep things private, the Caregiver decides to call a "Dial a Nurse" to get help "changing his "toddler nephew/niece." (No stealing the idea y'all )

I guess I could sell the naming rights to the nurse also but at a lower bid price.

Would there be any interest in me throwing this up as an auction?

*Hugs*

Swifty

Okay, so I get a giggle out of seeing MLP fans with diapered foal 'sonas, especially after all the talk of separating themselves from Furry because of the "Sexualization of the Fandom."

Doesn't matter really. as an avid fan of MLP's prior to and including Gen 5 (FiM) I enjoy the art and creativity immensely. Heck, I've even written some diaper MLP fic.

But I'm curious. Furry has its Babyfur community...by what moniker do the Baby Pony Fans go by?

Have fun doing what you do. Curious fox is curious.

*Hugs*

Swifty

This time of year, when I see lots of photos and pictures of deer and elk and reindeer gracing my FA, I wonder back at the fursuit Furp had made for himself shortly before he was so suddenly taken from us. I know it was gifted to someone...to keep the character alive and in doing so, the spirit of Furp alive with it. I think I saw it out and about once when I was last at MWFF, and I had a photo taken of my fursuit and it, though it never surfaced to where I could DL a copy...

I would have liked to have been the person to keep the character and the spirit alive, but in hindsight it was just as well as my activity in the fandom was waning.

Long story short...I wonder what became of the suit and hope it's seeing good use.

*Hugs*

Swifty

I hope everyone has a great time today and gets the opportunity to get dressed up.

Above all, be safe.

Hey FA Friends!

I was thinking about jumping back into Magic the Gathering again after a 22 year repast, but after talking with a few friends who still play and looking into the paths of play that they suggested, I have reconsidered. The reason my wife and I walked away in 1996 after playing for 3 years was because it became "Pay to Win." Looking at the information on the current styles and meta, it appears that the "Pay to Win" is still very much alive.

Sooo...

I have a ton of Pokemon TCG cards between my wife and I, as we picked that game up after walking away from MtG, so she and I may refresh our old Poke'mon decks and give us something "new" to play together. We stopped investing in the game at Version 3, so while we have one or two Dark and Steel cards in our collection, we only have Fighting, Psychic, Fire, Water, Grass and Electric Basic Energies.

That said, I also created an account on Poke'mon TCG Online to refresh myself with the rules and the system of play. I'm engaged in the tutorials and the Computer Opponent play ATM. I don't think I can get any of the decks we bought in the 90's to translate over to the platform. My account there, if you'd like to add me as a friend, is SwiftFoxAVFD.

Thanks for reading and maybe we can play a game or two together.

*Hugs*

Swift

Looks like  colorthekitten is reaching out to do some Babyfur character art.

The YCH Sketch doesn't look too bad. Unlimited slots for $5.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/27953858/

Give it a look.

Will I be there? YES!

What day am I arriving? Dude! I'm already there. I never leave. LOL's

Will I be in Fursuit? Yes (Ashes the Dalmatian and April the Border Collie)

Can I say Hi? Yes!

Can you hug me? Prefer you ask first unless I know you.

Can we hang out? Doubtful. AC is a working con for me. Not much time for socialization as I'm Track Lead for the Table-Top Gaming Track and working with VIP Relations. Maybe you can catch me in the Table-top Gaming room at one of my games or up on the roof of the DLCC for my Star Parties Friday or Saturday night?

Can we grab a bite to eat? Again, doubtful. I have breakfast and dinner at home and I think my lunches are already lined up with the VIP Relations group.

What other questions might you have? Go ahead and ask in the replies.

Hello fellow trainers!

My friend code for Pokemon Go is

1306 7775 0083

Swift Fox

I hard word that good friend and long time fursuiter (20+ years)  Tzup passed away of complications from diabetes.

He was a big fan of Ashes I came to find out and it was always fun to run into him while I was wearing my spotty dog at cons as it always made his day.

I even had the rare opportunity to do a suit swap and let him parade around in Ashes at FCN in 2010. What a thrill that was for him though I had a lot of explaining to do with my friends when Ashes blew them off. *laughs*

My Fandom Family has grown a little smaller today, but i will think fondly of Tzup and the memories we have shared.

God's Speed my friend, until our paths cross in the next life.

Hello!

Looking for opportunities to commission a May the Fourth StarWars commission for my wife  silaria and I this year.

Chime in if you have slots open or intend to have open slots for something like this in the coming weeks so we may look at your gallery and make a determination as to who to approach.

Thank you for your response. We're very sorry we can't commission all of you.

Thank you,

Swifty

Hello my "Little" friends,

Just a shout out for my AR Christmas story "Home for the Holidays" if you're looking for a wholesome, seasonal story to read.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1814277/

Please enjoy,

After seeing the success of several writers in the fandom now I feel compelled to express my joy that they are now able to operate much as visual artists have been doing for nearly two decades.

It wasn't that way in my time as a writer which led to my eventual burn out.

Anyway, I'm very glad to see the fandom supporting written works monetarily. It's been a long time coming.

Peace all!

Swifty

What drew you to the babyfur fandom?
Well, lets see...where to start? When the internet was young...like telnet young...I discovered that I wasn't alone with my peculiar interests in diapers, age play and imagining myself as a cartoon animal. Through Usenet channels such as alt.sex.diapers (ASD) and alt.sex.diapers.binary (ASDB) as well as alt.fan.furry (AFF) and alt.lifestyle.furry (ALF) I was able to connect with others in the AB/DL community and fledgling furry fandom to find others who shared interests in imagining oneself as a baby furry critter and role playing as such.

Enough of us got to know one another over the next year or two and we stopped being “Furry Babies” and coined the term “Babyfurs.”

So long story short, I didn’t come to the Babyfur Community. I was one of those early furry babies who helped BUILD the Babyfur Community.

Are you more babyfur, diaperfur, or something else?
Hmm…good question. As I’ve seen it done by others I think I’m 60% Babyfur, 25% KidFur, and 15% DiaperFur, cuz, well sometimes wearing diapers isn’t so innocent. *blushes*

What are your favorite little space or babyfur-related activities and things?
Cuddling or playing dress-up with my plushies, playing kids board games with friends, building Lego models then playing with them, stacking blocks in towers, coloring with crayons in coloring books, cuddling up in a warm sleeper watching cartoons / animated movies, diaper changes, drinking from bottles and sippy cups, eating kid style meals and treats that can be eaten with fingers.

This was a pretty fun Meme. Why don’t you give it a try?

PS…Babyfurs are a Community…within a Fandom. We’re not an independent fandom. The nomenclature is important.

The time honored tradition of scouring the internet for photographic proof that a fursuit was at a convention has now begun.

Won't you join me?

I'm looking for photos, or videos, of me in my newly acquired Bobcat suit that I re-debuted at AC this year.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/23980680/

*chuckles* I actually got asked to leave the Fursuits by Lacy photoshoot because the style has changed and doesn't match the refined style that Lacy has now. We'll see if he "shops" me out of the photo anyway.

Anyway, thanks for your help

Well, another Anthrocon has come and is ebbing as the hours pass and attendees flood out of the area hotels on their way home.

What!? Yeah I was there. I'm one of those freaks who never leave. Every day I walk passed the Westin and DLCC and think of the memories I had and the memories I look forward to making. Yeah, I'm a local.

AC started off slow enough, but after the Fursuits by Lacy photoshoot and a ride around the public squared and gathering places in Downtown Pittsburgh in suit, on a Segway, the weekend started to progress at light speed.

I am most thankful for two good evenings out under the night sky for the Astronofurs Star Parties. I plan two, just in case we have poor weather on one of the nights during the convention, and that means it's on the schedule twice, so I have to run it twice if the skies allow. So from 7pm to Midnight'ish, I spent the con on the roof of the DLCC.

So by the numbers...
10 hours of Solar/Stellar Astronomy,
5 hours of running games and other panels,
4.5 hours of fursuiting,
4 hours of running home to take care of the dogs and have dinner,
2 hours wrangling the GOH,
1 hour attending a panel,
.5 hours in the Dealer's Room/Artist's Alley.

I spent, over the course of the con, maybe $20 total for breakfasts Friday thru Sunday and a Jimmy John's sandwich for Lunch on Sunday.

Silaria did get me a cute Kitsune t-shirt and a Mary Mousee Team Mystic badge, and Javi gifted me a PawPatrol sticker from Paco Panda.

Once again, with the exception of running into several friends over the course of the con, the Babyfur aspect of my 'sona was not engaged.

I noticed that I made it in the Channel 2 news footage for the Fursuit Parade on Saturday. So glad I'm not opposed to mugging for a camera. *grins*

All in all a good con. Not a great one mind you. Anthrocon rarely is anymore as it's a "commuter" and "working" convention for me.

Hope you had a great con however, if you went, and a safe trip home.

*Hugs*

Swifty

 tomoyuki

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/23325110/

Check it out!

Hi hi!

I'm looking for artists, or suggestions of an artist, to do a single character, female, Pin-up style, with a mild fetish content as a V-Day gift.

Any help would be appreciated. Feel free to leave a reply below or PM me.

Thanks!

Swift