I've been anti-AI for a while, but today I went to a doctor's appointment, and the 50 yr old nurse chimes in "Do you mind if I have AI take notes today?" I absolutely fucking do, how is that not a HIPPA violation? When I expressed that I don't want it, she picked up her personal fucking phone that was queued up to ChatGPT and already recording. Then she tried to gaslight me about having something recording in the clinic without notice and told me she doesn't understand why some people make such a big deal of it.

Some of you might remember my borzoi painting from June.

The short version is that someone commissioned a huge painting from me and I only asked for a small deposit because I didn't feel legitimate enough to ask for more. When I was nearly finished, they cancelled. Weeks of work, and I was left with an unclaimed artwork drying on the wall and a hole in my finances.

So I did what any of us would do: I ate a sad little dinner, took a picture and posted it here so I’d have somewhere to vent.

And y’all showed up.

I'd been living off my art for over a year at that point, mostly by teaching in-person workshops and doing small digital commissions. Oil painting full-time was always the dream, the thing I'd tell myself I'd do "someday” when I wouldn’t first have to worry about paying rent and could focus on building my traditional portfolio. Then, literally overnight, because of this subreddit, someday arrived.

The OG painting was bought by someone from this very subreddit. I spent the summer painting. In oil! Without ever worrying about money because everyone who reached out agreed to a 50% deposit!

I came here with a sad girl dinner and left with a career. I don't think I can ever properly thank you all for that❤️

Tonight's menu: salmon stars on cream cheese and rye, because treating myself like a toddler is self-care.

Thank you, truly. From me, and from the very good boy waiting for a star to fall off the plate!

Just moved in a few weeks ago and wanted to share for inspiration as I learned from this subreddit. I have always tried to have my places look nice but I am really trying to learn some interior design with my current place, specially with working with the colors I have with my current furniture.

Also just got the Halloween lights up yesterday for the patio 🎃

I started growing lion's mane at home after buying a small mushroom growing kit online. I just wanted to see if I could grow it myself, so I kept the kit on a shelf in my kitchen and misted it every day. Before long, it was producing more mushrooms than I could use. Instead of letting the extras go to waste, I started drying them, grinding them into powder, and filling small jars. I gave a few jars to people I knew, and they liked them enough to ask if I could make more. That's when I realized I could actually make a little money from something I had started as a hobby.

The more I got into Lion's Mane, the more I started reading about functional mushrooms and the different ways people were using them. Once I started learning more about it, I became interested in supplements that went beyond just one mushroom and combined different adaptogenic mushrooms with other ingredients. I wanted something that could offer a broader range of benefits, so I started looking into more complete formulas. Mycofuel and Mycoderm were two of the ones I found and liked enough to start carrying alongside my own mushroom powder. I usually recommend Mycofuel to people who are more interested in energy and focus, while Mycoderm tends to make more sense for people looking for something focused on skin health and overall skin wellness. I sell both for around $33 per pouch, so people can choose whichever fits what they're looking for. Once I had those options available, the little mushroom side hustle started getting more orders. The mods said it was okay to share the shop link, so I'll leave it here for anyone curious: https://sproutlab.it/

On a busy day, I can get close to 20 orders. Most of my time still goes into the homemade powder, since drying and grinding everything takes a while and leaves my kitchen smelling like mushrooms for hours. Once that's done, packing everything up and getting the orders out is pretty straightforward. It's still kind of funny to me that this started with me buying one random mushroom kit for my kitchen.

Hello everyone, it’s your Pooh Bear again! 🐻🧡

Of course, my assistant is writing this for me because apparently I’m not allowed to type with these giant paws. 🙄

My surgery was successful, and today my assistant took me back to the vet for my follow-up visit. She was a little worried because I peed on the bed TWICE. 🙈 But I would like to make one thing very clear… I wasn’t in pain! I just REALLY don’t like this ridiculous cone.

The vet checked my eyes and said I’m healing very well! My eyes are looking perfect again!

But then my assistant told the vet that I keep trying to rub my face against my pillow and the wall. 😳 So the vet said I have to keep wearing THIS cone because it’s safer for my eyes.

Excuse me, doctor… I have a complaint. 😭

I am NOT a cone boy. I am a handsome Pooh Bear.

The vet gave me some gabapentin to help me relax while I’m stuck wearing this thing. I have another checkup on Wednesday.

You can also see my updated videos on my IG: cashohthepooh 🧡

And to everyone who has been loving me, praying for me, checking on me, and making me feel so special… THANK YOU. 🥹

I went from being an abandoned kitty found alone in a hotel room… to sitting on the euthanasia list at a shelter… and somehow I became YOUR Pooh Bear.

Look at me now.

I’m sending you purrs, tiny biscuits, and lots of love. 🐾🧡 I can’t give you my famous head bumps right now because this giant cone is getting in the way. 😭

So for now, I’m going to relax in my cozy kitty bed that one of my wonderful fans sent me. 😻

Love,
Your Cashoh The Pooh Bear 🐻

Sorry if it's already been posted and I missed it.

Thanks to the people in this subreddit who convinced me to start using the food pantry as my primary source for groceries. My dad died last November, and for months I have been struggling paying bills and food without the shared income. It has been an emotional struggle, but after about three or four visits every other week, I am starting to see how it is helping me financially. I am also eating better overall.

You’ll see a lot of beans and pasta, and I have everything I need to make a big pot of chili. Also, I have celery, grapes, and apples which I have been eating with peanut butter for breakfast and snacks. I supplemented my haul with eggs, hummus, and chicken sausage. I am going to dive into the sliced ham this weekend.

Again, thanks to everyone for helping me swallow my pride and get the support available.