It’s been a few months since I asked for blog support, and my bank account says it’s time. I’ve been fund-raising for the Albany refugees and the Mansion residents, but I am reminded every once in a while that I need to do the same thing for me.

My bank account inspires me.

The blog is the soul of this operation; it is the vehicle we have been doing good – small acts of great kindness – for four years now. It needs loving care.

This autumn, I also veered off a bit to write about the political turmoil roiling the country. That took a lot of time and some money – I am big into research. I hope it was helpful, and I plan to continue writing on a smaller scale, assuming things settle down.

The blog and my photography are both expensive to maintain, although all are free and will always be free. I’ve found my calling, purpose on the earth, no more book advances or royalty checks.

I see my posts and photos as angels send out into the universe to spread meaning and joy. I’ve written nearly 30,000 posts since I began the blog in May of 2007. It was just a few years ago that I realized that I needed to be paid for my work if I was to survive.

I still do.

The blog is my creative center and the focal point of our good work. It is my life, a living memoir, and a device for helping people survive tense times.  I write just about every day, usually more than once, and every post has a photo. Photography ain’t cheap either.

If you can help support the blog, I’d be grateful; I am very proud of the fact that no one at the Mansion has gotten sick with the virus (we helped with our $3,000 disinfectant fogger system), and no child or family at Bishop Maginn has gone hungry.

That may well be my greatest accomplishment ever, thanks to you. It wasn’t easy and still isn’t. Writing about politics pulled me back into a world that is hostile and discouraging at times.

I’m glad I did it, but it was sure draining. Politics is a cesspool in America right now.

There are several ways to support the blog. One is via Paypal, [email protected], in any comfortable amount.

Another is through the support of the blog button at the bottom of every post. Most major credit cards are excepted. You can also support the blog every month – $5, $10, or $75 per year.

One-time donations are certainly welcome.

None of your personal financial information is stored on my blog or the servers I use. You have your own account if you wish; I have no access to it.

I will be honest, I do use a lot of my own money for this work, sometimes time is essential, and besides, I don’t like to ask anyone to do anything I don’t do myself. Sometimes I can’t resist jumping in.

If you are not comfortable donating online, you can do so by check: Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y.,12816 You can mark it Blog Support, or Mansion/Refugee Work, up to you. I will honor your preferences., as always

As you all know, this has been a demanding, challenging year for all of us.

Thanks for helping me get through it so successfully. I am proud that we honored our commitments. A victory for the good.

This is also a tough time of year for many of the people we have been helping – winter clothes and special meals for the Mansion, clothes, school supplies, and safety equipment for Bishop Maginn High School.

I am very conscious of cost and practicality; we stay small and focused. This year was intense and will be for a couple of months. Your support is much appreciated.

Donations also help me maintain the blog,  do my photography, feed these wonderful animals. I don’t bookmark or copyright anything on the blog; you are welcome to use my photos or words in any way you wish. Information wants to be free.

Thanks for listening.