“I love these pictures, Jon. They bring back the warm sunny days and give hope.” – Laurie.

“I rarely write and never comment on your blog. But your photos are EXCEPTIONAL and always have been. I wish you and yours the very best. Thank you. You are a bright light in sometimes dark spaces on this planet. You give me hope for humanity. Keep on keeping on…”  – Catherine.

I’m getting many messages like these as we approach the end of the dark days and the beginning of the cold ones. This gives me hope, also, and affirms my self of self and meaning. Thanks.

This week is about celebrating giving and working to be my best self. I have a good ways to go. Thanks for the message, Laurie. I’m praying for a kindler, gentler country.

I’m also asking for blog support.

Money is tight these days, but I can’t help but need to remind people that the blog is expensive to maintain, as are my garden beds, and the photos are expensive to take, store and edit. It depends on your support.

When I gave up on book publishing, I gave up on royalty checks, advances, and expense accounts.

I was reluctant for years to ask for financial support for the blog; I’m over it. Getting paid for one’s work is very important.

If anyone has some money to spare, I’m making my bi-monthly requests for blog support. If the blog has meaning and ideas, and images that interest you, please consider donations to keep the blog going. I like to think it makes people think once in a while, and in our country right now, this is precious to me.

You can support the blog in different ways here, or you can do so by Paypal, [email protected] or by Venmo, Jon-Katz@Jon-Katz or by check, Jon Katz, Blog Support, P.O.  Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Other forms of blog support here.

Thanks, giving is wonderful; receiving isn’t bad, either. I’ll be in touch all week, doing my Christmas Cards daily and my therapy flowers. And hoping everyone has a meaningful holiday.

Thanks, Laurie and Catherine, you help keep me going also.