It’s time for a post I must put up every couple of months. I wish I didn’t have to, but I do. It’s time for blog support. It’s all voluntary, and no help is too small.

This morning, I received a heartwarming message from long-time Blog Reader Melissa in Missouri. It was a gentle reminder of our blog content’s value in your lives. While everything you love about the blog is free, I can remember it’s not cost-free. Your engagement and appreciation for our content are the true treasures of my blog, and your feedback plays a crucial role in shaping the content you want and appreciate.

“A wise person reminds us to count our blessings—reading your blogs and seeing your picks are among my blessings, Melissa in Missouri:” I get a lot of messages like that; they touch me deeply. Thank you for sending them.

It is not Melissa’s fault; that’s the way I want it, but every couple of months, I need to ask for blog support for:

The columns essays and writing in the blog.

the photos on the blog

the videos on the blog

the cat on the blog

The computer programs that make my pictures possible

 

The computer then runs and stores my work and photos.

The computer programs that help me edit my pictures

the cameras and memory chips and batteries that run my cameras,

and the cameras that take the pictures

the digs and donkeys on the blog

The iPhones that take many of the pictures

The dog food and hay feed the animals.

The barn where the animals sleep and live

the time I spent helping and working with the Cambridge Food Pantry,

the refugees and older citizens

The pastures that need to be brush-hogged every year

The excellent life I write about

the spiritual life

 

the meaningful life I

The right to be happy.

the special moments in videos

The stories and pictures of the animals here, our Peaceable Kingdom.

The many things I have learned about the spiritual life

The things I have learned about aging

the repairs to the farmhouse,

the cost of the firewood

The meditation videos I’m posting.

the free delivery of my blog to your home

The software is not free to me.

Whew, it’s scary but uplifting. It makes me gasp. It’s my life.

For a week or so, I thought of going on Substack, as so many other writers have, but I couldn’t stomach charging anyone for my writing. I just can’t do it. I canceled the substack post I was writing and my account.

I can remind my very faithful and wonderful readers that I need occasional support to publish the blog in the different ways I do since none of it is free to me. Without your support, I can’t do the photos of the words, thoughts, or videos.

When I left publishing, I gave up extensive checks and royalties; my income is just not big enough to support all this on my own. I depend on you to whatever degree is comfortable for you, big or small.

My costs are also rising, just like yours. Please help if you can.

I don’t believe in charging for the blog, but I do believe in being paid something for my work by people who can afford it so that the people who can’t will never have to pay to see it. Many people like Melissa tell me it means a lot to them, and this makes me very happy. The blog is now entirely focused on light, color, safety, and calm (and beauty, too).

 

It’s a little frightening to read about all the things that aren’t free and that I have to pay for. Sometimes, every month requires something or a sacrifice, something that is true for so many Americans.

But they are not working to make and keep their work accessible.

Many people care about my blog, and I also care about it. I appreciate the regular support I am getting (it’s simple to set up monthly payments in tiny amounts). If you find value in the blog, the pictures, and the writing, please consider supporting it—blessings to you.

Please consider supporting my work and the farm. As the support blog link details, there are several easy ways to contribute.

The simplest is via PayPal, [email protected], Venmo, Jon Katz@Jon-Katz-13, or by check, Jon Katz, Blog Support,  P.O.Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. The blog support page explains.

I’m sorry to ask for money and support, but we are all flooded with requests for money these days. We have to make our own choices.

Please do what you can; I understand when and if you can’t. The blog will always be free, and people will always be welcome here, payment or not.

Thank you.