We’ve officially made it past the halfway mark of 2025, and I’ve got some fun news to share: this blog has already outpaced last year’s views and readership by a wide margin. I’m stunned that so many of you have found my oddball fascinations worth a click! Still, in the spirit of a good, old-fashioned pledge drive, I figured it was time for a quick update on your generous support. We can address the tote bags later.

You and I clearly share some wonderfully niche interests. Whether it’s old schoolhouses, historic courthouses, flowing wells, forgotten road alignments, or whatever else I write about, I rarely meet someone in person who’s into the same odd corners of history and infrastructure I am. That makes our connection here all the more meaningful, and it’s why it’s so cool when you take the time to like, share, or comment on a post. Engagement like that is one of the most validating parts of what I do.

Every now and then, someone reaches out to ask how they can support this blog a little more. If commenting or messaging me isn’t enough, the easiest way is by clicking the “Buy me a coffee” button at the end of each post. It’ll take you to Ko-Fi, a free and secure platform where you can leave a $3 tip.

I can cover the cost of this blog, but I remember when I couldn’t. Back then, I felt I had three options: run ads, start a Patreon, or put my ramblings behind a paywall. None were appealing. Then I discovered Ko-Fi. The metaphor is coffee, but your $3 helps me fund hosting costs and the subscription services I use for research. Since I started, you’ve outfitted me with 244 cups of coffee! That’s more than $700. A hundred of them came in 2025 alone. I’m deeply honored.

I’ve avoided it so far, but I may be forced to pull the trigger on a WordPress business account this year. It would triple my annual payment, but I’m running out of storage space for my photos. Fortunately, this year’s coffees would cover it! My blog continues to grow organically, but the next tier could also help me reach a bigger audience, give me better spam management tools, and provide some other real benefits. 

No matter what I decide, I’m truly grateful for your time, your curiosity, and your support. Whether or not you ever “buy me a coffee,” just knowing you’re out there reading, exploring, and engaging with these strange corners of history means a lot. It’s a real joy to share these obscure stories and passions with you, and it’s even more rewarding to know we’re uncovering them together. 

Thank you for being part of my adventure! A big shoutout goes to Ko-Fi, too, for making it so easy for bloggers like me to keep the lights on and the stories flowing.