Happy Anniversary!

For better or for worse, I had lift-off...

(AI-generated photo)

Three years ago today, on a cold and crisp Sunday morning, I punched a button to post my very first 5 a.m. Story. A couple of hours later, I posted a second one.

For better or for worse, I had lift-off.

I figured my stories, which I had spent two full years writing and editing before even publishing the first one, would probably just sit there gathering cobwebs until Substack sent some goons around to make an example of me.

That was 2023. Since then, much has happened. I have just passed 175,000 page views, I have readers in 45 states and 31 countries, and Substack just told me I have now published 157 weeks in a row.

Those page view numbers aren’t going to keep Heather Cox Richardson awake at night worrying that I’m overtaking her, but I’m very happy where I am, which is way ahead of anything I ever dreamed of.

Meanwhile, nearly two years ago I put up a subscription pay wall — $5 a month — and promised to donate my profits to charitable organizations in the areas of animal welfare and the environment.

We’re now up to $8,000.00 in contributions. I am so very proud of my readers for that. They have made a difference, at a time in our history when making a difference is everything.

Happy anniversary to me. If you live in Indy, come on by the home office for some celebratory cake and ice cream.

The photo atop this message shows me celebrating with Molly, our wonderful rescued Old English Sheepdog, who arrived at our house the same week as my 5 a.m. Stories were launched.

That, my friends, is what I call a very good week. An outstanding week.

I guess this is a good time for me to encourage you to move on up to a paid subscription if you haven’t done that already. You get a brand-new story every Sunday, a Throwback Thursday rerun most weeks, and full access to my priceless archive of more than 170 stories.

Plus, you get to leave your own snarky comments on as many of my stories as you like. I love comments, even rude ones.

All you need to do is punch the red SUBSCRIBE NOW button, and you may cancel anytime you like.

(5 a.m. Stories subscribers get through TSA checks 50 percent faster than other folks)