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Finally! The Stringtown Rising Farm helipad is under construction! Champagne for everyone! I’ve ordered a gold-plated helicopter! And a cute pilot! No more driving on that rocky road for me!
Lately, I’ve noted a disturbance in the force. A comment here, a comment there, an email and then another email and then some more, all on the same theme. And so today I am interrupting your regularly scheduled cooking with real fat, decorating with free stuff, digging in the woods, and barnyard antics to address the topic as best as I can because I want you to know that I hear you and that I take your concerns to heart.
The comments and emails I’ve been receiving all come down to this one oft-repeated phrase:
Please don’t change.
I want to reassure you, if you’re one of those who have left a comment along these lines or emailed me about it or just thought about it without saying anything directly to me, that I’m not going to change. This website is and always will be about living frugally, celebrating simplicity, and discovering the beauty in the everyday. I mean, who else is going to tell you to put weeds in pots on your porch? I’m here for you. I’m not going to start flying around the world on book tours, install an elevator to get up and down my driveway in the winter, construct a state-of-the-art two-million dollar milking parlor, hire hands to feed the goats and chickens, or build a guest house for visitors and media representatives to enjoy Stringtown Rising Farm. I’m also not going to start posting gourmet recipes or expensive shopping suggestions. (I don’t have time to shop. I have a cow.)
Rather, I’m going to keep on conjuring up ridiculous stories about chickens, taking pornographic photos of goats, and painting salvaged spool tables.
I don’t have a million readers–or dollars.
Some of the concerns I’ve been hearing were brought on by my recent switch to representation by Federated Media. I’m thrilled that Federated Media wanted to bring my site into their fold, and also amazed. I mean, seriously, think about it. Do you really think the makers of products like Hamburger Helper want to advertise on my site? I’m not exactly an advertiser’s dream. However, Federated Media assured me that they had advertisers who were looking for authenticity, not product-pushers.
I run advertising on my website because I’m a professional writer trying to make a living writing this blog. Writing is what I do for a living. I also write a couple columns and other things, and I have a secret writing project in the works, too. I devote full-time to this website, outside of several hours a day spent in various farm-related tasks not to mention running children around, and I couldn’t spend the amount of time I spend on this website if I wasn’t also trying to earn money with it. (I can make a lot of stuff from scratch, but sometimes you actually need cash. You know, to pay bills. Like the hosting fees for this website, which alone run several hundred dollars a month. And if you try to make cash from scratch, they arrest you.)
I used to write books. In order to read my work, readers had to pay for it. Writing this website allows me to give away my writing for free to my readers with the support for the writing coming from advertising. I see this as a win-win for me and readers both. After all, I’m all about frugal–I don’t want you to have to pay to read my work. But as a professional writer, the money has to come from somewhere. Thus, advertising. (If you block advertising, please reconsider. I know you think you are the only one, but you’re not, and blocking advertising hampers writers from providing their creative material for free to readers, so you are hurting not just me but your fellow readers. Okay, enough said. Thank you for your consideration.)
There’s more to this website than appears–it’s a vast mountain of posts and pages and templates and plugins that require frequent professional technical attention, and there’s also a busy cooking community here now and an active forum. I couldn’t do it alone, and there is a fantastic group of volunteers here who help me with it. I would very much like to compensate these people, but I can’t yet. I hope I will be able to do so sometime before I wear them out.
I may write some sponsored posts in association with some campaigns through Federated Media, and I want to take this opportunity to explain how that works. I will not be pushing products. What I will be asked to do, upon occasion, is write a post in line with some theme centering around an advertiser’s campaign. You can see what a post like that would look like here.
Yes, I just sent you to one of my regular posts.
Because that’s what a post like that will look like other than saying at the end: This post was sponsored by XXX.
Say my post about Mary the Operator was a sponsored post for Verizon. IT’S NOT. THIS IS A MADE UP EXAMPLE. Say Verizon wanted to find some bloggers who would write a post on their blog about how much fun the telephone is. (Again, I’m making this up!) Verizon would ask me to write a fun post about something telephone-related while they were running ads on my site and in return they would pay me a ridiculous extra sum for adding the “Sponsored by Verizon” bit at the end of it. (Verizon is actually running ads on my site right now, but again, this example is made up.) Notice the post itself would make no mention of Verizon or push Verizon’s services, it would simply be a post relating to the topic of using the telephone. If that post about Mary the Operator had been sponsored by Verizon, I would have written it exactly the same way. In fact, why wasn’t that post sponsored by Verizon? (Verizon? Verizon!)
If I could get an advertiser to sponsor every post I write, I would happily do so. (I am not rich! In fact, I’m poor. Which is okay, but I do have to pay my bills, so I’m a workin’ girl here.) But I will never write a post for an advertiser that compromises my principles. (And I have turned down such offers already. It will be a miracle if I ever get an advertiser to sponsor a post here!)
The bottom line is–I’m really not that big and I really don’t have any money. What I do have is an undying commitment to the simple life, and to sharing ideas and tips and nonsensical barnyard tales with you. That has always been my promise to you as my readers and friends, and I hope you understand in return that I also need to find a way to pay my bills with my writing. There was a time that I was so hard up, I had a donation button on my site. Many of you kept this site going through some really bleak months for me financially. I promised I would take the donation button down as soon as I was able to support the site myself, and I took the button down last summer. This site is still here because of your support, and serving you is foremost in my mind every day when I sit down at my laptop to write the next day’s post with the goal of entertaining, inspiring, informing, or just giving you a laugh while you’re drinking your coffee.
So please don’t worry. I’m not changin’.
I will not forget who took me here–it was you.
P.S. I don’t really have a helipad. Or any champagne. (Or a helicopter or a pilot.) However, the chore boots and shovel in the photograph are very real.
P.P.S. I also wasn’t wearing any pants and there was a puppy chewing on my knee.
Just, well….. Keepin’ it real. I promise.
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Heart warming, funny & down to earth. Got to have more pictures of “52″ though!
Mrs. Turkey
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What’s so bad about getting some $$$ for it?
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Do what you have to do, Suzanne, we ALL know how hard it is to have money just for the bills…that’s a main part of what brought many of us to you
Just keep it simple with some fluffy butts and I’ll be more than happy!
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P.S. I am intrigued by this super secret project! Is there an ETA?
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So you get all the sponsers you can and you earn money to make your life and your family’s life better. I for one, and I know I’m not alone, wish you all the best in every endeavor you put your hand to.
Life isn’t always a walk in the park but, thanks to you, at least we can walk outside the park and have a good time doing it!
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You are far from poor. Poor being having nothing and no one. You are very rich with people who love you, many you know and most you don’t know. Your honesty, wit, wisdom (yes wisdom) and love of life and others are the things that many people lack. When looking for friends I look for people like you, not those that live like money is what is important in life.
I read many blogs that have advertisers. All are just like yours, down home, real and all of the writers are people who give…give and give some more to enrich each reader in some way. Keep writing and enjoying life and don’t worry about the need to advertise.
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You just keep on doing what you do, I for one wouldn’t be offended if you DID mention specific things in your writing because I trust your integrity when it comes to what you do. I can count on one hand the few products you have mentioned and those because they were integral to making cheese, milking etc.
And exactly who sponsored you with that post about the FREE APPLES the market stand guy gave you because they were culls and the FREE donkey, and what about the FREE labor those chickens are doing in the flower bed… oh yeah, never mind on that one.
You just keep doing what you do Suzanne, we’re here because we love it.
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Plus, all the cheese, and clotted cream, mixes and country decorations you do. And then teaching us about it all. You truely inspire me…I just wish I had half your energy! My goodness Suzanne, some days I think there are three or four of you there!
We all love you as you are. I, for one, appreciate all that you do for us. (I know there are hundreds of others who appreciate you like I do)
You just keep doing what you need to do to stay here with us…cause Heaven forbid we lose you!
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I have become kind of a country girl myself. Not quite to the point of getting cows or chickens. But living frugally all the same. I got excited I got my dd some summer tops and a pair of shorts she wanted for 5.00. Found nice ones at the flea market today. And they were not old and raggy looking either. They were like new. But you know teens are like babies. They sometimes get something wear it a few times and they are tired of it. So cheep clothing. No one will ever know the diffrence. lol. And because of your blog I am going to can this summer, and I pick the pretty weeds from my yard and put them in vases. And I always loved free stuff. So keep on doing what you do. See you tomarrow.
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Frankly, I’m one who likes your writing no matter what you write about (I loved your recap of your former trip to England posts and especially loved your Nora Roberts post), but then I read you more for your humor than for the actual “how to” stuff (city girl raising her hand).
At any rate, do whatever you have to do. I’ve been reading you for years and would continue to do so (hmm, that helipad thing sounded interesting).
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I love you and this site!!!
you do what ever you have to do in order to pay the bills. Your site inspires me on a daily basis, and feels like a big family, I love to read about your kids! all the animals, and what your up too! Heli Pad would be kind of fun don’t you think? 
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Just keep on doin’ what your are doin’ because you are doin’ very good.
LaVonna
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Now the question I am dying to ask – if you aren’t wearing pants – what the heck were you wearing to get the pic’? I don’t imagine that was a dress – so I am guessing bathrobe? PJs? And if that is the case then I am in good company because my neighbors know my entire wardrobe of nightly wear due to the fact I go outside every morning to retrieve our newspaper dressed in them!
The puppy is so cute!
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I don’t think people realize how expensive the “simple life” can be. We spend well over $100 a month on animal feed for our goats, rabbits, chickens and ducks. Sure, we get to eat organic meat, eggs, and milk; but it would actually be cheaper to buy those products at the grocery store! There’s also extra expenses in gas and time when you have to drive 30 miles to a store.
However, the benefits of raising your own food and living in the country go far beyond the costs. The peace of mind, sense of well being and accomplishment and lowered stress make it worth it to me every day.
I’m glad you’ve found a way to fund your lifestyle through advertisers. You being available to your children is a huge benefit. (Seems teens need mom more than toddlers do!) I have to admit I don’t pay much attention to the advertising since I don’t buy all that much……..but I hope someone does so you get all the support you need.
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I too, unblocked the advertising on your site only. I didn’t know!
Whatever you need to do, or wherever this path leads you, Suzanne, I will be there. We all love you and know that you must make a living. I don’t begrudge you that and in fact, am glad to see advertising on your site because I know that means you are being successful and making a little money.
Don’t worry, lovely…..you are the best. ((((((hug))))))
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Glad to be able to read blogs again.
And congrats! If you can make money doing what you enjoy, more power to you!
Have a Happy Memorial Day and a great week!
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David
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Thoughts:
*I would stand in line to have you sign a book if you were on a book tour.
*The farm animals might enjoy riding on the elevator.
*Beulah Petunia might be overwhelmed by a fancy milking parlor, but if it was big enough it might keep Jack from eating her food first.
*Hired hands feeding animals sounds like a good idea to me. If they were hunks you could post photos and word would get around. There might be a calendar to sell on the book tour.
*The guest house would be interesting, but not original. The idea of a crooked house where people might wonder if they would ever return from it may be a selling point though.
*Posting gourmet recipes? Anyone can post them, but you post recipes for laundry detergent(which I think works great). If you need that extra push for the website, maybe you can refer to it as Gourmet Laundry Detergent!
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At least the donation button.
I get so much out of your website it would be only fair to donate every once in a while something.
Please reconsider.
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good luck,
glenda
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