The end of March is nigh, my friends, and I am ready. So ready. Things can only get warmer, and sunnier, and better now. Maybe that’s a Pollyanna’s view of life. But the approach of spring makes me feel like Pollyanna. Glad. Optimistic. Sunny. Happy. Energized.
So, besides the approach of spring, let’s review the state of things here on the river, shall we? Let’s play Pollyanna’s glad game.
Hot cross buns have been found, my friends. Found and enjoyed. I’m glad that I mentioned them in my last post because I received several suggestions as to where I might find them. And one of those bakeries was on my way home earlier this week, and so I now have hot cross buns galore. What could be better than an afternoon read, a cup of tea, and a toasted hot cross bun, or two, slathered in butter?
I’ll tell you what could be better. Me learning the limitations of my own digestive system. Ha. Too many hot cross buns in too short a time when one has been gluten-free for a while are, well, not good. When Hubby walked into the sun room yesterday, where I lolled, groaning on the sofa, book tossed aside, tell tale hot cross bun crumbs on a plate, he simply rolled his eyes and wondered aloud when I would ever learn. “Okay, okay,” I groaned, “I’ve learned my lesson now.” “That’s what you said two years ago about the toasted marshmallows on our camping trip,” he reminded me. Too true, my friends, too true. Still, they were delicious hot cross buns. And I’m glad that I froze most of them, and now can ration them out. One every few days means I will appreciate them even more, don’t you think?
I finished my art classes a couple of weeks ago. I’m very glad I signed up for Kate’s painting classes. She is a gifted teacher. Patient, thorough, good humoured, and knowledgeable.
I was a bit worried back in early February that I might not make it to my first class. We had had a big dump of snow, and it was still coming down sideways. Hubby had to snow-blow me out of the driveway. See the state of him, above, after his efforts. It’s hard, I guess, to keep double layered balaclavas aligned. Ha.
So here’s the state of things between me and art.
The classes were fun. And convivial. And interesting. But as much as I had fun, met lovely people, and learned a lot, alas, I will never a painter be. I saw that very early on. I persevered. But it was hard at times to keep my perfectionism under control. I learned a lot about tones, and shadows, and colour. And how to “see” things. But the mixing of colours simply defeated me. Boy, I really sucked at that. Not because I couldn’t see what I was doing wrong, what two colours would make the one I wanted. But because I didn’t have the patience to dab minute bits of one colour into another colour to get the exact shade I needed. Instead I just wanted to dab and slap vigorously. I wanted to get on with things.
It reminded me of the time my dentist said I should not brush my teeth so vigorously. I hadn’t, up to then, thought of myself as a vigorous kind of person. Anyway, painting class was a good lesson for me, to slow down, stop rushing, stop talking, and just focus.
So, yeah. I’m glad I went. It’s never too late to learn something new. Including patience. But I also realized that painting is not the hobby for me. So that’s good too. I still love art. I intend to keep on with drawing. That I do love.
I find myself taking photos, lately, of things I might draw later. Like the lines of shorn crops in the fields, above. Or the telephone poles marching up and over the hill, below.
The state of things in my wardrobe is holding. It’s too early to turn my closet, so I’m still working on wearing my winter clothes as if it were spring. Like adding a spring coat over a cashmere sweater. The photo, below, of a Barbour spring coat from Net-a-porter inspired me this week.
On an outing, I wore my navy Moncler spring coat with the hood and silver hardware, Levi’s straight-leg jeans, my beige Max Mara sweater that I bought in January in Montreal, my old chocolate brown, high-heeled suede Prada boots, and my new chocolate brown Jacquemus tote that I also bought in Montreal in January. I loved the feel of the super casual Levi’s with the sporty coat and the dressy-ish boots.
I always used to love wearing heels with jeans. And it’s been a long time since I’ve done so. Mind you, the heels on my Prada boots, at two inches, are not very high. Still, there was something about marching around in my jeans and high-ish heels that felt wonderful. Empowering, even. Is this because I am fast approaching my seventieth birthday, do you think? Maybe.
I’m glad I dug those old boots out of my storage closet last year. Glad I’m getting so much wear out of them. And glad I can still march around in heels. Ha.
The state of things in our little village is looking up. Last week my friend Nancy and I visited the newest cafe in Manotick for lunch. Encanto Cafe brings Columbian culture, colour, and warmth to our little village. Not to mention the food and coffee are delicious. I’ve been several times. I’m always glad to meet new people, especially when they are as welcoming and friendly as the family who owns Encanto. If you’re in our village check them out. That’s Nancy’s coat on the chair in the photo below. Nice Easter colours, yellow and pink, eh? And if Easter is on the horizon, can spring be far behind?
Spring means taxes, of course. And in preparing all my information for income tax season, I came to the conclusion that I need to make some changes to the blog. I’ve been tossing ideas around for a while. But the fact that last year I was several hundred dollars out of pocket brought it all to a head. Since I monetized my blog, my income from affiliate links, and lately the donations from the Buy Me a Coffee ap, have always covered my expenses.
Expenses have gone up, but not by that much. Paying for hosting and the software that runs the blog is about half of my cost. The other half is the cost of sending emails out to subscribers. One I can’t do without, and the other I choose not to do without. I could move over to Substack, which is free, but I’m not ready to give up my own site just yet.
So here’s the state of things at the moment.
Until this past year I’ve always broken even, and some years made a small profit. That’s changed in the past year or two, mostly because of choices I have made. My changing ideas of what I want to write about and my desire to shop less has meant that I post fewer and fewer shopping links. I’ve been considering stopping with affiliate links altogether. To encourage shopping seems to run counter to my philosophy of slow fashion. And now because of the closing of the affiliate collective to which I belong, there will be no more affiliate links for clothing. And I’m okay with that. The choice has been made for me, in a way.
That’s not to say that other affiliate programs have not reached out to me. They have. But I’ve not been contacted by many whose brand even remotely interests me. Or whose products I could in good conscience recommend. For instance, I was approached by Temu last week to become a brand ambassador for their products. Usually I politely decline. To that one I didn’t even bother.
I’ve also been feeling a bit queasy about using Amazon affiliate links. One reader asked me about that a few weeks ago. I have tried to find another book related affiliate scheme. I applied, ages ago, to the affiliate programs of two large book stores, one here in Canada, and I have not heard back.
So perhaps I should just go cold turkey. No affiliate links at all. That way I won’t feel guilty about promoting consumerism, or sending people to brands or companies I wouldn’t support with my own money. But that means I will need to increase my income from Buy Me a Coffee to break even.
Here’s what I’ve been thinking. I’m looking at offering voluntary “memberships” to the blog through Buy Me a Coffee. Where readers can sign up to pay for a coffee on a regular basis, or to even buy a year’s worth of coffee if they want, or not buy any coffee at all. I will not gate keep my posts. There will be no paywalls. I do not want to have several levels of posts like other subscription sites, some for free, others at a cost, etc etc. That seems just too complicated. And not fun.
And I started the blog for fun. To be able to write what I want, when I want. To reach out to people who have similar interests to me. I know there are some of you who really would prefer me to write about books all the time. Or fashion. Or travel. But, truth be told, I don’t think I could sustain a blog that slotted neatly into only one niche. That’s not who I am.
I keep thinking of the conversation around the table last week at our ladies hockey breakfast. We moved from books, to how much we love Jones Road Miracle Balm, to politics, to travel, and back to Miracle Balm. Now that’s a conversation that suits me down to the ground. And that’s the way I want to run High Heels in the Wilderness. The magpie approach. Ha.
I am very glad I started this blog back in 2014. I’m very glad to have met so many lovely people through all your comments. I’ve even met some of you in real life. That was very cool. And because you are such an important part of this enterprise, I want to know what you think.
So, let me know in the comments what you think of my new direction. Is there any advice, or suggestions, you can proffer? Or maybe you just want to weigh in on the state of things where you live. What are you glad about?
P.S. This is the state of things on the river this week. Cacophonous.
86 thoughts on “The State of Things”
You may be interested in one of Wardrobe Oxygen’s latest posts about the affiliate shopping platform she uses. Very thorough. If you don’t know her, you might enjoy her content for grown ass women.
I’ll buy you a coffee!
Thanks for the coffee, Sue. I do know Alison’s blog Wardrobe Oxygen. She’s well respected in the blogging world. I follow her in IG. I checked out the post you spoke about. It is very thorough. I’m familiar with the affiliate program she uses, and if I wanted to continue with affiliate marketing I’d check them out. I just don’t think I want to carry on down that road.
I’ve lately been approached by another affiliate marketing company called LTK which a lot of influencers use on IG. They are very big on connecting content creators with brands. But I don’t want to commit to something that will take over my life. Honestly I think I just want to bow out of the whole monetizing thing and just write my blog.
Grappling with similar issues right now, although complicated by trying to straddle both the blog and Substack. Have mostly moved over to Substack where I had no paywall but enough generous subscribers to come close to covering my blogging costs. My big dilemma with closing the blog completely and moving to Substack is that — as you well know — once we stop paying for a hosting site, we will soon lose access to our archive (19 years worth, for me!).
Didn’t it all seem so much simpler back when we started off on Blogger so many years ago! Ach, the state of things! 😉 (Enjoyed the post and I was pleased to learn you enjoyed your painting classes and will keep up with your drawing — wonderful the way the eye gets sharpened through classes like that, isn’t it?!
The class was worth it, Frances. I learned a lot. But I realize I am a poor student. I just want to do exactly what I want when I want. Probably a reaction after years of being ruled by the bell. Ha.
One day we’ll have a more lenghty chat about Substack. You might want to take a look at a later comment on this post from Prue Batten about how she migrated her posts when she started with Substack. 🙂
What a gorgeous dog . Having worked as a volunteer with rescues , I love the ‘ mixtures ‘ best . I’d have got nothing done at that art class for cuddling the dog . Like you I’ve always been a drawer rather than a painter & I envy those who are patient enough to learn painting properly . I reckon I’m more of a Van Gogh than a Rembrandt Ha ! – love them both – & Lowry too with his little black stick legged dogs . I do envy you your river & the cacophony . We are back in our favourite town Ludlow for a couple of weeks in the cottage by the river but there’s no cacophony , just two handsome Goosanders this morning .
I can see your financial quandary . I have bought you a few coffees but last time I tried it didn’t work for some reason . Thinking about the silly price of glossy advert filled magazines these days , I’d be happy to commit to an arranged payment for reading your blog . Good luck with whatever you decide .
Thanks, Wendy. You are a most faithful reader and commenter and friend. I remember mum always used to refer to you as Wendy in York, as if she knew you too.
Spring, or the promise of spring, really does get the blood pumping, doesn’t it? All things suddenly seem possible. Perhaps you simply feel that, blog-wise, it is time for a chuck-out, a proper spring clean, which is always (to my mind) a sound policy. As for affiliate links, I bet you won’t notice when they are gone. And, as for Amazon, I have merrily unsubscribed from Prime and curiously, do not miss it one jot. Nor to I even look at the site any longer. I think the growing awareness of the sheer gall of the tech bros has begun to turn the tide. Whatever you decide, I hope it brings you joy.
Spring cleaning is a good analogy. I think I will be relieved when I just ditch the whole affiliate links thing. That is until Max Mara finds me and repays me for all the great publicity I’ve given them over the years. Ha.
I adore exhibitions and paintings (yes to Van Gogh and impressionists),but never had talent to paint. Although,who knows…..
I’ll follow your posts,even if I had to comment only on IG (as with Frances),wherever you’ll decide to go. I also had problems with buying coffee from time to time,but than tried again after a couple of days and it was usually ok
Dottoressa
Please do not feel obligated Dottoressa. I think the beautiful meal you served to me and Stu when we were in Zagreb was payment enough. xo
Thank you Sue,pleasure was all mine! It was wonderful to meet you both IRL. But friends have to support friends
D.
I will follow you no matter what, I do enjoy your blog, and will continue to buy coffee.
Thanks so much, Denise. I really appreciate it.
Your efforts are worth a contribution. Your blog is one of the few left I look forward to. Most of the ones I have previously looked at are so clogged with affiliate links that there is very little to read otherwise. I will not order from Amazon.
I will gladly make a yearly contribution.
totally agree!
I like your blog because it is about everyday type issues. Picture of hubby in his snow blow outfit!!! My husband even laughed. He said he had it on wrong. I don’t know anything about balaclavas. I try to avoid Amazon but they are the only ones that carry specialized urinary cat food that our cat actually likes!!! I cannot get it locally. And too much encouragement about shopping buys is gradually getting to be taboo. I know I cannot even mention a sale to a G.F. in Toronto as she has gone ‘totally minimalistic’. I am decluttering and it is easier than I thought. Makes morning decisions so much easier. As far as being 70 and walking with heels — well that is a prescription for a fall if pavement is uneven or slippery. I only wear footwear with good grip. There is hardly anywhere to be stylish when over 70 especially with footwear. Once you have a broken wrist, careful walking in safe shoes is the only way to tackle life. Your blog is appreciated.
Poor Hubby. He had his balaclava on correctly when he went out. But moving his ski goggles around on his face dislodged it. Ha.
I’ve always balked at using advertising on my blog because I hate reading ads in between every paragraph. I know that affiliate links are ads of a sort, but they always felt less intrusive. Until I began to feel like a hypocrite. Thanks for your support, MHK. 🙂
I’m sorry you found multiple hot cross buns to be too much! I remember years ago I stopped eating gluten and then I realized that I didn’t have a problem with gluten. Good thing as my partner, being Italian, is pasta man. That said, they are very sensitive to celiacs in Italy because their diet is so heavy in wheat, so alternatives are available.
I wonder if on the “buy me a coffee” issue the solution would be to just put a reminder at the end of posts once a month. Putting the bug in people’s ears might encourage them to step up more often and avoid the need for something more systematic. I know I donated a while back and had since forgotten. Like doctoressa I think one time it didn’t work either and when I clicked on your link from abroad once or twice it said you site was not secure (not relevant likely for the coffee app).
I only blog very causally and think of posts as ephemeral, so have always just stuck with free platforms and limits and don’t really care about deleting old photos or text. I delete most of my emails too and keep a clean inbox, so it’s a personal style thing I guess. I have a similar issue with substack. I don’t write there, but I often want to support people I like. On the other hand, one at some point needs to limit subscriptions. It’s easy to lose track, a bit like streaming service subscriptions, and one’s reading interests shift over time. For that reason, I prefer ad hoc donations to subscriptions generally.
Thanks for the perspective, Steph. I’m going to try to accommodate people who want to something more regular and those who just want to do it whenever. Reminders is a good idea.
I hear you with the subscriptions. I have to review what and to whom I subscribe every once in a while to keep it down to a reasonable number.
I totally agree that Encanto is delightful. I was in your village not long ago and had read about it. So bright and cheerful!
The proprietress said they were considering expanding upstairs to create a room for events, like book clubs. Wouldn’t that be nice?
I don’t live in your village but on the off chance I might just run into you, I did a more careful wardrobe choice that morning to the great amusement of my friend.
I hope you don’t give up on painting after just one course. It took me quite a while to “master” colour mixing and develop the necessary patience. There are so many excellent and free online courses to follow. I subscribe to several for a weekly boost to my skill set. And, I tell myself, not every painting turns out and deserves to be framed! A lot of mine just end up being funny screen savers or birthday cards.
I love the reading, travel, fashion and just general life commentary mix of your blog.
Thanks so much, Grace. Sorry I missed you when you were in town. But I’m glad you liked Encanto. 🙂
I love the variety of your blogs–no need to go single lane! When I gave up my blog several years ago, I went through the tedium of copying every post and putting them into a separate Word document so I could save them. I’d be happy to pay for your content, but would prefer an annual subscription so I could pay once and then forget about it. So maybe a combo of buying a coffee and a subscription. I appreciate the work and thought you put into your blog. Thank you.
Thanks, Cheryl. That’s kind of what I’m planning to do. I just need to sit down and draft something out on my Buy Me a Coffee platform. 🙂
I just tried to buy you a coffee, but after entering my information, I got a message that your site refused to connect. I’ll try again another time.
Sorry about that, Judy. I have heard that from a few people. I wonder if the platform gets overwhelmed sometimes.
Hi, Sue. From the title of this week’s blog, I thought you were going to go in a totally different direction! No doubt my mind is still influenced by participating, along with approximately 30,000 of my neighbors, in the local No Kings protest yesterday!
Just attempted to buy a few coffees, and got the message “buy a coffee refused to connect”. I will try again in a bit. I bet you receive more “coffees” than usual this week due to your reminder.
I appreciate your blog and look forward to reading it each week. I have a closet full of work clothes, but they are not being worn much!
I’m so glad you said that, Julia. I was thinking of the last State of the Union when I wrote the title. Good for you to participate in the protests. What a wonderful day it must have been. I hope people continue to come out and show up. The movement must be building.
I love coming here on a Sunday morning with coffee and enjoying your take from up north (I live in California). I’ve bought you coffee several times and would be happy to contribute to support your content. I also find the idea of a once a year or quarterly fee attractive, as it can be hard to manage too many monthly subscriptions.
I appreciate your support Wendy. It’s very generous of you.
I have given up many blogs in the past year, but yours is such a welcome item on Sunday morning. I would be happy to do a yearly subscription when you can work out something like that. I cannot imagine not having High Heels to check out for all the life issues you share with us.
In my mind I tell myself I could paint, however in real life, not so much. Shawna’s pear is gorgeous, and I wonder if lessons would actually work for me….
Shawna’s pear was beautiful, wasn’t it Several people in the class dove right in, loved everything about the class, and I could tell they had found their new hobby. You never know, you might love painting lessons. Give it a go.
I discovered your blog a few years ago while searching for fashion ideas for women of a certain age. Not much inspiration out there for older women who like fashion. That being said I have enjoyed getting to know about you, your friends, family, and village. Your writing style and photos has given us a wonderful, charming, and interesting picture of your world and you’re still evolving as I hope we all continue to evolve. Sunday mornings feel like I’m having coffee with girlfriends discussing whatever comes to mind. That’s what makes your blog unique and real.
Would love to buy you coffee so please provide more info.
I will, Paula. And thanks for the lovely comment. 🙂
I was just thinking last night how much I look forward to Sunday mornings because of your blog and how much I would miss it if you decided not to continue! I must admit I have bought you a coffee before but certainly not enough to pay you back for all the enjoyment you bring me! I would totally be willing to pay for a subscription of some sort! Keep us advised on what you decide to do.
Thanks so much, Ruth Janet. I will keep you informed. I just have to sit down and get to know the Buy Me a Coffee platform a bit better to see how to do what I want to do.
This is my first time posting a comment – I really look forward to reading your blog each week! I’d be happy to do a subscription or whatever else you decide. I’m a colored pencil and pastel artist, so I understand your joy and frustration with creating art. Photography is a great idea & you live in a beautiful scenic area. My husband and I will be driving from Boston to the Bay of Fundy in Sept., so I’m sure I’ll have lots of photos to use for drawings!
Funny you should mention that, Susie. Hubby and I are planning to drive down to the Bay of Fundy (New Brunswick side) when we are in Fredericton this summer. I’m hoping to get good photos too.
By the way… happy you decided to comment. I know there are lots of lovely people out there who read but don’t comment. So, welcome.
I have read may good books due to you. I certainly have thought more about my wardrobe and how I look. I Thank you very much. Arm chair travelling with you on a Sunday morning has been fun. That all being said, I would buy monthly or yearly ‘coffees’ for you.
Thanks so much, Lynn. 🙂
Hi Sue, I enjoy your weekly blogs of varied topics. Always something of interest and so well written that I feel like we are having a gab. Thank you for all your hard work.
I have no idea how much it takes to keep a blog up and running. I wonder if it would help me and other readers to have an idea of the cost so we would know how much to donate. I just tried to buy you some coffees and it said that it could not connect. after I hit the “Pay”. I tried to donate just using my email and not sign up for the optional “Link” site. I am wondering if it is being ornery because I am not signing into the Link site. I have paid for coffees for you before without using the Link . Technology !! 😅 A yearly or quarterly subscription would work for me as well. Hope you have a good week.
Even though it said ” not able to connect”, the payment went thru on my credit card. I was happy to see that you are able to receive the cups of tea or coffee 😊.
Thanks so much, Carolyn. I know you have bought coffees before. That is most generous. I must try in myself to see how it works. Buy myself a coffee, so to speak. 🙂
Just tried to send you a coffee and got a “cannot connect” message from “Buy me a Coffee”.
Seconds later, I received a confirmation from them.
So I checked my credit card online and see there is a pending charge for the amount I had pledged.
Clearly the coffee website is acting erratically.
A couple of people have mentioned that, Penny. Maybe I should put a notice on my next post to wait before trying again (as some people do when they cannot connect) in case the site is slow.
I would happily buy you a coffee, or just pay for a subscription. I very much enjoy your blog.
Thanks so much, Martha.
I just sent you a couple of coffees.
I SO totally agree with Wendy re “silly price of glossy advert filled magazines”
GEEZ I think we ALL loved those magazines growing up, but now the price IS silly, for the few you can even find! But they are my guilty pleasure airport treat……
And the blogger/influencer world has become such a conundrum re making money & consumerism & waste. I have clicked links a few too many times in my life…. maybe that’s the new kissed a few frogs!
Thank you for what you do, I enjoy your blog so much!
Thanks, TR. I remember how much I loved fashion magazines in the old days. They are not worth it now, I’m sad to say.
I have reduced my blog subscriptions over the years but have kept yours because I enjoy reading the variety of topics you cover as well as the comments from others. It really is a community feel. Similar to others, I have also had issues with the ‘buy me a coffee’ feature and would be in favour of an annual subscription if it helps to keep this format. To be honest, I don’t know what ‘substack’ is or how it works. I am actually not on any social media platforms and probably wouldn’t shift over to reading you there. Love the ‘Intrepid Snowblower’. Because of him, you were able to make it to your first art class, well done!
High Heels in the Wilderness would certainly not be the same without the readers’ comments. 🙂
P.S. Hubby and his snowblower have allowed me to get out on many a snowy day. Our little dead-end road often does not get plowed for a day or two after a big storm.
Seldom leave a message but I love reading your site Sunday morning over a cup of tea. I would be very happy to pay a yearly subscription as I forget to buy you a cup coffee. Please keep your site going as you bring a ray of sunshine into my life and from reading the remarks many others.
Thanks so much, Janette. 🙂
Love your blog — one of the best and one I have recommended to friends, who are then delighted to subscribe. I have occasionally bought you a coffee or 5 and will continue to do so. I have recently learned about Booksellers.ca which is a network of independent Canadian bookstores and has centralized ordering (counterpoint to Amazon.ca and Indigo) — I haven’t ordered yet myself and I have no idea if they would welcome an affiliate link, but it would promote the use of Canadian independent bookstores for your book recommendations.
Oh, thanks so much for that suggestion, Lisa. And thanks for all the support. It is really appreciated.
I love your blog and look forward to it every weekend. I have bought you a coffee before but appreciate the reminder to do it again.
Thanks, Judi. 🙂
Yours is one of the few blogs I read so I would definitely continue to buy you a coffee. I enjoy the variety of subjects you write about but am not particularly interested in affiliate links etc particularly Amazon. I prefer to shop local wherever possible. I hope you will be able to continue to write your blog as it’s something I look forward to reading.
Thanks, Chris. I’m glad for the feedback especially the shop local point you made.
Enjoy the coffee.
I will, Julie !!
I so look forward to your weekly posts with the variety of content. I would be more than happy to pay a subscription of some kind to allow you to continue. Thank you for all of the work you put into this!
Thanks so much, Aldene. 🙂
I don’t feel you should be carrying the cost of a blog which gives such pleasure to so many. Like others, I too, look forward to reading your words each Sunday.
It always feels like reading a letter from a friend and the variety of topics you cover keeps everything fresh and interesting.
From this neck of the woods a subscription would be easier I believe.
Thanks, Kenzie. Much appreciated. 🙂
I always enjoy your weekly posts and your wry humour, so as long as they keep coming, that’s wonderful.
As a writer, I obviously have a website which is economically hosted by my webmaster. I wrote a blog on that website from 2010 until three years ago. I moved to Substack because of the audience and the beautiful writing on the site. My webmaster connected my Substack (Knots in the String) to my website and migrated all my archive into Knots. It’s worked really well. I offer posts for free – in this current global economic climate, I would rather have the readers enjoy some free downtime than charge for the experience. I should say that I can’t fault Substack, it’s compelling reading everywhere and mostly free and my experience is that I seem to attract likeminded readers. My subject matter, like yours, is across the board.
So don’t dismiss Substack entirely. You’d fit well. Best wishes.
Thanks Prue. And thanks for the advice about Substack. I subscribe to several Substack newsletters and I created an account a while ago. I had a quick look around but I guess I’d better buckle down and do more research. 🙂
I’m adding my voice to many others in saying that your blog is a weekly highlight in my routine. I’m happy to contribute via a voluntary subscription, but if you don’t go this route, I’ll be sure to add reminders to my calendar so that I don’t go too long between “coffee” donations.
Thanks Denise. Any support is much appreciated.
I would be very happy to subscribe or buy coffee on a regular schedule! Like so many, I look forward to your lovely posts.
Thanks, Robin. 🙂
Sue, I enjoy your blog a great deal, so whatever you decide, I will continue to follow you.
Thanks, Janet.
I’ve been a follower for several years and your blog is one of the highlights of my week! I’d definitely subscribe. You always have thoughtful, intelligent and fun things to write about. It’s really a pleasure, Sue!
Ah, thanks, Beth, for the lovely comment.
Ha! Gluten free hot cross buns dear are the way to go. Plus anti acid tablets on hand if Ivreally enjoy too many. 😋
I did not know that GF hot cross buns were a thing. I will keep my eye out for them. 🙂
P.S. I don’t know anything about the blogging world other than the fact that I enjoy reading yours.i appreciate how “same same but different we are, living on opposite sides of the world”. I love the connection. That said, I’m happy to go along with whatever decision you make as long as I stay in touch.
Thank you for explaining the cost pressures of your blog. I enjoy the quality of your writing, the range of topics and your humour. I’d be happy to buy you more coffee as soon as some expensive fraudulent activity on my credit card is sorted.
I’m glad you will continue drawing. Personal expression through art has followed a tortuous path for me. In the decade since I retired I’ve done several art courses, varying in length from 1-day workshops to 3 month courses in drawing, some printmaking and finally watercolour, which I’m currently loving. Watercolour is helping me tame my perfectionism and is teaching me to value process over outcome. I’ve committed to a second term of classes and I’m actually drawing and painting at home for pleasure, which is a breakthrough. The right teacher can make a big difference – someone who goes at a pace that suits you and is encouraging without giving fake praise. Fingers crossed that I’ve finally found my happy place with making art.
Thanks, Maria. I’m glad you found your art niche. At some point in the future I may try a course again. But I guess right now I just want to play around with drawing on my own.
I would be happy to pay a subscription fee. Your blog is informative, thought provoking and fun. Sign me up!
Thanks, Danita.
Hi Sue,
I enjoy your posts and the variety of topics.
I learned quite a bit from this post on how this blogging and economics work. Hats off to you for hanging on and continuing to write here.
I have purchased a coffee in the past. I would be happy to join a membership if you go that route. 🙂
Happy Easter
Thanks, Pamela. 🙂
i can understand your dilemma. like many people i buy far fewer clothes than i once did and i refuse to buy from amazon at all. my books all come from a local bookshop in my home town. i really enjoy your blog though and would be happy to help with costs. i pay a monthly fee to chateau de la ruche for rebecca’s newsletter which is on substack. there is a free version but you get more content if you pay $5 per month. i find this a good model because its a ‘set and forget’ which is preferable for me to remembering to buy a coffee. i dont know how the costs to you stack up on either model though? whatever you decide to do i am happy to contribute.
I should add that i like that your blog has multiple topics. i originally came for the fashion but am also keen on travel and books so its a win all round!
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Noreen. 🙂
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