Wednesday, March 14, 2012

other things


Despite the occasional $1.00 weekend, I did sell almost enough last year (with some help from the Etsy store) to cover store expenses. Meaning rent, utilities, shopping bags, and so forth. I never expected to make any money from the store, but it is starting to feel out of balance--the time I put into it, the long drive, working in the store all weekend, is not so rewarding any more. It was something I needed, but I'm not sure I still do. I won't make any hasty decisions or changes, but I don't think it's sustainable in its current form. Or is it? Check back with me at summer's end.


I am thinking about other things I'd like to do on my country weekends. Like hiking and painting and reading. I've made new friends through the store and I'd like to spend time with them.


I can't stop thinking about the foot bath that Haricot writes about here.

Those last two pictures were taken in the South Carolina Sea Islands. I think I'm going to visit New Orleans next. I want to fall in love with a new place, and that could be the one.

Do you prefer me to respond to your comments: In the comment section? Via email? Not at all? Only if you have a question?  edited to add: This question is not about the time it takes to respond--I enjoy doing so, and having the connection with you. Sometimes it turns into a conversation, or deepens the connection. Like we're having a cup of coffee (or tea) together. I really just want to know if you have preferences. I never know which way to do it, and so go back and forth.

24 comments:

  1. Thank you, Jen, for your concern about Japanese people. I appreciate you very much. The two photos reminds me of a migrants' pond where is my favourite.
    As for your response, I'm very glad when I have, though it up to you because I know it takes time.

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    1. Haricot,
      I don't mind the time at all. I just edited this post to say so.
      I think you wrote about and put pictures of that pond on your blog. Or maybe I'm confusing it with one of your other wonderful visits with nature...

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  2. I don't feel that my comments need to be replied to at all, but sometimes the ones I receive do, and the commenter often hasn't left a way for me to do it directly. I would like that better!

    Sad about the shop not thriving as it should, but you have seem to have a calm and realistic approach to moving on and finding more to engage with elsewhere. Good luck!

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    1. Rachel,
      It is sad when you want to respond to someone and get the no-reply email address. I never know if that's their wish, or if they are unaware.

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  3. Hello Jen;
    We are not at all surprised to learn that you are at a crossroads where the shop is concerned. Perhaps it has formed a phase of your life from which you are now moving onto other things. For ourselves, we value so much the freedom which comes with not being tied down to a job, enabling one to devote time to all manner of things which could of course, and often is, days spent quietly at home.

    As your commentators above, we are fully aware of the time which is required to respond to comments. It is always enjoyable to have the dialogue but we never expect it.

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    1. Jane and Lance,
      The freedom you speak of is so very tempting, and something I have always been afraid of, in a way. It is a challenge for me to be still, to just be, and see where that takes me.

      You have set the gold standard for comment responses, and are also responsible for better punctuation and all-around good manners in the blog-world, and for that I am most grateful. I never mind the time, am really just pondering the method.
      Jen

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  4. Dear Jen,

    sometimes it is very difficult to make decisions, change habits, even fall in love ; )
    Take your time my friend and...

    run your blog the way you feel fits you ; )

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    1. Dear Demie,
      As always you are both sensible and poetic. Thank you!

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  5. When a thing doesn't feel right, when you're longing for something else and have the wherewithal to do that something else, go for it!! If the shop was something you loved that is now more obligation than desire, as with any relationship, it's time to move on. Don't let fear of what comes next stop you; life is too short!

    As for responding...I never expect responses when I comment on a blog. Delighted if I get a response, but never expect or require it.

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    1. WIse words, Ashling. The shop is definitely a labor of love. Right now love/labor feels out of balance. That may change though.

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  6. I understand your feelings about the store. In my family we have had two stores and an auction. I loved all of them but they never made money and rarely if ever broke even. They were fun to have but the freedom when they are gone is beautiful. They did serve their purpose at the time. I'm glad you are taking time to see what is right for you in your life now. I don't know how to answer your question about the comments. I love that you comment on my blog. I leave a lot of comments and can't always remember where to go back and see if they replied to me. I wish there was some kind of notification. I used to go back and check, but when I did, no one had ever replied to me so I kind of quit checking and quit replying. I started just mainly commenting back on the blogs that had commented on mine as a way of reply. I've been quite confused about what I should be doing so I am glad you asked the question! I didn't understand your thing about "no reply email address" to Rachel, so I guess I may be one of the unaware. I hope whatever you decide to do with the store makes you very happy. And I LOVE your green shelf!!!

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    1. Wild Eden--It's so interesting to hear about other people's experiences with stores. And as an auction fan (and I have some fascination with family-run auctions, which the ones I go to are) I would one day love to know more about that bit of your family history.

      As to "no reply". When people set up a google account/blog (both?) there's a way to input an email address if you want someone to be able to contact you. If not it says,in place of an email address, "noreply-comment@blogger.com". I don't know if that masks the address or if the person doeasn't get a reply. And now I see yours does that, so I'm sending you a test. Let me know if you get it.

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    2. Okay! This is fun! I will check and try to change it if it does not come through. I'm afraid I am much more at home among some trees than I am in front of a computer so for me, it may not work. But I do not like being unaware, so I will try!

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    3. There is nothing there. I will try to change it!

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    4. In case you check back here... I realize I wasn't as clear as I should have been. My blog is set up so that I am notified by email when someone comments on my blog, and I get that comment in the form of an email, which makes it easy for me to just shoot off a reply. Sometimes though, the commenter has the "no-reply" address. I am not sure if correcting that is done through a google account or blogger account.

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  7. Daer Jen, I like responses in the comments section, but only if one is required - it is too much, I think, to expect of you or anyone to respond for response's sake.

    And I wish you luck with deciding what to do next. I have tried a fair few such career projects, and have always opted for the path of greater change. Time will tell whether that was a good policy of mine, or merely flightiness.

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    1. Mise--Is it possible that flightiness is good policy?

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  8. Ooh, I love New Orleans, I bet you would too!

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    1. How could I not? A city with character. Good music. Good food....

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  9. Jen.. Thanks for sharing the link to Haricot's blog. I loved the footbath and was reminded of Boston's lovely Copley Square Fountain. A great place to cool off on a warm summer day!

    I think as you move into the busier tourist season your heart will tell you if it is time to move to a new adventure. I always enjoy reading your responses to our posts and adding another layer to the one dimensional world of posting a comment!

    Oh... to Jen & Mise... I think flightiness is an absolutely wonderful policy... just when someone thinks they have you figured out... you surprise them by doing something totally off the wall!

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    1. That foot bath is so cool--and I love the mountain view.
      You are right that I need to let this play out. Not making any decisions now!

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  10. I believe you actually want to spend more time just hanging out here in the clouds with us. And who can blame you?

    I love when you shoot off an email. It's lovely to make the connection more intimate.

    I had my own store for 8 years. i closed it and now I am able to pay my bills.

    for me it was a good trade off.

    xo Jane

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    1. Clouds are good. Connections are good. Not to be flip, but it's all good. I have a fine life and am a happy woman. Happy to have you guys in my corner.

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  11. it's no fun going through a creative process, and a business one!, that seems floundering. i know it's no consolation, but perhaps the starting it, the daring, the risk, was what your soul needed more than anything.
    and who knows, these things do take time to take off.

    hiking and reading and tea all sound very good to me.

    i don't need responses via email, unless it's a direct question. :)

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