Friday, August 31, 2007

Simple, As It Should Be

It is always the simple
that produces the marvelous.

-Amelia Barr

The basil is going leggy and spindly-looking. Of course, it is almost September. I suppose it's time for it to. No matter. The simplest basil always makes the best pesto.

Yes, I was snipping basil yesterday - whole stalks of it - when the phone rang. It was a lady named Pam who represented a company that handles blog advertising for an ad firm. I'd never heard of such. "Oh, yes," she said, "advertisers are realizing they can get excellent product placement ads directly in front of target audiences through blogs. We've heard of you," she said, in one breath. "And we have some clients... Kraft, Macy's... who may be interested in running banner ads on your blog."

Really?

She emailed over documents, which I read two pages of and promptly deleted. When she called back to ask if they'd come through, I told her yes... and no thanks. "But you don't have to do anything differently than what you're doing," she argued. "It's easy money. For instance, you talk about food three days a week and we'll run a food product ad. When you mention clothes or shopping, we'll post a clothing retailer ad. It's a win-win."

I declined. "I talk about butlers and caves and fall and ... myself. This is my life," I said. Silence. "Besides," I continued, "we're all tired of being bombarded with advertisements. My blog is simple: I write, they read. I'm content or excited or inspired or convicted, and hopefully they are, too. This is our place, not a place for Kraft and their flashy, animated vegetable cracker ads. No thank you, but my blog is fairly straightforward and simple and will stay that way."

Basil snipping resumed.

Maybe I'm too backward-thinking. Or maybe I'm business stupid. The money would have been nice. It's just that life is about so much more than the game and getting caught up in the game, isn't it?

So here we are, you and me. Just you and me and the basil. No flashy ads or catchy tunes compelling us to buy, buy, buy and spend, spend, spend. Nope, it's just us.

I rather like it that way, don't you?

Here's to us. Here's to us and a holiday weekend and the coming of September. Simple September, as it will be known around Freeman House. I hope you'll join me for a month of simple recipes, simple fall decorations, a simple firepit celebration, and, of course, simple days. I wouldn't have it any other way. See you in September! -Brin

(By the way, there's an excellent and simple recipe for herb oils and dressings on the Country Living website. Besides making and freezing pesto, it's a great use for all these end-of-the-season herbs.)

30 comments:

lulusparkles said...

AMEN to that sister! your blog is perfect just the way it is

Anonymous said...

i agree and did you know that america is the last country that allows all the drug company adverticing?? im also sick of buying a mag that has to be read until page 43 to get to the aricles, good for you for turning that trash away, we appreciated you more for it!! happy labor day!! connie

The Ramblin' Rat said...

I'm already looking forward to simple September. Have a blessed day!

Terri Steffes said...

That was really wonderful of you. I am grateful for your stance on advertising. I enjoy coming here and reading your take on simple things. My basil and I thank you!

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to September!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way about blog advertising. I only wish I could have put it as beautifully as you did!

Rox said...

You Go Girl! Ilike just the way it is too... And Simple September? I have patiently counted the days till SS.. I am jazed about it... it begins my favorite time of year. See you in September....

sister sheri said...

Brin - thanks for blogging about the advertising. It makes me appreciate your "simple-ness" (and I mean that in a good way!) all the more. May God b&less you have a simple weekend!

Anonymous said...

The basil and us...I like that. We don't need ads and all that..we're simple folk just enjoying a very good blog! Way to go Brin..(applauding here)
Ahhh..yes the splendid days of September..ooh I'm so ready for them!

Anonymous said...

I am in agreement with everyone else and I thank you immensely for not giving in to the dreaded advertisers!

And speaking of basil, I have a huge, beautiful pot of it on my patio.
I'm an apartment dweller, but only for a few more months.

I need to figure out how I can store some it even if it's only for a few days.
Maybe I'll dry the rest??

Again, many thanx, I do lub your blog.
Just as it is. :P

shelleyo said...

Yay for YOU! It takes courage to stand your ground, and to keep your blog what it is.
I appreciate your writing and your photographs.

Anonymous said...

I am REALLY proud of you for turning them down. You don't need to change a thing abot this blog (except for the recipes, i like seeing new ones!!!)

I will see you soon!
Am

Kathleen Grace said...

Good for you Brin! We enjoy your blog so much more without the distraction of ads!

BellaColle said...

Hurray for you! Sometimes principles need to be stuck to! Your blog is the Best! hope you never change it...

Anonymous said...

Thanks for not bombarding us with more ads. Its getting so I don't even want to open my magazines up to read anymore - - 10 - 12 post cards drop out of it - - to begin with - - then ads on every other page. It's nice to keep our blogs free from advertisers!! Thank you and blessings!

Susan said...

I totally agree about the advertising on blogs. We could all use a little extra money. There is no question about that. BUT why must everything in life turn into making money?!!!!

I have already determined....I will not read anyone with ad's on their blog! Period.... No matter how much I liked reading them before. To me they've sold out. I'm glad you didn't.
Susan

Brambleberry said...

I'm with Susan. I'm so sick of marketing. It's wonderful to read a blog in its authentic state.

When I see advertising, it seems to remove some of that authenticity.

Kudos to you for keeping it real. I love your simplicity. I leave inspired every time.

Morgan said...

Brin~ I love your blog just the way it is. Thanks for keeping it like that :o)

Anonymous said...

Brin -- I also am grateful for your stance on the lack of ads; it is refreshing to find so much depth and sense of purpose in one so young.
BJ Amory

Anonymous said...

Brin - I am thrilled that you made the decision to keep your blog personal! That is why we love you so much! Your blog makes us feel like we know you - have been friends with you forever!

Sure have missed my blogging buddies....but, now that I am back in the land of blogging - I am looking forward to catching up with everyone!

Happy Labor Day!

Unknown said...

What a blessing it is not to have ads running on blogs! My little of heaven! Thanks for sharing!

Beach Girl said...

Thank you.....had you made the decision to go the other way, that would have been the last time I would have come to Freeman House.

So, again, thank you and yes, keep it simple. It's a pleasure to come here. :-)

Vanessa at Yahweh's Retreat

Unknown said...

Good for you! Your blog is lovely just the way it is.

Anonymous said...

Brin,
Good for you. I agree wholeheartedly. It makes it SO much less personal when you see ads.
I got the same advice from a very popular blogging friend and I intend to keep things like blogs between friends. Not advertisers.
Melissa

Unknown said...

Good for you Brin, your perfect just the way you are!!

Lallee said...

Great reply. Would you like to come answer my phone ;-)

~~Deby said...

goood for you...the basil looks wonderful..the smell of fresh basil....one of the best fragrances there is.
Deby

Heather @ Life Made Lovely said...

I realize that this all happened months ago, but I thought better late then never to add my 2 cents of kudos to you. I am so glad that your lovely blog will stay just that way...Lovely. You rock!

Kathi said...

I'm so glad you posted about this. It's very refreshing to hear. I have not been asked to place ads, but I am not as popular. My sister has been asked. She should read your article. I think she already feels the way you do about it. These are our lives. We write. We vent. We talk about personal stuff; our joys, our fears, our hopes and dreams. Bless you Brin. Kathi

Joy said...

I LOVE it! I love what you did! I so agree. I've seen the option for advertising, but I thought, no, I don't want to go that route. Like you said, your blog is about you... and when we start adding that advertising, well, to tell you the truth, it looks a tad tacky--and just like everyone else's blog. I just love it--bravo for you. I just wonder how I can get those little 'no ads' logos... Yes, let's keep SOMETHING in life simple. Thanks again, Brin!

Sandy @ The Scoop on Balance said...

Awesome. I wish I would have written this.

I could read your stuff all day.

Sigh....

Sandy