“The RoseBouquet”

Robin from South Africa was the first with a response, and so encouraging! He wrote;

“Yes its Robin from Sunny South Africa here. So glad that Spring is started to arrive properly for you. We’re approaching my beloved winter in Natal - warm sunny days with low humidity and cool fresh nights. Wonderful.

I think you do an amazing job with your ezine and if its too much to keep going then I think a combination of 2 or 3 as appropriate would be fine. And if you’re super busy one week then option 1 is quite understandable. Don’t sweat it and focus your energy and time where its needed most. Your Roses will understand ”

Aw-w-w- thanks, Robin! Just what I needed to hear!

Joanne from London, Ontario, where I used to live was right there too, with an immediate comment left on the blog. She said;

“I think you should drop the Ruthes Roses section and maybe drop bouquets to your friends, but what ever you choose I am sure it will make for an interesting read.”

I like that kind of confidence in me, Joanne. Thanks.

My Sister-in-Christ, Kathy O, offered this thought;

“I think the 3rd idea is a good one, or you could just drop the ezine altogether & just keep in touch with your friends, because I know you are busier now then you were before, my friend. I hope this helps with your decision, Ruth. Let me know what you decide, okay? Talk to you soon.”
YSIC,
Kathy

Well, I’ve explained again, that dropping the RoseBouquet altogether is NOT an option in my mind. If anyone knew how many friends I actually have, they would see that it would be impossible to correspond with each one individually and tell them all that is going on in my life. There would be NO time left to work or run a business, or ever do anything but write emails and letters to friends all my waking hours. I do understand that if I were giving all my friends quality time, that should be the way to do it, but - I’m afraid I’m way past that point, and have to share what’s on my heart in a group mailing like this RoseBouquet.

Whenever I hear from an individual friend I like to snatch a moment or two to reply to them. I do like the personal touch, but I have to sprinkle it in with other things like shaking salt on my food.

Next I heard from Tess, out west in Washington State. She used the feedback form on the site to contact me;

“I would be sorry to see you drop Ruthe’s Roses. I have enjoyed reading about your various experiences and exploits. Also about your family. When you mention your various religious obligations, it reminds me of what I am neglecting and should be getting in touch with. My interest would lag if if choose the two other options and I’m afraid I would not be so eager to read every word. I enjoy any pictures you care to add and look forward to those. I miss all those little mentions of your Dad and what he did, He was a remarkable and self sufficient person. You take after him. I would urge you to rethink dropping the blog…” Tess

Well, I am so touched at these kind words, Tess! Especially that I take after my Dad. Thank you.

I’m NOT dropping the blog, you’ll all be happy to know. But I am going to use this particular section, which I call Ruthe’s Roses, to do short mentions or wee profiles of various friends. It will depend on whom I’m interacting with in the last few days. Or who is most on my mind. I will also make a point of giving links to articles that I have written in the last while for any one of my now FIVE sites.

Yes, the way to grow a web business is to keep adding good content in the form of informational pages or articles that focus on productive keywords. The more I learn this skill the more I realize that this is what is going to make me money on my websites. I only have three mornings a week to work on the main three web businesses, and I really try hard to get a whole article or web page done for each one, on Monday, Thursday and Friday. (The other two have to wait and see if I have any strength left after my day of hard physical work at home on Saturday night). So… when all goes well, and I have not had to sacrifice time for clients, or ministries, then I should be able to produce about four articles a week. That should really up my AdSense income!

Oh yes, one more friend gave feedback. Helen came by my office personally yesterday to tell me how much she loves the RoseBouquet and that the Good Friday story had just made her weep. She likes the idea of featuring friends, and making it shorter, but like the friends above, she has no problem reading my long articles and stories either.

Oh my! How touching to have such great loyal friends! Thanks, Helen!

[And just look! I've got this issue all written in just over an hour!]