1. I am allergic to bananas. But it’s cool because I don’t like them anyway.
2. I walk and talk in my sleep. A lot. On at least three occasions I have called 911 in my sleep and reported non-existent crimes.
3. I hate shopping and only allow myself to be dragged into a fitting room four times a year, usually by my sister.
4. I don’t have a favorite color.
5. I have a deep and pathological need for everyone to like me.
This last one gave me some trouble today. I got a very nasty, threatening email from someone who wasn’t happy with their CSA experience. And, because want everyone to like me, it really rattled me. Really, really rattled me.
I refunded the customers money immediately- frankly, Erin and I figured out a while back that if easy customers pay the same amount as difficult ones, and we’d rather just keep the easy ones. But what really bothered me is that the women threatened to say bad things about us on Ravelry. [Ravelry is the most important consumer website in the yarn/knitting world.]
Here’s the thing: our CSA is not for everyone. It’s not a fast, inexpensive way to buy yarn. It’s supposed to be a way for you, the shareholder, to connect with the animals your yarn is coming from. To see what goes into raising and caring for the animals, the joys of lambing, the heartbreak of losing a member of the flock, the whole shepherding experience. And maybe, when you knit with the fruits of our year’s labor, it will mean a bit more to you.
I loved the idea of the CSA when I thought of it and I love it today. And it hurts me when people don’t get it. But you know what? It’s time for me to man up a bit (woman up?) and stop getting weepy when someone says something mean to me about it.
Spring shares are coming very soon…
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Since I have been here from almost before the beginning, I have the right to say…. RELAX!!! There are tons of us out here who are happy, and if one person…or even several people ..BREATHE DEEPLY ,..are not happy or don’t get it, then it is the rest of us who will carry on and counteract it. Can’t wait for the yarn, can never wait for the yarn and still I make myself wait for the yarn and lots of us out here do that too.
If I have any complaints it is that there are not enough pics of Sweet William and Feenat.
OK, I am sure that I am repeating what others probably have already written, but STOP. There are unpleasant people out there. There are unreasonable people out there. There are people out there who like nothing better than to threaten and diminish others.
You are in a people – business so unfortunately you have to deal with some of those types. It is THEM, not you.
Good riddance to that customer. And I can only imagine the virtual riot that would begin at Ravelry in response to someone trying to launch personal attacks on the CSA. The Fans would NOT allow it.
I am coming late to the party so I am probably repeating what everyone else has said, but—I think the CSA is a wonderful idea and I have been delighted with this experience. I have learned more than I could have imagined about what goes into producing wonderful yarn, but more meaningfully, I feel like I have gained a whole family of wonderful friends, even though I have not had the pleasure of meeting any of you in person. Thank you for what you do [Erin too] and you can count on me for Ravelry support.
Ugh, I’m sorry to hear that. Though if she mentions you specifically on Ravelry, that is totally not allowed and you can get the folks in charge to remove the posts.
It’s absolutely irrational that, though I would like to be adored by everyone, there are a number of them that I’d rather not be approached by, thanks just the same.
i hear ya about wanting people to like you and embrace your idea of the world. but a pretty long time ago i figured out that i mostly step to a different beat and that if i spent my time worrying and upset over what other people thought of me, i might as well just hang myself from the bathroom rod. so now, if someone doesnt like me or my view of the world, i wish them well and send them on their way. i am a much happier (and well adjusted) person for it. i would BET that your need for people to like you has a strong connection to your walking/talking in your sleep. it can be a very disturbing thing…
but, WE all love you and your world view. you have us!!!
that is one of the VERY cool things about this CSA! and think about it… how many people who cooperate in the csa have acted the way that woman did? :>
people can be real idiots
i don’t like idiot people
or dealing with them
because like you, in addition to not having a favorite color
i like people to like me too
and sometimes by needing their confirmation and/or vote of admiration
i forget that what matters more is my own integrity and knowingness about what it is I DO –i could go on but
i appreciate your candidness about this.
when people have nothing better to do
and or choose to be negative DESPITE ones best efforts to HELP them resolve a (valid or invalid) issue
it makes me want to murderize them–which of course i’d never do
but WHY ON EARTH do stinky vinegar soaked rough around the edges mean spirited people out-clout those whose hearts wrap around many with far more care and intent to do good for all.
i don’t know.
but i do appreciate what you do
and i’m glad to know ya
hopefully get to give you a big hug someday too.
we all have these lessons to learn
i’m in the midst of some similar myself
toughen up tootsie
but not too much
just remember…u r under NO OBLIGATION to take in anything people say
so more than toughening up
just turn the volume of any (swear word about to appear) stinkin shit some idiot says down or make it sound like charlie browns teachers “wha wha wha wha …”
if anything negative is posted about you
let us know
you’ll have 1,000,000 to 1 compliments vs crap from crabby (that’s a million compliments and 1 crappy comment )
much love beaming u’r way and to everyone @ the farms
love
rona
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