Art of the Pie®

Making the World a Better Place One Pie at a Time

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Welcome
    • About
    • Kate McDermott Press Mentions
  • Books
    • Bibliography
    • Erratum
  • Learn
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Contact
    • Media Inquiries
You are here: Home / Thoughts / Over Venting…Or Not

Over Venting…Or Not

08/19/2019 By Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie 27 Comments

Over Venting…Or Not

First of all, I want to share with you that I finally received the refund from Sears.com for the refrigerator. Whew! But, most important of all, I want to thank all who wrote in with comments and emails after I posted about what should have been a simple transaction, when it turned in to an epic fail. 

There are so many things about our modern technological world that I find irksome. When I visit other websites, I am greeted with pop up windows, sometimes multiple in number, that I must close or respond to, before reading what I went there for in the first place.

My blog is purposely kept ad free. It has never been monetized, and although I could do that, and bring in some actual income for the posts you read, I chose to keep it ad free. I’m not high up in the search engine ratings because, quite honestly, I just don’t know how to play the search engine algorithm game. If you don’t know what that is, good for you.

A few years back, I gave up going to food conferences because it seemed that over half the sessions were tech related, not food related, with subjects like:

  • How to Improve Your Google Rating
  • How to Get More Readers
  • How to Get More Ad Revenue
  • How to Utilize SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
  • How-to Tricks to Increase the Perceived Value of Your Content

Before I push the publish button on any post to you, I often times am met with alerts like:

  • Readability: Needs Improvement
  • Paragraph: Over the recommended 150 words.
  • One section is over 300 words. Needs Improvement.
  • 13.6% of the sentences contain passive voice, which is more than the recommended maximum of 10%.
  • Transition words: Only 29.3% of the sentences contain transition words, which is not enough. Use more of them.
  • SEO: Not available

Sheesh! Should I worry about this stuff? I can hear my dad’s long-gone voice saying to me right now, “Life is way too short to worry about that,” and you know, his sage and simple words continue to be ones I call to mind when I get stressed about something. 

What I will do, is to continue to write what I want, when I want, and how I want, not worrying about ratings and rankings, that have nothing to do with you getting to know me, and me getting to know you. The right people, A/K/A YOU, will find me, and I don’t think that you care about all that stuff either. 

Here’s a lovely picture of three of my favorite 4-legged friends on the deck today. They don’t care about any of that tech stuff either. 😉

Tech-Free and Loving It!

“Still, what I want in my life
is to be willing
to be dazzled—
to cast aside the weight of facts

and maybe even
to float a little
above this difficult world.”
― Mary Oliver

Filed Under: Thoughts Tagged With: Mary Oliver, tech free

27 Thoughts on Over Venting…Or Not
    Amy Wallen
    19 Aug 2019
     1:29pm

    All that matters is dogs and pie. And if those two things don’t bring good ratings, then who cares?

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      19 Aug 2019
       1:30pm

      Thank you, Amy!

      Reply
        Cherie Ninnis
        19 Aug 2019
         3:39pm

        Yes, indeed ——— pie and dogs how simply marvelous 💖💕❤️

        Reply
          Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
          19 Aug 2019
           4:31pm

          Yup! In a nutshell (or a pie pan), that’s it, Cherie.

          Reply
    Tracy A Marschall
    19 Aug 2019
     1:33pm

    Hi Kate! While I wouldn’t fault you if you de ided to monetize your blog, I don’t care about those things either. And I was an English teacher in another life! Want to write in passive voice? Whatever! As long as it is YOUR voice, that’s all I care about. You are the first person that comes to mind as I break out my favorite pie making supplies (beyond any conversation with family and friends about requests), so I would think your brand, your reach, and your influence are all pretty darn effective!
    Wishing you the best,
    Tracy

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      19 Aug 2019
       1:38pm

      Thanks so much, Tracy! Years ago, a dear friend shared with me the first time when she actually heard my voice in my writing. I have always remembered and it bolstered my confidence to continue writing…and share that process with others. I was honored to be asked by Powell’s Books to write about how I found my voice in their blog.

      Reply
        Tracy A Marschall
        19 Aug 2019
         2:23pm

        Yes! I remember reading that and thinking…”just get out of the way” — exactly! While we’ve not (yet!) met, I so enjoy your books because your voice there matches your blog voice, which matches your voice on social media and email, which I imagine would match the conversations we could have over coffee or tea while the pies are in the oven. You come across as a friend — with great expertise, but also warm, funny and encouraging. Your recipes are wonderful, but it is your voice that gives them context, the stories they are embedded in. I know ironically “authentic” has become a buzzword lately, but I still think it’s one of the best compliments around. And you are. 😊

        Reply
          Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
          19 Aug 2019
           4:30pm

          Thank you so much, Tracy! I hope we can share tea or coffee sometime.

          Reply
            Tracy A Marschall
            19 Aug 2019
             6:00pm

            Me too! 🥧❤

            Reply
    Susan
    19 Aug 2019
     1:35pm

    Thank heaven we can still enjoy eating a piece of pie, an old and simple joy in a good life.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      19 Aug 2019
       1:41pm

      Yup, and I am having one heck of a good time creating new recipes for everyone that will be in book three, Susan! My due date (sounds like a pregnancy doesn’t it? 🤪) is coming on on November 1st, and then there will be photo shoots to follow. Right now I feel like I am in the trenches, but what delicious and wonderful work to be so very lucky to do.

      Reply
    Linda Casey
    19 Aug 2019
     1:45pm

    I found you the old fashioned way, word of mouth! We were at a performance of Willy Wonka in San Francisco when the couple next to us began talking about Pie Camp. Pie Camp? OMG, what’s that and how do I sign up? Love your blog and can’t wait to attend next year.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      19 Aug 2019
       1:49pm

      Word of mouth is the best kind of advertising. Many thanks to that couple at the performance in San Francisco (Thank you all for supporting the arts by attending live theater😇) who sent you my way, Linda!
      P.S. I loved Gene Wilder in the Willie Wonka movie.

      Reply
    Deborah Binder
    19 Aug 2019
     2:00pm

    A favorite Mary Oliver poem that I thought you would enjoy on this lovely summer day!

    The Summer Day

    Who made the world?
    Who made the swan, and the black bear?
    Who made the grasshopper?
    this grasshopper, I mean—
    the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
    the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
    who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
    who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
    Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
    Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
    I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
    I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
    into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
    how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
    which is what I have been doing all day.
    Tell me, what else should I have done?
    Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
    Tell me, what is it you plan to do
    with your one wild and precious life?

    Mary Oliver, 1992

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      19 Aug 2019
       4:29pm

      One of my all time favorite poems, and especially the last question. Thank you so much for posting it, Deborah.

      Reply
    Rosalie Baker
    19 Aug 2019
     2:53pm

    I love your blog. Don’t change a thing. You are a real person talking to us! Thank you for all your wonderful words.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      19 Aug 2019
       4:31pm

      Thank you Rosalie! I certainly have enjoyed my in person conversations with you, too.

      Reply
    Shellie
    19 Aug 2019
     4:10pm

    Hi Kate,
    Loved your vent post. Been there. Loved this post as well. Love your books. Pretty sure I would love you should the opportunity present itself. So impressed you have chosen to be ad free. Love you more! The pendulum clearly needs to swing the other way. Away from technology and toward the written word (especially books, even cook books!), face to face conversation and all things hearth and home.

    Keep the home fires burning and a pie at the ready.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      19 Aug 2019
       4:33pm

      I will continue to do my best to keep them burning, both figuratively, and literally, Shellie. There’s lots of wood out back to split for this winter.

      Reply
    Mary
    19 Aug 2019
     4:19pm

    I’m with Tracy as another former high school and college English professor. I enjoy how you tell each of your stories as your honesty and “realness” are so refreshing. The Pastor of my church first introduced me to your site when he gave a sermon about pie baking after his daughter had purchased “The Art of the Pie” for him as a Christmas gift. It was one of the best sermons I ever heard. After that, I immediately purchased your pie book for each of my friends for birthdays and showers.
    Know that your voice is appreciated! Continue being the wonderful person you are!
    P.S. I loved the photo of your dogs; I’m also glad you received your refund. When you get all of your appliances, please share a photo on your website.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      19 Aug 2019
       4:35pm

      Someone wrote me years ago to share that there had been a sermon about pie baking that included a mention of Art of the Pie. I wonder if it was your church, Mary.

      Reply
    judy
    20 Aug 2019
     2:38am

    I have cards that I bought years ago that we hand out to folks who go “above and beyond” in their lives that say, “You make a difference!” I want you to have one and here it is:

    YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

    Thank you for your honesty and creativity and obvious love for others including our four legged friends. Please carry on as you have been and I will be here to read and enjoy.

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      20 Aug 2019
       7:59am

      Dear Judy, What wonderful words to read this morning! Thank you so very much. K

      Reply
    Kristen
    22 Jan 2020
     8:14am

    I just came over from Dianne’s post and love that you’ve stuck to “old school” blogging. We need more blogs like this…more stories and connections with others. Not just formulated SEO posts.

    Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      22 Jan 2020
       8:17am

      Thank you so much, Kristen. I’ve never played “the game” well in much of anything that I’ve done. Yup, I’m old school and proud of it!

      Reply
    Maureen
    31 Jan 2020
     2:27pm

    Hi Kate,

    I found this post on Dianne J’s blog. You had me at pie, then dogs, then Mary Oliver.

    I love that your site is ad free. I don’t blog anymore, and wondered if I should take it up again. I didn’t monetized then and definitely won’t if I start again. I’m savvy enough for SEO.

    Keep doing you. I’ll keep reading. I’m off to bake a blueberry galette!

    Reply
      Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie
      31 Jan 2020
       2:30pm

      Thank you, Maureen! I’m heading back to copyedits for book three. Can’t wait until they are done so I can get back to hands on baking!

      Reply

Leave A Comment Cancel Reply

Recipe Rating




  • Sign up to receive my weekly newsletter!

Yes that’s me at three! Everyone needs a clown suit.

Bake with Kate

Virtual Pie Workshops Broadcast Live from Pie Cottage
Peach Berry Pie on September 11

In Person Art of the Pie Day Camps
One Spot Just Opened for September 17 Class.
New Fall and Winter Dates Will Be Announced Soon.

New Dates for 3-Day Virtual Pie Camps are Coming Soon!

Click on the Cover

Art of the Pie (the Book)
Pie Camp Book Cover

Pie Camp: The Skills You Need to Make Any Pie You Want

Home Cooking with Kate McDermott

 

© 2022 · Art of the Pie® · All Rights Reserved