Yesterday some of you may have seen my flounce off Facebook. I threw teddy (not my Teddy , but a metaphorical one) out of the cot and deactivated my account for precisely 12 hours when this morning I realised that I couldn’t deactivate my account because I am an Admin on two rather important groups/pages.
I am now feeling very raw about Facebook. I need to be there for my Admin duties but really don’t want to be there, to be criticised by folk who don’t know or want to know the whole picture but are more than happy to make judgements instead.
I am not sure really what to do, if I am perfectly honest. I think, for the time being, I will just put up my daily blog link, perform my Admin duties and try not to get involved with anything else. I don’t think I want to put my head above the parapet for a while. Being roasted like that was horrible and very hurtful.
I hope you understand. I am feeling very threatened and vulnerable because of it.
And in the process, I seem to have lost my My Shetland Facebook page, dammit!
Facebook, like so many other places, has become mean. I limit what I see and post on it. But this blog, i need for my daily dose of humanity. So thank you for sharing your critters with us. Even though I live in New England (did not vote for the turnip in DC), I feel like I am on Shetland with you. Hugs from me.
Frances l don’t know what these people on Facebook get out of being so nasty to people. You are worth far more as a person , your life in Shetland and your kindness in letting us into your life makes many people happier than you know. These excuses for humans are a bunch of sad individuals , with nothing in their lives , but to call out other people. I understand how hurt you are and it’s difficult to see these messages. But you are a wonderful person, and should just carry on as you were before Facebook. Sending hugs.xx Jan.
Hi Frances, I am not on Facebook, so sorry about your roasting.
Hang in there, go and pet some ponies and walk your doggies
and Monster. You will recover. I enjoy your blog, read it every
day.
oh dear. so sorry. did not even know you are/were on Facebook. Some people have nothing better to do than upset others. I just want you to know your blog is enjoyed daily. Especially i’m afraid pictures of monster. I like to think that somewhere those who gave him up read about him and regret it. Don’t be too disheartened.
he had his name changed to protect his identity! (and, yes, I hope so too)
I’m sorry you were so hurt by idiots who find it easy to be unpleasant behind a computer screen. If anyone writes anything to me on FB that I find unnecessary or unpleasant, I delete their comment, unfriend them (if indeed they are a friend) and block. Which, of course, you are able to do on all your groups.
Frances, please don’t let them take you off of facebook. These people thrive on hurting folks, it seems to be the new norm because the ‘dump’ ans his magats think this is how to be. The majority of us love you your animals and learning about Shetland through your eyes. Please just delete those comments, don’t even read them. They are not worth your or anyone’s time.
I am so very sorry. We talk about computers a lot in my house because it’s been my husband’s life as an engineer. One of the hot topics is the cruelty that exists because of social media’s ability to hide & lash out with no punishment for negative behavior & unkind words. We are concerned because the Internet has allowed & fostered opinions that are so egregious & yet unchecked. These feelings have encouraged people to expouse outrageous & dangerous idealogies. Personally, I have chosen not to be on social media which is ironic because I’m an extrovert, but I just cannot participate in a medium that allows good, wonderful people to be brutalized. My words cannot neutralize the hurtful experience that you encountered, but please know that you & your adventures make my day, every day.
so sorry this is happening to you. the world is crazy. and certainly here in the US. someone (who I thought was a friend) told me that the small flag in front of my home which said,” make Americans kind again, embrace diversity, restore mother Earth, abolish hatred” was political and that I ought to take it down. of course I won’t.
Good for you, Darby. If everyone was like you the world would be a better place. God bless you.
❤️
Hello Frances , I read your posts on here not Facebook but am sorry that you’ve been the recipient of hurtful comments. The world seems to be full of angry ignorant people at the moment. Please know that you are doing a great job caring for your animals and family and that your delightful blog posts are much enjoyed.
Sometimes the trolls strike out because they decide that they know what you’re thinking and what you meant by a post. That’s ridiculous. Then they decide that it’s their job to smack down their imagined slight, failing to acknowledge that its all in their heads, not the writer’s. They are wrong. They should just quietly go to somewhere private and yell at themselves.
Meanwhile back at the ranch… those of us who realize that there are thoughts and ideas outside of ourselves treasure the posts of people like you. I’ve yet to get to the Shetland islands. I’ve never rescued ponies or sheep or ducks. You’ve opened up so much to me and your other readers. Thank you, and I hope you continue to share your experiences with us.
Anything they type says far more about them than it does you. Do what works for you and stick two finger up to the small minded and ignorant!
Your blog is wonderful, Frances and shows how much you care. It is sad that there are people who think it’s fun to be horrible. I wonder if you can ask other people to moderate the two community sites so that you can leave Facebook. Another way would be to Unfriend people who are not being friendly. I’m so sorry you are feeling hurt because of ignorant, jealous individuals. Lots of love to you and thanks for all the hard work you put into caring for all your animals.
I am on Facebook but there are lots of things about their policy and administration that I don’t like at all. I don’t know why they cannot moderate their business better.
Sending lots of love, Judith xx
Hello Frances, Sending hugs your way. Please know that there are many more people out here that are truely grateful for your daily postings. I am not on facebook. There are good and bad things about the internet. One of the very wonderful things is to be able to see a slice of someplace else so vividly. You provide that many people and we are all so very thankful that you do.
I look forward to reading this page at some point every day, Frances. I didn’t realise you had another blog on Facebook. I echo everyone else’s comments about the needless unpleasentness that is turning Facebook into a no-go area for so many people. Please don’t let these horrible people make you miserable. xx
No, I just post the links to this one there.
I’m on Facebook and well aware of how nasty it can get. Thankfully I can usually leave such groups or block people but I imagine that’s a lot harder as an admin. I’ve not seen anything from you on FB but I come here almost daily for my dose of positive vibes. Keep doing what you’re doing, knowing the majority appreciate the windows into another way of living.
I agree with everything the others have said about Facebook and about how much your blog is enjoyed and loved by all of us. Your Shetland blog is the first thing I look for every morning and sip my coffee while reading about your world and wishing mine included characters like Monster, Pepper, Ted, Harrel the Barrel, Gussie, Dahlia, Kolka and the Icelandic boys, and all the ponies. I’m also a big fan of the ducks and chickens. I sympathize with poo-picking and often decide it can wait until tomorrow too.
I love your accounts of your work at Turriefield; it’s inspiring how your community is producing home grown vegetables. I love your photos if the local flowers; I wish I could help you to find the names but I live on the west/wet coast of Canada.
I’m not on FB because I never liked the lack of boundaries on what can and cannot be said. However, I really cannot imagine what anyone could possibly find to ‘roast’ you about! Your blog is delightful, honest, and an inspiration. Don’t let the trolls get into your head!
I agree with everything the others have said about Facebook and about how much your blog is enjoyed and loved by all of us. Your Shetland blog is the first thing I look for every morning and sip my coffee while reading about your world and wishing mine included characters like Monster, Pepper, Ted, Harrel the Barrel, Gussie, Dahlia, Kolka and the Icelandic boys, and all the ponies. I’m also a big fan of the ducks and chickens. I sympathize with poo-picking and often decide it can wait until tomorrow too.
I love your accounts of your work at Turriefield; it’s inspiring how your community is producing home grown vegetables. I love your photos if the local flowers; I wish I could help you to find the names but I live on the west/wet coast of Canada.
I’m not on FB because I never liked the lack of boundaries on what can and cannot be said. However, I really cannot imagine what anyone could possibly find to ‘roast’ you about! Your blog is delightful, honest, and an inspiration. Don’t let the trolls get into your head! You are a good person who is doing good things by rescuing sheep like Edna and Madge, etc.
You poor darling. I have no idea what happened to you, and it just confirms why I refuse to be on Faceache or have anything to do with it if I can possibly avoid.
The ‘wonders’ of the internet seem to bring out the absolute worst in some people, as others have said there are some very sad & angry folk around.
Try to remember a lovely meme that did the rounds a few months back: ” There are 9 billion people on this planet so do not let the opinion of just ONE idiot ruin your day”.
I don’t have anything new to say, just agree with all of the above. We love you and your blog, and I’m so sorry this happened.
People like that are usually miserable in their own lives so want to make yours miserable too. Pitiful. Ignore.
HI Frances: like all your other replies, I to enjoy my daily dose of Shetland through your eyes and your photos. Through the ups and downs I have been reading since (a bit before?) you acquired the minions. I agree with your position to step back and breath. Take time with your family , friends and your critter-crew. They will keep you grounded. Take a drive, walk on the beach, soon the migrations should be starting up. Its starting to act like spring here on the East Coast(Mid-Atlantic). Lots blooming, big storm coming Sunday and sooner or later some Frosty morning will nip the blooms.
I am not a participant in FB or any of the other sites. Occasionally I read a link about gardening, sewing, horses, dogs, sheep, farming, travel if the page is ‘open to the public’, but I refuse to join and add my personal info to those Locations. IT professional going on 40 years, I remember when AOL was all the thing. Nope was not going to ‘join’ and then FB came out and it was FREE … everyone is welcome. I knew from working for a large company what it takes to keep a server farm going from the infrastructure to all the software etc. They have to be making their money from somewhere, and if its not subscription its from ‘YOUR DATA’ whether you admit it or not. As time passed all that has come to the surface, but many just shrug and put up with it. Its just not my cup of tea. Literally.
Give the pups a hug and everytime you pick some poo, you can think of the angry-nasty-poops who don’t have anything better to do than to create a bother.
M in NC
heading out to sneeze and do a bit of weeding
I love this. Thank you x
I’m not on Facebook for many reasons, but your experience is certainly a prime example. Why do so many people feel that exposing their prejudices and ignorance to unsuspecting (and undeserving) individuals somehow elevates them in the eyes of others? I look forward to your posts because you show us how considerate and caring you are toward all of your animal friends. I’m still trying to remember the names of all of them, but will get them eventually. Please keep on trucking (as some say here in the States).
So many expressions of dismay that you were beaten up on Facebook, but I think it odd that those same people do not hesitate to call the US President a turnip, and a dump and his magrats. That seems hypocritical to me, and another example of the lack of online civility. That said, I love your blog, every morning!
I try not to make my blog about human politics. More about animal politics.