Privacy Policy: Keeping your cards close to your vest

May 28, 2020

I value you and your privacy. I don’t want criminals, creeps, and otherwise unsavory creatures to get up in your business.

I use SSL (encryption) to protect your data in transit to and from this site as well as robust security software to protect the integrity of this site, and in turn your data.

The only information I store is information that you provide freely:

Newsletters

I like to connect, so I collect your name and email address so that I may share my oddities and other news with you. That comes in the form of a more or less weekly newsletter.

Your email address will be checked by a third party (CleanTalk) just to make sure you are a real person and not a spammer. You are gold and get to stay. Spammers do dirty deeds and get washed away. Spammers are not invited to our campfire coffee/tea party. Spamming is rude behavior and I don’t cotton with that. Think of this technology as the bouncers who keep you and me safe. I’ve opened my virtual space to you and you’ve freely visited for the internet’s version of a hot beverage. We don’t need nonsense such as that invading our cozy chat. I don’t want people pissing in the water well–you can only imagine how that ends.

Additionally, things change and sometimes people need a break. Need to ride out and check fences where there’s no internet? Want to be removed from this list? Click unsubscribe at the bottom of any newsletter. As long as your aren’t a spammer, you can always return.

In addition, the newsletters do send a message back to my website when they are opened. This helps me to better design future content. I like to reflect back what resonates. No need to send out material you don’t want to read!

Comments–the things you choose to share with us

To allow for discussion, you have the opportunity to post comments on my website. Please do. I love to chat.  I love to hear from others. You can include your stories, too.

The information collected when you comment includes your name, email address, ip address, and your comments. If you ever wish to have your comments removed, send me a quick note through the contact form and I’ll remove them.

Just like with the newsletter, I do have CleanTalk check over your comments. If you’re a spammer, they’ll toss you out on your ear–remember our friendly bouncer? CleanTalk is made up of some really nice folks. They only store your information for a few days. That way if I find out they’ve accidentally thrown out someone who isn’t a spammer, I can give them a holler to let you back in. Friendly to us, not to spammers. Just the way we like it.

Website Activity Tracking

My hosting company provides me with basic data on those who access my site. The data stored in this manner is not traceable back to any individual and is deliberately generalized. It provides me with information related to the country of origin of site visitors, what browser they are using, and how long they stayed on the site. If you want to read about what I use, here is a good article. Knowledge is good.

In addition, Google and other search engines track website visitors. This is something that happens whenever you use the internet. If you do not want to be tracked, please consider using a private browser window.  The information that these search engines store is not traceable to one individual and so is very generic in nature. I do not store this information, however I do occasionally look at it so that I can tell what people are searching for when they come to my site. “Occasionally” is the operative word–I’m usually thinking about clouds, coffee, and sundry other things. However, there are times when I’m like Pandora and get curious–maybe take a little peek.

I’m also using Google Analytics to learn why people are visiting my site. How did you come to be here? Why are you here? Do you like me? Scary, but Google knows these things. I figure, I might as well look at the information. Again, that’s when curiosity strikes or I get a wild hair.

Don’t want me to know? Consider using that private browser!

Use of Cookies (Sorry, non edible variety)

I use cookies on this Site to ensure the integrity of the registration process and to personalize the Site. A cookie is a small text file that is placed on your hard disk by a Web page server. Cookies cannot be used to run programs or deliver viruses to your computer. Cookies are uniquely assigned to you, and can only be read by a Web server in the domain that issued the cookie to you. One of the primary purposes of cookies is to provide a convenience feature to save you time. For example, if you personalize a web page, or navigate within a site, a cookie helps the site to recall your specific information on subsequent visits. This simplifies the process of delivering relevant content, eases site navigation, and so on. When you return to the Web site, the information you previously provided can be retrieved, so you can easily use the site’s features that you customized.

Web beacons, also known as clear gif technology, or action tags, may be used to assist in delivering the cookie. This technology is a tool used to compile aggregated statistics about web site usage, such as how many visitors clicked on key elements (such as links or graphics) on a Web page, blog or a newsletter. I may share aggregated site statistics with partner companies who have provided customization software for use on  my site. No private or personal information is transferred in this way.

You have the ability to accept or decline cookies. Many Web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can modify your browser settings to decline cookies if you prefer. If you choose to decline cookies, you may not be able to fully experience the interactive features of this or other Web sites you visit. Trust me, I’ve tried that and it’s frustrating.

But let’s be real. The only cookie that you’ll probably want set is the one to remember who you are the next time you comment. That’ll make your life easier.

Changes to this Statement

Things change, so I may have to make changes to this statement (🙄, sorry).

If anything does change–I’ll make it loud and clear. We all want the latest scoop, maybe not here, but it’s still important. With that said, I don’t like to mess with the law or invade your privacy, especially when you choose to visit me. Anything I do will to be keep in compliance, enhance privacy, and block spammers and other internet attackers.

I encourage you to periodically review this privacy statement to stay informed about how I am helping to protect the personal information I collect. I like to play with words, so the more familiar I become with these laws the more playful the words here may become. You’ll never know what gold you can mine here.

Your continued use of the service constitutes your agreement to this privacy statement and any updates.

Friends and Curious From Afar (International Users)

This Site is hosted in the United States. If you are accessing the Site from outside the United States, by providing your information to the Site, you are consenting to the transfer of your information to the United States for processing and maintenance in accordance with this Privacy Notice. You are also consenting to the application of United States law in all matters concerning the Site.

Riding off into the sunset?

Send me a quick note through my contact page and I’ll completely remove your data from my website.

Thanks to Mabel Amber for the great image!