Greetings fellow Monday warriors. Here’s hoping your weekend was full of tasty things and sans the racket from ongoing Fourth of July revelers. Sheesh, with all the complaining about the economy, you’d think fireworks wouldn’t have been so prevalent this year. If you can explain it, I’d be interested to know since I certainly don’t get it.
Anyway, here’s a smile to start out your day. Hopefully the four-legged sect were beneficiaries of bungled flips over the weekend. Sure beats cowering in the back of a closet, doesn’t it?
Happy Monday. We’re hoping you have a ‘wagnificent’ week.
Many thanks from the bottom of my heart for all the kindness and tender thoughts of comfort you’ve sent to us over the past two and half weeks. I’m touched beyond words and Elsa and I both greatly appreciated your care and concern. We’re doing our best to be less sad but some days are harder than others and we need to keep our favorite comfort stuffy close by to great through those rough moments. Yesterday was the first day Elsa had picked up Norman’s moose and played with it briefly. I like to believe Angel Norman was watching over her saying it’s okay, little Ninja.
Today may be the last Monday of the week (and month) but it’s also the day we celebrate Memorial Day in the U.S. (we encourage you to click on the link for historical background on how Memorial Day came into being). Today is also special for another reason around the Ranch.
Today is my youngest granddaughter’s birthday. It’s hard to believe this young, gifted woman turns 15 today. It seems like just yesterday when she was just a wee tyke who charmed everyone she encountered. Where did the time gone? Happy birthday, sweetie. From a little cutie to a talented, incredibly caring and beautiful young woman, you continue to impress all who know you. Love you, L.
The Head Ranch Wrangler will be leaving for Hawaii in a couple of days to celebrate the wedding of my oldest granddaughter to the love of her life so posts/comments may be sporadic but I will do my best to visit your websites as WiFi and time permits.
All of us at the Ranch wish each and everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day Monday and hope you spend a moment thanking those who paid the ultimate price so that you can remain free.
Well, it looks like another Monday rolled out of bed this morning but we hope it’s good for you nonetheless. Not sure we’re quite ready for it but it’s definitely here. The skies continue to be smokey from the Alberta wildfires.
Our hearts go out to our Canadian friends; please know we’re thinking of you. Some 2500 firefighters are doing their best to keep themselves and their communities safe while battling 80 active fires. We hope you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
In the meantime, Norman and I have been having a back and forth conversation about whether he should or should not get a bath with full summer groom. Maybe all the rain has made his hair grow quicker but all of a sudden, and practically overnight I might add, he’s starting to look pretty muppet-ey. I’ve been trying to at least keep his face trimmed. Just like Elsa, the area on his backside seems to grow faster than any other part of his body. It’s almost like weeds after a rain shower that grow overnight. Who know rain could act like a ‘fur-tilizer?’
Here’s Norman’s take on the situation. I can’t disagree with him despite the daily dust rhinos becoming quite vicious in corners.
Here’s hoping your Monday is dust free and full of joy and love. Happy Monday.
We hope all you moms had a lovely Mother’s Day. Now it’s time to begin a new week.
Today is another soggy Monday for the Ranch Hands and it seemed like a good time to share a smile from our favorite sign maker, Vince from Indian Hills. Back in 2019 we started sharing some of Vince’s funnier/punnier signs. And if you are interested in some historical background about Vince, we shared a bit of it here.
There’s nothing better than a good groaning pun to start out the week. May smiles abound for you and you make this Monday extra special.
A happy Monday to you! A full weekend whizzed by and we’re ready to start the week with a smile.
Many of you may know that I’m a HUGE hockey fan and while my team was eliminated in the first round, I’m still following the Stanley Cup playoffs. A couple teams look quite impressive so when I came across today’s smile, it was easy to decide what today’s smile would be.
Here’s hoping your week goes well and no time is spent in the penalty box.
We will have an update on yesterday’s sheepdog fundraiser including photos later this week. All and all, it was a great event and we’re still compiling the numbers. Special thanks to everyone who supported us, whether in person or in spirit. Happy Monday!
Well…will you looky here. Time to turn the page on the ole paper calendar or for those who aren’t as old-fashioned as me, you can just swipe your digital device from April to May. Today is May Day, and is also known as International Workers Day around the world, which is a celebration of labourers and the working classes around the world and promoted by the international labour movement and occurs every May 1st, or in France, a big day to gather and protest the recently revamped pension system. I’d hate to be in Macron’s shoes these days.
In the U.S. May Day is a celebration of all things Spring and has its roots in astronomy with a touch of agriculture on the side. Being the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, it’s an unofficial holiday, marked with springtime festivities filled with song and dance celebrating the sown fields that are starting to sprout. Cattle were driven to pasture, special bonfires were lit, with doors of houses as well as livestock adorned with yellow May flowers. In the Middle Ages, the Gaelic people celebrated the festival of Beltane, the “Day of Fire.” People created large bonfires and danced at night to celebrate. May Day was a big celebration in England and ultimately migrated to the U.S. with the new colonists. Children would dance around the maypole, holding colorful ribbons. People would ”bring in the May” by gathering wildflowers and green branches, weaving floral hoops and hair garlands, and crowning a May king and queen. As a wee lass, I remember decorating May baskets in school, by making little paper cones, colored with crayons and filled with dandelion flowers or lilacs if they were blooming to give to Mom when I got home from school. Being resourceful kids, we also decorated the tether pole ropes with colored paper flowers, and giving our best imitation of dancing around the ‘maypole.’ Ah, now those were the days.
Fast forward and my ‘celebration’ of this annual date began by pulling weeds that I swear sprouted overnight from last week’s rain showers, otherwise known as fertilizer for weeds that germinate between the flagstone paths. Being a kid on May Day was a lot more fun.
But it’s still Monday, which means we need to start the week out with a smile, right? No point starting out the week with a grumble. So let’s see what the Ranch Hands came up with today to celebrate springtime.
Don’t know about you, I think there might be a subtle message here indicating ‘somebody’ apparently isn’t keen on costumes for photo shoots, Luckily I’m not completely oblivious which means I should be visiting the Dollar Store to check out what junk inexpensive decor I can use for the next photo session.
Quick…call 911! We blinked and the weekend flew by. What’s up with that?! Not to be wishing life away, but doesn’t Friday sure seems like a very long way off?
We hope your weekend was full of joyful fun and this week treats you kindly.
Good morning, peeps and welcome to Monday. Did you know today is National Hug Your Dog Day?
Elsa: As if we need a reason around the Ranch.
Norman: Spot on, ninja. Do you know the history behind this wonderful day? Apparently it was the brainchild of Ami Moore,, a professional dog trainer and behavior expert, and created for dog owners to appreciate all the joy their dogs bring them and to shower them with love.
Elsa: Well, I for one didn’t need someone to create a special day to be appreciated but will enjoy the extra attention that no doubt will be showered on both us following an attention showering over the Easter weekend.
Norman: You’re so right, little one. Our Mum showers us with attention all the time. Let’s give her and all uprights a special day for attention. Course, you know not all dogs appreciate hugs but there are other ways you can give them the special attention they so deserve.
Elsa: Good point, fur face. You could take them on a nice walk and let them sniff to their heart’s content. Or…how about a special doggie date? With extra wonderful treats?
Norman: Treats?? Ooh yes, count me in!
Elsa: Now, now, big guy, don’t get carried away. Just because treats are involved, it’s not good to overdo it.
Norman: {sad face} You’re probably right, sister. Today’s the day where you can celebrate some key moments in dog history. (1) Scientists believe dogs have been domesticated for about 15,000 years. (2) In the 1700’s, Dalmatian dogs were used to assist firefighters. (3) One of the most beloved dogs in America galloped into human’s hearts when Eric Knight published “Lassie” in 1940. (4) In 1954 the Humane Society was founded. Today it’s believed they save approximately 1.6 million dog lives each year.
Elsa: You probably know about this little factoid. In 1973 federal law allowed “emotional support and guidance dogs” to bypass the “no pet” restrictions in public housing.
Norman: Us dogs make life easier for humans in so many ways. It’s good to know that humans are focused on our well-being. In 2017 Thundershirts were created to hug dogs who struggle with when they get stressed during thunderstorms and similar situations.
Elsa: We like it when humans do those kinds of nice things for us. Hey, how about we can get Mom to tune into a special dog-themed movie tonight while she’s hugging us.
Norman: Oooh, count me in. However you celebrate today, we hope you get your fair share of hugs and/or attention and have a super Monday.
Elsa: And don’t forget to smile today but especially don’t forget to hug your dog.
Welcome to the first Monday of April. The high winds over the past few days reminded me of the things that can go wrong in a modern world. The weather was too nasty to try to go for a good walk, so I decided to check out what’s on TV after a lull in the hurricane force winds and after chasing trash bins down the alley a few times. Upon settling down with a cozy warm beverage and a couple of furry lap blankets, I discovered the router lost all memory of me and the dogs. No Netflix, no cable. Does anyone know what makes technology decide to not play ball? During March Madness! What the…? And yet I’m supposed to trust AI? Ummm, likely not at this point.
After 87 attempts to get the bloody router to play nice and recognize the hardware and the password, I realized I missed one of the best college basketball games ever. Way to go LSU Lady Tigers-congratulations on your win.
But things could have been worse, I suppose. At least I wasn’t swearing at a stranger (only CenturyLink).
