Memorial Day Monday ~ 2025

May 26, 2025 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 53 Comments

Memorial Day Today in the US, we celebrate Memorial Day. It’s often called the ‘unofficial’ beginning of summer but for us at the Ranch, we view it as more of a day of reflection that honors and mourns US military personnel who died while serving in the armed forces. So how did Memorial Day originate?

Originally called Decoration Day, the first national observation was proclaimed in 1890 though it is believed many cities in the South began decorating Civil War grave sites honoring their war dead years earlier.

On May 5, 1868, Gen. John A. Logan, commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, proclaimed that all soldiers from both the Union and Confederacy shall be honored by decorating graves the same way the Southern states had.

The name “Memorial Day” was first used in 1882, and ultimately replaced “Decoration Day” after World War II but it did not become federal law until 1967. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, moving four holidays (including Memorial Day) from their traditional dates to a specified Monday, thus creating a three-day weekend by changing Memorial Day from its original May 30 date to the last Monday in May.

We will eschew the mattress sales and BBQ’s to reflect on those who lost their life protecting the country’s freedom. Please have a safe and reflective holiday.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 64 Comments

Some days I swear, I should have named “him” Hoover…or Dyson as crumbs on the floor are not safe. We hope all your food groups are met today. Stay happy, stay healthy and make it a great day (and week). Happy Monday.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 50 Comments

Happy Monday! We hope all you pet mom’s had a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend. While the calendar says it’s spring, we find ourselves more in summer with temps in the mid-80’s with mostly clear skies.

Wilson found today’s smile and said he totally agreed with it after a weekend of good weather with lots of helicopter leaf seed pods finding their way to sidewalks. I swear this boy is a lot like having a toddler…he has to be watched like a bloody hawk so that he doesn’t put everything in his mouth. And here I thought dogs processed their worlds by sniffing, when in fact, in his case, everything is processed through his mouth first.

Here’s hoping you have a totally pawsome Monday and an even better week. Wilson says, ‘don’t eat anything he wouldn’t eat.’

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 61 Comments

Happy Cinco de Mayo. What is this Cinco de Mayo celebration all about? Let’s take a look back at history to find out, shall we?

Cinco de Mayo marks the commemoration of the Mexican Army’s defeat over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The army led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, died months following the battle from an illness and his army was subsequently defeated in a second battle. The French occupied Mexico City and at the end of the American Civil War, the US began lending money and guns to the Mexican Liberals, pushing France and Mexican Conservatives to the edge of defeat.

In 1866 Napoleon announced the withdrawal of French troops from Mexico. Although France asked for American neutrality, the then American secretary of state, William H. Seward (he of Seward’s Folly fame who purchased the territory of Alaska for roughly $7.2 million in 1867-the equivalent to $129 million in 2023), told the French the withdrawal from Mexico should be unconditional.

More popular in the United States than in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo has become associated with the celebration of Mexican-American culture somewhat ironic in today’s political climate. Wilson asks if you know where your blender is for today’s smile.

Happy Monday and Happy Cinco de Mayo. Make it a great week!

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 57 Comments

Wait…it’s the last Monday of April? Where the heck did April go? Seems like I just blinked and poof! it’s practically gone. When I realized it, I felt a lot like this game show’s contestant. Wishing you a fantabulous Monday and remember don’t sweat a ticking clock. Happy Monday!

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 49 Comments

Hope your holiday weekend was full of joy and peace. The Ranch foreman surprised her Dad for the day. It was a lovely get together with family.

This week we’ll commemorate Earth Day (April 22). First held on April 22, 1970, it includes a wide range of events that are coordinated globally through the Earth Day website, with a billion people in more than 193 countries. Around the Ranch, we think it’s important for all of us to get serious about it…especially because of today’s political climate…you know, before coal comes roaring back and science becomes completely outlawed.

Just remember we’re all connected.

Happy Monday.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ April 14, 2025

April 14, 2025 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 60 Comments

Considering it was in the mid-80’sF a mere couple of days ago, Wilson and I woke up to a bit of a surprise this morning. The wild wonderful wacky work of springtime in the Rockies.

Let’s just hope it doesn’t impact the butterflies we saw on our daily walks. I had to chuckle when I found today’s smile which just reminds us of how spring can quickly morph from the “chrysalis” stage. Hope your Monday beautifully emerges today and throughout the week.

P.S. Don’t forget this public service reminder, tomorrow is the tax filing deadline in the US. While our return was submitted weeks ago, the refund arrived quicker than expected (and equally quickly spent), we know some folks wait until the last day to file.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ April 7, 2025

April 7, 2025 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 60 Comments

Happy Monday, peeps. After a week of winter revisiting the Front Ranch, today is shaping up to return to glorious spring. Yay! Today’s early morning temperature low is nearly as warm as the past few days highs. I know both the Floof and I will enjoy it and may even take an extended walk around Sloan’s Lake to see how spring is shaping up there.

It’s going to be a full week for Wilson as he’ll be delivering some K-9 therapy this week at Lutheran…{whispering softly} which will mean a certain someone will ~~suffer~~ have the requisite bath and professional groom. Apologies buddy-please focus on all the attention and treats you’ll be receiving this week. Ooh, did I mention the best word around…I sure did. TREATS, TREATS and more TREATS. Hopefully that got his attention.