While MLB spring training actually began February 20, Wilson is getting in shape for it. Here’s hoping you’re ready to compete for the week. Happy Monday.
Live, Love, Bark! 🐾
Category: Smiles
Monday Musings ~ February 16, 2026
Good morning peeps. We hope you had a good weekend and are enjoying improved temperatures. With 32 days until the official arrival of Spring, things are starting to show signs that temps is moving in the right direction after a seemingly endless winter for many. We saw our first daffodil blooming on Saturday right before attending the rescue fundraiser at Kendra Scott’s. Wilson was quite the guest and seemed to enjoy all the attention and treats. He even tried his hand with herding after his appearance but was somewhat disappointed with the results. He said, “those doggone difficult creatures showed him no respect.” You can judge for yourself if the sheep disrespected him.
Have a marvelous Monday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Monday Musings ~ February 9, 2026
Welcome to another Monday. We hope you enjoyed your weekend and met your quota of sports viewing. Between the Super Bowl, the Olympics and the all important Puppy Bowl XXII, there was something for everyone. Your football team may not have won but everyone won in the Puppy Bowl with all 150 contestants finding their forever homes. As usual, kittens provided the adorable half time entertainment. Team Fluff again won the “Lombarky” Trophy in the 2026 Puppy Bowl, beating Team Ruff by a score of 73-69 (there was a whole lot more offense in the Puppy Bowl than the Super Bowl) for the second year in a row. Wilson and I offer our best congratulations to Team Fluff. For a look at the highlights. please click here.
We’ve heard folks on the East Coast suffered another brutally cold weekend but hope today marks a turn-around in their temps. With Spring just 39 days away, we’re hoping Nature gives them a much needed break.
So let’s move on to a couple of smiles for today.
I realize when you’re freezing, there’s not a lot of funny aboiut it but thought this might bring things into perspective. 
We hope you’re staying toasty warm and have a great Monday and even better week.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Monday Musings ~ February 2, 2026
Happy Monday, peeps. Welcome to the first Monday in February. Today is known as Groundhog Day where millions of people turn to a rodent to predict whether or not winter will be extended for another six weeks or not. Falling midway between the shortest day of the year. This tradition comes from a medieval Catholic holiday, Candlemas held on February 2, but the science behind it is questionable at best. In Germany, it was believed that when a badger emerged from its den, if it saw its shadow, it would return to said den, signaling six more weeks of winter. In the 1700s German immigrants brought this custom with them when they settled in Pennsylvania but changed the animal with the native and abundant, groundhog (or woodchuck) as the forecaster of spring’s arrival rather than a badger.
The first “official” Groundhog Day took place in 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and was organized by a local newspaper editor, Clymer Freas. A group of hunters known as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club was formed and well…here we are…relying on a rodent to let us know if winter will continue. Whether you believe in this long-standing custom, I’m sure many believe they couldn’t do any worse than the local weather forecast.
In keeping with our custom to enjoy a smile or two on Mondays, we have a few offerings today. We hope they make you smile even if it’s nearly certain Phil will see his shadow and the prediction of six more weeks of winter will follow. Hmmm, how convenient…it coincides with the calendar’s announcement that spring arrives on March 20th (in 45 days for those keeping track). Hang on peeps, spring is coming.
Have a Happy Monday and for those of you on the east coast who received more snow over weekend, we hope things warm up soon.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Monday Musings ~ January 26, 2026
Welcome to Snowmageddon…as if Monday wasn’t bad enough to deal with. We are hoping everyone is staying safe and cozy. Wilson thought everyone deserved a couple of smiles today with a minor edit to the first one.
On the plus side, once you finally defrost, there’s good news:
As expected, not a huge amount of snow arrived; my neighbor and I have managed to stay ahead of any accumulation on the sidewalks but today with clear skies, we are experiencing near blizzard-like winds blowing the snow over shoveled walks. Today’s high is expected to hit 41F (5C) which will seem like a heatwave. Please stay safe and warm. We hope all those affected with power outages will have their power restored soon. Happy Monday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Monday Musings ~ January 19, 2026
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Given today’s political climate, I think this quote is an appropriate one for the times and hope you are doing your part to spread the Reverend’s message. We need it more than ever. In the U.S. in particular, looking away can no longer be the norm.
It’s cold, snowy day in the 303 (and a bit quite unexpected-I know I sure wasn’t prepared for temps in the teens AND snow, even if the snow is pretty minor). The sky is clear now and we hope we reach the forecasted 41F degrees (5C). I know a lot of you have been buried in cold and snow filled and don’t expect too much sympathy but we’ve been acclimated far too long to 50’s and 60’s over the past couple of months.
As we typically do on Monday’s, we’re also sharing a smile since we still need to smile in these crazy and uncertain times. Wishing you a reflective Monday that’s filled with good intentions, positive actions with lots of smiles this week.
And if kids have been bugging you, here’s a strategy that might help. Stay warm and have a great Monday reflecting on the legacy of MLK.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Monday Musings ~ January 12, 2026
Holy cow, we’re heading quickly toward the middle of the month…how in the world did that happen? In some ways January has been speeding by and in other ways seems like a slow crawl. The national news makes it seem like an endless Groundhog Day. Different day, same old headlines. Such is the contrast when you reach a certain age, I guess.
Wilson: We hope you had a fantabulous weekend. Mum attended a celebration of life from a former beloved partner of the law firm she worked at for nearly 25 years. He had been a champion for women in the legal biz and just a downright amazing human. It was great for her to catch up with folks from decades ago, including one who was a neighbor of hers in the old neighborhood as well as her favorite attorney at the firm. R exemplified the concept of kindness, dignity and competence. It was wonderful catching up with folks and celebrating the life of one of the best attorneys. Rest in eternal peace, Mike. As a long time pilot and aerial enthusiast, Mum is sure he is flying high and free now.
The Mum: As we normally do on Monday’s, let’s start this week out with a couple of smiles. Wilson said he could identified with both of them (though he thought it was ridiculously crazy to chase after a toy, but a tiny morsel of a crumb…but that’s a whole other ballgame; he did say he’d dig to China if it meant he could retrieve crumbs) . Of course whenever there’s anything food related, he will put his paw of approval on the post. Have a wonderful Monday and an even better week overall. Sending out January hugs and tail wiggles to you all. We plan to enjoy a warm up after last week’s slice of winter.
Finally, let’s take a look at the life of Farley, the sheepdog from For Better or For Worse. Wilson definitely could identify with this day in Farley’s world. He likes to keep those days at a minimum and reminded me that there’s always something he could do with me, even if it means getting his paws paddles caught up in my feet upending me and sending me splatting on the street. I’m ok, just a bit sore. The expression on his face though was priceless. He had a “what the bloody hell are you doing down there?” Guess I need to give you a Wilson healing slurp to get you up and moving.” Which he did. Silly boy.
Here’s hoping you stay upright and have a terrific Monday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Monday Musings ~ December 22, 2025
We’re baaack! And hopefully for good after our return to Blogville following the big move was delayed by a few days last week when Xcel Energy decided to initiate ‘preventive power outages’ after high wind alerts were forecast which added a layer to getting settled after quite the moving day experience (I cannot recommend being up 24 hrs straight on moving day for anyone, much less someone my age-the first few days I was stupid exhausted). It finally feels good to sit at the keyboard in my own home wearing sandals without being surrounded by (a) too many boxes around or (b) having to drive to a nearby bakery to charge devices, filch a WiFi signal to catch up with the world and (c) nosh on scrumptious pastries and drink regular coffee. Notice, I mentioned sandals…we’ve experienced unbelievably warm temps and set a few records. Today we’re looking at reaching another record temp with low 70’s. In December!
I can’t begin to thank the family-owned bakery folks who welcomed me during the power outage and gave me a place to hang out using their WiFi while charging my devices. I told them they could claim me as a tax deduction for all the graciousness that the entire Meyer family provided me. Thanks to them, I wasn’t completely removed from the modern world (at least for a for a few hours a day) but will admit life without electricity is no bueno and definitely not for the faint of heart. I now have a deep and abiding appreciation for electricity that is typically taken for granted. If you’re ever in the Denver area, please go by and enjoy their kindness and tasty confections at Das Meyer Fine Pastry Chalet. Judging by Saturday’s non-stop crowd coming in all morning long to pick up their Christmas cakes and other treats, they are beloved by many in the metro area. Plus they have fresh eggs for $5 a dozen. I haven’t seen eggs that price since forever.
After trading our ‘Ranch’ in for a ‘barn’ (more about that soon), let’s get back to our regular routine and enjoy a smile or three, something we’ve desperately needed these past two weeks.
I couldn’t agree more with these next two smiles. Sadly, both come from personal experience.
However you celebrate this holiday season, we wish this week fills your heart with loads of Christmas spirit and ushers you forward to a wonderful New Year.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Monday Musings ~ November 24, 2025
Happy Thanksgiving week. Wilson is particularly chuffed that food will be at the center, along with gratitude. He thinks it’s a whole week of celebrating food for which he’s extremely thankful. While it’s Thanksgiving week, it’s still a Monday which means we want to share a smile, or in this case three smiles since we couldn’t decide on just one.
We can’t help but wonder if Noah was a factor in putting turkey on Thanksgiving tables but do know Thanksgiving typically ushers in the Christmas season in earnest. Mostly thought of as the low-to-no-stress holiday with food, family and football punctuating this holiday along with a good dose of gratitude. This year however, it’s going to be a bit different around the Ranch as we are preparing to move. It’s been stressful in ways I couldn’t have imagined but we’re taking it as best as we can and trying to keep meltdowns to a minimum. Now on to Monday’s smiles.
Celebrating Thanksgiving in the US is well known for watching a load of football with the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys teams always playing on Thanksgiving Day. This year the festivities begin at 1:00 PM Eastern time with the Lions playing the Green Bay Packers and the Cowboys playing the Kansas City Chiefs around 4:30 PM. Not content with over 6 hours of football, the NFL is offering a third game with the Cincinnati Bengals playing the Baltimore Ravens beginning around 8:30 PM. If you like football, Thursday will be your day. If you don’t make yourself a leftover turkey sandwich and go for a walk.
Needless to say, because this has been a crazy time even before we began to think about the upcoming holidays, the Ranch will be taking an extended break for the next month to move and settle into our new digs. We will not be online much but please know we’ll be with you in spirit. We want to say thank you for your support and friendship and look forward to seeing you again once we get settled. Wilson has already christened the new neighborhood and gave the trail a four paws rating. He has been enjoying multiple visits introducing his presence on the canine bulletin board where he’s already left several messages while enjoying an absolute olfactory feast.
We hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. We hope to return soon. Until then, keep smiling and have a Happy Monday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Monday Musings ~ November 17, 2025
We hope you had a wonderful weekend but now it’s time to prepare for the week. With less than two weeks until Thanksgiving arrives in the US, preparations are beginning to become more apparent all over the neighborhood. Some folks have decided to blend the last holiday with the upcoming one. Despite the addition of yet another inflatable, I thought it was kind of clever despite the addition of yet another inflatable to their growing collection. Wilson simply wants to know what will be served. How are you getting ready for Thanksgiving?
Happy Monday!
Live, love, bark! 🐾