Monday Musings ~ October 28, 2024

October 28, 2024 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 78 Comments

Happy Monday! Today we’re going to offer not one, but a trio of smiles in honor of Halloween. The weather could possibly impact the number of trick-or-treaters who will drop by the Ranch as the first hard frost has been forecasted along with perhaps a spot of actual moisture. We’re not sure how many will actually ring the doorbell since the local merchants in the neighborhood offered daylight parades with kid activities over the weekend. There were loads of costumed pets and kids walking around neighborhoods.

Smile #1

Halloween smile

Smile #2

I think everyone who’s ever tried to fold a fitted sheet can relate to this smile.

Smile #3

My fluffy (e)motion detector is off to spread some joy at Lutheran today and tomorrow. While we barely survived the bath (I think the walls are still recovering from all the water), I’m hoping it hasn’t impacted Wilson’s attitude about bringing joy to folks. I’m clearly gonna have to devise a better strategy getting him ready. My back won’t survive any more ‘steer wrestling’ episodes. Let’s just hope the high value treats will provide some amnesia and he focuses on seeing his friends swoon over him, especially in the emergency department. He’s a big hit there among the staff. Wish us luck that wiggly bum goes into overdrive.

Wishing you a terrific Monday!

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ October 21, 2024

October 21, 2024 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 67 Comments

Good Monday morning, peeps. Welcome to Monday. While it seems as if everyone is just trying to get through the election, do you realize there are only 71 days left this year. Don’t know about you but that is somewhat alarming. Where has this year gone?

It should be noted that Wilson is a bit of a cheapskate when it comes to tips. He can’t seem to help but lick his bowl spotlessly clean for all meals. I guess not sweeping up bits and bobs of crumbs is my tradeoff for actual tips. There’s no doubt he’s quite the neatnik when it comes to not leaving morsels of food on the floor. If only he could be convinced to wipe off his nose prints on the front door.

Wishing you a spotless Monday.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ October 7, 2024

October 7, 2024 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 59 Comments

It’s Monday again…where did the weekend go? Wilson has been entertaining himself by making friends with various bugs who are making their last hurrah before summer finally hits the road. They have at least the next 10 days of friendship, according to the forecast.

We hope you have loads of friendly encounters this week. Happy Monday.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ September 30, 2024

September 30, 2024 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 64 Comments

A reminder to be careful when you go out looking for leaves that are changing colors. Wildlife is preparing for winter and may suddenly pop up where and when you least expect them. While we did some leaf peeping this weekend, I don’t think there was a single creature in the morass of metal we encountered in the high country. This was but a tiny slice of the thousands we saw.

May you enjoy an accident free autumn day without all the maddening crowds.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ September 23, 2024

September 23, 2024 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 66 Comments

Today’s smile is soooo Wilson. Now I understand that it’s the motion detector in him that causes him to end up following me even if I’m just grabbing a glass of water. Wishing you loads of quiet times this week. Happy Monday!

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ September 9, 2024

September 9, 2024 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 43 Comments

Seriously…? It’s got to be a mistake. However this happened, we hope you make the best of it. Happy Monday!

Everyone at the Ranch is in a celebratory mood because it’s a special someone’s birthday. Happy Barkday to our pal, da Phenny! We hope it’s ‘pawfect!’

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 60 Comments

Today is Labor Day in the US (and its territories) where the contributions of workers are acknowledged and celebrated for their role toward bringing strength and well-being of the nation. Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of every September. Where you aware that if you work 40 hours or less a week, you can thank a union member for that benefit for their activism in the last century. Many workers will have today off and Labor Day is now thought of as the unofficial end to summer where many folks will enjoy a last BBQ get-together with friends and family on this holiday weekend, especially now that school is back in session. Many towns will have parades as well and of course, there will be an overabundance of retail sales events from sea to shining sea.

A brief history of Labor Day shows that as the trade and labor movements began to grow, calls for a day commemorating workers’ contributions were proposed. Back then, Colorado had long been progressive on social issues and was one of the first five states to enact legislation recognizing Labor Day. Oregon was the first state to officially make it a public holiday back in 1887. Labor Day became a national holiday in the U.S. in 1894. I believe our Canadian friends also celebrate “Labour Day” on the first Monday in September as well.

Life in the labor movement wasn’t all roses and candy. Following the deaths of workers during the Pullman Strike of 1894, Congress unanimously approved legislation making Labor Day a national holiday. President Grover Cleveland signed the law into effect shortly after the end of the strike to recognize all workers and their efforts and contribution to the nation.

The Ranch Hands will continue celebrating the birthday weekend as more family members will join us in southern Colorado (including baby Halia-yay!!). We sincerely wish you a safe Labor Day holiday, and hope you safely celebrate with pride for all your work accomplishments to the country.

Now for today’s Monday smile. When you work like a dog all year long, today seems the ‘pawfect’ day to relax and enjoy friends and family.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ August 19, 2024

August 19, 2024 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 65 Comments

Good grief, where did the weekend go? Somewhere along the way, we seemed to have lost a day, but at least we managed to answer all the questions that popped up, unlike the subject of today’s smile. We hope your week’s ‘pyramid’ is amazing and that you aren’t stumped with any trick questions. Make it a great Monday.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ August 12, 2024

August 12, 2024 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 67 Comments

Good Monday Morning. In the words of John Oliver, welcome, welcome, welcome! We hope you had a good weekend and cheered for your team, be it during the Olympics (which thankfully have concluded) or your football team which started pre-season games. While I’ll admit to watching plenty of the Olympics, I missed 99% of the closing ceremonies. I did however regrettably saw Tom Cruise’s appearance surrounding the next Olympiad to be held in Los Angeles. Tom is looking a tad long in the tooth but I’m sure his Mission Impossible fans didn’t mind. I, however was a bit shocked at the spectacle. Call me cynical but I’m sure NBC will start promoting the games soon. The level of commercial advertising during the games was mind-numbing.

Before we share today’s smile, I want to take a moment to send positive thoughts to all those affected by the ungodly amount of rain that tropical storm Debby dumped all up and down the East Coast. We thank our friend, Ann at Zoolatry, who distilled all of our sincere thoughts for those impacted by sharing this badge to let folks know we’re keeping them in our thoughts and reminding them that we’re a community and continue to think of them. Kindness matters. Thanks Ann, for sharing your latest badge.

And now let’s turn to today’s smile. We hope your teamwork makes ‘pawsitive’ strides this week.

Live, love, bark! 🐾

Monday Musings ~ July 29, 2024

July 29, 2024 ~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 55 Comments

Happy last Monday of Hades, er I mean July. Maybe it’s a good idea the Olympics have started-we can stay inside to watch the festivities and competition. We missed the controversial opening ceremonies. Guess I was in training like Snoopy. Although this is an event where I would definitely excel and would no doubt win gold.