My thoughts and prayers go out to the families involved in the Conifer fire:

I wish I may, I wish I might....

Whenever Tom or I see a shooting star we think of one of our lost family members; his Mom or Dad and my Grandma.  His Mom with the contagious, oh so loud laugh and his Dad with the quiet smile and German accent and strict ways.  And my beloved Grandma that was such a part of my heart it is hard to put into words...

But we never fail to make a wish upon those shooting stars as well; knowing all the while that it may be a childhood fantasy, but we do it all the same.  So when I heard this song it reminded me how truly blessed we are to live in a place where seeing shooting stars are a common occurrence; but that I still wouldn't mind the opportunity for a few more wishes...  And that we are in a time right now, where everyone needs a wish or two.

Welcome back to the school year Rebels!

I can't even remember what song I was searching for when this old memory popped up in the sidebar, but I thought it sure was significant timing with the beginning of the school year!  So as I always say when I post a song; crank up your computer speakers and push back your chair and do a little honky tonk dancin' with Lorrie Morgan on this classic:

Twenty years and counting...

Yesterday was our twentieth wedding anniversary.  Two whole decades.  I really couldn't believe it; it actually had kind of snuck up on both of us what with all of the changes happening here at The Royal Ranch that I promised you I was going to write about.  And I still will write about those changes and the waves of havoc they have created for this family; changes like kids leaving for college and me finally realizing that my back issue is a disability and not a back issue.  There is a BIG difference when you own, live and love on a ranch; it makes your life decisions a lot more important.

But anyway, back to our twenty years together and how something so significant can sneak up on a person.  See, we have a tradition here at the ranch for birthdays for the kids; in the mornings when they get up I have printed out their names in big letters with descriptive words of them, usually with a pic of something their really into that year.  Yes, teachers I know there is a proper term for this I just can't think of it; help a Rebel out in the comment section here....Well, it seems this tradition stuck, because on our pillows last night we found this poem from our 15 year old who had pretended to have forgotten our anniversary:

Mom and Dad you are so great

even though sometimes its like I don't appreciate

you're always there through thick and thin

so we'll be happy to the end

T*he best dad

O*ver worker

M*r. with a loving family

J*ustifiably Crazy

U*unbelievably great

D*etermined to help even when not needed (we have all laughed ourselves senseless over this one!)

Y*our son loves you

Tom and I said this was the kindest most rewarding anniversary present either of us had ever gotten.

Right back at 'ya kid:

Rebels; Today is OUR Day!!!!

I pledge to start each day out listening to this most uplifting song ever:

A powerful song with a powerful message

Summertime...

Summer means different things to different people; but to me it brings a sense of freedom and family.  No more schedules to maintain, and lots of time with my kids.  So the other day when I was driving down the road in my favorite black Ford, with my two favorite eleven year old girls in the whole world strapped in the seat next to me...and this song came on and all three of us were just belting it out; I knew it was summertime!



The really ironic thing is that it also happened to be my nephew's birthday that day and when we came home we looked that song up on You Tube before we headed to his birthday party that was after his Lacrosse game (man, do they really kick some you know what in Lacrosse!!!).  Well, anyway, my nephew has had a really rough couple of years due to bullying at his school and just recently got accepted into a very science and math oriented school; which will put him on the path to "the Big City"!!!

To say the least, this song and this video have been stuck in my head since that day...it really hits home for a lot of people in a lot of different ways...So as I usually say, Rebels...make yourself some dancing room and crank up your computer speakers!

We Shall Be Free...

Get ready to crank it up, Rebels!  This is one powerful song!  It'll help get you moving for your New' Year's intentions!

Royal Ranch Royalty

My friend Vivian sent me this link.  You may recognize the name, she helped me put my book together, but what I haven't mentioned about Viv, is that she is also a very talented musician, especially guitar player and singer.  I am assuming that is why she gets so many cool music vids and clips sent to her, but this one is worthy of the title Royalty:



Maybe in my next life I will be graceful and able to dance like that-ha!  I thought this was such a great video because it brings to mind so many special memories in your past, all in one little precious package.  Hope you have a wonderful Sunday.

One of my new favorite vids

I downloaded this video earlier in the week, and I liked it so much I've played it multiple times since then.  James Taylor and Carly Simon just look like they are having such a good time, you can't help but get up and dance yourself!  So crank up the sound, push back your chair, and get ready to smile!