Who We Are

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Lazy Day

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  We have lots of storms in the area today.  We got our walk in, but it was only just over three miles (we normally do at least 5).  Mom and Dad had some errands to run this morning, so Mags and I had to guard the house, but other than that, there isn't a lot going on.  I think I'm going to do this until it's time to hit the Studio:

IMG_2224Ragnar
"Hi."

Sometimes it's good to have a bit of a lazy day, huh?

Sköl!
Ragnar 

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

"New" Look

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  Today, Ragnar and I thought we'd share a new look with you.  Not "new" per se, but one we haven't shared with you before.  Ready?  Here you go:

  IMG_2227MagsRagnar

It's our "When Are We Going To Get To Bed Around Here?" Look. Pretty good, don't you think?

Honestly.  Mom can take forever sometimes.  

Did I mention we get a bedtime snack?

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Monday, September 27, 2021

No Zoomies Allowed?!?

 Hi everybody.  It's me, Ragnar.  Down here in Mom's Studio.

IMG_2161RagnarHalloweenStacksQuilt
"Does anybody know what 'No zoomies in the inner Studio!' means?"
IMG_2160RagnarHalloweenStacksQuilt
"Asking for a friend."

Maggie and I think our mom needs to get a gigantic design wall instead of using the floor.  It's putting a cramp in our zoomies schedule!

Sköl!
Ragnar

Sunday, September 26, 2021

Serene Scenery Sunday - In The Garden

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags!  This morning after our walk, Ragnar and I walked around the back gardens with our Mom and did some posing.  We were tired, she had treats ... what can I say?

She and Dad have been working mighty hard this season, ripping out and putting in.  Sadly, we lost one of our beautiful, huge Lilac Bushes and that had to go.  Mom tried to save it ... but no.  Anyway, in its place, they put a mulch area in last week, put pavers in, and have already started placing pots there!

IMG_2179MagsRagnarGarden
"The sun's in my eyes."
"Mom should have brought her sunglasses for you!"
"Sorry, Mags.  Bear with me."

Anyway, they just bought the really big pots yesterday and Mom is going to plant some dwarf varieties of Sunflowers in them!  That'll be cool!

Speaking of Sunflowers, our Maximilian Sunflowers are in full swing!  Check these babies out:

IMG_2189MagsRagnarMaxSunflowers
"They're HUGE, aren't they?!!?"
"They're like something out of a horror movie -- The Sunflowers That Ate Manhattan!"

From there, we moved over to the tiered area.  

IMG_2184MagsRagnarGarden
"Ha roo!"
"Yeah.  Ha roo!"

The big mound of flowers behind me is Purple Mound Asters.  Mom planted them this Spring and "somebunny" ate them down to the ground!  (We think her name is Bindi and she lives in the Friendship Garden.  Big ears, cotton tail ... you get the picture.  🐰)  Anyway, they look great now, don't they?!?  Here's a shot of just them:

IMG_2197
Purple Mound Asters

Maybe Bindi knew what she was doing.

Before we went in, we did our infamous "Garden Statues" Pose by the gate:

IMG_2194RagnarMagsGarden
"And hold ..."
"2 ... 3 ... 4 ..."

I'd say we earned our treats -- what do you think?!?

Have a great Sunday!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Saturday, September 25, 2021

Mid-Snooter Jousting Break

 Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  Mags and I were in the middle of a Snooter Jousting event last night when ...

IMG_4107MagsRagnar
" I'm so glad you're my kid brother, Raggi! "
" Did you hear that, Mom?!? "
"❤ Oh, you two!!! "

IMG_4108MagsRagnar
"Seriously, Mom!  Is he the best?!?"
"Best little brother you could ask for, Mags."
"Aw, shucks ..."

Have I mentioned how happy I am here?  It's like Mags and I were always meant to be together!

Sköl!
Ragnar

PS:  Never fear!  Our nightly Snooter Jousting continued after that!

Friday, September 24, 2021

Friday!

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  Our mom has been working super hard on a new project down in her Studio.  Ragnar and I have been helping, as I'm sure you can imagine.

IMG_1726RagnarMagsStudio
"Zzz..."
"Zzz..."

Oh.  Right.  That photo was taken during break time!

It's been hard but gratifying work! Whew, we're glad it's Friday! 

Yours sincerely, 
Margaret Thatcher

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Deck Duty

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar!  It was so much cooler the other evening that we got to go out on the back deck to guard the house!  We can see forever up there, so it's a great place to survey the area. 

IMG_1614Ragnar
"This is so great!  We love it out here!  OK ... I'd better get back to my post."
IMG_1610RagnarMags
"Did I miss anything, Mags?"
"Those neighbors went back in, but somebody's walking a Schnauzer down the street ..."

It's important that we keep an eye on everything - and the deck's a great place to do it!  Do you have a favorite guard post?

Sköl!
Ragnar

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Succulent Garden

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  After our walk this morning, Mom and Dad worked on some landscaping project they've been going crazy on, then Mags and I played in the backyard a bit.  After that, Mom wanted us to pose in front of the Succulent Garden.

IMG_2017MagsRagnarSucculentGarden
"Can you hurry it up?  Places to go, people to see."
"Wait - I think I see someone ..."

We weren't really feeling it - can you tell?  Oh.  And no.  Mom didn't have cookies.  You can probably tell that, too.

Sköl!
Ragnar

Monday, September 20, 2021

Out Front

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags!  Our dad was out running some errands this morning, so when Mom took us out front for a potty break ...  

IMG_1993RagnarMags
"Mom said he might not be back for half an hour or so, Mags."
"That's OK.  We can wait."
"Can we go inside now?"

In other news, in the back yard -- guess who not only came back this Summer, but appears to have a family now?!?

3R4A1599Bats
"Everybat smile and say 'mosquito'!!!"
"Good eeeeevening!"

That's right -- it's Bart the Bat and at least three others!  Isn't that cool?!?  They eat TONS of mosquitoes for us, plus they're really cute.  Or Mom thinks so, anyway.  He (or a member of his family) has been living under our upper deck since at least 2006.  He leaves for the Winter, then comes back every Spring!  We thought you'd all appreciate the update on him.  Nice to see he's settled down and raised a family!

Have a great Monday!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Sunday, September 19, 2021

Why We Practice

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  It's a good thing Mags and I practiced our Innocent Look yesterday!  This morning, we were in the midst of a strategic planning meeting when ...

IMG_1879RagnarMags
"So what comes after that, Ma--"
"INNOCENT LOOK, NOW, Ragnar!"
"Hi. What are you two ...  Awww!  Look at how cute you are!!! "

Whew! Good thing we practiced our skills, huh?

Sköl!
Ragnar

Saturday, September 18, 2021

Practice

 Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  I'm just here with Ragnar, practicing the Innocent Look.

IMG_1927MagsRagnar
"Who, us?!?"
"Hi, Mom."

What do you think?  Knocking it out of the ballpark -- right?!?

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Friday, September 17, 2021

Intellectual

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  Dad said I looked very "intellectual" while I was helping Mom in her Studio yesterday.  What do you think?

IMG_1897RagnarGlasses

Sköl!
Ragnar

Thursday, September 16, 2021

To Pose Or Not To Pose ...

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  Yesterday morning on our walk, Ragnar and I hopped up on the wall at one of the shopping centers we go through.  Mom thought it would be a great photo op.

Here's Ragnar:

  IMG_1857Ragnar 

What a handsome boy, huh? 

Then Mom thought she'd get a shot of the two of us, so ...

IMG_1858MagsRagnar
"Now, Ragnar!"
"OK, Mags!"

I LOVE HAVING A KID BROTHER!!!!!!!  Wow, that was fun!

IMG_1864Mags
"Margaret Thatcher!"
"What?!?  Your shadow was all over us, anyway, Mom!"

 She tried again, of course.

IMG_1861MagsRagnar
"Fine.  I'm not looking, though."
"Hi, Mom."
"Sigh."

There is a time to pose and a time not to pose.  It's in the Siberian Husky Handbook.  Trust me.

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

What A View!

 Greetings to all! It's me, Mags. During this morning's walk, we had the most amazing sunrise! Check it out:

IMG_1840MagsRagnarSunrise
"Look at that sky, Ragnar!"
"How cool!  It's like we're on Mars!"

Here's another shot:

IMG_1839

There were storms in the area, hence the Mammatus clouds, but as of right now, we still haven't gotten any rain out of the deal. Maybe later this afternoon? Our   fingers   paws are crossed! 

Yours sincerely, 
Margaret Thatcher

Monday, September 13, 2021

Super Dog

 Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  

IMG_1675Ragnar
"Hang on --- I'll save you!!!"
"🎶 Ragnar the Super Dog!  Ragnar ... 🎶"
"Ragnar?"
IMG_1674Ragnar
"Oh.  Oh, hi."
"Everything OK, buddy?  You were singing!"

I was fine ... and was having the most amazing dream!!!

Sköl!
Ragnar

Sunday, September 12, 2021

Bright, Shiny, & Floofy!

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags!  Yesterday, I had a nice, long shower, then Mom spent about an hour (or more) floofing my coat with the Master Blaster and using my brush.  Do I look all bright and shiny?

IMG_1813RagnarMagsDeck
"Hi.  Whatcha doing?  Is Maggie getting cookies?  Can I play?"
"How do I look?!?"
"❤❤ Beautiful, Mags!!! ❤❤"

How about floofy?  I look pretty floofy, huh?!?

Yours sincerley,
Margaret Thatcher

PS:  Both Ragnar and I got treats, fear not!

Saturday, September 11, 2021

9/11/2021

We will never forget.

Islamic terrorists flying planes into the Twin Towers in New York City ... 

 ... and into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia ...

 ... and the terrorists' plans for Flight 93 being thwarted by some brave passengers over a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. 


We will never forget these -- not "tragic events" -- but acts of war. 

From all of us here at Ao4 Headquarters ~ God bless the heroes who rose that day and those who continue to fight. And may God Bless the United States of America. 

We continue to stand strong.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble... 
we will not fear..."
Psalms 46:1-2  

Mags and Ragnar 

Friday, September 10, 2021

Friday Night Plans

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags!  It's Friday!!!  Does anyone have any big plans tonight?  Ragnar and I plan to do a bit of this:  

IMG_4076MagsRagnarSnooterJousting
"I hereby challenge you to a Snooter Joust, Ragnar!"
"Prepare thyself, Mags - you're going down!"

OK, maybe a LOT of that. I mean, who doesn't love a good Friday night Snooter Jousting?!?  I hope whatever your plans are, they're equally enjoyable!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

PS:  Have I mentioned I've taught Ragnar to get on the ottoman?!?  I'm SO PROUD of him!!! Who knew being a big sister could be this much fun?!!?

Thursday, September 09, 2021

Is It Friday Yet?

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  I know Mags and I are Working Breed dogs and all, but I really think we've been working way too hard lately!

IMG_1554Ragnar
"Must ... keep ... working ..."
" Oh, Ragnar!  You're doing an awesome job making me smile! "

Is it Friday yet?!? 

Sköl! 
Ragnar

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

Tuesday, September 07, 2021

0-100 And Back

 Greetings to all! It's me, Mags.  Ragnar and I can go from 0 to 100 and back again in the blink of an eye -- anywhere, anytime.  Even if Mom's at her desk ... like this:

IMG_1508MagsRagnar
"Hey, Mom.  What's shakin'?"
"Yeah.  What's shakin', Mom?"
"Oh, just chec--"
IMG_1509MagsRagnarBoom
"--king my em--"
"BOOM!"
"BOOM"
IMG_1515MagsRagnar
"--ail.  Umm ..."
"Oh, cool."
"Yeah.  Cool."
Gotta be quick around here.

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Monday, September 06, 2021

Sunflowers!

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags!  It was just beautiful out this morning!  It was just the tiniest bit on the "pleasant" side (in the 60s!), the sun was out, and we just walked and walked!  We were almost at this one dead end where we often take a water break when ...

IMG_1672
"Look, Mom!  Sunflowers straight ahead!"
"I hope this means there are cookies in our not-too-distant future!"

There are sunflowers popping up all over the place now --- and that can only mean one thing!  

IMG_1668MagsRagnarSunflowerSunrise
"❄️ Cold weather is coming! ❄️"
"So are cookies ... I can see them!"
"It's still SUMMER!!!"

Mom doesn't exactly share our love for the cold weather, but hey.  It's coming.  Trust me!  Maybe not as soon as Ragnar and I would like ... but it IS coming!  The sunflowers say so!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Sunday, September 05, 2021

Movie Night

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  Mom and Dad started watching a movie last night.  At first, Mags and I were so heavily engrossed in our Snooter Jousting that I wasn't paying much attention, but then ...

IMG_4058RagnarTV
"This is getting good!  Is he the bad guy?  Or the good guy?  Or ... no, wait."

It was scary and suspenseful and mysterious and wow, was I ever interested!!!

IMG_4060MagsRagnarTV
"Don't go off in the woods all alone, lady!  Are you crazy!?!"
"Hey!  Down in front!"

Oh, yeah.  Mags was trying to watch, too.  She LOVES a good mystery!  I'm pretty sure she has the whole mystery solved, but she's good about not spoiling it for the rest of us.  We'll watch more of it tonight!

Sköl!
Ragnar

Saturday, September 04, 2021

Worked Like A Charm!

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar!  The other morning on our walk, we were chugging down the parkway.  I could tell Mom and Dad wanted to wait until we got to this one stone bench to take our water break -- that's where we usually stop.  But I looked at Mags and she looked at me ... and we decided we needed some  cookies  water sooner rather than later!  I saw this wall, pulled Mom over to it and leapt up - then Mags followed suit.  We laid it on as thick as we could:

IMG_1587MagsRagnarPose
"Oh, wow, do I need some water!"
"I'm SO THIRSTY!!!"
"Hang on, puppies!!!"

So Mom poured some water for us ... and what goes with water better than a couple Zuke's cookies?!?  Am I right?!?

IMG_1594MagsRagnarPose
"Oh, yeah.  Much better now."
"Me, too!"
"Did I just get played?  Have you even had a sip of the water?"

I have no comment on that.

We took a break by the bench, too, just for good measure.  And we got another Zuke's.  (And yes, we drank a good amount of water!). Jumping up on that wall was one of the best ideas I've come up with!  Mags was really proud of me!  My plan worked like a charm!

Sköl!
Ragnar

Friday, September 03, 2021

I Thought Shark Week Was Over!

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  There I was, down in Mom's Studio.  I had just finished playing with my Pickle when I could have sworn I heard the theme from "Jaws" playing!  Before I knew it ...

IMG_1517MagsRagnarPlay
"Argh!  It's a Great White!!"
"Gotcha, Mags!"

Well, kind of grey and white ... but he IS great!

IMG_1518MagsRagnarPlay
"You'll never take me down, Jaws!"
"You're kinda already down, Mags ..."

 He had a point there!  But I was able to twist free from him and ...

IMG_1520MagsRagnarPlay
"Try me now, Raggi!"
"You're on!"
"You two are playing sweet, aren't you?!?"

Are we "playing sweet"!?!  Is she kidding?  We always play sweet!  We love each other!  

We had a great play session, then took naps.  Mom seemed to get more done once we were in nap-mode.  I have no idea why!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher