Campus Tour!

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  As Ragnar said yesterday, we took a very fun walk around part of the Kansas State University campus.  It was a beautiful morning and Mom took tons of photos ... so let's get touring, OK?

First, we had to pose by one of the entrances.  I mean ... everybody HAS to do it!  

"Sit and ... wait.  What's down that way?"
"It's people!  Hey, people!!!  Hellooooo!??!"

They didn't come over.  What the heck's the matter with some people?!?

We walked on down to the further entrance and struck a pose down there:

"Ha-roo!"
"Hi, everybody!"

There were all kinds of interesting things on campus.  First, let me say there is a healthy supply of bunnies on the K-State campus.  I mean EVERYwhere!  And they didn't seem the slightest bit bothered by me and Ragnar!  Interesting!  Anyway, one of the things we really appreciated was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial:

Vietnam Veterans Memorial at KSU

Very special!

We walked right past the KSU President's house:

"Hey, we should see if he's home."
"Yeah.  Maybe he has cookies!"

Mom and Dad didn't think that was a great idea, so we posed by the sign instead:

"Hey, President Myers!  We're posing by your sign!"
"Maggie's so funny!!!"

We also saw a WWII Memorial and went over to check it out!

Ragnar and me going to the WWII Memorial - and being respectful puppies

It's a giant dog tag - check out the photo Mom took of it:

World War II Monument at KSU

I like the reflection of the flag on the monument!

There is lots more to come, so please join us again tomorrow!  In the meantime ... go Wildcats!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher 

Wildcat Sunday

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  Today we took a really DIFFERENT walk -- we walked around the Kansas State University campus!  We saw all kinds of cool stuff that we'll fill you in on in the next few days, but today, Maggie and I just HAD to tell you about the Wildcat we saw!!!

We went into a place called the World War I Memorial Stadium and started walking around the track.  We hadn't gone very far when we saw a HUGE Wildcat!  We thought we should pose for a picture together!

"What do you think he's looking at, Ragnar?"
"I can't figure it out, Mags."
"Everybody look this way!  I have cookies!!!"

"How's this, Mom?!?"
"Hey, Wildcat.  Look at our mom; she's got cookies!"
"Good girl, Mags!  Raggi?!?"

"Cookies for everyone!"
"Not for the kitty-cat.  He didn't look at Mom."
"Perfect, puppies!!!"

Pretty cool new friend, huh?!?  Even if he wouldn't look at the camera and smile.  I mean ... Mags and I are like that sometimes, too, so I totally get where he's coming from!

Sköl!

Ragnar

Hot & Steamy!

Greetings to all!  It's --- oh, not THAT kind of "hot & steamy"! -- it's me, Maggie!  The other morning when we walked, it was SO hot & steamy you could see it!  Check out the Kansas Ocean:

Ragnar and me on the boardwalk

Sort of reminds me of one of my favorite songs - Smoke on the Water. Anyone else a Deep Purple fan?

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Outer Studio Work

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  The other day, Maggie went upstairs earlier than Mom and I did, so I thought I'd assume her duties in the outer Studio.  I've watched her - I've even been her co-worker out there - but I thought I was ready to fly solo.

"What do you think, Ragnar?!?  
Just straight line echo quilting around the hearts?  
Then more echoing?  
Or should I toss in some free-motion quilting?  
Meandering?  Stippling?  Whatever it's called.  
Or should I try to do some kind of pattern?  Or ..."
"Can't. Take. The pressure!!!!!"

I didn't realize how tough it was out there. I might have to stick to the inner Studio. 

Sköl! 
Ragnar

Pas d’Armes Dans le Studio

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  Yesterday after lunch, Ragnar and I went downstairs to help our mom in her Studio.  First we played with Pickles, then - because she was doing something that required a bit more brain work than normal - I thought we should help her out.

"C'mon, Ragnar.  Can't you see Mom needs us?!?"
"I was just going to lay here ..."

"You can't just lay there!  Get up!  I challenge you to a Snooter Jousting!"
"You're on!!!"

"Thrust to my left ..."
"... and a parry to MY left!"

"Prepare yourself, Ragnar!"
"Prepare yourself for a counterattack, Mags!"
" ❤❤ You two! ❤❤ "

Mom was WAY more relaxed standing there watching us than when she was working on her quilt!  Trust me, I know what I'm doing!  We were VERY helpful!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Wordless Wednesday

  

Mags & Ragnar

Selfie Day

Greetings to all! It's me, Mags. So ... Mom left her iPhone in the living room, and I thought I'd check it out.

"Hey ... what does this button do?"

Oops.  I guess it's Selfie Day.

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Cool!

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  We've been having some remarkably cool weather in the mornings for the past couple days!  I mean, like "cool for Kansas in July".  It's been great!

"Now THAT'S something to smile about!"
"Somebody's coming up the trail, Mags!"

OK, that's something to smile about, too!  Hope you're enjoying some cooler mornings!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Inner Studio Work

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  Usually, in the afternoons, Mags and I go downstairs and help our mom in her Studio.  First, we play with toys, then we do zoomies, followed by Snooter Jousting and more zoomies.  After that, Mags takes the outer room of the Studio and supervises out there, which leaves me to supervise inner Studio work.  It's a huge job -- that's not only where fabric choices are made, but it's where things are cut, pinned, and pressed.

Mom also has what she calls a "design floor" in there.  I'm very helpful with that, too:

"Looks comfy, Mom!"
" ❤ Thanks, Ragnar! ❤ "

I was holding the blocks down.  You know ... in case a big wind gust kicked up or something.    

Anyway ... so Mom been working on this big "Sticks and Stones" quilt. Maggie helped her get the top mostly put together, using the larger "design floor" in the outer Studio:

"What do you think, Mags?"
"Mmm ... yeah ... whatevzzzzz ..."

Clearly, Mags trusts Mom's judgement.  On quilts.

Mom sewed that together, then went to add borders. Only ... she forgot the inner borders, sewed the long sides of the outer border on first, and used a whole lot of HBO words. I calmed her down as best I could:

"Check out this cute pose, Mom."
"You make everything better, Raggi!!!"

Before she knew it, Mom had ripped the borders off and was back to pinning -- this time, pinning the right borders on!

"Seriously.  Where was my head?  I've totally lost my marbles."
"No, Mom.  They're in that jar on top of your quilt."

We did finally get ALL the right borders on!  What a hard, hard job, working in the inner Studio.  I wonder if the outer Studio is easier?

"Maybe I should see if Maggie will swap with me."

Come to think of it, Mags will have to help with the quilting and binding, so maybe my work here is done.  For now.

Sköl!

Ragnar

Break Time!

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar!  The other day, Dad got out the Master Blaster and Mom spent a WHOLE lot of time de-floofing me.  At one point, she thought we could both use a break, so we went for a little stroll in the gardens.  Here I am by the Succulent Garden:

Me.  Polargold's Einherjar.  AKA Ragnar.

It was very relaxing. I meant walking around the back gardens ... but I find being de-floofed mighty relaxing, too.

Sköl! 
Ragnar

Under Attack/Saving The World

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  As Ragnar told you, we had a spectacular walk yesterday!  First, there were cows!  Then Ragnar snagged a Cicada!  Then ... we saved the world from a terrible attack.  It was shortly after our water break ...

"Mom?!  Can we go back and see the cows again??  Please?"
"Aww, c'mon, Mom.  Give the kid a break!"
"We need to head home before the heat sets in, pups!"

Mom and Dad were pretty adamant about getting back, so we headed home.  It was when we were heading up a normally safe, innocent hill when ...

"Gadzooks, Raggi!  Check it out!"
"Mags!!!  It's coming right for us!!!"

We had no idea what that evil robot was all about, but Ragnar was right -- it was coming for us!  Mom shot a quick video: 

To view on YouTube, please click here.

So ... it was a MIGHTY hairy situation, but we stared that monster down and saved the world from attack. Mom and Dad were very little help, saying things like, "On by!" and "Leave it!", but that's bipeds for you. They don't understand the dangers sometimes!  That's why they need us -- right?!?

Saving the world, one step at a time.

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Even Better!

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar!  Oh, boy, did we ever have a great walk this morning!  For starters, it was cooler out than it had been -- when we left the house (at 0530) it was only 60 degrees.  Sure, the humidity was sitting at 94%, but there was a cool breeze blowing and that helped tons!

For the first part of the walk, we hiked the length of Hudson Trail.  We love going to the end of the trail; there are 3 Labs who live on one side and a Lab and a Mastiff who live across from their yard.  Usually they come out to say, "Hello!".

"Nobody's out, Ragnar.  It's early still, they might be sleeping in."
"Mags?  Mags, I think I see something even better than the Labs!"

Mags, off-camera:  "They might be having breakfast ..."
"Mags ...?"

Mags, off-camera:    "... Or they could be watching cartoons and eating Cheerios..."
"Forget the Labs, Mags!"

"What do you mean, 'Forget th--' "
"It's COWS!!!!"

"COWS!"
"Is this great or what?!?"

It was so cool and so unexpected!  

Mags and I got to watch them for a while, then Mom started insisting that we get back to our walk.  Look at the guy on the far right in these next two shots, though!  He came over to meet me!  How could we leave?!?  They were such nice cows.  Very quiet, too.  Not a "moo" out of them.  Mags and I were very quiet, too.  We didn't want to scare them off.

"You guys are mighty friendly!"
"Ragnar ... we really need to finish our walk while it's still cool."

I didn't want to budge.  Especially with that other cow coming over to join us.

"Just give us a couple minutes.  OK, Mom?"
"❤ OK, Raggi. ❤"

It was so cool!  And no offense to our friends, but even better than seeing the Labs & the Mastiff!

Mags will fill you in on another highlight from today's walk tomorrow. Trust me, there was more fun to come!  Oh!!!  And I caught my third Cicada of the season!  What a WALK!!!

Sköl!

Ragnar

Wordless Wednesday

 

Ragnar & Mags 

Snooter Jousting

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  The other day for Sports Day, Ragnar mentioned Snooter Jousting as a sport the two of us enjoy.  We especially enjoy Snooter Jousting in the evenings, before settling down to watch TV.  We usually wait for Mom to come in and sit down; we know she really enjoys a good "Pas d’Armes". It usually goes like this ...

"I, Polargold's Margaret Thatcher, declare that I am ready to take on any and all challengers!"
"Hmm ... a 'Pas d'Armes', eh?  I, Polargold's Einherjar, accept your challenge!"

And the Snooter Jousting event is ON!!!

"A quick thrust!"
"And ..."

"Oooof!"
"... an equally quick parry!"

"That was a good one, Mags!"
"Right back at you, Ragnar!"

These are friendly competitions, "à plaisance" as they say.  Ragnar and I take turns winning.  Do you like to engage in the sport of Snooter Jousting, too?

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher 

Road Trip!

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar!  On Saturday, I got to go on my first really big road trip -- other than when I went from Polargold HQs to Ao4 HQs!  I've been on short trips, but not a long one and it was really exciting!!!  We went to a place called Quivira National Wildlife Refuge -- Maggie said it's been a couple years, but she and Cammie showed you photos from there before.  It's one of Mom's happy places!

We made stops along the way and I got to explore a bit.  The rest-stop on the big highway was exciting - there were so many people and lots of cars and trucks!  Mom and Dad said we were really good puppies.  Our next stop was at a place called the Kansas Wetlands Education Center.  Here's a shot of me, Mags, and Dad out in front:

Me, Mags, and Dad.  Dad's the tall one.

We got to have water and snacks there. 

After that, we drove more, then Dad started driving really slowly. At first, it was because there was a truck blocking the whole dirt road. The guy eventually moved his truck over and he had a HORSE in his trailer! I LOVE horses! That was one of the huge highlights for me! Also, we drove past a lot of cows, which I really liked, too. 

Anyway, Dad crawled along these dirt roads, and every now and then, Mom would go, "OOOH!" or Dad would say, "LOOK!" and Dad would stop. Mom would either get out for a while or she'd roll her window down and start taking pictures. It seemed to make her very happy. 

After we did that for a long time, we headed back toward home. We stopped in a place called Ellinwood; Maggie has stopped there before and promised me it would be fun. We got to walk around for a bit and have water & snacks.  Mom brings really good snacks on road trips!  

Here we are with Dad:

"I'm having so much FUN!!!"
"Why aren't the good people of Ellinwood out milling about?"

"Dad?  Hi, Dad.  I'm having a blast!"
"Maybe it's too hot for people ..."
"Try to look at your mom and smile, you guys."

   We tried:

Me and Mags in Ellinwood

We walked around a little more and found another shady spot to stop and have some more water:

Mags and me

It was really fun!  We headed back to the HR-V (Husky Recreational Vehicle) after a bit. 

Mags said we were going to go straight home from there, but that it would take a while. She recommended I get comfy and set a great example for me:

"Like this, Raggi."

"She's REALLY good at relaxing in the HR-V!"

  

It was so much fun and Mom and Dad said we'll go again since we were both such good puppies.  I hope we see more horses and cows!  Oh.  And birdies to make Mom smile!

Sköl!

Ragnar

Independence Day!

 From all of us here at Army of Four Headquarters to all of our fellow Americans ...

" 🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day!!! 🇺🇸 "
"With many thanks to men and women who fought for and continue to fight for our freedom!!!" 

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."  Psalm 33:12

Have a wonderful time tonight - and please stay safe! 

Mags and Ragnar

Saturday Smiles

Mags & Ragnar

Sports Day

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  Today is Friday - the end of a long, hard work week.  Mags and I thought that in addition to our walk, zoomies, snooter jousting, etc., we'd work another sport into the schedule.  We heartily recommend ...  

"Zzz ..."
"Zzz ..."

... synchronized snoozing.  Maybe that should be capitalized?  Synchronized Snoozing.  I'm pretty sure it's an Olympic sport this year.  Or it should be!

Sköl!
Ragnar

Sunrise

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags!  We were treated to a magnificent sunrise on our walk this morning!  Check it out:

"Oooh!  Everyone!  Check out the sunrise!"
"Nice, Mom."
"Yeah.  Nice!"

   Here's a shot of just the sunrise:

Sunrise!

 Mom could have stood there all morning, taking more shots, but ...

"Yawwwwwnnnnn!"
"Yawwwwnnnnn ... yeah ... we need to get moving, Mom!"

Did we make any of you yawn?  Sorry -- we were up and out nice and early again today!  Gotta beat the heat!  Thanks for watching the sunrise with us!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher