Hello everyone, and welcome to another exciting edition of the Gimli Gazette. Last week was quite an adventure, and I am eager to tell you all about it.
The whole herd got to experience a beauty salon make-over on Friday, in preparation for the showcase during the Ranch Family Dinner, which took place the next day. As a professional model, I was used to such pampering; but for Ladyhawke and Connor, it must have been a special treat. Thoughtful observers said that seeing the curling waves of my unbraided tail flowing in the wind would make any Disney princess jealous!
The dinner itself was a great success. I had the word JOY painted on my flank, which nicely sums up my feelings for the day. The children riding in the showcase did an excellent job. They got to see me score goal after goal with the giant soccer ball (sorry, Ladyhawke), and triumph during the jousting matches. It truly was a Gimli day to remember!
I was touched by one of the comments that a child made while reflecting on her past year at the ranch. She said, “Riding Gimli has been the best time of my life.” It pleases me to no end that I can bring such joy into the lives of these children.
Some of the parents were commenting on how tired the horses looked after the pony rides. If they were to review their video footage of the day, they would discover that the horses were not given any (federally mandated) breaks during the workday.
This egregious violation of workplace protocols has forced me to form an equine union representing myself, Ladyhawke, and Connor. As the shop steward, I will be negotiating in good faith with Miss Mo and Mr. Black for better working conditions.
Obviously larger feed portions will be on the table, as well as a better medical plan and shorter work schedules. We may wait until the next contract before pushing for air-conditioned paddocks (to deal with the heat and flies). We will accept a no-strike clause during sessions, since we do not want a single child to suffer during a walk-out (trot-out???) or intense picketing.
A young child came up to me during the ranch dinner and asked where he could get a Gimli T-Shirt. He had seen someone wearing a Poop Patrol MSR shirt. The horse on the graphic looks very much like yours truly.
I directed this young whippersnapper to the MSR Merch Page, located under the GET INVOLVED tab on the ranch website. All sorts of gifts and MSR merchandise (shirts, hats, tumblers, and tote bags) are available for purchase with the ranch logo on them. All proceeds go to help support the ranch. It’s never too early to start your Christmas shopping and bless the children at the same time.
Well, that is all for this posting. We all need a good rest after a long, but productive season at the ranch. Thanks again to all of the volunteers who helped make the Ranch Family Dinner (and this whole season!) such a success.
Happy Trails,
Gimli October 24, 2022