Charlie lives to work cattle.
Well, let me back up. Charlie lives to nap in the house. He lives to come inside. He lives to curl up on his bed in the living room next to my desk. It’s the only place in the world he ever wants to be.
Unless Marlboro Man leaves the house wearing his spurs first thing in the morning. And let me tell you, when Charlie hears those spurs that jingle jangle jingle, you wouldn’t believe how quickly he snaps to attention and darts to the door. Because he knows that the sound of the spurs means some kind of ranch work is getting ready to unfold. And Charlie lives—I mean, lives—for ranch work.
Strange that a Basset Hound would have such a strong work ethic.
I wonder if Marlboro Man has bacon treats in the console of his vehicles or something?
Or maybe…maybe Charlie likes Marlboro Man more than me?
Nah. That couldn’t possibly be it. That couldn’t possibly be it, because my psyche won’t allow that to possibly be it. I do everything for Charlie, after all. I cook for him. I bathe him. I faithfully apply Frontline to his scapulae once a month and give him his heartworm medication. I get inside his floppy, weird ears and scratch in places he can’t reach, and I rub his armpits every night as I lie on the floor next to his bed and tell him what a good, good boy he is and how much his mama loves him.
And my children walk by and say “Uh, Mama? Do you think you could come tell us some bedtime stories?”
And I say “Tomorrow night, kids. Tomorrow night. Promise.”
And they stomp up the stairs, angry.
Again.
Unfortunately, Charlie’s love for work and action (but only when it involves cows and horses) has, in fact, resulted in his having a much higher regard, respect, and appreciation for Marlboro Man.
Men.
Fortunately, though, I’ve found a chink in the armor. It’s called heat. The past month in northeastern Oklahoma—just as in so many areas of the country—has been brutally, brutally hot, the hottest I can remember in recent years. I yanked up my garden two weeks ago—the unrelenting sun and the sheer demands on our rural water supply finally won. Our air conditioning units have been working overtime, set to about 65 every day, but unable to keep up. When we get our electric bill in a few days, we will be selling the ranch to pay it. The grass all over the ranch has metamorphosed from the lush green of early summer to a crunchy, dry ocher. The level of the ponds has diminished with each passing day, the water evaporating under the strain of 105-degree days.
But something else has happened over the past month.
Charlie has started staying behind more and more.
It’s too hot out there for a Basset.
It’s too hot out there for me.
So Charlie and I have carved out a new life for ourselves. Together. A life inside the house.
C’mon, Charlie. Let’s go in the house.
Mama will scratch your armpits for you.
Ree Drummond is the founder of The Pioneer Woman and a lover of butter, basset hounds and life on the ranch! Ree started her blog in 2006, and now millions visit ThePioneerWoman.com every month for her trusted recipes and fun family stories. Here’s what she has been up to since it all began:
New York Times Bestselling Author
Ree has written two memoirs (Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, and Frontier Follies) plus nine bestselling cookbooks:
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl (2009)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier (2012)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays (2013)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime (2015)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It! (2017)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The New Frontier (2019)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy (2021)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinner’s Ready! (2023)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The Essential Recipes (2025)
Food Network Host
Since 2011, Ree has been sharing simple, family-friendly recipes—and the occasional kitchen prank!—on her award-winning show The Pioneer Woman, filmed right on Drummond Ranch. Ree is also a regular judge on Food Network competitions, including Christmas Cookie Challenge.
Founder, The Pioneer Woman Collection
Ree has been creating and selling kitchen and home products at Walmart since 2015 and she’s involved in designing every piece and pattern. The line now includes best-selling appliances (you have to see the floral blender!), plus hundreds of pieces of cookware, tableware, and more. Ree doesn’t like to play favorites but the Agatha print has a special place in her heart.
Restaurant and Hotel Owner
Together with her husband Ladd, Ree has opened several bustling businesses in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, including The Pioneer Woman Mercantile—a bakery, restaurant, and general store that draws visitors from across the country (many come for the biscuits alone!), P-Town Pizza, Charlie’s Ice Cream Shop, and The Boarding House, a charming hotel with eight different rooms decorated by Ree and Ladd.
Media Personality
Ree appears regularly on national TV shows like Today, Good Morning America and more—all while managing to keep flour off her shirt.
Wife, Mom and…Grandma!
Ree’s kids (daughters Alex and Paige and sons Bryce and Todd) are all grown up, and as of December 2024, Ree is the proud grandma of the cutest baby ever, Sofia Scott, born to Alex and her husband Mauricio. Ree still cooks for Ladd (and the kids when they’re home), and she also looks after a few mischievous ranch dogs.
