Friday, January 2, 2009

The Year of the Ox

Today's Wonder of the World is...the Ox!

Flickr photo by gdraskoy
Goodbye 2008, the Year of the Rat! Hello 2009, the Year of the Ox!
Oxen are indeed wonders.
Since I'm no cowgirl, I looked them up on the net, just to be sure what type of cows qualify. Oxen are cattle (usually but not always male) trained to plow, haul cargo, thresh grain, or draw carts or wagons.
With the state of things today, I think the Year of the Ox is just what we need!

Flickr photo by Teyacapan
Pull hard, everybody! Heave ho!

Or maybe we should just get dressed up and go on a hayride.

Flickr photo by nana cindy42
My, somebody really dressed up those oxen. Maybe it was The Ox Tamer. Remember that beautiful poem by Walt Whitman? To read it, hop over here.

I'm not absolutely sure what Herb-Ox is

Flickr photo by bayswater97
but if it helps save money, we could all use it right now.
I bet those dancing penny pinchers are bullion cubes.
You know, dissolve the Herb Ox in water...

Flickr photo by Jornic
Herb-Ox, not musk ox! He looks a little startled.
I bet Babe could help him out, especially if his friend Paul joins in.

Flickr photo by northstarway
Remember the North American legend of Paul Bunyan, and Babe, the blue ox?
Just in case you've forgotten it, enjoy this fun video.


If you're short on time, just skip to around 7:50, where Paul meets Babe. It'll thaw your ice cold heart. Part II is here, in case you want to watch more.

Have a wonder-full Friday, y'all! And a super weekend!
Love, Becky

18 comments:

Susan said...

They have such sweet faces, don't they? Susan

Felicity said...

Wonderful. I could use an ox year - lots to do!

Unknown said...

What a cute post. I guess you're right, we could use a year of the ox.

Linda Summerfield said...

I believe that Herb-Ox is a bullion and still sold in stores.
I would love to have that Paul Bunyan and his bright blue ox in my backyard.
Your Pal,
Linda

Unknown said...

A few years ago we toured the redwoods in n. california and saw the huge display of Paul Bunyan. Kids loved it. Love your post!

"Year of the Oxen" yay!!!

David Ebright said...

I always wondered why the need for those heavy timbers across the necks. At the end of the year will everyone be required to have Ox tail soup to bring in 2010? We're still struggling with the rat leftovers. Sorry - that was gross & totally not true - but I'm leavin' it in.

Renee said...

I don't think anyone does a blog like yours and I want to tell you I love it. It is always fun and I learn things (in case they ever come up in trivial pursuit).

Love Renee

lotusgirl said...

Mama used to use that Herb-ox stuff. As I recall it tasted pretty good. I haven't had it in quite some time though.

I didn't realize that girls could be oxen. I thought it was just the gelded bulls. Yikes. Poor bulls!

Anonymous said...

I think ox are underrated...thanks for giving those "workhorses" the credit they deserve! I tagged you, if you'd like some blogging fodder.

May Vanderbilt said...

"I'll be hog swallowed." I'm really glad it's the year of the ox. I must say, I WANTED to get into the year of the rat but it was hard--no matter what it officially stood for.

Ox, on the other hand, I can get behind.

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

Something endearing about an ox. :)

CC said...

Happy Year of the Ox... in a month of two ;)

Susie Q said...

Hmmm...now I have been told I am as stubborn as an...well...does that make this MY year?? : )

Always fun to visit you Rebecca!

Happy New year to you and your family!

Love,
Sue

The Muse said...

LOL what a cute post...or should i say strong! (never want to call an ox cute i suppose :)

Alexandra MacVean said...

Hey..how cool to learn this. I just remembered that my last professor taught us about the Year of the Rat. :)

Hope you have a good week.

Anonymous said...

Becky, I really enjoyed watching Paul and Babe. The year of the Ox...that's good to know. Keep up the great blogging! Happy New Year!

Kim said...

That Paul Bunyan statue is freakishly large. I saw it in September when I went to Bemidji, MN for my French Immersion week at Concordia Language Villages.

Anonymous said...

Also known as the Buffalo, the ox is both patient and meticulous with strong principles, and as such tends to be very stubborn. The ox is extrememly strong, and an excellent worker.

However, these traits also make the ox stubborn, and their sense of self reliance makes it difficult for them to ask for or to receive assistance. Don't go looking for an evening of scintilating conversation from an ox as they are poor conversationists, and unfortunately don't have much of a sense of humour either.

Oxen are ruled by conviction, and they are not often swayed from their beliefs. The ox's ability to criticise others for their own shortcomings is well known. The ox is not very good at coping with its emotions, and can become introverted and self-destructive when they fail to find a way of expressing their feelings.

The Ox in 2009 Year of the Ox
Those born in 1913 (Water), 1925 (Wood), 1937 (Fire), 1949 (Earth), 1961 (Metal), 1973 (Water), 1985 (Wood), 1997 (Fire) and 2009 (Earth).

2009 will be a difficult year in areas of communication and responsibility for the Ox. It will be important to think before you speak and stay calm in the face of opposition. Hang on to gains made last year and do not doubt that your hard work will go unrewarded. You will be appreciated by those who matter. Family life and the home will bring you the comfort you so enjoy. Ox can benefit from gardening and connecting with the Earth, to listen and engage with its wisdom. Any form of physical exercise will harmonise the body and help bring a new understanding and spiritual awareness. Love and relating is favourable for Ox and family celebrations are likely. Lucky stone for Ox is Aquamarine which brings peace, tranquility and good health to the wearer. Your most compatible signs are Snake, Rooster, Rat, Rabbit and Dog and your lucky months are March, September and December.