We will be closing the Ranch and the gift shop at noon today, to the pubic, and not reopening until Jan 3rd, 2014 in honor of the holiday season. 

To all our friends, supporters and fans of the Ranch we want to wish you all a

Very Merry Christmas

and

a Happy New Year

 

 

A Sincere Apology to Our Friends

Last week, as well as this week, individuals from across the county contacted us online, via telephone, and even a few drove out to the ranch in person to order our gourmet rabbit meat for their Thanksgiving dinner. A surge for rabbit meat always occurs just before all the major family holidays – Easter, Mother’s Day, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Unfortunately we can no longer sell our gourmet rabbit meat to individual consumers. Remember, last year when we constructed our processing facility? The new facility was designed to process and package bulk rabbit meat only - quantities for commercial sale – not for individual consumer sales. Our insurance carrier prohibits us from going out and randomly parceling out small quantities of rabbit meat like we use to because of employee liability concerns. 

Many of you long-time fans and friends, especially those of you who’ve been out to the ranch for our summer BBQ’s and Family Open House Days, know we have worked hard over the years to position the Ranch to be a premier provider of American raised gourmet rabbit meat. From the very start, we made clear our goal was to secure large commercial contracts. Thus today we are proud to say that our customers are national supermarket chains and regional owned family grocery stores located in the south and on the east and west coasts where Wisconsin dairy products and Wisconsin raised rabbits are in high demand. 

Products in our inventory not sold on contract can only be made available to licensed food purveyors, distributors, and suppliers; those who buy in bulk for the hospitality and restaurant industries. They provide our products to fine dining establishments, upscale bistros and non-kashrus butcher shops. 

We sincerely regret any inconvenience or personal disappointment our not being able to sell small quantities of our gourmet rabbit meat may have caused you or your family this holiday. However, we ask you always check with your local supermarkets and grocery stores as well as your high-end neighborhood restaurants and trusted butcher shops to see if they carry Gabe’s Gourmet Rabbits raised exclusively on Ralph’s Rabbit Ranch. If not, ask them to contact their distributors and suppliers so they can get them in stock for your special epicurean needs. 

Thank you The Staff of Ralph's Rabbit Ranch

Anyone ever heard of the Purina Dog Food Diet?

Yesterday I went to Wal-Mart and there was a guy in the line ahead of me with a large bag of Purina dog chow. I didn’t mean to ease drop but the lady directly behind him and in front of me asked the guy if he had a dog. The guy replied no but said he was going to start the Purina Diet again". 

He said he probably shouldn't, because last time he went on it he ended up in the hospital, however he did lose over 50 pounds before he awoke in the intensive care unit. 

He told the lady the Purina Diet is perfect diet and very easy diet to follow. The way it works is to load your pockets with few Purina nuggets and then you simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The nuggets are actually nutritious and offer a well balanced blend of essential vitamins so it’s a complete diet. Anyway now that he recovered he was ready to go back on it again.

All of us in the check line were enthralled with this Purina Diet. None of us ever heard of it before. Then this lady right behind me chimed in and said "Well if I ended up in a hospital intensive care unit with food poisoning because of a diet I would never go back on that diet again". 

The guy said his hospital visit had nothing to do with food poisoning.  He said he had stepped off the curb to sniff and Irish Setter's ass and a car hit him. 

Rabbit Trivia # 7

While feeding off their mother’s milk, new born rabbits can double their weight in just 6 days.

Does Australia Really Have A Rabbit Overpopulation Problelm?

 As you might imagine we get asked a lot of rabbit-related questions out here at the ranch.  Anything people want to know about rabbits come our way.  We don’t always have the answer on our finger tips, but we try to get the correct answer as soon as we can.  One question that frequently comes up from visitors who tour the ranch is:  “Does Australia really have a rabbit problem?” The short answer is, "Yes." 

There are many accounts as to why Australia is overpopulated with rabbits. The story we were able to confirm with sources such as Wikipedia goes like this. 

The rabbit overpopulation problem in Australia is said to have originated in 1859 when Thomas Austin - no relation to Steve Austin the bionic man - released a mixture of 24 domestic rabbits and hares into the Australian wild. 

You see while living in his homeland – England – Mr. Austin loved hunting rabbits for sport. When he moved to Australia, he found there were no rabbits; rabbits were not native to his  his new home.  So Austin had his nephew back in England send him rabbits and hares from England. Once the rabbits and hares arrived in Australia  Austin released them into the wild.  They rabbits and hares adapted very well to Australia's climate and vegetation --- but get this ... they had no natural predators in  Australia to keep their population in check.

Austin believed the introduction of a few rabbits would do little harm; all he wanted to do was enjoy his favorite sport  which was hunting" those whywrie  wraskles". The rabbits, however, once set free were extremely prolific and their offspring spread rapidly across the southern continent of the Australia. 

The mild winters allowed the English rabbits to breed all year and the ample food supply was enough to feed countless generations.  With no known predators for the rabbits in Australia the rabbit population exploded.  The over population of rabbits still plaques Australians to this day.

It is estimated that by 1869 (just 10 years after Austin released his 24 rabbits and hares) the rabbit population grew to two million rabbits.  Rabbits shot and trapped each year have no noticeable effect on their population.

Its a fact: the explosion of the Australian rabbit population is the fastest recorded spread of any mammal population on the face of the earth. 

If you have any really good animal trivia you would like to share we would love to hear it.  If we can use it and put it on our blog we will send you one of Ralph's Lucky Rabbit Foot Key Chains.  

 

We Now Have a Face Book Like Page - Please Check It Out

Ralph’s Rabbit Ranch is the fastest growing rabbit ranch in Midwest; we are located in northern Wisconsin in Price County along the historic Lugerville range.    

We recently created a Face Book “Like” Page to go along with our Face Book Friend Page . It’s full of surprising rabbit trivia and entertaining articles the kind your whole family will enjoy.

If you are not a member of Face Book “Google us” or “Bing us” just type in Ralph's Rabbit Ranch or “Ralph's Ranch” so you can get to know us better. Whether you live in the north woods or come up for visits you’ll appreciate all the fun things taking place out at the Ranch.  

If you have questions post a comment. Tammy, Clancy, Stacey, Amanda or I will get back with any questions you may have. Enjoy the rest of this gorgeous summer.

Stay healthy my friends … and eat more rabbits.

Ralph

Animal Trivia # 6

Here's some really fun trivia we think you will enjoy. Most people know that Rabbits are land mammals and that they are avid jumpers. The average adult rabbit can jump as high as 36 inches (that's 3 feet - one yard - that's almost a meter) and as far as 8 feet in length in a single jump.

Now if you think that is cool get ready for this.  The rabbits cousins the Hares are even more adept at jumping.  Hares can put any rabbit to shame when it comes to jumping.  Since we don't raise hares we won't get into the specifics of their jumping abilities.
 
But hear is some really amazing trivia we think you will find of tremendous interest.  Most people know that Elephants are also mammals; however very few people realize that  Elephants are the 'the only land mammals' that cannot jump at all.

Do you have any great rabbit or animal trivia that you would like to share with all of us out here at the Ranch?  If so visit us our Face Book at Ralphs Rabbit Ranch and send us a private message or if you prefer send us an email with your rabbit or animal trivia at: 

ralphsrabbitranch@gmail.com.   

If Clancy, our science consultant, thinks we can use the trivia information you provide on either our Face Book page or our blog we will send you a complimentary Official Ralph's Rabbit Ranch "Lucky Rabbit's Foot Key Chain".  

Thoughts on Aminal Sex

You may have heard rabbits are promiscuous creatures. Well we can confirm that! Out here on the ranch we see a lot of promiscuity within the herd. In addition rabbits generally start to breed around four months of age and if weather conditions permit rabbits will breed all year round.

 

Now what you may not know - and this is amazing - rats are even more licentious then rabbits. Rats frequently have sex up to twenty times each day. 

 

 

And if that is not enough ... are you aware that male bats have the highest rate of homosexuality of all mammals.

 

 

If you find this kind of trivia of interest let us know and we will post more interceding animal sex trivia.

The Winner of the Big Race

Well yesterday - the 4th of July - we had the big rematch ... the rabbit and the turtle (we don't have any Hares and we couldn't find any tortoises. 

As expected the rabbit won by at least a mile.
Even though it was a race worth watching.

4th Of July Wish to All

Its been some time since we posted.  With the warm weather the rabbits keep us hopping.

Wanted to take a moment to wish all our good friends and dear customers a wonderful 4th of July.  Enjoy your family and friends and have a great day.

Tomorrow (the fourth) at about 5PM we are going to have a re-enactment of the "Old Tortoise and the Hare race". We are confident that this time the rabbit will win; but who knows - those painted and box turtles that we have up here on the Luggerville iron range are pretty sly.

We had a race last year and Thumper did win "luckily" over the turtle but we weren't sure most of the time.  Thumper would not race in a straight line ... he must have covered 3 miles jumping around the field to Fred's (that was the turtle's name) straight walk of 50 yards.

Last year we opened the ranch to the public and I think that's what made Thumper skiddish - the crowd scared him - so this year we are opening the ranch to only a select few customers and friends.

Anyway - Have a happy and safe 4th of July.

Ralph

What is a Hodag?

I think because the Rabbit Ranch is only about 83 miles from Rhinelander, Wisconsin, we get a lot of tourists stopping at the Ranch on their way to Rhinelander. After they take a tour of our grounds and play with the rabbits, without exception they wind up asking the ranch hands the same question - What is a Hodag?   

As far as we know, the Hodag is an animal that is unique to the Rhinelander, Wisconsin, area (thank God) although there have been unconfirmed sightings down in Ogema near Carlson road; however that was supposed to have occurred during a severe winter and the Hodags were out forging for food. Luckily, we don't have to worry about Hodags here at the ranch; Hodags don’t come to Lugerville, Fifield, Park Falls, Phillips or Oxbo because they don’t like the climate. The story most of us at the Ranch know goes like this:  

The old timers in the Rhinelander area say the Hodag was first spotted during the spring thaw of 1896 by a Rhinelander pioneer named Gene Shepard. According to Mr. Shepard, a successful logger, the beast sprang at him from a behind pile of white pine logs while he was out working in the woods. Mr. Shepard, who was able to flee the creature, said it was a horrible sight! He said the Hodag is a fierce and frightening looking monster - and there is nothing else like it in north America. It's a hairy creature approximately seven feet long when mature and has a thirty-inch long tail. Adults have studded backbones that are adorned with about a dozen or so white horns; its muscular vise-like jaws bear huge – I mean huge - white tusks. Most menacing of all are its fore and hind legs have razor-sharp claws.  

(This is a picture taken years ago of loggers trying to catch a baby Hodag)

Because the Hodags only graze in the Rhinelander area, the City of Rhinelander has made the Hodag its city symbol. Rhinelander’s biggest recreation area is Hodag Park and school athletic teams are proud to call themselves the "Hodags". One of the largest musical events in Wisconsin is Hodag feast where people from all over the world come out to try and get a glimpse of the Hodag. Even though it has been nearly 110 years since Mr. Shepard's first sighting of a Hodag, many local residents, as well as tourists, say they have had encounters with them in the woods.  

All we can tell you for sure here at Ralphs Rabbit Ranch is that every one of the tourists who have returned back to the Ranch to pick up their packed and wrapped Gabe’s Gourmet Rabbit meat or try on their tailor-made rabbit vests after visiting Rhinelander, are all convinced there are Hodags living over by north U.S. Highway 51 in the Rhinelander, Wisconsin, area. 

For more information about Hodags, take a trip to Rhinelander, Wisconsin and see for yourself.  Don't forget be sure to stop at the Ranch and enjoy the rabbits.  Its not to early to put in your orders for your rabbit lined gloves, ear muffs and undergarments.  You'll need them this fall and you will be glad you ordered them.

Animal Trivia # 4 Eggs

The eggs laid by a typical barnyard hen generally hatch in 21 days.

The eggs of most ducks and geese generally hatch in 28 days.

The eggs of a mallard duck will hatch normally in 35 days.

But surprisingly the eggs if both a parrot and an ostrich will hatch in 42 days; 

What is really amazing about these facts are ...
  
They are all divisible by seven, the number of days in a week!

Animal Trivia # 3 Goldfish

Don't ask me how they proved it but scientists have proven that goldfish have a memory span of approximately 3 seconds - far, far less then a rabbit?

Animal Trivia # 2 - Beavers

Most people don't realize the potential damage beavers can cause a community.  A single beaver can cut down as many as 216 trees per year?

Ralphs Rabbit Ranch Update - May 2013

Well it sure was a great weekend this past weekend. Though it was a little windy the temperature got up in the 50's by the afternoon. Tammy and Paul thought it would be a great day to let the rabbits out and start them on practicing some hurdle jumping.

Hard to believe but the North American Rabbit Jumping Competition is only 96 days away. This year it is in Baltimore and we would sure like to come back with some trophies along with all those fresh crabs and oysters we plan on bringing back.

I won't bore you with all the jumpers so I will just highlight a few I hope you will enjoy.
...
Here's Butch on the low jump.

For his age he sure has great form and Clancy thinks he is our best shot to win in Baltimore because he possesses both speed and agility.

 

Here is buster on the high jump.  We thought because of his size he would be a great high jumper.  He has a lot of heart; however Clancy doesn't think he has the natural talent to really be competitive.

 

 

May 2013 Special *** Northwoods Jack-O-Lopes

With spring firmly here across most of the country it’s time once again to offer our classic Ralph’s Rabbit Ranch Jack-O-Lope mount.  Our Jack-O-Lope mounts are "authentic reproductions" of the legendary Jack-O-Lope (better known as Americanus Delicioso Conjo Carne). 

Just imagine the excitement you, your family and friends will have with your very own piece of handcrafted American art. 

All of the mounts produced at Ralph's Rabbit Ranch are genuine Jack-O-Lope replicas. Each one is specifically designed so it can be displayed either on a table or hung from a wall. 

Our mounts are ideal for home, office or business use. Each mount has its own natural beauty that is guaranteed to captivate the interest of visitors, friends and colleagues alike. 

During this limited offer (our May 2013 special) every customer receives an added bonus when they place an order - A hard bound copy of Jack-O-Lopes - Friends or Foes. This provocative booklet chronicles the origins, history and ultimate fate of these celebrated creatures. Learn what really happened to the Jack-O-Lope from its initial introduction into North America up until present day.

For example, throughout Sweden and Finland legends abound that wild Scandinavian hares (Lepus europaeus) stowed-a-way on ancient Vikings longboats. Many believe Viking scouting parties during the late 13th century made unplanned visits to the east coast of North America while  sailing over the north Atlantic. Once these wild Scandinavian hares hopped off the Vikings' longboats they found themselves on a very, new and different continent.

Surrounded by an abundance of unfamiliar flora and fauna as well as a hostile landscape in eastern Canada it’s a miracle these creatures were able to survive. Perhaps because of their speed, agility or even their behemoth size these ferocious Scandinavian hares (not rabbits) were able to adapt to this new environment. 

With no known predators in the new world these animals were able quickly colonize their new homeland. As they began to adjust to the new vegetation their population began to flourish; within a few years they began to mate with several breeds of indigenous rabbits. The offspring of these Scandinavian hares and American rabbits eventually evolved into what we know today as the modern day Jack-O-Lope.  

Its amazing but every native tribe in North America has some ancient folklore which cites massive herds of Jack-O-Lope descending into their valleys from the far north. Because of their regal look and impressive size they were revered by most of the inhabitants they encountered. Many tribes believed the invading Jack-O-Lopes were responsible for transforming the dense wooded areas they came upon into  prairies and this in turn precipitated the emergence of great herds of nomadic buffalo that roamed the Great Plains.     

Most zoologists, paleontologists and cultural archaeologists believe Jack-O-Lopes are only indigenous to North America as the fossil remains of these creatures have been found in all the lower 48 states as well as throughout Alaska. Unfortunately, three unnatural events may have lead to the demise and possible extinction of the American Jack-O-Lope:

     1) A continued migration of thousands of Pilgrims and
         Puritans into the region we know as the original 13
         Colonies
     2) Numerous expeditions into the great south west and
         along the California coastline by thousands of Spanish
         Conquistadors
     3) The countless French Fur trappers entering into
          America's heartland; the areas we now call the
          Louisiana Purchase territory and the great Pacific
          Northwest

The encounters the herds of roaming Jack-O-Lopes had with these three groups of newly arrived Europeans made it possible for man, with his modern armaments to bring these beasts under control. Some herds were domesticated and breed with local breeds of rabbits to create the modern day American rabbits we often see frolicking in the woods and open fields. The more vicious and ferocious herds were slaughtered primary for their front feet - with legend says brought man good luck and their steel like canine teeth and  soft fur tails with high society European women treasured. 

Now you can enjoy all this wonderful history you order your very own Jack-O-Lope mount from Ralph’s Rabbit Ranch. Our spring Jack-O-Lope sale runs only from May 5th (Cinco de Mayo) to May 24th. During this time you will enjoy a 10% discount if you purchase two or more Jack-O-Lopes.

Plus as our way of saying thanks you will receive free shipping & handling on all orders of three or more Jack-O-Lopes. So don't delay - order your original Northwood’s Jack-O-Lope from Ralph’s Rabbit Ranch today.  

Remember once this sale ends on May 24th all Jack-O-Lope mounts will be gone until the spring of 2014. Creating a Ralph's Ranch authentic Jack-O-Lope mount is not easy. Every hide used to make a mount comes from the fall harvest when our rabbit fur is just starting to thicken for the onset of winter. Then every hide is carefully cured outdoors during the winter months for a minimum of 103 days to preserve its luster and integrity. After each pelt has been cured by Mother Nature it is then thoroughly inspected and assessed to see if it will quality and to be suitable for a Ralph's Rabbit Ranch Jack-O-Lope mount.

Don’t forget order your Jack-O-Lope mount today. Rear assured all our Jack-O-Lope mounts are made from pure 100% Gabe’s Gourmet Rabbits which have been raised exclusively here at Ralph’s Rabbit Ranch.

Animal Trivia # 6 Horses & Cows

While looking through an old vintage animal encyclopedia I came across some interesting comments that I will have to check out this summer.

It you know for sure that the following two comments are true will you let me know?

All horses rise from the ground on their front two legs first; however, all cows rise from the ground with their two hind legs first.

Our Recent Student Visit

Yesterday we had a group of elementary school students visit the Ranch for a class field trip. All the students on the field trip were from a science class. After receiving an extensive tour of the ranch and having the opportunity to talk to several of the ranch hands Tammy brought the kids into the “The Big Hall” where she had milk and cookies waiting for them.

While the students were eating their snack, Victor, who thinks he is an expert on all science and political matters, thought he would conduct a pop quiz to keep the students busy. Below are the results of Victors quiz.  

 

 

VICTOR Name a major disease associated with cigarettes
A STUDENT Premature death

VICTOR Can any of you name the four seasons rabbits live through?
A STUDENT Yes. Salt, pepper, mustard and garlic

VICTOR Do any of you know how dew is formed?
A STUDENT Yes! The sun shines down on the leaves of the trees and makes them perspire so all the rabbits can get some water - (Victor liked this answer.  Gave the Kid an A+)

VICTOR What causes tides in the oceans?
A STUDENT   Oh we just studied this. The tides are a fight between the earth and the moon. Water tends to flow towards the moon, because there is no water on it and nature abhors a vacuum. I forget how the sun joins the fight but I know rabbits love water and wash their fur in it.  (This kid got an A+ as well)

VICTOR What are steroids?
A STUDENT Little things that keep carpets  from moving on  stairs

VICTOR What happens to a young boy who raises rabbits when he reaches puberty?
A STUDENT He says goodbye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery (Victor gave the kid a C-)

VICTOR   What happens to your body as you age?
A STUDENT When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental

VICTOR What is artificial insemination?
A STUDENT Oh that's when you guys do it to the rabbits (Victor gave the kid a B)

VICTOR How can you delay milk from turning sour?
A STUDENT Keep it in the cow (Can't believe it Victor gave the kid a B-)

VICTOR How are the main 20 parts of the body categorized (e.g. The abdomen)?
A STUDENT Well the body is consisted into 3 parts - the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain, the borax contains the heart and lungs and the abdominal cavity is what contains all the five bowels: A, E,I, O, U.                                              
VICTOR What does 'varicose' mean?
A STUDENT Nearby in Chinese I think   

VICTOR What is a terminal illness?
A STUDENT When you are sick at the airport.

VICTOR In a democratic society, how important are annual elections?
A STUDENT Very important. Sex can only happen when a male gets an election 
 

Fruit and Vegetable Trivia # 1

Here at the Ralph's ranch we're always looking for new and improved foods that we can blend in to our feed that we give  our herd. Recently, while reading a horticulturist magazine I came across some interesting, if not down right, bizarre facts.

Here are some interesting little factoids you may find of interest. 


All watermelons have an even number of stripes on their outer rinds.  Its true check it out. 

Each ear of corn always has an even number of rows of kernels. 

All stalks of wheat have an even number of grains.

Every orange has an even number of segments when you cut it in half.

Now here is the kicker - "every bunch of bananas" - has on its lowest row an even number of bananas.  Its amazing as bananas grown the number of bananas on each row decreases "by one" on each succeeding row. So as you look at every bunch of bananas hanging in a tree there is an even row and an odd row with every bunch of bananas.

If you find information of this nature interesting let us know and we will post more for you. Likewise, if you do not find this kind of trivia of interest let us know as well and we will stop. 

Thanks 

Ralph

General Trivia - Regarding Barley

Barley is a foliage that many breeds of rabbits love. Many of you know that barley is often times used in some types of "heavy beers".

However did you know that 7% of the entire barley crop in all of Ireland goes into the production of one thing!  Making Guinness Beer?

Long Over due Update from The Ranch

Sorry it has been so long since we last made a post on this blog.  As many of you are aware it has been a very cold and protracted winter and we were just so busy keeping the herd warm and healthy.

But now it is time to prepare for the upcoming spring and summer.  You won't believe how many construction projects we have planned for this year that are all on hold because of the weather.  We are all hoping that over the next few weeks the weather will turn good so we can finally get back to making Ralph's Rabbit Ranch one of the most efficient and productive rabbit ranches in the country.

To keep the rabbits busy and happy over the past few months Tammy has been spending countless hours getting them use to the water.  Once the ice melts on the Flambeau river we will give the herd access to the water.

Once they are in the river we will start selecting those bucks and does that we think will be good candidates for the 2013 swim teams.  Last year was are first entry into competitive swimming and we were proud of the efforts the rabbits put forth even though we did not win any major events down in St Louis last summer

You may remember we opened our rabbit swim classes up to the public last summer so people could come out and watch and the response was phenomenal. It was amazing how many families came out to see the rabbits swim.  So as you can imagine we will be opening up our rabbits swim time to the public this year as well.  

People are always so surprised to learn that rabbits take to water just like ducks take to water - except rabbits don't quack.  Here are a few recent pictures of Tammy showing how she teaches the rabbits how to swim.  Please note that for obvious safety reasons Tammy always requires the rabbits to wear a personal life preserver until she feels confident they can swim a few laps in the pool on their own.

Here is Tammy placing Spencer one of our big bucks in the water.  Does he look excited? 

 

 

 

With in a few minutes you can see how Spencer really begins to enjoy the water.

 

Animal Trivia # 5 Elephants

Most people know that rabbits are mammals;  small mammals.

Most people also know that the elephant is the largest "land mammal".  But what very few people know is that unlike the legs of a rabbit - all four legs of an elephant bend forward in the same direction. No other quadruped mammal on the entire planet has four legs that move in this fashion.

Rabbit Fact # 12

Rabbit meat is one of the best white meats available on the market today.  It has a high percentage of easily digestible protein and contains the least amount of fat among all other available meets.

Animal Trivia # 1 Dragon Flies

Did you know that a dragonfly has a lifespan of just approximately 24 hours?

Rabbit Fact # 11

The ratio of meat to bone on a rabbit is high.  This means there is more edible meat on the carcass of a rabbit than there is on a chicken

Rabbit Fact # 10

Most people don't know this but rabbits are one of the most productive domestic livestock animals. Rabbits will produce 6 pounds of meat on the same amount of feed and water that it takes a cow to produce just 1 pound of meat. 

Always Dress Appropriately - We Do

Visitors who come out to the ranch are often amazed to find that we all wear uniforms to work. The handles, the breeders, the feeders and the office staff all wear a special Rabbit Ranch uniform. Below is a story that illustrates why it is important for everyone to dress appropriately for work.

Years ago a naval vessel was out at sea and the Captain was abruptly awakened by his first mate who was yelling "Captain, Captain there’s a Spanish galleon rapidly approaching". The Captain jumped out of bed and raced to the deck. Sure enough there on the horizon was a large Spanish galleon heading straight for his ship.

"Quick” shouted the Captain, to his first mate “run down to my quarters and bring me my red silk shirt." "Captain” cried the new first mate "now is not the time to worry about how you look". Again the Captain barked - "Go to my quarters you fool and get my red silk shirt – now don't argue with me". Reluctantly, the first mate ran down to the Captain's quarters and returned with the Captain’s red silk shirt. The Captain removed his white shirt and put on his red silk shirt.

Within minutes a battled ensued with the Spanish ship. Bullets and cannon balls flew everywhere and after several minutes the Spanish galleon broke off its attack. The crew turned to their Captain and let out a mighty cheer. After the jubilation subsided the first mate approached the Captain and apologized for his hesitancy in following his order but asked “Captain, why was it so important you wore a red silk shirt during the battle”?

The Captain replied, I am the leader of this vessel and the crew depends. Had I have been hit by a stray bullet or struck by a piece shrapnel blood may have seeped out on my white shirt. If members of the crew had seen their leader bleeding they may have lost their courage and will to fight. They may have given up and we could have easily lost this battle.

However, if I were hit and bled while wearing this red silk shirt none of the men would have never known I was hit. They would have continued to fight with valor until their death. “Wow” said the first mate “I never thought of that Captain. I promise I will never question your orders again”.

A few days later the first mate again ran down to the Caption’s quarters and announced “Captain, Captain there is a French Frigate headed towards us and she’s a big one Captain, the biggest frigate I have ever seen.

The Captain ran up to the deck and clearly saw the silhouette of frigate on the horizon; she was indeed a big one, the biggest frigate the Captain had ever seen. All of her 16 guns were manned and she was sailing straight for them. “Captain what should we do?” asked the first mate. “Quick, run downstairs to my quarters and bring me back my dark brown pants” was his reply.