This summer has presented its own set of unique challenges for Ree Drummond and her family. As the beloved star of The Pioneer Woman, Ree recently shared insights into their life on their Oklahoma ranch, revealing a period marked by relentless work and a touch of worry, all amidst the joy of family milestones. While there isn’t a medical diagnosis to discuss, Ree’s candid blog post offers a glimpse into the ‘diagnosis’ of their current family life – a mix of demanding ranch work, resilience, and heartwarming celebrations.
In a heartfelt post on her Pioneer Woman blog, Ree opened up about the demanding summer her husband, Ladd, has been experiencing. She painted a picture of long days and strenuous labor, stating, “Ladd has had…a busy, slightly rough summer. I think I say this ever [sic] year, but the work, the early mornings, the unrelenting grind, the exhaustion…it has been a little much.” Ree humorously clarified that these were her observations, as Ladd himself would likely downplay it, simply considering it “part of life.”
The sheer intensity of the work has led Ree to contemplate the sustainability of their current pace. She confessed, “A couple of weeks ago, after watching him limp inside, covered in dust and blood after a particularly long day, I actually said the words, ‘I don’t think we can do this anymore.’ It was partly in jest, but also maybe a little bit not.” This moment of vulnerability underscores the genuine concern Ree feels for Ladd’s well-being amidst the demanding ranch work.
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Ree Drummond and Ladd Drummond. Ree Drummond/Instagram
Ree further elaborated on her concerns, questioning, “How much harder can you work, how much longer can you do this, are you okay, is what I was really thinking.” Her worries highlight the physical toll that ranching takes, and her deep care for Ladd’s health and capacity to maintain this demanding lifestyle.
However, in classic Drummond family fashion, moments of joy and celebration provide a counterbalance to the hardships. Ree’s blog post was actually a reflection on her daughter Paige’s recent surprise engagement to David Andersen. She emphasized how these happy occasions make the tougher times more manageable. “So to see him smiling and walking around and enjoying the celebration of his second child and the man she’s gonna marry…well, it made me feel a little better about things. 😂” she wrote, adding a hopeful note, “And summer will be over soon!”
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Ree and Ladd Drummond. Ree Drummond/Instagram
Paige’s engagement, announced on August 4th, marks another happy chapter for the Drummonds. Interestingly, the last major family wedding on the ranch, that of their older daughter Alex, was preceded by a significant health scare for Ladd. He was involved in a truck collision with his nephew Caleb while responding to a fire, resulting in a broken neck in two places. This past accident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks and physical demands of ranch life. Ladd had to wear a neck brace at Alex’s wedding, underscoring the seriousness of the incident.
These days, Ladd has an extra pair of hands on the ranch in the form of Paige. She returned home and started working full-time in January. Ree shared in a June interview with PEOPLE, “It’s really great to have her home.” Paige is currently living in her grandparents’ former house in town, a comforting continuity for the family after the passing of Ladd’s father, Chuck (Pa-Pa), in 2022 and his mother, Nan, in 2018.
While Paige’s long-term plans are still open, Ree cherishes her presence on the ranch. “In terms of how long she’ll stay or whether it’ll be a period of her life or forever, we’re not really trying to predict or think about it too far in advance,” Ree explained. “I love that she’s here. She’s the first of our kids to really come back and work on the ranch full time.”
Ree has also described Paige’s hands-on involvement in the ranch work in a May Pioneer Woman blog post, noting that Paige is experiencing the physical realities of the job – “getting banged up, scratched, bruised, and clobbered.” Despite the challenges, Ree proudly told PEOPLE that Paige is holding her own, “She’s very strong, not just physically, but she’s got a pretty strong heart and personality, so it’s fun to watch her kind of jump in and learn the ropes — not as Ladd’s kid, but as one of the cowboys basically. Cowgirls, I should say,” she added with a laugh.
In conclusion, while the summer on the Drummond ranch has been demanding, marked by relentless work and Ree’s understandable concerns for Ladd, it’s also punctuated by the joyous news of Paige’s engagement and her active participation in the family business. The ‘diagnosis’ for the Drummond family isn’t one of illness, but rather a testament to their enduring work ethic, family bonds, and ability to find joy amidst the everyday realities of ranch life.
