Sunday Notes.

Friday I had cut the back grass before it started to rain. Saturday It was predicted for on and off showers all day, I probably could have got some cutting in but it did finally cloud up and start raining.

Today the forecast was for sun and more sun, so I let it dry up until about noon and then got John Deere out to finish the front and side. While I was doing that my Son Andy replaced a brake hose on the front of his mothers car that was causing the front caliper to lock up.When he got it done he test drove it and pronounced it fixed. Mom will be glad to have her Escape back. The old hose had collapsed inside and would allow high pressure through to apply the brake. but not the low pressure of a release. so the brake would stick on and get hot.

Donna had to work the day watch at Walgreens today, she has been using my truck while her car was broke.

When I finally got off the tractor the temp was 99deg. so I am ready for a shower and a nap.

Rigg’s seems to responding well to his medication, his limp is just about gone and he is more perky now.

That’s about it for now. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Thursday Happenings.

Another hot one here in Dardenne Prairie, Got Rigg’s to the Vet for an 08:45AM appointment. He has been limping on and off with his left hind leg for about a week. Doesn’t seem to be in pain but there is a fatty lump on his leg.

The Vet did a thorough X-Ray, and the results are that Rigg’s has hip dysplasia that he was born with. Also starting with arthritis. She gave him some medicine for inflammation and some vitamins, He has to take the medicine for 14 days, then if the limping comes back he may be on pills for the rest of his life. The good news is he is not in any pain and should be ok for a while. He weighed 105 lbs. and the Vet wants him to lose some weight and get more exercise which is tough when it is this hot since he won’t go out and play, she said swimming is best for him so I will be making more trips to the doggie park.

Rigg’s lying down by his Mom after taking his medicine.

Made a store run since I was out of beer, and stocked up on some food also.

How about a couple of throwbacks.

My Sister Wendy, Grandfather Weibel, Brother Bill,Niece Tammy Sue, Grandmother Weibel. in 1971.

Tammy Sue, Diane, Bill. ca.1971.

Donna is off work today so we will relax and hope for cooler weather.

Hope all is well with all our friends. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Wednesday Musings.

It’s 12:30PM and the weather is sunny and hot, right at 90 degrees.They said a high of 91 ,but I think it will be a little warmer. Suppose to cool off a little on the weekend, so I will wait on the grass, Just to hot and humid now. Yesterday the thermometer in the kitchen said 103 for the outside temp.

We have to get Rigg’s to the Vet tomorrow, he is limping and we found another lump on his left hind leg. Boy Lab’s seem to be really susceptible to tumors.

Donna has the evening shift at Walgreens tonight, Me just watching movies and reading.

Seems like things have quieted down in the Ferguson area the last few days. Be glad when all the media gets over rehashing all the things they have already told us.

Andy, my Son is back to work so maybe that will help out around here.

That’s about it for today. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Monday Musings.

First it is into the hot season here at the ranch with the thermometer reading 102 yesterday, I so wish we were parked in the shade someplace and just soaking in the pool.

Yesterday was Donna’s birthday, since she already blabbed it on FB, I can safely say she celebrated her 65th. Still looks good for an old lady. We went to the restaurant of her choice, O’Charlies, in OFallon. she wanted a prime rib, and so I said I really had a taste for a Filet Mignon. Having eaten there in the past I thought it would be a wise choice, Donna ordered her prime rib and it came back just superb. When I ordered my Filet, the waitress said they no longer carried Filets on the menu, ended up with a Bacon Cheeseburger. I just don’t have good luck with other cuts of steak. a Filet is always so tender and juicy. Donna got a cocktail and I had a tall Sam Adams Boston Lager on draft. All in all I know Donna had a great birthday meal. Mine was so-so.

            The Birthday Girl, Her Dinner, and Sam.

I want to thank everyone for their confidence in the last few days of dissent on the blog, Maybe I violated a rule of blogging, No Political Opinions allowed. If so I am sorry. I hate the thought of losing the friendship of someone I had thought was a friend and supporter. However life must go on and have to say that the 30 years I served in the Dellwood/Ferguson area we vastly pleasurable and I came away with many, many friends of all kinds. Yes even criminals,some were just the victims of dumb choices, and later would tell me so and be glad we parted friends. That was a big part of my life and like my Navy experiences I will never forget them.

I hope all is well with all of our blogger friends and Rigg’s says to say hi to all his blogger fur friends. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……..

Saturday Notes.

I must say that I was just a little surprised to have become the target of criticism over a post I made from my friend Rick up in BC.

Number one I must apologize if I am not as articulate in the printed word as I should be but I will try to explain my post and what I assume was offensive to Rick.

"I know if you are like me I am really growing weary the rioting and bad press the St. Louis area as a whole is getting. The shooting of a young man ,not child as the press is trying to trumpet, Sorry 6 foot tall, over 200lbs and starting college, doesn’t fit my description of a child, a young man yes."

"I cannot believe the restraint our police have used in not returning fire after being shot at and the target of gasoline bombs." in This paragraph I tried to show that media uses the word child like they are describing a six year old in his first holy communion suit.Just doesn’t fit the facts here, this was a large and muscular young man capable of harming someone. Also the part about the restraint used in face of gunfire and gasoline was just that. How many out there have been the target of hostile fire.I have and it’s not pleasant.I did not condone opening fire on unarmed civilians just because they are protesting. But the Swat team had snipers, that could have taken out the gunman and gas bomb throwers,since they were using deadly force, but they didn’t.xI think that in itself speaks highly of our law enforcement people.

Gypsy, for the 30 years I was a Dellwood Police officer, I retired as ass't chief, We had the reputation of a top notch City Police Agency, we set our standards high and you didn't get hired without a degree.

Today if you are black you have the press in your hands, and the police are sacrificial lambs.No matter what the truth is Officer Wilson,will be hung out to dry, to appease the black population. This is oh so wrong. again glad to be a retired LEO.

This was my way of saying that this I felt there is no way this young officer ,right or wrong, is going to get a fair shake in the criminal justice system we have now, with the pressure the black press, politicians, and public are putting on the politicians.

As some of the facts are becoming known, The victim was not shot in the back while running away, he was facing and charging the officer.

The officer received an orbital fracture to his eye socket and facials injuries.

I am waiting for the facts to become known before I judge this and make my mind up as to what I think really happened

Am I a racist heavens no, I include many people of color in my list of friends and former co workers.

Again I will repeat, I and many of my neighbors here in MO are tired of the actions of a few, making our area look bad. This is till a good place to live. If I have offended anyone please take heart these are souly my opinions and not meant to be offensive.

Tomorrow we will celebrate Donna’s birthday, Everyone have a good day out there. Sam & Donna.

Thursday Happenings.

Having a nice sunny day here at the ranch. 85 degrees. Supposed to hit 96 this afternoon. Donna is off and is doing a little baking.

How about a couple of TBT’s.

                        Donna &Sam 1998.

So far Donna is taking her meds and continuing her breathing treatments. She seems to be making a small improvement.

Not much going on with the mutso’s they are happy to lay around in the air condition and only go out in the heat when they absolutely have to.

That’s about it for today, hope all is well with all our friends out there. Be Safe, Sam & Donna…………

Tuesday Thoughts.

I really nice sunny day at 83 degrees, here in Dardenne Prairie. Today is Donna’s day off so I have been encouraging her to rest up.

I know if you are like me I am really growing weary the rioting and bad press the St. Louis area as a whole is getting. The shooting of a young man ,not child as the press is trying to trumpet, Sorry 6 foot tall, over 200lbs and starting college, doesn’t fit my description of a child, a young man yes.

Anyway because of a small criminal element, who want to use this as an excuse to steal and loot, we all look bad.

I cannot believe the restraint our police have used in not returning fire after being shot at and the target of gasoline bombs.

In all 4 innocent people have been shot during the riots, all by fellow rioters.

And yes Donna and I are so glad I am a retired officer and not still working.

Rigg’s the lop is laying on the floor guarding the kitchen.

That’s about it for now, Hope all is well with all our friends. Be safe. Sam & Donna…

Hey how about a Navy picture of one of my old helicopters.

                    UH2A making a personnel pick up from a sub.

Sunday Notes,

We are having a second day of rain here in Dardenne Prairie, My son Andy and & spent some of yesterday replacing the front brakes and one caliper and rotors on Donna’s car, The caliper stuck and ground the pads down on that side, so I put a new rotor and new pads on both sides so everything starts out from scratch.

Donna was feeling well enough this morning to go in to Walgreens for the day watch. When she went out a tire was low, so she took my good truck, and I put air in the low tire and took her car to Walmart where they found a nail and repaired the tire.

I thought I would show you some of the pictures from the riot area in Ferguson & Dellwood where I used to work, Any opinions are mine and please I spent my entire career in law enforcement and it pains me to see a few criminals making it look bad for what is really a nice community.

West Florissant Ave. looking from Dellwood into Ferguson.

The QT at 9400 W. Florissant Ave. Ferguson burns after being looted by rioters, I had many a cup of coffee in that business.

               Trying to antagonize the K-9.

                       Looter loading up on liquor.

W. Florissant Ave & Chambers RD in Dellwood Looting wasn’t confined to Ferguson and spilled over to it’s neighbor cities of Dellwood and Jennings.

I got an e-mail from one of my former cop buddies, he said he talked to his friend who is the manager of the Shoe Carnival in Ferguson, and as a sidelight to the character of the looters , his buddy told him, his store was cleaned out of all the expensive name brand running shoes. But not one pair of work shoes was touched.

I guess it wouldn’t look as bad if at least somebody was looting baby food, milk and bread, but liquor and beer has more appeal. Enough said before I get myself in trouble.

As I said I had 30 good years working in that area and made a lot of friends who still say hi out here in St Charles county at the stores and what not. A lot of good people out there.

That’s about it for now , Be safe ,Sam & Donna.

Thursday Happenings.

Here we are a gorgeous day in Dardenne Prairie, Sunny high in the low 80’s. Donna went out to do a little shopping. I took John Deere out for a spin and finished the grass cutting.

Trying to get Donna to do as little as possible, I think her outing was a little hard on her so she is relaxing and trying to get her breathing easier.

How about a couple of throwbacks.

            Donna & Andy l990, Andy is 32 now.

John Zensen & Sam, Partners. Dellwood PD 1990.

That’s about it for today hoping for a better day for Donna tomorrow. Be safe . Sam &Donna…………

WOOHOO I’M HOME

First off I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

I finally relented to go to hospital because I was at the stage of lethargy and difficulty breathing if I walked more that 5 feet. At point could barely do my job at restaurant and was scaring the kids at work. One kept threatening to call an ambulance. I am blessed to work with a terrific group of kids. But I digress, because  the lethargy and breathing were symptoms in my previous heart problems and the severity came on so suddenly I was concerned it was my heart and not my COPD. and none of my breathing medications were working.  Bottom line I picked up a bug of some kind and turned into  a bacterial infection that exascerbated the COPD, doctor equated it to a very severe asthma attack.  So I was put on antibiotics and IV steroids. Because I have had previous problems with prednisone, the common pill steroid, they wanted to use IV before a trial of the pill. I was doing great this morning , then I took the pill and it was downhill from there, so I am apparently allergic to prednisone, but better to find out while in hospital.

Have never really had to stay in the hospital before, was against it at first but a very savvy nurse talked me into the stay, which in hindsight I am glad she did. All my heart tests were fine. The staff at this hospital treated me so well I felt like I was there with friends. Downside to stay is no sleep, because of different tests and medications seems like grand central station 24 hours a day.  Because of steroids I was eating almost the entire menu at all 3 meals. My norm is one meal a day, but there food was so good. I had sweet and sour chicken every night for dinner. I had strawberry cheese cake and apple crisp at every meal, yes breakfast too. If I had to stay much longer they would have to treat me for obesity, I gained 6 lbs in 3 days !….HAHA Riggs I now weigh more than you! The more I think about it hospital wasnt such a bad experience,  had a bed all to myself, no other humans or critters, own thermostat to have room temp I wanted, TV all to myself, books to read with interruption, food served to me and then cleaned up and meeting new and interesting people.

Again thank you for your concern

Wednesday Musings

Update on Donna.

Talked to her a little while ago, and she said her Doctor just left and that they are going to continue breathing treatments this morning, and then they will let her go home later this afternoon, she said since they will be busy with her this morning for me to stay home and cut grass (boy am I lucky). Then she will call me and let me know what time they will release her.

I want to thank everyone for their kind words and concern, I had a few really scary moments when this episode started so I am so relieved that she is doing so much better.

I will post when we get her home and things are quieter,

Sam & Donna……

Tuesday Thoughts.

Just wanted to give everyone a little update on Donna’s medical condition. Today they are still doing tests and then they are going to stop the IV and start Donna on pills for the infection, since there could be side effects they want to watch her closely, and so she will be at least another night in the hospital, if all goes well maybe tomorrow afternoon. She is really sounding a lot better and feeling a lot better so we are all hoping for the best news tomorrow.

Took John Deere for a spin and cut the front and side yards today. Will finish the back tomorrow.

If you are following in the news you will have seen that the Ferguson Mo and Dellwood Mo. areas are being hit with rioting and civil unrest due the to the police killing of a young black man. I spent over 30 years as a member of the Dellwood Police Dept, and spent many times assisting our neighbor Ferguson PD in that very area on the border of Dellwood. It was a rough apartment complex even 20 years ago. Just the place you would expect trouble in, to much drugs, to many people with time on their hands and no ambition.

                              Firing tear gas on W FlorissantAve.

             QT that was burned down by looters.

It’s a miracle no police officers have been killed , with the amount of gunshots going off in their proximity.

We can only pray this will end soon.

Hope all is well with all our friends, be safe. Sam & Donna…..

Monday Musings.

Went to the the hospital at 08:00AM to visit my bride and see how she was doing, she looked a little better but said she didn’t sleep well last night, they said she has a severe infection in her lungs and are treating it with antibiotic’s  and giving here breathing treatments to open up her lungs, they are also doing test for cardiac damage, while I was there they did a cardiac ultrasound, they said it looked pretty good. She will not be coming home today or maybe not tomorrow as they want to keep the breathing treatments and antibiotics going. and watch her for at least a couple of 24 hours periods. I do feel better today than I did yesterday. Since she had more tests, and was very tired, I left so maybe she would get some rest will visit again latter. Thanks to all our friends for their concern. My worst fear would be to lose her now. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

Sunday Notes.

For the last week or so Donna has been having increasingly worse problems with her breathing condition. (COPD). Early this morning at about 04:00AM  she had trouble breathing and chest pains. I took her to the ER at St Josephs West Hospital in Lake St Louis. They said she had CPOD aggravated by an early onset infection, She has been admitted to the hospital to have heart enzymes and lung function test to rule out a heart attack, or any further heart damage. She was a lot more comfortable and resting waiting for the tests later this morning when I left her. Been a scary night for both of us. We will keep you posted when we hear anything else. Thy did say she would not be released today as they had a full day of test planned.

I guess you can see why she has been reluctant to go camping this summer. I am just glad I was home when this happened since I had planned a short trip but just cancelled at the last minute.

I will be going back to the hospital this afternoon hopefully after all the tests are done.

On a happier note my youngest New Jersey Grand won another group of ribbons at the Legacy Ranch.

                 Meghen

                         Meghen Katie& Dude.

                        Meghen&Lugar.

We are so proud of those girls, They are very good at almost everything they do.

Be safe .Sam & Donna.

T.G.I.F.

After two days straight of rain about noon today the sun came back.

Rigg’s and Sadie in their rainy day pose from yesterday.
Also yesterday my Son Andy's girlfriend Samantha was admitted to the hospital with severe stomach pains, so far today they are still doing tests but nothing has been found yet. Don’t know how long she will have to stay, but Sadie is having Grandpa give her attention and sleeps on his bed while he Mom & Dad are away.
Since I forgot to take any dough out to thaw, I guess I will be ordering in a pizza tonight, Been making bread pizza’s with french bread sliced and the toppings put on then heated in the oven, But tonight I have a taste for a regular pepperoni pizza.
I am still looking to go camping. Cuivre River State Park is close so I will call and see what the rate is and if I can get a reservation for a couple days.
That’s about it for today, Hope all is well with all our friends out here. Be safe. Sam & Donna………

Wednesday Musings.

It is another cloudy rainy day here in Dardenne Prairie, not much to do. Donna has the night shift at Walgreens tonight.
Last week when I posted the throwback of my family from the 40’s I mentioned an old album my dad had made in WW2, It was metal and was made by my Grandfather in the railroad sheet metal shop.

I also said I would scan some of the pictures of the nose art that was applied to the planes. These pictures were taken in the 1943-45 time period in Australia and New Guinean, and the surrounding islands.

The backs of all pictures and letters that were sent home had to be censored and then stamped before they were sealed by the censors back to the states.
The images are a little risqué, and we would never be allowed to paint most of them on our Naval aircraft during my Viet Nam service. But this was WW2.








Interesting also how some of the planes show how many missions and ships and planes they have sunk or shot down.
My Dad, Irving Bing Weibel served from 1942to 1945 in the 5th Air Force, 2nd Service Squadron, they would set up a landing strip on some island and any aircraft needing repairs was welcome, in forward areas they would send out teams to recover crashed aircraft, American or Japanese, since a lot of parts were interchangeable. The Japanese did the same thing so there were times when you had to fight for your prize. I remember how when I would come home on leave, he would take me to the VFW and brag about me to his WW2 buddies, a lot of them would write me and my squadron mates when we were overseas or send audio tapes of the parties at Christmas time. The truth was I was always embarrassed because Dad was the true hero in my eyes having spent all those years in the Pacific and surviving Malaria. They were the worlds Greatest Generation.
Next time you see a WW2 vet thank them, there not many left.Denny and Donna Cave, next time you go to Uncle Juniors, pour him a beer and tell him this one is from Sam.
That’s about it for today. Be careful out there. Sam & Donna..

Tuesday Thoughts.

Today it was cloudy when I got up and pretty much stayed that way all day so far.

Ay 09:00AM I had my every three month doctors appointment, he was especially happy that for the third appointment running, my blood pressure has been right on the money and again for the third time running I lost weight, 5more lbs. this time, All my numbers except one were good except one and he said when he gets my blood work done we will work on getting that one down. All in all he is happy with me and said keep up the good work and see ya in 3 months.

Donna is off today and is cooking a pork roast for tonight, the house smells great. I am going to look and see about a campground with a pool and a lake so Rigg’s and I can take a few days off camping, I would like to find a Passport America camp within and hour or twos drive of St Louis. That would make for a really affordable vacation. Donna will stay home and work.

Rigg’s is taking his afternoon nap next to my chair,sounds like he has an auxiliary power unit running by how loud he snores, Not much else going on the kid’s are both out, We had Nick over for awhile this morning , but she’s gone home now, Her Mom took her to orientation for middle school this morning while I was at the doctor.

Be careful out there, Sam & Donna…….

Saturday/Sunday Notes.

We had a pretty good weekend so far, except for a little cloudiness yesterday, it has been sunny and in the 80’s the rest of the time. Donna had the night shift last night at the restaurant. Then this morning she went in for the day shift at Walgreens, One more day shift tomorrow at Walgreens and she will be off Tuesday.I have my every three month Doctors appointment Tuesday morning, Then I will turn my thoughts to taking the fiver somewhere for a few days with Rigg’s, Donna will stay home and work.

We got our reservations comfirmed for the Military Reunion in Branson on Oct 10th, hope it still warm then for that is when the season starts to change here in Mo. Going to be staying at a campground with with two other guys I was in the Navy with.

After that we will wait and see if we are going to be able to make the Escapade in Tucson in the spring, and from there a stop in Florida at our friends the Tempesta’s.

So far haven’t done a lot of camping since the rally in May I am hoping for a couple of short trips locally in Aug or Sept while it is till swimming weather here in MO.

Not much going on around Dardenne Prairie, it’s the dog days od August now for sure. Hope all is well for all our friends. Be safe out there. Sam  & Donna…..