Riggins with little brother Charlie and little sister Sadie.

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Saturday, November 29, 2014

Saturday Notes.

It is a sunny warm gorgeous day here at the ranch with the temp going to reach 65. Just a couple days ago it was in the 20’s.

Today is our New Jersey Grand’s birthday.

Katie11-29-14a

                           Happy Birthday Katie.

Since Charlie has come to live with us he has gotten about 4 inches longer and 4 inches taller all this in a couple months plus putting some weight on. Donna seems to think instead of a beagle he might be a coon hound of some kind, his ears are huge. Here's some pictures what do you think.

Charlie11-15-14b

Rigg's&Charlie11-15-14b

Rigg's&Charlie11-15-14a

Charlie and Rigg’s are best bud’s, and spend hours playing until they are played out and crash on the bed together.

So good to have the fur kid’s around. Thursday when Donna was working the kid’s left to spend the night with some friend so I had all three fur babies to babysit. They all behaved and then at bed time they jumped up on the bed with me and slept until Donna got home.

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

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving.

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Here it is Thanksgiving already, and we have a lot to be thankful for, family is safe, and healthy. We hope all our friends and relatives are sharing in this great holiday spirit

With the snow on the ground it is a pretty holiday, especially when you can watch it from inside a warm house.

The tense situation in Ferguson has calmed again last night, only two arrests, maybe the snow and bitter cold helped, it was in the low 20’s last night. Feel sorry for the Guardsmen and law enforcement forced to stand out side and patrol and guard the city of Ferguson. I can remember many winter nights when due to calls I was out in the snow and cold with no way to stay warm, one blizzard we had no relief and were forced into 12 hours on and then 12 hours off for a couple days, luckily the fire department had a couple empty bunks and a steaming hot shower.

Donna has to work this afternoon at 02:00PM so there will be no big meal here today, luckily I mad a homemade pizza last night and there is enough tovars for a meal tonight for me.What could be more Thanksgiving than beer & pizza. Since we are Italian instead of a ham or turkey on Christmas Donna always makes her world famous 4 inch think Lasagna.

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TBT.

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Thanksgiving Day 1965, Scranton Tech vs Scranton Central, WE won(Tech) undefeated that season. I was on the field playing in the Band at half time when this was taken.

 

That’s about it for today, Everyone have a great holiday and be safe. Sam & Donna……

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Wednesday Musings.

Well, last night was a little quieter than Monday. no major fires, one police car fire bombed and the Ferguson City Hall had windows broken out. 2000 National Guardsmen were moved in. which freed up the police to be mobile and make arrests for a variety of charges, 44 arrests were made.
Sorry if I seem to dwell on this but when you spend 30 years of your life trying to make a place a safe and wholesome place to live and you see it being destroyed before your eyes by criminals who only want to steal and destroy, it makes me sad. Donna also worked for years in a restaurant in Dellwood after her evening shift at the truck company, she would then work a midnight shift at Sambo’s Restaurant. We shopped in many of the Dellwood shops and you could walk the streets at night without fear, virtually no robberies or felony crimes. Now the major intersection in town, W Florissant Ave & Chambers Rd looks like it took a hit from and airstrike of Navy hornets. Not one building is let standing , all gutted by fire,a half a block east at W Dell and Chambers RD County police came under automatic weapons fire and had to retreat, luckily no one was hit. In 30 years I was shot at or my patrol car was shot at 5 times. Not bad for a Metro area that is at 240 homicides so far this year, and almost always breaks 250 a year. Anyway I hope all my friends out there understand my feelings on this, and believe me it helps to have an outlet for this frustration.
NO worries here, the Weeb Ranch is on the other side of St Charles miles away from the riot area, I can assure you if something threatened our home, we are prepared to defend our home.
Hey how about something on a lighter note.
Riggs06-06-14b
                 Hey Dad, got an idea.
Rigg's05-23-14a
Isn’t it time for us to take another vacation, huh, huh.
Hope we can end up later this winter going south for a vacation. Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Ferguson/Dellwood Burn.

Spent most of the night watching the news, as most Americans & Canadians know, The St Louis County Grand Jury announced the verdict for Ferguson Police Officer, Darren Wilson who shot Micheal Brown to death in August.That announcement came about (09:30PM) CST  that no indictment had been issued.

It did not take long for the violence and looting to begin.

Over a dozen large fires were started in businesses on West Florissant Ave from Ferguson into Dellwood dozens of cars including at least 2 police units were burned, One police officer in a neighboring community was shot and wounded.This alone is a miracle since hundreds of shots were fire, some from automatic weapons in the area. The Fire Departments could not respond to the fires due to gunfire. Lambert St Louis Airport diverted incoming flights due to gunfire and limited flying to police and military aircraft.

In the past I have been accused of being a racist retired cop because of my views on rioting and looting. I will make it clear, I see nothing wrong with exercising our first amendment rights to dissent and demonstrate in a peaceful manner. But somebody out there tell me what gives someone the right to destroy and steal and use firearms in an unlawful manner and put the population at risk, because they don’t agree with someone else's opinion.

BusinessesonfireDellwoodMO.

                Business’s on fire in Dellwood, My old beat.

StLouis County PDcarburnsFergMO.

            St Louis County PD Unit, victim of a fire bomb.

PizzabusinessonfireFergMO.

                       Pizza Rest burns in Ferguson MO.

Looters,FergMowith big screen TVfrom Aarons.

My favorite, two looters carry a big screen TV from Aarons Rental Ferguson MO.

Somebody tell me what this has to do with mourning a dead young person.

Anyway it looks like we will be having some hectic days here in the St Louis area.

Please pray for those Officers and Guardsmen. who will be out there in the trench's trying to get this situation under control.

So far it looks like a couple dozen businesses burned out on a stretch of West Florissant That runs from Solway Ave in Ferguson, through Dellwood to I-270. One report said the Dellwood City Hall and Police Station was on fire, if that’s true, That’s my old station house. So many memories of that area up in smoke.

Oh well I guess I am lucky to be retired and watching it on TV, someday I’ll drive back and take a look for myself.

All is well here at the Weeb Ranch, the pooches are doing fine, and beside being cold. life goes on.

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

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Saturday Notes.

Been a few days since our last post, really been a slow week, Bitter cold until today and then it stayed cloudy but got into the 50’s. Besides, me going to the store nobody left the house all week except for the kids and Donna going to work.

The pooches are playing and getting along great. My Son Andy got a new to him truck, for his side jobs, it’s a used Chevy 1 ton with a tool body, He can put his weed eaters and blower inside where it can be locked up in one of the tool compartments.

Charley discovered Donna’s penny stash and got into it and opened the wrappers an spread penny’s all over the bedroom and the hallway. Just like a kid he has to find some way to get into mischief. Then we she went to scoop them up he kept barking and going after the broom and scoop.

I did have to buy a couple of floodlights bulbs for the back yard since both of the bulbs shot craps at once. Plus the two over each of the garage doors. Don’t know if they had a power surge or why four bulbs would be gone at once.I like to have those back yard bulbs so I can see all the way to the back at night when I put the dogs out.

Not much else going on. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Sunday Musings.

Started about noon and we got about 1-2 inches of snow, for the first snow of the year. Not much but enough for Rigg’s to get out and enjoy it with his brother Charlie.

Rigg's11-16-14a

           Rigg’s playing, Charlie was with my Son.

Usually out here in Dardenne Prairie a small snowfall like this is a non event as everyone has 4 wheel drive. and on a Sunday there is not much traffic.

Donna worked the day watch at Walgreens, and the rest of us stayed home until the snow started then my Son took Charlie and Sadie out, and we et Rigg’s pay in the yard.

Other than that a slow cold day here at the ranch. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……..

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Saturday Notes.

Another cold and cloudy day here at the Ranch, high in the low 30’s. Waiting for the snow to start, had a few flurries but nothing heavy yet.

Rigg’s got a surprise in the mail. Mom got him a new orthopedic bed to maybe help with his hip condition, that and the fact that Charlie chewed the zipper off his old bed and was working on removing the stuffing.

Rigg's11-15-14a

                     Rigg’s on his new bed.

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             Rigg’s sharing with Charlie.

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                      Charlie not sharing.

Can’t wait to see if the snow comes to see what Charlie thinks of it, this ill be his first sight of snow.

Donna is off today so she is baking dead chicken for supper. The kid’s are making a store run for us.

Not much going on for today. Be safe out there.Stay warm looks most of the country is colder than normal.Sam & Donna…….

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Thursday Happenings.

It’s a sunny, but cold day here at the Ranch, 27 degrees at 09:30AM only supposed to be a high of 34 degrees today.
Reminds me of growing up in Scranton PA. when by this time in November you would already have a hard freeze, some snow on the ground and be ice skating on Lake Lincoln in Nay Aug Park. It was the largest man made concrete swimming pool in the US at the time.
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AS you can see there was plenty room for swimming and skating.
By the way the sandy beaches were actually smooth concrete.
How about a couple  TBT’s.
Sam and Mom,1978,09=04=14a
                         Sam and his Mom 1978.
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                       Donna camping 1986.
The boys are playing in the kitchen, tug and rough housing, they both play until they drop for a nap,Sadie just watched and stays out of the kill area.
Nothing much going on today, Donna is on and off day so we will pretty much lay around the house. Be safe out there and stay warm. Sam & Donna………

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Wednesday Musings.

Well I knew it was to good to be true, it went from sunny and 70 degrees, to sunny and 30 degrees today, it was 27 when I got up this morning, Glad I got the fiver winterized the other day although it takes about a week of a cold freeze to bring the inside temperature down.

Naturally with the cold, all three dogs are just going out and doing there thing and running back to the door.

Sadie went over and took over Rigg’s big bed, so not to be out done Rigg’s grabbed her bed.

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                                           Sadie

Rigg's11-12-14a

                                         Rigg’s

Charlie went in with Samantha in her room.

Donna has the evening watch at Walgreens tonight. Then she is off until Sunday. Unless she gets called in.

We may get our first taste of snow with a 30% chance on Sat, 50% on Saturday night and 30% on Sunday. I will stay home even if there is only a coupe inches, If my Son wants to plow he can put the plow on John Deere.

I have decided no more plowing or going out in the snow, the dogs can play in it in the backyard, That will be it for me.

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

Monday, November 10, 2014

Veterans Day.

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Today at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year. We celebrate, A US holiday to commemorate all who served their country in the Armed Services.

SSundown

The poppy has come to be representative of Veterans day, and as it is known in Canada as Remembrance Day. I got mine when I went to the store from a VFW rep in front of the store.I put it on my Navy ball cap until it wears out.

As you all know I am a US Navy veteran, having served from 1966-1970 in a Rescue Helicopter Squadron ( HC-2) as an aircrewman/rescue swimmer. Even today when someone Thanks me for my service , I will tell them your welcome, but in all honesty I had the best times of life during that period, I loved flying and the high you got when you did make a rescue. As I remember it it was very young men 18-26 years old doing jobs that had no counterpart in the civilian world, since I flew from aircraft carriers I got to see exactly how dangerous it was.As I said it was kid’s who were forced to grow up and do a mans job all at once.

Here’s a few before and after shots.Sam Weibel USSShangri-La1967 

Sam USS Shangri-LaCVA381967a

                 Sam USS Shangri-La 1967

Sam USS IndependenceCVA621969b

              Sam USS Independence 1969.

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Sam 2014 Together We Served Reunion.

Quite a difference 45 years makes.

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The Wall, if in DC visit it someday, you will be glad you did.

I want to thank all my blogger friends out there, that served time in the armed forces and are now US Veterans.Thanks guys and gals, for giving this great country a part of your lives.A big Bravo Zulu and Hand salute to all of you.

Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……….

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Saturday Notes.

Not a bad day here at the ranch, sunny all day high in the 50’s.Took some shopping bags out to the fiver and unloaded the fridge, and the pantry of all food for the winter. Decided that when we leave next time we will eat out until our first stop and then go shopping for grocery items and beer and water.

Monday it is supposed to be in the 60’s so I will drain all the water lines and blow out with air, then put pink stuff in the traps and tanks,Then we will be set until the next trip.

Made a run to the store to pick up Donna’s prescription, got my poppy for veterans day.

In Canada I see you display poppy's for your Remembrance Day. Same day except here in the States it’s called Veterans Day.

I will be going to O’Fallons Veterans Day ceremony, one of the few holidays we take seriously here at the Ranch.

That’s about it for today, Rigg’s , Charlie & Sadie are all napping, they have such a hard life here. Be safe. Sam & Donna…….

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Thursday Happenings.

Not a bad day it was sunny and got up to 50 degrees.Rigg’s and Charlie had a good morning of play and then took a nap. Sadie just got under the table and laid down and didn’t want to join the play. Charlie just gets to rough with her, if it’s just Rigg’s she will play tug with him.

Hey how about a couple of throwbacks. it is Thursday.

Donna&Sam 1982

Donna & Sam 1982 in Pigeon Forge.

Donna & Friend1982

Donna & friend at Silver Dollar City 1982.

Sam 1982

Sam at Silver Dollar City 1982,

Niece Tammy 1982

                   Niece Tammy 1982.

That was the trip where we went to the Knoxville Worlds Fair.Then Pigeon Forge and the Smokey Mountains.It was a good vacation.

Not much else doing here at the ranch. Hope all is well with all our friends heading south. I hope we maybe get a chance to head south for a little while this winter, no snow plowing or winter wanted for this guy.I also think warmer weather will be easier on Donna breathing and since the oxygen machine will work in the fiver and I have a tank in case of a power failure, plus the generator, I think we should be set. Be safe out there. Sam &Donna…..

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Tuesday Thoughts.

I was watching Rigg’s this morning and it made me wonder what I had done to earn his love and loyalty. There is no doubt that I am number one on his hit parade, then Donna. From the minute I get up he will be sleeping next to our bed , but will immediately follow me into the kitchen, where I will get my morning kiss and the mandatory two licks.I then put him out, while I take my pills and make coffee, I let him in and he will come over to the table and sniff the coffee cup just to make sure and then lay on the floor next to my chair, but only after giving my hand a lick.

I will wait and give him his morning cup of food, Then he will come into my room with me or follow me where ever I go in the house. If he sees me put shoes on or a ball cap he is ready and excited to go out. And a double oh boy if the truck is involved, his favorite thing in the whole world. I read about other bloggers and their dogs so I know They have the ability to show a lot of love. Hope I get to share it with him for many more years.

I also got a facebook entry from New Jersey that the Legacy Ranch put in about my Granddaughter Meghen and her horseman abilities.

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The season has just ended and she had the most awards in the youth groups.

Legacy Ranch is so proud of Megan she did awesome this season she's an excellent Little rider keep on riding Megan. Her horse is named Dude.

November 2 at 4:40pm · Like · 2

Donna and I are so proud of her and her sister Katie. My Son Tim and his girlfriend Bonnie are doing an excellent job of raising those girls.

It is a a rainy day here at the Ranch temps are in the middle 50’s which is seasonal for November.

Charlie is behaving and is doing better each day, he is now sitting on command when he is on the leash and and listening better here in the house, unless of course he is distracted by playing with Rigg’s. He has mastered the art of jumping/climbing up on our bed which is on a two drawer pedestal, the he will lie down next to whoever is in bed. Luckily he doesn’t take up as much space as Rigg’s does. Since Rigg’s has been having hip problems he prefers a pillow next to the bed on the floor rather than jumping up and down.

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

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Saturday Notes.

Have been lazy and not posted for a few days, Got up about 04:30AM and noticed the outside temp was 30 degrees.

What guys do after a rousing game.....they go have a drink together.
Then its nap time. some how Charlie thinks Riggs is a better napping place than the bed next to him

Donna Dutson Weibel's photo.

Donna Dutson Weibel's photo.

How many dogs do you know that will let his little brother sleep on top of him. Rigg’s is such a gentle Ben with Charlie and Sadie.

As you can see Charlie is in a growing streak, I think he has put on an inch in height and about 5 pounds since he moved in. Don’t have a clue how big he will grow, Beagles normally aren’t to much bigger than he is now, but his feet are still big looking. Oh well he’s got a ways to catch up to Rigg’s 110 pounds.

He is doing well with listening and potty training.

Have to get to winterizing the trailer this week. One night of 30 degrees won’t hurt, but come December it is usually below zero here at the Ranch.

If it get to cold we may change plans again and find a snowbird place in Texas for a stay.

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