Dad's Trailer

Dad has decided, and Bob and Marvella Kleiser have agreed, that he should come live with them. Dad purchased a trailer home (shown here at the RV sales lot) and on the first week in November, it was set on their property in the Madera foothills. Life of a country gentleman now.

Ready To Roll

Side view here of the trailer with its downhill view. Bob explained to dad that if he misbehaves, he will kick the chock blocks out from the tires. I think dad plans a safety tether from the dining table to the tree.

Inside View

Dad and Bob in the front room / dining area. The view out the kitchen window is that downhill run.

Dad's Buddy

The dogs now consider dad, and everything of his, their property. They follow him everywhere.

Drew's VW Bus

Tom found a used (rather) 69 VW bus for Drew. The person who did the bodywork should be cited for vehicle abuse; Bondo over rust, spray can paint over the original red. But who can complain when the price was only $300. The engine runs well. It turns and stops. What more could you want? Drew's looking forward to fixing it up.

The New Stove

The old avacato colored drop-in electric stove with chrome trim has been replaced. There were complaints about intermittant and uneven burners, and the timer hasn't worked in years. Since only GE makes the 27" spacesaver model, the selection of features and colors (bisque or black) was pretty narrow. We're getting used to the new stove but I miss the old one.

Picture Page

Carolyn Stoeckel and her sister, Ellen Atkinson check out all of the pictures on the kitchen refrigerator. Included, around the side, were pictures of past Thanksgiving gatherings.

Thanksgiving 2003

Dinner for nineteen. Lori and Mark Carroll didn't make it in this picture. Lori was still comming from work and Mark was here but asleep; there was plenty of turkey dinner waiting for them.

Thanksgiving Group

Top Row: Mark Carroll, Lori Carroll, Adrie Carroll, Abi Carroll, Matt Ellis, Carol Long, Crystal Ellis, Tom Stoeckel Jr, Drew Stoeckel Middle Row: Jeffry Long, Judy Long, Nancy Stoeckel, Liz Stoeckel, Giana Stoeckel, Wayne Atkinson Table Row: Tom Stoeckel, Carolyn Stoeckel, Ellen Atkinson. (Dallas Stoeckel absent)

The Stoeckel Box

The cleanup of the center closet disclosed a box of Stoeckel pictures and documents that we didn't know we had. So after dinner the box was brought out for people to wander through and discover. The following four pictures are from that box.

Atkinsons 1959

A backyard gathering in 1959 for Atkinson, Stoeckel, Degraw & Swanbaum families.

Marilyn & Rex

Marilyn Atkinson and Rex DeGraw play in Atkinsons back yard.

Bob & Judy 1963

Bob and Judy clowning for pictures in 1963

Korea 1968

Bob Stoeckel on temporary duty in Korea

Travis AFB 1969

Bob, getting ready to fly out of Travis Air Force Base near Sacramento.

Bob Stoeckel 1969

Bob's new 1969 Volkswagen fastback, imported from Germany.