NOTE: Any opinions expressed in this daily journal,
political or otherwise, are solely my own; they do not necessarily reflect those of any other administrators, moderators, hosts, or members of this
website/discussion board. If the reader wishes to comment on an entry in this journal, he/she is advised to do so by setting up another thread for that
purpose, here in the Municipal Stadium Furom. Thank you.
Keeper of this Journal: Steve Wenzel
Born: 06-25-1956 Van Nuys, CA
Spouse: Margaret Wenzel nee Burdick
Born: 09-23-1958 Sandusky, OH
Children: Karl; Born: 02-10-1992. Erika; Born: 10-11-1985. Husband: Mark Hilliard. Children: Mark Allen Hilliard III. Born: 10-07-2009
Parents: Father: Leo Wenzel. Born: 06-26-1929 Czernowitz, Bukovina. Died: 03-14-2007 Chino, CA. Mother: Marian Wenzel nee (Donath) Born: 8-25-1935
Los Angeles, CA. Died: 02-01-2000 Canoga Park, CA
Brother: Kurt Wenzel
Born: 05-23-1967 Van Nuys, CA
Sister: Ingrid - Married Name: Roach.
Born: 09-15-1959 Van Nuys, CA Two sons: Nicholas & Christopher
Many relatives in Germany & Austria
Monday, June 2nd, 2008
Northridge, CA
Weather warm and sunny. Yesterday, heard from Erika in Trenton, FL. Erika feeling low because of allergies; was complaining of heat and humidity. Says
Mark's grandparents are treating her well. She now has cable TV in her bedroom and Internet access. Despite discomforts, Erika says she likes the area, as
it is rural. Also enjoys the local Southern quisine, waffle-houses, road-houses, barbeque joints, and flea markets. Mark arrived in Kuwait last week for
"in-processing" to his duty station in Iraq, which will be Camp(?) Falcon near Baghdad. We pray daily for his safety. Mentioned him to our pastor
while at church yesterday. Machault's 14th century Mass of Nostre Dame now wrapping up on my CD player. Ite Missa
Est....
A Father-In-Law's Daily Journal
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A Father-In-Law's Daily Journal |
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
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Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather cool and breezy today - low seventies. Watched Weather Channel. Temperature in Iraq at 115 degrees - poor Mark! Hope he doesn't have to spend long time in sun. Margaret and I are concerned for his safety all the time, as are his parents, I'm sure. Can't even imagine what Erika is going through. Not the best way to begin a married life. Everytime American troop casualties in Iraq are mentioned on radio or TV, we stop what we're doing. Am listening to secular motet "O Padua" by Johannes Ciconia, my favorite composer of the pre-Burgundian era (late 14th century-early 15th). Will listen to Harry James next. Nothing new on job-search front. Prospects bleak.
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Wednesday June 4th, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather breezy and cool. Some clouds. So far, no word from Erika. Things must be going well. Haven't heard any news about any renewed fighting or other violence in Iraq. No news is GOOD news, as they say. Had to pick up a refill on one of Margaret's glaucoma drops at Kaiser pharmacy - paid $35 co-payment. Paid $32 for 7 1/2 gallons of gas! Hard times. Local elections held yesterday. Prop 98 defeated - thank God! Were it to pass, tenants would suffer.
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
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Thursday June 5th, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather very warm - almost hot. No news regarding Iraq. Did some online job-hunting. Also worked on editing my story on the Homefront board. Karl doing very well in school - report card A's and two B's. Very proud of him. Will most likely hear from Erika over coming weekend. Waiting for Tax Rebate check. Should come by tomorrow, according to letter we received last Saturday.
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
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Friday, June 6th, 2008(D-Day)
Northridge, CA Weather very warm and breezy - upper 80s. Nice surprise last night - Erika called from FL. She's doing very well. Allergies have subsided. Mark's grandmother teaching her how to cook. Erika sending money so we can ship her clothes and other things to her. This morning, went to bank, 99Cents Store and Ralph's. Picked Margaret up from work - said she won free gas-fillup by being 93rd caller on radio program. A pleasant surprise, considering gas at $4.35 a gallon, these days. Another nice surprise when Erika called again this evening. Bragged that she made first home-cooked meal from scratch. She heard from Mark in Iraq. He's doing well, though sweltering in desert heat. Has to live in canvass tent, which is very hot inside. Nights never really cool down. He can talk to Erika by webcam or phone. Erika sounds in very good spirits. It puts our minds at rest.
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10/07/08 03:26 PM.
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
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Sunday, June 8th, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather hot and breezy. Erika called this afternoon. Sounds happy. We spoke with her for over an hour - spoke about everything from politics, to weather and waffle-houses. She helped make homemade spaghetti and garlic bread. Also spoke to Mark today. He's doing well but, not much to do, so far. All is quiet-not much action. Weather in Iraq still very hot. Had to go to bed early, as he was detailed for duty early next morning. Hopefully, he won't be in danger.
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
Posts: 1149 (06/09/08 09:43 PM) Administrator &
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Monday, June 9th, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather hot - mid 90s. Went to post office today-crowded. Received Erika's letter with money for shipping her things to FL. Job search revealed nothing new - poor pickings. Will call Erika to tell her that her letter came. Watched midday news. Gas supposed to hit $5/gal by 4th July. Rough times ahead. Tax rebate check and veh. registration renewal also came in mail.
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10/07/08 03:29 PM.
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
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Tuesday June 10th, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather cooler-cloudy in morning-hazy sun before noon. Went to Walmart this morning. Bought shipping supplies to send off Erika's boxes, as well as household cleaning supplies, etc. As cost of gas so high, made the trip worthwhile. No news re. Iraq. Good. No doubt Erika breething eazy, as well. Gas at corner Arco at $4.41/gal. Paid $31.50 for 7.2 gallons. No new job prospects.
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
Posts: 1151 (06/12/08 11:23 AM) Administrator &
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Wednesday, June 11th, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather cooler and breezy - low 80s. Erika called to ask if we received her letter. Is anxious to receive clothing, etc. Said they had bad storm while out with Mark's grandparents. Heavy rain and hail - lots of thunder & lightning. Called us on Mark's cellphone as regular phone lines still knocked out from storm. Met Pete - recent acquaintance - outside Stanley's, and his friend, Norm. Both seem very "well-set" - very outgoing and congenial. Pete is an avid reader of histories. Says I attracted his attention as I walk past Stanley's everyday, on way to Margaret's office carrying a book.
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
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Thursday, June 12th, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather warmer and still breezy - upper 80s. Got much-needed haircut today. Col. Roger Knox called. Asked if I'll be at Ft. Tejon this weekend. Needs my services as 1st Sergeant of Provost Guard on his Union Brigade Staff. I said I'd go if I could get a ride up there. Gas extremely high. Called Capt. Pete Fontanelli - he said he'd give me a ride, as always. Ft. Tejon at over 4100 ft. elevation. No word of any fighting in Iraq. Some politicians in Washington say we should pull out now. I disagree. Could be disasterous for us.
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
Posts: 1155 (06/13/08 09:34 PM) Administrator &
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Friday, June 13th, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather bordering on hot - also breezy. Evening cooler. Shocking news - Tim Russert of NBC died suddenly of heart-attack. Was only 58. Makes me conscious of my own mortality - I'll be 52 later this month (June 25th). Went to UPS this morning to send off Erika's box of clothing. Then went to Long's and bought much-needed pair of sunglasses with some of tax rebate money. Took care of small shopping errand. Erika called later. Was glad to hear I sent off her clothing. Still have to send her some of her CDs and DVDs, as she has little to watch or listen to, and gets bored. Hasn't heard from Mark as yet. Hope he's OK in Iraq.
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10/07/08 03:36 PM.
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Saturday, June 14th, 2008(Flag Day)
Northridge, CA Weather hotter today - turned on AC at 3 in the afternoon. Went food shopping, as usual. Erika called - sounded much clearer as she was speaking on regular phone. We spoke for long time on many subjects. Says she heard from Mark in Iraq. He's doing well but, very tired. Has not seen any enemy action but, his duty calls him to work for long stretches - sometimes 30 hours without sleep! When off-duty, all he does, is sleep - can't blame him! Will go up with Pete(Lt. Fontanelli) to Ft. Tejon. Weather promises to be hot up there - mid-90s. Will make our dark blue wool uniforms very uncomfortable. Phoned my sister(Ingrid). Is doing well. Told her I won't be in church tomorrow as I'm going up to Ft. Tejon.
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10/07/08 04:29 PM.
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
Posts: 1159 (06/16/08 02:47 AM) Administrator &
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Sunday, June 15th, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather hot - low 90s. Went up to Ft. Tejon with Pete F. His grandson came along as private in Provost Guard. Very low attendence. Only six Confederate infantrymen and their Co. commander present. On our side, 10 infantrymen were present. No artillery on either side. Did only two re-enactments; just small skirmish affairs, due to low turnout of re-enactors. 2nd "battle" was "fine old dust-up" though and the better of the two events. Tourist attendence low, probably due to Fathers Day. Went home after second "battle." Low re-enactor attendance likely due to uncertainty about this years Civil War living history program at Ft. Tejon. Expect better attendence next month. Weather up at Ft. hot, but mitigated by cool mountain breeze. Stayed under fly of Staff HQ tent most of the time. Erika called this evening - had a fine thunderstorm last night. Spoke to Mark today. Has been very stressed over his duty schedule and hot weather in Iraq. Erika said there was a family gathering for BBQ at grandparents' house. Mark's mother very "snitty" with Erika. Would not let Erika have certain of Mark's CDs, DVDs, etc., though Mark said he wanted Erika to have them. Mark's mother vacillates between being nice to Erika then, argumentive. Mark upset at his mother's occasional negative treatment of Erika. Hope things will improve between them soon.
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
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Monday June 16th, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather hot, humid and partly cloudy; mid-90s. Gas up to $4.55/gal for regular at corner ARCO. Called job agency today - prospects still very bleak. No new job listings on websites. Wonder how Erika's day went. Hope her mother-in-law will learn to treat her as her daughter-in-law. No news from Iraq. But, situation tense with Iran. United Nations may impose sanctions.
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10/07/08 04:30 PM.
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
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Tuesday June 17th, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather very hot and humid. Ran errand to Post Office to send off items sold on eBay. Still waiting on $150 payment from last ebay sale. Hope I'll find work soon. Prospects still very poor. Price of gas went up again today. Trying to conserve on electricity use, as well as, driving. Packing more boxes to send Erika when she sends more money. Things still quiet in Iraq - hope things stay that way until Mark comes home.
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10/07/08 04:31 PM.
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
Posts: 1164 (06/18/08 09:44 PM) Administrator &
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Wednesday, June 18th, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather terribly hot. Forecasts say it will only get hotter by the weekend. This morning took the car to garage for regular oil-change & tire rotation. Had them check into "clunk"-sound in front end. Mechanic said everything tight - could be caused by missing rivets that held part of fender and mudguard. Thought about Erika today. Told her to call when she receives box I sent - should be today or tomorrow. Karl said his class will go to Zuma Beach on Friday. Have to buy him sunscreen and give him money for lunch purchase. Wish I could go, too!
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
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Thursday June 19th, 2008
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Posts: 1169 (06/20/08 09:10 PM) Administrator &
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Friday June 20th, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather searingly hot - 109F in Northridge. Had to pick up Margaret's medication in Porter Ranch - horribly hot; couldn't wait to get back home. Margaret not feeling well because of heat. Karl had fine day at Zuma Beach. Had lunch at McDonalds. Do-your-own-thing dinner tonight! News poll says people concerned over war in Iraq - things actually going well there, according to Mark. More concerned about Afganistan and Iran.
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10/07/08 04:33 PM.
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
Posts: 1171 (06/22/08 10:47 AM) Administrator &
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Saturday June 21st, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather terribly hot again - 108F. Did marketing early in the morning. Had to pick up package at Post Office from Margaret's sister, Ellen, who lives in Washington, PA. Was already 95F at 10:30AM. Called Ellen to say her package came OK. Weather in PA muggy and stormy. Said David had to come back from Ohio. Is now living with her and her husband, Chuck. Erika called. Spoke to Karl for about an hour. Was in low spirits over run-in with Mark's mother. After much fuss, Erika finally able to get Mark's laptop PC. Mark's duty-stations in Iraq still being shifted around. Would like to send him a letter. But can't until he's finally in one place long enough to have an established FPO. Weather in FL also muggy and stormy. Wish WE had some rain! Tomorrow will be 5th day for us over 100F.
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10/07/08 04:34 PM.
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Plays bridge on Wednesdays with Mike & Ruth Sloan
Posts: 1173 (06/22/08 09:12 PM) Administrator &
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Sunday June 22nd, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather hot although not quite as hot as yesterday. Slightly cooler in our apartment today. Forecasts say heatwave will slack off tomorrow. Monday's high to be 93F in Northridge. Spent all day at home listening to Swing era, and traditional German beergarden music. Also worked on my latest Homefront fanfic story. News mentioned suicide bombing in Iraq north of Baghdad. Some Iraqi civilians and police killed. No US servicemen involved - thank God. Authorities say suicide bomber was a woman with explosives strapped under her garments.
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10/07/08 04:34 PM.
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Posts: 1176 (06/23/08 09:44 PM) Administrator &
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Monday June 23rd, 2008
Northridge, CA Weather much cooler today - high only in low 90sF. Also breezier - actually felt wind-chill while driving. Quiet day at home. No further news from Iraq. Hope Erika is doing better today. Margaret found expensive pair of reading glasses today on sidewalk. They look very stylish.
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