The Schneider Times

…they are a’changin’

Christmas, 2004

2004 has indeed been a year of changes. David graduated from high school and has already nearly finished his first semester as a business major at Washington University in St. Louis. They are working him pretty hard, but he’s up to the challenge. When he’s not in the library (or dining hall), he’s probably playing Ultimate Frisbee—even after dark, with his lighted Frisbee.

Walt and I have done our first semester as “empty nesters.” We seem to be adjusting nicely.

Our home addition was finished in February. Now that we have “our cabin in the woods” (as the new room is oft’ described), Walt is bent on making it into “lakefront property.” He’s built a waterfall (16 foot drop, over a series of cascades) and will add a stream and pond next summer. It’s wonderful to see the sun sparkling on the falls and listen to the splashing water. The local wildlife (squirrels, birds and cats) all seem to enjoy a refreshing drink.

Jean is a junior at Swarthmore College, majoring in Chemistry. She spent the summer in a pharmacology lab at the University of Pittsburgh, living on campus, but home often for dinner. In the evenings she completed Emergency Medical Technician training, so she can hang out in the firehouse back at Swarthmore. Most salient for her this semester is the dreaded “P-Chem,” physical chemistry; a course she likens to an abusive relationship---“sure it hurts, but I love it so.” Come January, she’ll head off for a study aboard experience in Botswana, Africa.

I’ve been putting my new studio (a benefit of the addition) to good use. I’m showing my watercolor paintings around town at various venues—and actually selling some: “how affirming!”

Ten Thousand Villages opened a second store this fall, a temporary holiday experiment in downtown. I staff that store one day a week, in addition to serving my regular weekly shift at the main store. Business continues to be good, even in today’s “iffy” economy. It’s good to be involved with a business that has such a vital and positive impact on the lives of families in Third World countries.

Getting the new store ready to open by Election Day was a push that made September and October especially busy, because Walt and I also were working on the Kerry campaign. Although we were sorely disappointed with the national results, we at least helped deliver Pennsylvania. It was intriguing to see the process from

“the inside.” And then there was my foray into political “espionage” at the Bush state headquarters in Harrisburg—but that’s a whole ‘nother story…

My sister Kay, from Arkansas, and I met in Portland, Oregon, for our “mostly-annual” sisters’ trip—to attend our uncle Rex’s wedding to his internet bride, Arlene. It was great to reunite with so many of our Mom’s family, some we haven’t seen since we were teenagers! Kay and I were ringleaders in preparing the bridal home to welcome back the honeymooners—by hiding hundreds of paper chickens (Arlene’s favorite motif) in the dishwasher, under the pillows, in coat pockets—where they’ll be finding them for months (years?) to come.

Walt’s been tapping his engineering skills—at home on the waterfall project, and at work by developing a project to use a computer program to monitor and dispense medicines—sort of an “intelligent pillbox.”

In his university research, Walt is exploring the executive system of the brain and identifying three parts: dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), anterior cingulate (ACC), and posterior parietal cortex (PPC). Each have differentiable functions in terms of task control, decision making and attention shifting. The exciting new thing is determining when one area works on its own or with assistance from others. For example, to intentionally move attention around the screen requires DLPFC but to attend to anything that pops up requires only PPC. Walt had two students graduate and a new student start and is enjoying developing ideas with his students.

Come February, we embark on a European adventure, as Walt takes a sabbatical semester in Holland. With good access to an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine, he’ll be able to continue his research on mapping brain function with colleagues at Maastricht University. I’ll serve as travel guide and planner for numerous weekend excursions. While Walt is working, I plan to visit museums and galleries and makes lots of art. “Have paint, will travel!”

This year we are “Fishing you a merry Chickmas”.

Please enjoy the enclosed ornament, a token of our friendship and our desire to reach out and make the world a better place. Our world is a better place because of your love and friendship—thank you!

We love to hear from you!

Phone: 412-242-6751

Email: sues1514@hotmail.com

The 2004 Puzzler: “Even Split”

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Below are twelve 6-letter words. Each word is split in half to make 3-letter pairs, for example, DOMINO would be shown as DOM and INO. These 3-letter pairs are all listed below. Put the pairs together to find the twelve 6-letter words. None of the letter pairs may be used more than once unless they appear more than once in the box. No prizes this year; just enjoy the challenge! (If you’re stumped, email me & I’ll send answers.) [Puzzle by Shelly Hazard]

TER	DOW	ANT	TER	FAB	ACE
TLE	MAT	RAP	WIN	HOL	DLE
HEM	BAN	LOW	TEA	KIN	SOL
PEL	RIC	SER	SHO	BOT	WER