Pete, Julie, & JJ Schult

The PJ³ Times

Vol 11, No 1

Oak Apple Day Edition

Tuesday, May 29, 2001

Pete teaches algebra

During Fall term 2000-01, Pete was teaching a section of College Algebra at Elmira College. He says that it was kind of fun to be teaching again, but it was distressing that none of the students wanted to be taking the course. The general hostility to math combined with the tedium of grading and the low pay (Pete figures that, given the time spent on the course, he was only getting about $7/hour, less than what he made as a math tutor in Minnesota) make him doubt that he'll teach that particular course again. He remains open to teaching other courses for the college, however.

Gardening and weeds

2000 was our first gardening season as homeowners, so we dug up the raised bed of dirt behind the garage and planted lettuce, peas, tomatoes, corn, and carrots. We learned that in Central New York tomatoes should be started inside during the winter, that pea plants are not very prolific, and that corn should be planted before the date on the package: you can always replant if you get a late freeze. However, we had several tasty carrots and heads of lettuce.

This year we are planting carrots, lettuce, spinach, corn, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Plus we're trying an indoor herb garden.

Dance

Heartwood Morris

Heartwood Morris was up to 10 dancers and a musician for a short time. We lost 3 to Boston, the rigors of school, and to conflicts with schedule, so we now have 7 dancers and a musician.

In 2000 Heartwood danced out at May Day in Syracuse, at the Red Herring Day of Dance in Boston, at the Bassett Street Hounds' Centeniale (105 in dog years), and on its own at the Ithaca Farmers' Market. This season we have already had one dance-out around Ithaca and hope to have some more in addition to the out of town events.

Pete, Julie, and JJ went to the Midwest Morris Ale in the Twin Cities in May of 2000, but no other Heartwoods could come. Perhaps some other year....

Folkdance at EC

Julie has taught international folkdance at Elmira College for several terms during 1999-2000 and 2000-01. She will also be teaching it this coming fall. The course is as popular as ever and even has had people taking it for a second time.

UUF provides fellowship

We've been attending the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Big Flats and are finding many friends and potential friends there. Julie signed the membership book this past Sunday (Memorial Day weekend), possibly the first time she's been an official member of a church. We all enjoy the interaction with other families with small children and interests in common with us like Monty Python, homeschooling, and lifelong learning.

Pete's 20 year high school reunion

The Castleberry High School class of 1980's 20 year reunion was held in Ft. Worth during September 2000. Pete went down for it and took JJ down to see her Grammie Margeret and Grampa Paul on the same trip. It was interesting to catch up with people, and he learned that one of his classmates had lived in the Twin Cities for about 6 months during the same time that he and Julie were living there. One of the teachers who attended, on hearing about Pete's life as a Professional Student, remarked that he hadn't changed a bit.

JJ and preschool

JJ started preschool at the Chemung Valley Montessori School in Big Flats, halfway between Corning and Elmira. She went 5 mornings a week and then spent the afternoons with Pete. Unfortunately, she had difficulties adjusting to the school's environment, so she is now spending her days with Pete at home, at the park, at the library, at play dates with other kids.... She will also be spending a day a week in a less structured day care for further interaction with others her age.