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2011 Family Holiday Letter

December 2011

Dear extended family,

The secular New Year provides us with this annual opportunity to update you on our clan's various activities. 2011 began with both Phyllis and Milton experiencing health challenges, so Paul started the year by making a couple of trips to California to help out.

Fortunately, by May, Paul's parents had regained enough strength to be able to resume their travels, and came East for grandson Yonah's graduation from University of Maryland. Paul and Muriel attended as well, had a nice (albeit brief) stay with Win and Jerry, his aunt and uncle in Arlington, and then brought the parents back to Pennsylvania for a relaxing visit. Milton stayed mostly at home, resting and reading, but Phyllis was feeling energetic enough to accompany Paul to his flight school for International Learn to Fly Day. (She declined an offered flight, to nobody's surprise.)

Upon returning to California, Phyllis announced that this was their last trip East, and from now on, we would have to come to them - which invitation Paul and Muriel have already accepted.

Though probably not destined to become a best seller, Paul's new SETI book finally came out this year. His German publisher is now having it translated into Arabic, which seems entirely appropriate, since it was the Arabs who pretty much invented astronomy. In addition to his writing, Paul continues occasionally on lecture tour. September took him to the International Astronautical Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, where he chaired meetings and technical sessions, and gave a paper. This trip brought his continent count up to six. He'd like to make it a clean sweep, if only he could score an invitation to lecture to the penguins.

Muriel continues to be beset by health problems (fortunately, none of them life-threatening), spends far too much time seeing various specialists, and is receiving symptomatic treatment, though what she wants most is a diagnosis! Where is Doctor House when we need him? She and Paul are celebrating their fifteenth wedding anniversary this week - yes, the years continue to fly.

Bryn is still living with Paul and Muriel, remaining unemployed and largely unmotivated. Curran continues to live at home as well, under the watchful care of his wonderful aide Karen. He is a volunteer at the local Center for Independent Living, where he answers phones, prepares food, and welcomes visitors. His other activities include bowling and square dancing. Devin and his fiancee Samantha still live in upstate New York, where he works telephone tech support for the Wall Street Journal Online, and she is completing her education. Their wedding is scheduled for next summer.

Aubrey and Haley were married in October, at a rustic bed and breakfast near Bloomsburg PA, Muriel's birthplace. It was a lovely wedding, well documented in photos which are available online (just ask Muriel for the link).

Erin graduated from Williamsport Area High School in June, and in September began his studies in Computer Science at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Since his brother Aubrey lives nearby and works at University of Pennsylvania, we're not so much worried about him surviving in the Big City.

Although Phyllis turned 90 in October, her birthday celebration was delayed by Aubrey's wedding and Paul's travels. Nevertheless, in early November, fifty friends and relatives converged on San Jose for a wonderful party. Since Milton turns ninety in 2012, we'll have to plan to do this all again.

While in California, Muriel and Paul had an opportunity to take in one of daughter Erika's shows. Earlier in the year, she spent some months in Korea, directing, dancing, and choreographing. Husband Allen joined here there, and her brother Andrew was able to go as well, and contribute his musical talents to the project. Although he still lives in Berlin, Andrew's gigs take him around the world - in addition to Korea, his recent trips have included Sicily, Turkey, and Israel (where, in fact, he is performing now, even as this is being written).

May your upcoming year be joyous and productive. Love from

Muriel, Paul, Erika, Allen, Andrew, Erin, Curran, Devin, Samantha, Aubrey, Haley, and Bryn.


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