And then there are times when their pens slash as powerfully as their swords:

Scholastic Achievements:

Four days a week Dr. Mike sets down his sword and uses his Ph.D. to teach chemistry at Georgia Perimeter College. At left is the ligand-dictated, square antiprismatic structural model of the bis-cyclen molecule he invented for his doctoral thesis on the crystallography of sandwich structures.

Similarly, Nicole's cognitive psychology thesis, "Phantom Flashbulbs: False recollections of hearing the news about Challenger" is published in the book: Affect and Accuracy in Recall by Winograd and Neisser (Eds). This research is often cited in new studies about memory for extraordinary events.

Writing and Art:

Nicole is co-author of a hardcover book about knights entitled, Knightly Orders of Ansalon. It was published in 2006 by Sovereign Press. Nicole is also credited with 29 color drawings that appear in that book.

In addition, Nicole has created and sold over 75 color spacescapes which have all been published in collectible card games such as Galactic Empires, Star of the Guardians, and Wing Commander. At right is a small picture of one of her works and a small picure of how it appears on a card in the game Galactic Empires.

Together, Nicole and Mike have written two short articles about armor and heraldry published in the books: The History of the Dragonlance and More Leaves from the Inn of the Last Home.

Music:

At right are the first few measures of a string quartet written by Nicole. It is one of 11 musical compositions written by Nicole and published in the books: The History of the Dragonlance, More Leaves from the Inn of the Last Home, and Lost Leaves from the Inn of the Last Home.

When time permits, Nicole sings and plays keyboard, guitar, flute and sax in her friend's rock band.