Italian

I have a long-standing love for Italian language and culture. I started studying Italian in the mid-1980’s, working mostly on my own using books and CD’s. I study a little bit of Italian every day. Two years ago I decided to research the roots of the Testa family in Italy, and learned about four mountain towns and villages in the region of Campania from which my husband’s ancestors emigrated.

Fiddle

In 2003 I decided to take up playing the fiddle. I didn’t realize at the time how difficult an instrument it is. I had played piano, flute and guitar before at various times, but I had never touched the fiddle. I especially like playing Scottish and Irish tunes.

Reading

In college I was an English major. I wrote a dissertation on the novels of George Eliot, and I love Henry James and Robert Browning. I also love science fiction, Ursula K. LeGuin and Stanislaw Lem in particular.

Farmers Markets

Farmers markets amaze me. For years I was able to go every week to the Wednesday morning market in Santa Monica. I think it’s much better than the one closer to me in Studio City. Laura Avery, the market manager, has created an enormously valuable community resource.

Yoga & Spin

I think good health means being strong. To achieve and maintain strength, and to counteract the effects of sitting at a computer all day, I work out at least five days a week, alternating between yoga and spin classes.