What is your definition of joy?
See “crave,” below for hints. A sweet, tiny hand, holding onto my index finger. Brainstorming—more, more more! A huge white board and a box of too many colored markers. A really stoooopid funny joke. Mutual respect, chosen and performed consciously. Watching my children make life deliciously their own, especially when they push me out of my comfort zone (okay, sometimes the joy of that comes later). The feel of heavy silk satin against my bare skin. A pair of classic, refined, wool gabardine pants that fit elegantly and perfectly. A full freezer. A full gas tank. The smell of leather. Being able to say I’m DONE when I’ve worked really hard. Having someone tell me what a great job I did, especially when I did it without any assistance. Hearing my intuition tell me something awesome that I know is also true. Drawing something and having it be recognizable. Oh, gosh…there’s SO much more! It takes a lot to satisfy me…but not very much at all to make me happy.

What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to learn?
How not to swear—because it ruins my image, hah. OK, maybe equally: Fluent Spanish (working harder on that one).

What ice cream topping is most like you?
Balsamic vinegar (try it!), because it’s quirky and different but in actuality has a surprising and many-layered depth and robustness. You have to experience it to truly know it; otherwise, you may misinterpret it.

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
Tell my then-husband of 20 years that I was leaving, because I knew that he wouldn’t—and probably never will—even attempt to understand why from any perspective other than his own…and also because I knew I was risking the stability of my two amazing children (who, despite that earthquake, are rock-solid).

What do you crave?
Intelligent humor and great conversation shared with friends over a burgeoning table, any time of the day. Heck, there doesn’t even have to BE a table! Or even food, although that makes it infinitely better. Just bring on the discourse!