We enjoy traveling, music, reading, trying to learn foreign languages, and of course our sons, daughters-in-law and grandkids!
My main hobby is music, particularly playing fiddle tunes of various kinds. I mostly play on the fiddle, but also am learning the mandolin, which is tuned the same. I also play folk music on the piano, guitar and dabble with a handful of other instruments. I like playing American old-time, Irish, swing and many other kinds of music.
I've been a member of the international folk-dance band Večernica since 1994, where I play fiddle, some mandolin, and sing a bit. I like the odd rhythms of many of these dance tunes. Haven't tried the actual dancing yet, though.
I'm a long-time member of the Santa Clara Valley Fiddlers Association, and served as President (along with many other "acting" positions) from June 2001 to February 2007, and have continued on as Membership Secretary. Dinah served as Editor/Publisher of the monthly SCVFA newsletter, the Fiddler's Rag, during most of those years.
I also enjoy jamming with friends at homes, in parking lots, and at several other Bay-Area venues.
As it's good to stretch your abilities, I've also played fiddle—oops, violin—in the Hewlett Packard Symphony Orchestra for several years. The HPSO puts on a Spring and Fall concert every year, and the musicians are actually supposed to read music and (mostly) follow a conductor. Strange!