What Miriam Jacobs likes best is getting her hands dirty with pastels or clay or dye. Whether fine art or textile design, as long as she keeps her creative muscles engaged, she is happy.

Another surprising source of happiness: teaching art. Who knew? She became a certified art teacher and taught full time for a while, got two prints published, taught at private schools and other places, and, for many years, at Montclair Art Museum. She enjoys reading, playing Scrabble, doing virtual jigsaw puzzles, walking, and writing long emails.