NOTE: NOT NYC -- we live in a small city about 400 km away from New York City.

PLEASE: If you want me to consider hosting you, provide some information about yourself in your Couchsurfing profile.

CURRENT MISSION

Being retired, I'm fortunate to be able to do some of the things I put off and also to contribute to some community projects.

ABOUT ME

I'm a 75-year-old with lots of disparate experiences. Coming out of university with a degree in philosophy, there was no career waiting for me, so my occupations have varied from cooking in a clam bar to being an assistant and editor for the head of a college. I've been lucky in finding interesting work and employers who allowed me to be useful in interesting ways.

In 2011, my attention was claimed in a new way: I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and most of the year was spent in treatment, recovery from treatment, and more treatment. Turns out I have a very persistent, "aggressive" cancer, so I will never be free of it. The chemotherapy I had last fall knocked me for a loop, but the cancer signs were gone. I'm probably good for a few years before it comes back -- welcome news, as it had looked much more bleak before the chemo.

PHILOSOPHY

I suppose maybe it's to try to clarify life's muddles as much as possible by careful examination and self-examination; to avoid getting sucked in by appearances, prejudice, preconceptions; to live out the conviction that kindness, generosity, sharing are more realistically viable than selfishness.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

We have been hosted only a few times. We found it awkward at first to initiate these "visits with strangers," but it quickly turned into comfortable visits with friends. So, we're hooked as both hosts and hosted! Since we have a home with lots of extra space, we are happy to let others have the benefit -- our rich reward has been the opportunity to meet the most wonderful series of travelers. We feel we've received more than we have given!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have long been a member of the Warm Showers List (like CS, but specifically for touring bicyclists) and been a guest as well as host, mostly in Canada. Invariably, it has been a wonderful experience. Can't say enough to recommend it to everyone.

Interests

I tend to be interested in just about everything -- a weakness that couchsurfers cater to, bringing their diverse stories and experiences through our life-space. For activities, I love bicycling. As a release of stress, as exercise, as a social get-together, as travel to new places, I feel that my bicycle has been central to my well-being for most of my life.

• cooking
• exercise
• news
• traveling

Music, Movies, and Books

This topic is truly too big to even nibble at here. Well, since it's around Christmas time, here's a gem: "We're No Angels" with Humphrey Bogart and a brilliant cast. It's a movie hardly anyone knows but always brings a warm smile to me.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've quite consciously viewed the "good life" as consisting not of big, amazing things but of wonderful little ones. That said, I suppose there have been some high points; but I'd hate to have to choose one to single out. I've been lucky.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can't think of anyone who has visited from whom I didn't learn something interesting and valuable -- whether it be some new information, or a different viewpoint, or a way of putting together the things already known, everyone seems to add to the richness of the experience. I have to assume that it's the same for the people who visit.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My home, my time, my experience and accumulated scraps of knowledge.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Mexico, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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