CURRENT MISSION

I have worked hard all my life. Now I want to enjoy life, travel, enjoy the company of other people, and do all the things I have always wanted to do.

ABOUT ME

Like I said before, I am a retired educator. I worked in the field of public education for about 40 years as a teacher, a counselor, and an administrator. Although I enjoyed my job, I couldn't wait to be retired so I can do basically do what I want to do. I am serving my first term as an elected member of our Board of Education.

I think I am rather easy-going, non-assertive but determined, tolerant, fun-loving but not reckless.

I have hosted eight foreign exchange students, which I enjoyed greatly. It also gave me an excuse and the incentive to travel to Europe about a dozen times. I served in the military and also as an administrator with a volunteer agency in South Vietnam back in the 60's. During that period I saw a lot of Southeast Asia. I have also traveled extensively in the USA.

PHILOSOPHY

My personal philosophy is one of peace and tolerance. I am greatly opposed to violence, whether it is in real-life conflicts, or whether it is on TV and in the movies.

I basically think everybody has a right to an opinion, even if it is different from mine. But please do not try to force your opinion and your beliefs on me. If they are good and noble, I will see it reflected in the way you live your life.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I enjoy meeting and hosting people from different countries. I have traveled fairly extensively, and it is interesting to meet and become acquainted with people of different national, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Interests

Traveling every chance I get; creating stained glass art; painting abstract art (only for myself and friends): reading; good music; playing golf; collecting all sorts of stuff; relaxing and working on do-it-yourself projects around the house; amateur photography; working on my blog when I feel motivated.

• arts
• photography
• diy
• education
• movies
• reading
• tv
• traveling
• music
• golf
• teaching
• law
• military science
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

I listen to all sorts of music: Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, John Denver; Merle Haggard; John Coltrane; and all sorts of country music, jazz, "oldies", classical, especially Mozart and Beethoven.

I read mostly biography, politics, history, sports, and travel.

I am not much of a movie person, but I sometimes enjoy a good comedy.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Well, I spent four years in South Vietnam in the 1960's during the Vietnam War, both as a soldier and as a civilian.

I have seen the invention and proliferation of such things as TV and computers.

I survived 40 years of working with school-age youth, and I still have a degree of sanity left!

I have visited all 50 states.

Teach, Learn, Share

Please send your request at least a week in advance. I simply do not consider requests made on a very short notice! Also.... You have read my profile, so please tell me something about yourself. I do not feel comfortable accepting guest if I know nothing about them. I look forward to accepting guests, but only if they are willing to give me a brief glimpse into their life. If you have additional questions about me, I will be glad to answer them.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Laos, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States, Viet Nam