CURRENT MISSION

To continuously learn from others and grow younger in my mind as I grow wiser in spirit.

ABOUT ME

I have a nomadic heart which doesn't allow me to settle in one place happily for too long. I have been blessed with opportunities for travel all over the western hemisphere, but there's still so much to see! Love traveling in a sailboat, preferably mine, but have used every form of transport happily.
Taught public school for 8 yrs., was a midwife for 12, and had both my children at home with midwives. (boy-now 33, girl-now 40). My son is an artist and custom tattoo artist, and his body is a work of art.
I'm just an old hippie at heart. For the past 14 years, I have been living and cruising on boats part of the time, running a dive shop in the Virgin Islands for 5 yrs., doing historical research for treasure companies in the archives of Europe, living in Panama for 4 yrs. on my sailboat in a very rural area, and currently spending some time in central Florida. Blessed with a pretty exciting and varied life.
The calendar says I'm 66, but I feel about 45, and am always excited to meet fascinating people and learn about them and their cultures. I can get down and boogie with the best of 'em, and continually wonder if the calendar is screwed up. How can I have so much energy, have a ball with people of all ages, have no health concerns, and yet have to say I'm 66? Doesn't seem fair.
I spent 4 months in Spain in 2010 on a Workaway work exchange, (awesome, ask me about it.), and recently spent 2 months in the Virgin Islands helping to restore a villa. Also did a Workaway in England. And couchsurfing in California.
Always been one who goes down the road least followed, and am usually questioning authority and most "experts". A maverick I guess, but a usually serene one.

PHILOSOPHY

"If we weren't all crazy we would go insane" - Jimmy Buffett. I think that sums up this nutty world of ours. I just shake my head and realize that everyone IS who they ARE and ARE who they IS. Look for the best in all of it. There are no strangers, just friends I haven't met yet.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Because I usually live on my 40 ft. sailboat, when I'm not traveling by another method, I will be taking advantage of CS couches whenever I'm moving, but hope to be of better service to the community in future. Happy to meet CSers for a drink, or help them get to know Panama.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Done lots of hosteling, with little pre-planning. Freestyle. Had wonderful CS surfing experiences in Europe in 2010 and Calif. in 2011, and housesitting in Florida off and on for 2012-14. Hoping to meet more great, generous CSers soon.

Interests

I love scuba diving, being in the ocean, sailing, computers, internet, photography/videography, graphic arts, teaching children and adults in various subjects, tropical climate, spirituality (especially the Tao).
I enjoy using my carpentry skills, mechanical skills, and design skills. I have built 2 houses with partners, and just finished restoring a 40 yr. old sailboat myself in preparation to sell it. It's a great feeling to live in a house you built yourself.

• arts
• design
• photography
• environment
• running
• drinking
• shopping
• traveling
• surfing
• scuba diving
• sailing
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

I am a music and movie fanatic, and love to read.
My fave music at the moment is alternative - Keane, Coldplay, Train, Oasis, Snow Patrol, Deep-Dive Corp., Kaya Project, Luna, the Sea & Cake, etc. But I also love a myriad of other kinds of music, just about everything but modern classical (atonal), rap crap, and way out jazz. I have a huge music collection that goes from New Age to Classic Rock to Flamenco and on.
Fave movies are 'The Big Lebowski', 'Snatch', 'Surf's Up', 'Earth Girls Are Easy', 'Lock, Stock, and Smoking Barrels', 'A Lot Like Love', anything with Dustin Hoffman or Jeff Bridges, who are both geniuses, and anything directed by the Cohen brothers.I Love movies from the 30's and 40's., especially 'The Thin Man' series, and anything with Cary Grant.(dating myself now.)
In books I love contemporary humor like Hiassen and Leonard, and books that make you think about life. Character driven. I just finished 'Eat, Pray, Love'. Great. I love Carol Shields and Salley Vickers. Authors who paint so well with their words.
I LOVE British humor in books, TV, or movies. An Anglophile is what I am, through and through! I could watch 'Black Adder' over and over till my dying day and still be laughing.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've been blessed to assist at over 100 births while a midwife. That experience cannot be matched! Always a miracle. And birthing my two kids in a magical home environment was unforgettable.

Teach, Learn, Share

I feel I was put on this earth to be a teacher of one sort or another. I love imparting knowledge of all kinds. I hope to be able to continue helping others through any small abilities I might have.
I'm not a pushy type, but I'd be happy to help people with language learning, building, computers, anything that might help. And I'd love to keep enhancing my foreign language skills. I find I can further my spiritual journey through others sharing their journeys with me.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, Dominica, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Spain, United Kingdom, Virgin Islands, British

Countries I’ve Lived In

Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Virgin Islands, U.S.