I was part of the rebellious and questioning generation of the late 60s and early 70s. Though I found a relatively comfortable position for myself as an organic farmer for many years, I have remained discontented. I have heard that's a good thing (being discontented) as it keeps one questioning and seeking better ways. I grew up in the state of Rhode Island, was an organic farmer in New Hampshire for 20 years and I lived in Florida (married) for seven years. About eight years ago I came to Arkansas with a friend to start a large commune. I am still trying to figure out how to manifest this idea of a very large (hundreds of people on hundreds of acres), mostly self-sufficient commune with low work requirements as well as low monetary requirements.

While I am a secular humanist myself, I understand and am respectful of the religious perspective. And while I come from a liberal background, I believe a healthy philosophical perspective combines both conservative and liberal values or perspectives. I actually don't believe our human social (or even personal) dilemmas/problems can be solved on the macro level (political, nation-state) until we solve our human dilemmas and problems on the micro level or local level.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Because I enjoy meeting and helping fellow travelers, as well as sharing in their sense of excitement and adventure. And I believe that traveling is an important and valuable experience for everyone to do; and that it should not be costly. Also, I believe couch surfing represents one of only a few (positive) fundamental or otherwise revolutionary social changes our Western culture has achieved. Obviously, we have made a great deal of technological progress, less so in the cultural or socioeconomic realm.

I would like to make myself, my apartment (in a quiet neighborhood) and my spare bedroom available to travelers here in the small city of Van Buren (pop 22,000) who may be on cross-country trips or otherwise traveling Interstate 40 and need a place to stay in this area. My apartment is only five minutes and 2 miles from Interstate 40. Giving short notice is okay as I am retired and generally available.

I enjoy helping travelers and hearing their stories.

Interests

• dogs
• cooking
• gardening
• reading
• surfing
• philosophy
• healing
• healthy eating
• intentional community
• communal living
• organic farming
• documentary movies
• watching youtube videos

Music, Movies, and Books

I like all music, but my playlists mainly consist of popular, rock and folk music; much of it oldies.

Some non-documentary movies that I think are quite special: American Beauty, Born on 4 July, Dr. Strangelove, Little Miss Sunshine, The Hero, Contact and many more of course. Some others that I have enjoyed: The Island, Shamshank Redemption, Falling down, Deer Hunter, Broke Back Mountain, Into the Wild

On the documentary side I've watched most of Adam Curtis's movies, Age of Stupid, Hearts and Minds, In the Year of the Pig, The End of Suburbia, What a Way to Go, Surviving Progress, Why We Fight and many many others.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

created an organic farm out of 4 acres of the hardest land New England has to offer

Teach, Learn, Share

natural cooking, natural diet, philosophy, intentional community

What I Can Share with Hosts

apartment

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Guatemala, Mexico