I moved to Northern California when I retired and now live in a spectacularly beautiful area with redwood trees and rivers, whales and mountain lions. I consider myself very fortunate.

I loved teaching and miss it, but retiring has given me the chance to follow my bliss and restore my soul's longing for travel.

I have two adult children in college and two resident cats.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am already an Airbnb member and and host. I love meeting people from all over the world who broaden my perspective and inform me of great places to visit and interesting events to see. I am considering hosting couch surfing guests as well, but I'd prefer to learn more about it first.

I like to cook breakfast for my guests and direct them to excellent hiking trails and events in the area.

Interests

Having recently discovered ceramics, it has become a passion of mine. All the wonderful arts that I had to abandon when I was so busy teaching and raising children--all of these marvelous things I'm learning are now open to me. Each person I meet adds to this treasure trove.

I like to garden. I have been so busy hosting visitors that I am neglecting it. But it's spring and a great time to get a crop or two in the ground.

• cats
• arts
• cooking
• breakfast
• gardening
• traveling
• socializing
• pottery
• hiking
• surfing
• teaching
• law
• rivers

Music, Movies, and Books

I am fairly diverse in my musical taste. Jazz, rock, classical, blues, and maybe even hiphop (but not too much). Where I live, traditional, celtic and bluegrass music are cultivated. I haven't kept pace with recent artists, but that's what couchsurfing can teach me perhaps. Meeting people is the best way to open myself up to new music.

My favorite authors are Steinbeck, Louise Erdrich, Tony Hillerman, Toni Morrison, Barbara Kingsolver, Fannie Flagg, Carlos Fuentes, and a number of brave political journalists. I read spiritual books and enjoy poetry. I enjoy reading The Sun Magazine (not a book, but sometimes compiled as a book) and will be attending a writers conference for that publication soon.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Leaving LA was amazing. Moving 500 miles away from the place of my birth was pretty amazing. Surviving and thriving as a teacher in the LA Area and then setting off on a new course was difficult, but exciting. I am not done with this amazing thing yet.

Teach, Learn, Share

I taught for 30 years. Joseph Campbell has said, "Follow Your Bliss." I think the idea that "life happens while you're doing other things" is not satisfactory. I think each person needs to be keenly aware of his or her journey. Each person is the hero of his/her own story. The highs and lows are all part of the journey. The people we meet are the characters in that story who show up as villains or as wise counselors or co-creators of the story. It's a great adventure, and we can always emerge from the dark places into glorious sunshine at our choosing.

Always take responsibility for yourself. Never play victim nor carry a great burden of guilt when you can take charge at any moment and be happy again. Free yourself by owning everything in your life and by transforming pain, regret, guilt, and sadness with love and forgiveness. I love the Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh. His meditations have taught me to accept where I am and how I got there.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am fairly resourceful. I never stop learning. I might have been a career counselor had I understood my love to connect people to people and people to opportunity. I try to keep my ear to the ground. This new economy is a tricky reality, but there is untold opportunity within the chaos.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States