CURRENT MISSION

Two missions: To get my fiance here with me with as few bruises as possible (I'll explain if you want to hear our amazing story!).

To live with a passion I thought I'd lost by the time I turned fifty.

ABOUT ME

In spring of 2006, after having sold off all I owned and given away all but a few pieces of clothing, I hit the road in search of my Muse, and all that life has to offer that I neglected all those years that I was chasing the almighty dollar and what it could buy. Today I own only what will fit in my car, and my intention is to follow the warm (but not too warm) weather. I earn money doing painting and repairs, and selling stuff on ebay that I find along the way. My journey is determined in part by the kindness of strangers, and who might be willing to put me up (or put up with me) for a small part of my journey. Thanks in advance for your kindnesses.

PHILOSOPHY

Live and let live. Also, in the words of Helen Keller--words I once lived by and then seemed to have forgotten until recently--"Life is a daring adventure, or it is nothing at all." And, "Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself," from Desiderata.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Who ever thought I would be checking in to Couchsurfing again, after turning 68 last Friday!

I have referred quite a number of people from all over the world to CS, and I hope that they are both contributing as well as enjoying the hospitality of everyone on here. I have wonderful memories of my CS experiences, even the bad ones (I can tell you STORIES!).

Now my fiance is traveling through eastern Europe, and we need some help getting him here. I'm hoping that we can get the help we need. Thanks in advance for that!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I couchsurfed my way to New Orleans in January, and had absolutely wonderful experiences in Knoxville (where I spent a night homeless with my host!) and Birmingham. On my way back to Philadelphia from Ft. Lauderdale in March, I had interesting times in Savannah and Raleigh. Cleveland was made special by a special host, and now I'm looking forward to more great CS experiences!

Interests

Hiking, camping, reading, gardening, cooking, film, photography, and, of course, travel.

• photography
• cooking
• gardening
• clothing
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• hiking
• camping
• religion
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Just read about eight novels by Philip Roth over the summer, and then started in on John Dos Passos, finishing the first book of his "USA" trilogy entitled "The 42nd Parallel before I left Traverse City. I read a lot of non-fiction, and most recently was amazed at Vine DeLoria, a Native American writer of the best-seller "God is Red," and the even better (for us cynics, anyway), "Evolution, Creationism, and Other Modern Myths: A Critical Inquiry." "The Power of NOW" by Ekhardt(sp?) Tolle (HIGHLY recommended to EVERYBODY!)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The most amazing thing I've done recently is a number of sweat lodges with a band of Ottawa-Chippewa Indians up in northern Michigan--an amazing spiritual journey! Second thing that comes to mind is hiking through the woods above Rutland, VT, on top of a wooden pipe held together by cast iron bands, big enough to stand and walk on. The pipe itself carried water from Silver Lake to the edge of the mountain, then plunged down to Lake Dunmore far below. Water sprayed through small leaks in the pipe every so often, under great pressure, forming rainbows where the sun came through the trees to hit the spray. My friend Rick and I wiggled through some barbed wire and climbed up a tower at the edge of the mountain where the pipe took a dive downward. At the top of the tower, which was only large enough to seat us both, the mountains rolling away in the distance, one after another, looked like nothing more than waves in an ocean. I'll never ever forget that moment.

Teach, Learn, Share

Lately I've been studying Judaism, the religion of my birth, with particular interest in Kabbalah. Also, beginning a Mussar practice. And, of course, studying Torah for the first time as an adult. Lots to talk about!

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, El Salvador, Mexico, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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