I guess I'd call myself a practical engaged dreamer who's pretty excited about life in general and nature and meaning in particular. I like learning and seeing things from a lot of different perspectives and that's one of the reasons I love to meet travelers and why I love to travel. I think it "knocks the edges off" somehow. I'm endlessly curious about the human condition and ways we can individually and collectively thrive. That's fueled most of the work I've done in the world, my activism, my writing and anything else I do I suppose. I see beauty in unlikely places and love to wander and wonder.

My partner and I live in Port Townsend and enjoy hosting folks when we're not traveling or sailin' on an old gaff rigged cutter built in 1903.

A couple favorite quotes:

“To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget.”
― Arundhati Roy

“People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child—our own two eyes. All is a miracle.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
― Mary Oliver

“I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, especially when singing is not necessarily prescribed.”
― Mary Oliver

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is such a great way to meet wonderful people!

Interests

Nature, art, healing modalities/paradigms, gardening/permaculture, photography, dance, poetry/writing, community, music, art (esp. public art), dance, traveling, social justice and thrivability.

Music, Movies, and Books

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings; Nature and the Human Soul/Cultivating Wholeness and Community in a Fragmented World; The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible; Ensouling Language, Soulcraft: Crossing into the Mysteries of Nature and Psyche; Wild Mind: A Field Guide to the Human Psyche; Cabo Verde: Photographs by Joe Wuerfel. Poetry by Rumi, Mary Oliver and a bunch of folks who aren’t well known.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Sailing 750 miles from Alaska to Washington state offshore on a boat with no engine built in 1903.

Teach, Learn, Share

Port Townsend is a pretty wonderful place and I can point the way. If I have time, I'll show you around!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share stories (maybe from sailing at sea), conversation or I can cook you a meal. If you'd like I can read you some poetry (my own or by others) or share some songs by musician friends. I could also write a poem for you! Or, I can take a few photos of you, your pets or something, edit and send them to you.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bangladesh, Belgium, Cabo Verde, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Åland Islands

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Canada, Mexico, Sweden, United States

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