CURRENT MISSION

Motto is "Do Good."

ABOUT ME

Old but not dead! Retired physician. Happily married. Not afraid to help around the house. YMCA aficionado. Liberal leaning. Already against the next war. Fairly widely traveled. Somewhat reluctant gardener. Was owned by a cat, but Mr. Atticus Finch died.

PHILOSOPHY

Do Good. Google "UU 7 Principles" or go to www.uua.org/beliefs/principles/

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am a maybe for hosting. I am a strong believer that one should host at least as much as they surf. Fair is fair.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have stayed at B&Bs for 30+ years and after my initial surfing experience, it struck me that surfing is not at all different except it's free! Whooopie!

Interests

Native American and fur trade history. German Russian history. History of religion. Unitarian Universalism. Affordable housing. Zumba. Keeping up on new developments in science in general. Grandkids. Volunteering at local community health clinic and at YMCA. Visiting distant relatives in Ukraine. Visiting relatives in general. Cooking, but I cook by number--1 c. flour, 3/4 c. sug., etc, etc. Enjoy genealogical research.

• cats
• cooking
• zumba
• surfing
• history
• medicine
• religion
• science
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Books--I mostly read nonfiction. I read all the time, but I'm a slow reader (maybe dyslexic?) so can't afford to just pick up any old thing and read it. I tend to read to my wife at night and we usually read a novel by some acclaimed author. Right now we are reading non-fiction: Red Cloud by Robert W. Larson. A great book is The Falcon by John Tanner, an autobiography of a guy who was captured by Indians and lived as an Indian for the next 20 years. I enjoy German Russian history (my heritage). Movies (and fiction)--am turned off by implausable situations. Do not like fantasy. Music--sadly, am totally amusical. Come from a long line of tin ears. I like all sorts of music but not most jazz and am not super fond of rap. I can name very few tunes or musicians (or movies or actors or book titles or authors). Just don't have that kind of brain. Music I like: most rock, country western, classical, blues, gospel. Not so fond of a capella or opera.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

OK, now keep in mind that I'm a scientist (sort of) so I don't believe in the supernatural. So the following is a coincidence but interesting all the same. My wife and I were at a Sundance 30 years ago. Late afternoon on the third day there was a spirit releasing ceremony. (Some Lakota Indians keep the spirit of a dead ancestor for a year and then release it in a special ceremony.) The day was beautiful, blue sky with fluffy clouds and all. But just as the spirit was released, a tremendous storm blew in out of nowhere, there was a massive downpour and a ferocious wind that blew down all but one tipi and one tent. Within a few hours the stars were out and the next day was gorgeous.

Teach, Learn, Share

Hey, I'm in my early 70s so have had lots of experiences and lots of time to pick up knowlege here and there, same as all old folks.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Hosting is fun, not a chore. Hosting gives you a chance to vicariously experience different cultures and to share insights and ideas. If you want to surf, you should host first. Be sure you give your surfers a positive stay and they will write good reviews. Positive reviews about you are important when it comes to finding a place to surf. I look upon people who surf and don't host as "takers" and I am inclined not to host them.