CURRENT MISSION

Expanding my horizons; feeling good by sharing.

ABOUT ME

Live in a land-trust community in village on an island (currently 16 years as homeowner); have done massage therapy for 34 years, 20 at cooperative healing center (find my profile at orcashealingarts.com). I volunteer a lot with my community theater and music festival organizations, and as "citizen scientist" with a local marine conservation group. Love cooking with healthy foods, little meat but no strict restrictions. Happily single; mother to a wonderful young adult daughter, who lives across the country. Non-smoker, very occasional drinker of hard cider, sweet wine or bitter beer.

PHILOSOPHY

We all are deep and valuable--listen, heal, and grow. Learn from history, respect the elders, but keep evolving better ways. Help your community. Kindness & gratitude are vital. We stay whole by listening to the earth. Ultimately, love's what matters.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I did my first CouchSurfing in Ireland in the spring of 2012. I had a wonderful time and now I'm giving back as I'm able to and getting to know people thru CouchSurfing, I want to do some more CouchSurfing myself, will be reaching out to people in Ireland and Scotland in the spring of 2016.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Stayed with 7 wonderful hosts in Ireland/Northern ireland in Spring 2012. Previously, I spent a while in my 20s being pretty nomadic. I'm very comfortable with respectfully making myself at home and being a good guest. I don't like to freeload; i will accept hospitality, but always see if there is some exchange of energy that might be appreciated. Also, over the years many friends (including brand new ones) have passed thru my doors, and I've enjoyed every one.

Interests

Photography/mixed media; poetry and song writing; volunteering to interpret & protect marine ecosystems; healthy cooking; gardening; Native American culture and spirituality; mindfulness practices, labyrinths, yoga, dancing, hot springs, spending time in nature. Music! Many genres but especially traditional Irish/Scottish, mostly as an appreciative listener, though I have many instruments I play around on just for fun (I would say "badly" but judgement shouldn't enter into it).

• culture
• writing
• poetry
• theater
• photography
• festivals
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• beer
• vegetarian
• yoga
• massage therapy
• gardening
• traveling
• music
• kayaking
• communications
• history
• science
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Where do I start? My house is full of books, I read a lot, mostly nonfiction, poetry, interviews. Pema Chodron, Thich Nhat Hanh, Anne Lamott, Natalie Goldberg. Barbara Kingsolver, Louise Erdrich. Poets Pablo Neruda, Mary Oliver, Wendell Berry, Li-Young Lee. Political documentaries and fiction (The Constant Gardener), sweet movies about foreign kids, Kathryn Hepburn comedies. British National Theatre. Music- World, CELTIC, African esp. Zimbabwean, Native American, Georgian choral & folk music, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Round Mountain, Sirenz, MaMuse, Elephant Revival, classical chamber music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've seen (and helped) 3 of my friends give birth to their babies, and done so myself. Watched a humpback whale surface near my kayak. Sat inside a fire-hollowed old-growth cedar. Zip-lined high above a Costa Rica valley with my daughter.

Teach, Learn, Share

I could share some tips about giving a massage (or just give you a neck- or foot-rub), share cooking with you (especially healthy AND tasty vegetarian food). If you stay with me, I'd welcome ideas about landscaping/gardening and any music you would like to share, your help with whipping up a good meal, and I'd help you enjoy my island to the fullest, either by showing you around personally or directing you to good experiences.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I think I covered that under Teach/Learn/ Share. I won't ask to stay unless I think we'd like each other, and I want you to feel the exchange is a balanced one. If you travel as a couch surfer and feel happy with CSs pay-it-forward philosophy, and wish to feed me, I'll accept, but probably offer food, gifts, help, or whatever you need from me. If you just open your home but don't travel yourself, I will be particularly eager to help you feel I'm not free-loading.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Ireland, Mexico, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States