CURRENT MISSION

To revel in differences and find commonality.

ABOUT ME

NOTE: I won't be able to think about accepting visitors until late in the summer.
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I live alone (in a tightly-knit community) on a small island off the coast of Washington state, entirely off the grid. Mainly these days I'm a writer, both literary and commercial, but I also spend time on various kinds of artwork. This winter and spring (2017) I'm working on a complicated ceramic tile mural for a neighbor, and learning how to use a new gas kiln I've recently acquired. I seem to need to do everything from scratch. I'm old enough to have grown-up children, and young enough to climb 50 feet up into a tree to attach an internet connection.

I appreciate the physicality of living in a raw natural setting, and when I'm not traveling, I put my hands into the soil and grow flowers and vegetables. And fight back the blackberries, endlessly.

PHILOSOPHY

I believe in global justice and fair access to resources for all human beings. I also feel that working to counter climate change is more urgent than any political agenda.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

In a national atmosphere of growing mutual distrust, I greatly appreciate the Couchsurfing ethic of reaching out to connect with strangers.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Couchsurfing made a New York trip a few years ago unforgettable, and eased my way during an extended stay in Turkey.

I've hosted couchsurfers that I met during various travels, and I look forward to hosting the few brave souls wiling to make it out to where I live. Over the years had various sorts of homestay experiences as a traveler, and I host WWOOFers every year. Plus I've lived in shared households a lot.

Interests

Writing and art as a way of responding to the world, good conversation, living from scratch. Regional foods, different ways of life, working with my hands, homesteading technology, community activism.

• arts
• writing
• politics
• technology
• traveling
• homesteading
• urban exploration
• social justice
• ceramics

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Gillian Welch, Eilen Jewell, bluegrass, old rock and roll, sea chanties, Japanese flute, lots more.

Books: Sweet Thursday, Death of a Salesman, Let the Great World Spin, stories by Saki, A Pattern Language, American Gods; too many to list here. For some reason, these "taste" questions make my mind go blank.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Helped a homeless Somali refugee (who'd been refused asylum here) make it safely out of the U.S. into Canada.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can share what it's like to live totally off the grid, from scratch, in a tiny community. That actually includes quite a list of practical and social skills. I'm good at kneading sentences into shape, and interested in talking to other writers.

What I Can Share with Hosts

What can I share with you if you host me? It varies with each situation: In general, I come bearing good will and an eagerness to get to know you. I'm adaptable, independent, and open to us possibly becoming friends.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, France, Georgia, Greece, Iceland, Mexico, Nicaragua, Russian Federation, Spain, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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