CURRENT MISSION

I plan to acquire the wisdom one of my years should possess.

ABOUT ME

Bitten by travel bug at birth, as parents were in a traveling sales team. Settled down at age five. Re-bitten at 17 as an exchange student to Madrid, have since traveled as much as I could afford, back to Spain, to France, to Ireland (in part tracing "roots") to Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala---and to nearly all of the states in my own country. I was a sort of nerdy tomboy growing up. I am dazzled by the speed and breadth of internet communication! We took our three children, now adults, on lots of trips, a real perk of being teachers. Now we travel to and with grandchildren a bit as well. Generally see the best in people if they are civil.

PHILOSOPHY

My personal philosophy is unashamedly Christian; we do not belong to ourselves and this present life is not the end. I will not, however, proselytize without someone asking me about my faith! So---I live my life as much as I can following this: Love God, love your neighbor, and your neighbor is any other human being. What is love? Since we can't all lay down our lives, I try to show love through small sacrifices on a continuing basis, making a gift of my time, my shoulder, my ears, my attention, my feedback, for those whom I meet. Selfishness and greed are hateful to me. I learned to live frugally at my mother's knee and have always practiced it, as has my husband. My travel motto is: Pack light, sleep cheap, eat well. I would add to that: BE KIND!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am brand new to this! My step niece has been all over S. America with CS and I have followed her adventures thinking "I could do that!" and "I wish I were 19 again!" I realize that I don't live in the most touristy part of the world, but we are sort of midway between Detroit and Chicago, so who knows? I plan to be in contact with folks near my age by joining common interest/age groups.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Only second hand, as stated above. Eager to try it. Don't think my husband would be a guest, but would be a fine host. I do have adventurous friends who would give it a whirl.

Interests

Reading (mostly mysteries, some quality non-fiction and fiction) travel--of course!--gardening, volunteering both church and non-church agencies, grandkids(5) movies, gourmet cooking (and have the body to prove it) internet social sites: Facebook, Skype and one internet game (Pet Society--grandkids got me into it)

• pets
• cooking
• gardening
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• survival
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Love most of the music of my youth: Motown, Bob Dylan, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys. Also enjoy some classical, including opera (but don't get to go much!) Have seen every kid flick made in recent years, but have to say I will see anything with Meryl Streep. Esp. enjoyed Julie and Julia! Siurprised myself by liking Avatar! Have been enjoying series of books by Barry Maitland (British police procedurals with excellent writing as well) Anything by Michael Pollan: In Defense of Food, The Omnivore's Dilemma, etc.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I traveled alone in Ireland in 1985 and met an actual leprechaun. OK, so he wasn't, but he wrote me an introductory letter to visit a fascinating (and somewhat crazy) ex-pat American who lived in a castle keep in Rathkeale, called Castle Matrix. As I approached the iron-studded door, a white horse came from behind the tower and nipped me on the shoulder in greeting!

Teach, Learn, Share

Cooking may be my greatest skill. I'm also good at packing light! I like young people and have a fair amount of patience considering my age. I speak Spanish pretty well, having taught it, and French adequate to survival. I would really, really like to spend time where I could get more French, though finding a travel buddy for that might be hard.

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