I'm a Southerner who's lived in the Northeast since the early 1990s, a transplanted person with a kind of dual citizenship. I go back to Louisiana every chance I get; love the down home, close community of that area. But I'm also very happy here in southeast PA with its quaint boroughs and welcoming attitudes toward strangers from distant regions (like me!).

I've been widowed for close to a decade and was married and divorced once before that. Also, I'm a 20-year breast cancer survivor. Taken altogether, I have to say that these experiences make me who I am. I think it's important to find beauty in everyday life and to notice and be appreciative of good health when we have it. I'm completely passionate about the friends who are going to shoulder the hard times with me, and about being that same kind of friend myself.

My favorite forms of art are the music and poetry that express these profound connections among people. The solid relationships as well as the new and forming, completely broken, and those in jeopardy. I have to admit that I wish I were more of an artist myself in addition to being the ardent admirer. For whatever reason though my role in life seems to be to appreciate those who articulate for all of us--the musicians and writers and their sensitive selves! (And painters, and photographers, sculptors, dancers, and on and on.)

A good dance partner for me, so to speak, would be someone who feels the music and loves it. Someone who likes watching and talking--about movies, the day's events, politics, the ideal vacation, etc. Someone who's "into" spiritual questions and possibilities, feels compassion, has integrity, and tries to be honest (with himself above all but also with others). These are beautiful qualities in a person and who WOULDN'T want to be around them?

I'm on a year-long sabbatical at half pay, working on my research. Finding the discipline to be a self-starter and get my work done (and to budget!). This will end in early January, when I'll go back to teaching, having a schedule other than one I've made, and folding myself back into the community of my department. It's fabulous, one of the great benefits/necessities of academic life, but I'll also be ready to go back when the new year comes.

During sabbatical I've made trips to Oregon and the Gulf Coast to re-connect with my grown children and extended family and to lose myself for awhile in these very different cultures.

growing things in my small backyard garden, and painting and other minor maintenance things at home (esp if instructions).

taking an interest in others, appreciating people's boundaries, and seeing beyond their words for meaning.

lighting candles, talking over dinner, sharing, and trying new ways of seeing things but honoring the old.

My greenish-bluish eyes.

My mixed-breed dog (black, 85 lbs.) who is kind of soulful.

Books: Night Train by Martin Amis, Straight Man by Richard Russo, Necessary Losses by Judith Viorst, and murder mysteries by Patricia Cornwell, Amanda Cross, and others.

Movies: I've watched Deja Vu with Denzel Washington at least five times. Also -- All About my Mother, written and directed by Pedro Almodovar and Secretary with James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Music: Rod Stewart, Townes van Zandt, Lucinda Williams, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville, Bob Dylan, Otis Redding, and Johnny Cash. Rock, rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, and classic country.

A new favorite: Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris's album, All the Roadrunning.

Food: fresh fruit, grains, nuts, ice cream, dark chocolate are my favorites but I also enjoy more complete menus. Sharing cooking and eating with special people is one of life's great pleasures.

the beach
the stars at night
coffee dark as midnight, strong as death
delicious healthy food
good wine and relaxing with friends
something interesting to read

how to live a healthy lifestyle and still keep it fun, aging gracefully in a youth culture, and balancing work and play.

appealing new colors for rooms in my house, additions to my garden for next year, the ideal vacation.

poems by Rumi.

watching a movie, reading a good book, or catching up with friends.

would be about my beloved flannel pj's for winter time. How else do people up here survive?

you think we might be kindred spirits, or if you'd like to argue with me about something I've said, or if (in the best of all possible worlds) you think both.