An almost life-long West Sider, you might think of me more as parochial_one, except that I was born in Switzerland and have some Swiss culture imbued in me from my Swiss host parents, some Canadian culture from my summers at camp, and a few sprinklings of Korean and Turkish culture from my sons-in-law. I'm an intellectual housewife except I'm not married, I don't own a home, and my children are all adults. So I'm not a housewife. And I'm getting old enough to wonder how many years its been since I could honestly assess myself as an intellectual. I like people, and you'll find me kind, honest and open, and empathetic.

Being unemployed has some benefits - I can do what I want. I like being the center of my family. I have spent much of the last year visiting my daughters (and granddaughters) in New York City, Philadelphia and Munich, Germany. I cook and clean and help relatives and friends. I walk with friends and other Cleveland Metroparks volunteers. During the summer, I steer the 34' Voyageur canoe owned by the Metroparks while singing songs and telling tales of the French Canadian Voyageurs. Sometimes I play Scrabble or cello or piano. Occasionally, I look for a job. I had an outstanding job offer in Munich - but I chose to stay in Cleveland.

Talking. Listening. And walking. I'm human!
Cooking and cleaning. I'm a woman!
Asking questions. I am (was?) an intellectual.
Steering big canoes. I am a Voyageur.
Contra dancing. I am a flirt.
Foot massages.

Nice smile. Nice teeth. Short. Quite natural. Talkative. Inquisitive. Extroverted.

I read The Economist and Mano Singham's blog. My favorite foods are any fresh, ripe, and in season produce; anything I cook, and creative dishes made by other people. Though trained as a classical musician, I like the bluegrass/celtic/Appalachian tunes at contra dances, too. I like playing music with other people.

People I love.
Conversation.
The outdoors - fresh air and natural light.
Walking.
Hmmm.

People and relationships. Politics. Geology. What is for lunch? Biology. Invasive species. Anagrams. Who will walk with me today? Cognitive dissonance. What am I doing?!

Contra dances are usually on Thursday and Saturday nights in the Cleveland area. That leaves Friday nights free. I haven't quite figured out a good way to fill them - I've been out of town a lot. I'm open to suggestions.

I keep few secrets.

...you are curious. Or, meet me at a contra dance.