hi. i consider myself to be bright, creative, independent, capable, loyal to my friends. i love animals, the outdoors, peace and quiet rather than crowds, classical music, with some good old time rock thrown in for variety. i try to keep active, ride my horse, walk, work out.

i am not what you would call your average 62 year old. i think a lot younger, and tend to be unconventional. you won't find me parked in front of the TV, or involved in cheering on the local teams. it just doesn't hold my interest. i prefer quiet moments with nature.

i drive a hybrid car, but admit to having a pickup so i can get out of my long driveway when it snows or haul building stuff from menards. i have driven a tractor and baled hay, put up fencing, installed ceiling fans, and learned to fix things that are broken around the house.

i have done a lot of different things in my life....dog training, including instructing for a time. i lost my dog last october due to a seizure disorder, and i miss him a lot. i think i will probably remain dogless at least until spring. i taught aerobics in a small women's fitness club. i have been (still am) a photographer, and have done a couple of jobs for pay, though it's mostly for my own personal satisfaction.

i've hiked the grand canyon, camped alone in several western national parks (probably not something i would do any more), biked the oregon coast, spent time in moab before it was fashionable, and stared in awe at many of nature's grand creations. my days of such wonderous trips is probably somewhat limited by a knee replacement i had 3 years ago. i still do a lot, but not things that would lead me into the wilderness alone. sad.

i've got one daughter, who's almost 40, which for some reason surprises both of us. she has blessed me with 2 grandchildren, one of each, both amazingly bright.

you're much more likely to find me in jeans and a shirt with a hammer in my hand, than in a suit at the makeup counter. i guess i am a forever tomboy, not afraid to get my hands dirty, not afraid to fix something that i think i can fix. i can cook, i just don't very much.

i seek an equal partner, one who can share some of my likes, while still keeping up with his own favorites. someone who is not looking for someone to take care of him, but to work and play along with him.

working too much (aren't we all?) i am a graphic designer since about 1975, been on my job for 11 years, will probably stay until i can retire.

i am rebuilding my life after a divorce a year ago (amicable), living right now in a 150 year old farm house with an old barn out back. i spent most of last summer fixing fence, cleaning up the barn, building some gates inside to keep the ducks and geese away from the horse stalls....

i like to spend time with my horse, even though winter is just too cold to ride, even with an available arena.

my animals are important to me, they are good company, always listen without judging, and let me tell you, watching chickens is funnier than TV by a long shot.

i guess i could be called an environmentalist, since i believe in saving and reycling. i try to keep my footprint on this planet to a minimum as best i can.

photography. macintosh. raising chickens and ducks. driving. building stuff.

how do i know? nobody ever told me.

ok, maybe when i was younger it was the freckles that go along with the red hair. they have faded somewhat, but are still there. when you are a kid, they are certainly a curse.

steven king, james patterson and similar writers, good mysteries, dog stories (always make me cry). not much for movies lately. classical and classic rock (queen comes to mind....boston...three dog night). food? chocolate. is there anything else??

i haven't been to a movie theater since the Full Monty was out. guess my social life needs an upgrade :)

family. best friend. my horse. my camera. my computer.

where is the special person i am destined to meet?

ok, that's corny, but the thought has crossed my mind. i also think about the freedom of retiring in a few years, some travel, spending more time with myself and my critters. i used to travel a lot in the southwest, and would love to do more....yellowstone again, the oregon coast, utah....the mountains call to me.

why is so much of the world crazy?

riding at the barn. or home with a good book and my cat on the couch next to me.

sorry, nobody knows that until they know me well.

you are honest, intelligent, creative, and can keep up with a redhead with the same ideals. i have a soft spot in my heart for men with well kept beards.