I've been self-employed all my adult life, sometimes with employees, sometimes on my own. For 30+ years I built and remodeled, mostly houses. I also designed many of the projects that I worked on. In January of '09, I bought the little shop where I had gotten my blueprints printed out, so now I'm off on a new career. I grew up on a dairy farm, milking cows every morning before going to school which probably contributed to my independent, self-sufficient nature.

I am laid back, easy going, and a good friend

Attempting to "give back"...or maybe, to "pay it forward".
I believe in the concept of personal growth. I've been told that I give the impression of someone who would "beat a drum out in the woods". Well, been there, done that. EMPTY ME OUT, MAKE ME A HOLLOW BONE SO THAT GOOD THINGS CAN COME INTO ME. MAKE ME A CONDUIT, SO THAT THOSE THINGS CAN PASS THROUGH ME TO OTHERS. I have taught men's domestic violence classes in Rockford, IL. I have led sweat lodge ceremonies for various groups, including at-risk teenage boys on weekend retreats.

I'm pretty good at listening, and at making points by telling stories. I have been described as an excellent hugger by both men and women. I have learned that women sometimes just want to talk and be listened to, without being told by a man how to fix it.

An acquaintance I hadn't seen for some time recently told me, "I see you've started coloring your hair....gray." Nice guy, huh? He also pointed out that he noticed I'm wearing it a little thinner too....and could probably stand to lose a few pounds around the middle. Did you notice I described him as an "acquaintance", as opposed to friend?

I'm not a big reader...more inclined to wait for the movie, or go listen to a lecture by the author, if possible. I like Clint Eastwood, Vigo Mortenson, Robert Duval, Tommy Lee Jones, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock, George Clooney. They could account for quite a list of movies. I listen to NPR more than music, but I like various indigenous type music, or Yanni. Anyone else ever listen to Yanni, or watch his DVD's?

Conversation with my daughter, friends, the PACKERS, loved ones, road trips, sweat lodge

Politics of this country...how humans don't seem to learn from history very well, and repeat mistakes made in the past. If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a liberal.

At the Clinton Kitchen for their all you can eat fish dinner, or possibly at a high school basketball game.

I cry at chick flicks.

You like to watch a grown man cry at chick flicks....or, if you want to go for a canoe ride, or to catch a show at a dinner theater or explore this country via the highways and biways.