I love poetry, long walks on the beach, and poking dead things with a stick. (Only kidding about the poetry.)

I live in the perfect location! My home is surrounded by trees. When the trees are leafed out, I can't see any other buildings at all. I'm off a dead end road, so it's very quiet and peaceful. I see deer and wild turkeys often, and have seen a coyote and a porcupine. My dogs enjoy the woods and chasing the turkeys.

And yet I'm only a ten minute drive from downtown Wausau, which boasts an amazing performing arts scene, a small but vibrant art museum and even some decent restaurants. The Wisconsin river runs through town, and has a world-class whitewater kayak course. It's fun to watch all the different kayak races. One of these days I may try it myself, tho I haven't yet.

I work a few hours a week with my UU church. For the last several years we've hosted Tibetan Buddhist teachers several times a year. Much to my surprise, I've become very interested in Buddhism. The Tibetan Buddhist teachers I've met seem so happy, peaceful and content. I want more of that in my life, and have been reading texts, attending teachings and meditating for the last few years. I'm calmer and more content because of it.

Last summer I had the opportunity to see/hear His Holiness the Dalai Lama in person, in this huge stadium. It was fascinating and odd at the same time. Guess I was expecting some bit of incisive wisdom to suddenly illuminate my life. No such luck, but I didn't really think that would happen. It was amazing to watch this very famous human chat with a room filled with literally thousands of folks.

I'm an empty nester, though my oldest son has moved back to the Wausau area. My younger son is at school in Santa Barbara, CA and doing splendidly. I'm hoping to visit him sometime in the near future. I was out there last year and had a BLAST!

I also play with a string quartet (or sometimes a trio, depending on who's available). We play weddings, dinner parties and the like. It's tons of fun and even brings in a few bucks here and there. I love Celtic music, and play some fiddle tunes myself. I'd love to have a Celtic music jam around here, but no luck yet.

I've been divorced for a gadzillion years and am pretty used to being on my own. Still, it would be nice to find someone special to share my life. Who knows what will happen next? Anything is possible. We never know what life has in store for us, just around the next bend.

I am enjoying life! I'm volunteering at our local performing arts venue, and seeing a LOT of good shows. I'm traveling, mostly to Chicago for a variety of arts and performance events, not to mention good food. I'm meditating with a Tibetan Buddhist group pretty regularly. I don't pretend to understand even the basics of Buddhism, but I'm so impressed with the Tibetan Buddhist lamas I've met through their teaching visits. I want to be more like them, to have more peace, joy and contentment in my life. So I figure it's worth trying what they do (and trying to figure out what they do) to see if it helps.

There was a monthly drum jam at my church, tho it's on hiatus for the summer. I'm also hoping to drum up (pun intended) more interest in meditative walks on our portable labyrinth, an 8 circuit Chartres style labyrinth on canvas.

I've done a little kayaking this summer, tho not nearly enough. It feels great to get out on the water, especially on a warm day. But whatever the weather, it feels like entering another, more natural world, just paddling along on top of the water and looking at the world. When I'm on the water I know that all is not lost.

I'm really good at being friendly and welcoming. I get along splendidly with most dogs, especially large and medium sized dogs. (I am not a fan of really tiny dogs.) I play violin fairly well, and I enjoy playing chamber music. I'm not Itzak Perlman, but I have a good time making music. I like folk music, especially Celtic, Cape Breton and the like, and recently played with a guitar/violin duo around here. We all had a great time and hope to play together more.

Editors

• sbhumanist

I have no idea. You'll have to tell me.

Terry Pratchett, Christopher Moore's "Lamb" but none of his other books, Anne McCaffrey when I need an escape, Celtic music, Bach, cellos, Yo Yo Ma.

I love seafood, good steaks, fresh veggies, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, and most anything different from the regular hamburger routine (tho I do enjoy the occasional burger, too). Well made beer and good wine are an important complement to daily life.

Subject to change at whim.....

Editors

• sbhumanist

Travel. A quiet place to retreat. My car (I live out in the country a bit, and public transportation is unavailable). The performing arts. Air, food, water and all that.

Music. Live music. Musicians. Being present. How music helps me be present. How I admire some people because I want to be them, or be like them. Can I be a German cellist in my next life? Please? (joking about the next life stuff.)

Tibetan Buddhism. I admire the teachers and practitioners I meet and want some of their joy, serenity, peace and happiness in my life. So I'm doing some reading and trying to see what it's all about.

Family. Children. Raising children. Trying not to think about this too much.

But that's just where I'm at right this moment. Ask me again tomorrow.

Well, this past Friday night I was entertaining and being entertained by my "honorary grandson", my son's girlfriend's son. During fall, winter and spring I'm often out at the Grand Theater, ushering for a live music event. I'm often there, and sometimes that's on Friday nights. Other Friday nights I'm staying in, cooking myself a meal and relaxing, hanging on this infernal computer, or just reading and zoning out. Other Fridays I might be out at a house party with friends, or out for a bite to eat.

Typical? No such thing.

I wear several toe rings.

Anything I've said here prompts you to get in touch. I always enjoy hearing from new people.

If you do send me a note, okcupid may require you to answer some silly questions before delivering your message. I hate that. I have not asked for that, but I can't stop it. Sorry!