I'm somewhat quiet, a bit intellectual, not concerned with conforming to the usual or expected patterns. I'm different, and very comfortable with it. My politics are very conservative, I'm patriotic, love kids, and involved in my community. I'm a 7-year Navy veteran (submarines) and come from a family of veterans. I *loved* what I did in the Navy and still sorely miss it today. I had some real involvement in the Cold War, and only left it to spend more time with my family. It was a tough choice: a job you love or a family you love. I chose family. I am generally a very independent person, very happy, and much more prone to see the good side of life than the bad. My Southern upbringing has taught me to always be polite and to be a gentleman. I would probably be considered by most to be more of a "guy" type of man, and not the soft kind. I tend to step forward and take charge of things. I've lived life, having been through a lot of experiences both good and bad. I've had one house burn, and lost another in a large flood (and was trapped after rescuing my kids). I've been to some very remote places of the earth. I've been an underground miner and a social worker, worked in caves and worked in education. I grew up in a close family with great parents. My father was a Baptist minister (as are two of his brothers, and two more are deacons), so I grew up as a "PK" (preachers's kid). That certainly made for an interesting childhood (and all the fried chicken was good, too!). I have raised a large family, consisting of one son and six daughters, including a pair of identical twins. I have great kids that any parent would be proud of, and understand how blessed I am to have them. I currently live alone in a house in small town that dates from the 1700's (the town, not the house! LOL). I work in management for a world-wide corporation, and travel some with that. My major was secondary education, but due to dissatisfaction with the dramatic decline of the American public education system I did not want to spend my career there. My job still keeps me very involved in the education field, and some of the peripheral duties keep me in contact with all levels of education, from K-12 through higher education.

Overall, it's been a *great* life so far!

My interests include an avid pursuit of history, including participating in a Civil War reenactment group (mounted cavalry). That involves both horse riding and camping, too, of course. I'm an amateur photographer who takes pictures of everything. I'll probably be buried with a camera in my hand. I've also done deep genealogical study of my family, which is a never ending pursuit.

Places that I've lived include Kentucky, West Virginia, Illinois, Florida, New York, and South Carolina. Places to which I have traveled are England, Scotland, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Japan, and the Arctic. When I was in the Navy we surfaced briefly in a Norwegian fjord. It was only 15 minutes of my life, but what a stunning view!

I get along best with someone who is smart, and has a head on her shoulders. She is very traditional, but will talk about what she thinks, share her opinions, and express her needs. She will treasure traditional values, but be independent enough to take care of herself, if needed. As noted, I'm a very independent person, and I do not wish to change or to have someone try to change me. I'm very tolerant and accepting of the quirks of others, and expect them to be the same with me. I am a natural leader and would fit best with someone who would thrive with that leadership. Like me, she will be someone who is generally optimistic, generally happy, and enjoys life. These are only general guidelines, of course. Life brings you what it will, and you celebrate the little treasures that come your way.