First: THANK YOU to any of you who are serving - or have served - our country! We might complain about the way things are, but it's because of you - not politicians - that we live in the best country in the world. It's because of you - not the media - that we have freedom of speech. Thank you and be safe.

Friends joke that I have a split personality. I'm serious by nature, but have a great sense of humor and love to laugh. I like simple things, but can be somewhat complicated. Intelligent, but occasional blonde roots beneath the brunette. I prefer the beauty of nature to "fancy" things and places, LOVE ANIMALS, rainy days and thunderstorms, wild roses, and walks in the woods. I can also be very happy spending a Sunday afternoon watching football. I don't have any kids - choice, not chance. All my "maternal instincts" are toward caring for "critters", not kids, and I've rescued cats for many years.

The kind of men I'm attracted to are those who know how to be REAL men - who say what they mean instead of what they think I want to hear. I like spending time with a man who laughs easily and has a sense of humor - including the kind that sometimes takes a minute to know he's joking. A quick wit always makes life interesting!!

I'm NOT into hook-ups, but neither am I looking for life-time commitment. I don't believe commitment is something you find by looking for it, but something that happens naturally over time as friendship grows deeper. I value the trust of friendship; anything else that might develop has to start there.

I don't consider myself all that attractive, but I have posted clear pics. Please show me the same consideration and don't send just a blurry view from across the room; I think we all want to know what the person we're in contact with looks like. I do tend to prefer younger men - I just seem to have more in common with them - so please don't be offended if I send you a message and you're not into older women! If you're a smoker, we wouldn't work - I'm very allergic.

What we would do on a first date depends on both our personalities - we'd have to talk and get to know each other before that is decided.