My basic stats are: 45 years old, 5'2", HWP, gracefully graying hair. I have one adult son who lives in another state and a fabulous lab-mix dog who lives with me. I'm a rare social drinker and 420 user, but otherwise non-smoking and -drug-using. I volunteer in my community. I'm an East Coast transplant, been here about a decade and of course love it. People tell me I'm smart, cool, and funny. (Not that you'd know it from this ad. My muse is MIA today.)

I enjoy photography, hiking, camping, watching documentaries and romantic comedies, singing, cooking, garage sales, travel, listening to all kinds of music but particularly the wide spectrum of the blues, outdoor music festivals, and word games. I don't care for loud motor sports or the bar scene/alcoholics/druggies.

Beyond that, I become a study in contrasts. I'm a high school drop out with a Master's degree. I'm a little bit country AND a little bit rock and roll (and maybe even a little bit ghetto). I'm a girly tomboy. I consistently test as using both sides of my brain about equally. I'm moderately progressive politically. I'm spiritual but not religious. I'm romantic and pragmatic, laid back and passionate.

I've been asked what I'm looking for in a man. The short answer is, I don't know--meaning, I don't necessarily want to limit my possibilities by demanding a specific list of "must-haves" in a partner. But after a series of fairly disasterous dates, I'm going to edit my profile to include the following wish list in a partner:

* someone who READS (fiction, non-fiction, news, and/or magazines) will likely be a good match. A man who only reads Playboy (for the interviews, uh-huh), technical manuals, rabid right-wing political websites, or never reads at all is probably not a good match for me.
* someone who is not hung up on money or body image, but pays attention to the bills and isn't obese.
* someone who has something in common with me, given the extensive list I've provided above.
* someone who likes dogs.
* someone who doesn't party to excess. For example: a beer or even two a night is ok, but a six-pack a night is not. Likewise, a person who takes a hit of weed after work is ok, but someone who wakes and bakes every day is not. I'd also prefer a non-cigarette-smoker, but that's not a deal breaker.
* someone who tends to lead a more quiet lifestyle (i.e., perhaps doesn't watch tv every night, or even not own a tv, definitely someone who can live without having a tv or radio on 24/7/365).

I also say I'm looking to date, but that's because I've learned that POFing with the expressed intent of finding a long-term relationship leads to too heavy expectations during initial meetups. So I've revised my profile to reflect a more realistic approach to finding both my best friend and lover for (and of) life.

Thanks for reading, and good luck with your own search for a happy ending!

I think an initial meet-up is different from a first date. A meet-up would be just about any meeting in a public place where we could talk and get to know one another.

A first date, on the other hand, is always a good time to share food and then hit a movie, or vice versa. Theater, a museum, a public lecture, or listening to some kind of live music can be substituted for the movie.

And although I'm a very affectionate and passionate woman, I don't want your tongue in my mouth or hands on my b**bs on Date One. (Hard to believe I even have to add this caveat, but based on some of my POF dates so far, I guess I do. *sigh*)