Semi-retired--I run a small guest house--I try to write in my free time. I guess its similar to people who paint in their free time--we do it for the sheer joy of it and probably not expecting to earn any money from it. It's a far cry from accounting (my old day job), but I've wanted to write since I was a teenager. I'm in a workshop for both fiction and memoir and I try to write both. My hobbies are the acts I perform to maintain my homes and myself: interior designing, cooking, gardening, exercise classes at my local YMCA. I have also built houses, renovated them, and know a bit about construction. When I travel, I like to buy art which brightens up my walls and reminds me of the places I've been and people I've met. I visit museums in the city and attend concerts (classical, jazz, blue grass, rock, Latin, African). I tend not to like modern classical(I am fond of a couple of Philip Glass pieces) or hip-hop, tho' I've heard some hip-hop that I did like--not to buy, however. I read widely. In addition to good literature (not best sellers), I enjoy articles/books on science (scientists in family), politics, history, economics. I love humor. I have an analytic mind. I enjoy films. I love Italian and Middle Eastern food and cook some dishes in each category. I love to dance and am taking belly dancing--it's very athletic and it ain't easy; swimming too. Some of my time is taken up by family which consists of a married daughter with son; a married son; an unmarried son. They are successful and an important part of my life. My aspirations are: firstly, to publish in the near future; to maintain my youthful looks and energy (ongoing); travel to cities in eastern Europe: Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Prague, Budapest, Vienna; also, Spain, Portugal, ?. (I would like to meet a man with the same enthusiasm as I have, curiosity about the world around him, interests of his own, including family and grandchildren perhaps. He should be kind, communicative, creative. Sense of humor is always helpful along this rocky road. (I can never remember a joke, though I love them.) I am a kind person, passionate, and desirous of having a soulmate/best friend/intimate partner accompany me these next best years. Please don't respond if you haven't had children--this is one language we need to have in common.

I first thought maybe a lunch or dinner at a mutually chosen restaurant, but a glass of wine or cup of coffee would be best--not too big an investment in time--unless it proves to be not enough time.