I dabble in writing poetry from time to time and photography with my Canon Rebel XT. I’m 49 years old, never been married and have no children. I've always been an independent individual with the drive and determination to achieve success at whatever I attempt to do.

I WILL NOT date someone who smokes or uses snuff or chews tobacco. Or anyone who is in an active relationship, "separated", etc. I am looking for a man who is single and knows what he wants in life.

One of my life-long dreams would be to have the golden opportunity to photograph or videotape a tornado up close. I enjoy watching documentaries about twisters, ghosts, hauntings, etc. Someday I would also like to learn how to swim and to play the piano. I was born in Portsmouth, Ohio and raised in South Point, Ohio…the most southern tip of Ohio if you’re looking for it on a map…right on the border of Kentucky and West Virginia. I graduated in 1978 from South Point High School and ended up in South Carolina by way of Dallas, Texas in May of 2005.

Did I mention that I’m smart, funny and witty too? I love making people laugh and I love laughing with them. I am mechanically inclined (handy with a hammer and nails or a cordless drill), so naturally I’m one of those people who likes to try putting something together before I read the instructions. I am a Cancerian, therefore I can tend to be a bit moody now and then…but I have my good moments too. I've recently discovered that I enjoy painting, the way it can transform a room using color combinations that compliment each other.

My favorite quote is “People you don’t expect to love are the ones you never forget.” I don’t know who said it, but it couldn’t be more true. My second favorite quote is “Never judge a book by its cover”. This analogy could be applied to almost anything in life, including a first impression of someone. My favorite romantic quote would have to be "kiss me like there's no tomorrow and dance with me like no one's watching". A couple of favorite lines from movies, and you have to guess which movie and who said it: "Take me to bed or lose me forever"...and "I wait all day for just one more minute with you and I don't even know you". Also, my favorite poem is “Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost. I also have an obsession during storm season…tornadoes or hurricanes…of watching doppler radar at Wunderground.com.

I grew up where it would snow every winter and I have a lot of great memories from those days, so someday I hope to live where it snows in the winter and have summer vacations at the seashore, or maybe just vacation where it snows? Until then I’ll keep dreaming about the snow. You know, if we didn’t have dreams, life wouldn’t be worth living…(tapping on your computer monitor for emphasis)…in other words, dreams are what keep you going! I love listening to thunderstorms and watching old black & white movies on Turner Classic Movies and AMC. I can't help it…I’m a hopeless romantic!

For a first date, maybe a cup of tea or cocoa at Barnes & Noble? You would regale me with stories of your childhood and your dreams for the future. You are a dog and/or cat lover so we would exchange funny stories of pets we've owned or would like to own. Afterwards, if our personalities clicked we would go to the beach and watch the sun set over the water and watch pelicans descend for their dinner, dipping into the ocean at random. Watching the moon rise over the water, I would fervently hope for at least one good-night kiss to see if there is real chemistry between us. One last thing. You would be a true Southern gentleman.