……This whole on-line thing is absolutely silly, isn't it? I mean people can an do pretend to be someone they are obviously not, that being said...go grab yourself a cup of coffee, tea or a cold beer, glass of wine. I am going to sit here and be open and honest from the start. It just seems to me, that I could say, " I drink to much, lie, will cheat on you behind your back, yell, cuss and will hit you" that so many women would respond to that. NOW that is a sad thing, because that is what so many have known, it is a terrible thing but it is what is known, comfortable in some twisted way.

What does a woman really want in their life? Hmmm probely what I want in mine. To not be lied to, EVER, is a good start, makes sense to me ... To have someone who is compassionate, kind, considerate, loving and accepting. Passionate about life, loves the world and wants to make it a better place for their children. Doesn’t yell ever or God forbid raise his hand to a woman. That is something I still cannot figure out, why would anyone ever raise his voice or hand to a woman? OK, one more thing then I will get off my soap box, ok?

I see this all the time, be it at the mall or downtown. A man ( supposedly a man ) will be with his wife or girlfriend and a nice looking woman walks by, he will TURN his head to look at her rear or whatever. WHY? When all you could possibly want is on your arm, for pete's sakes why would you want or need to look at another? Ok ok, I know men ( being one ) are visual creatures,( what a stupid excuse that is ) but that in no way is an excuse. A REAL man would never do such a thing, what a wonderful way it must make your wife or girlfriend feel. Ok, I am climbing down now...lol

Continueing on, a man will not only open the door for her, but total strangers as well. The kind of man her mother so hoped she would meet and bring home to say hi to the family. Proud to be at his arm.

You know when you see a movie, and the couple in it are so in love, that when you leave afterwards and something, somewhere deep inside you aches? Woudn't it be nice to finally make that ache go away?

Well here it is. I have been divorced for over 4 years, so I have taken a lot of time to look at myself, what went wrong with the BOTH of us in our marriage. I am NOT going to slam her or put all the blame on her, I take credit good or bad where it is due. See? I have the guts not to try and blame just someone else. I didn’t just rush right out to fill a need, jump into another relationship, just enjoyed life. But, like everyone else on here looking thru the personals, we all get tired of waiting for the “ chance “ meeting, or friends setting us up with who they are sure we will click with…lol. Life is life after all, and it would be nicer to spend it with your hearts desire then alone.

Picture yourself, in an oversized men’s shirt, a cup of coffee in your hand on a misty morning. Leaning against the door jam, looking out into the yard at your man working on something. Can you see it? Do you feel the contentment? The love? Well there it is waiting for you to grab onto.

I have a great job with Lane County, excellent pay, and bennies. I can count on one hand the number of drinks I have had in the last year. Own my home, not me and the bank, but me alone, my car also. I love everything outside, from sky-diving, fishing, hunting, camping, the beach, snow an water skiing, biking, rafting, going to antique stores, finding an trying little out of the way and off the beaten path places to stop. The list goes on an on, but there is so much more to explore. I am in great shape and can work most 20 year olds into the ground. I love my mother and father, and also my step mom and step dad. I attend church every week, well twice a week anyways, volenteer work with kids (aren’t kids so awesome) am the greatest dad in the world. I have two grown daughters, so I figure it’s time for me.

This is a just a glimpse, of me.

A few Mondays ago, after work, my crew and I stopped by the bridge under Beltline road, a place to hang out for a few minutes till it was time to head in. I got there last and everyone was standing up front of the first truck, b. s. ing, and there sitting by the railroad tracks is a girl who is obviously homeless. My crew, gave her a sidelong look over, and nothing more.

Before I got out of my pickup, I opened my lunch box, took out an apple, a plum, some cookies and $10. I just walked up to her and handed it to her with a smile. Then I sat there instead of with my crew and asked her why? She looked to be about 18, says she was 21, and her eyes said she had seen enough to be 500. I told her she was old enough to be my daughter, and I just wish she wouldn't travel alone like that.

She said she did it all the time and was headed back to Portland, baggy holey pants, unwashed and still able to offer me a SMILE. We had a long, long talk. I offered to come get her after work and take her to McDonalds or whatever so she could eat, but she said she was catching the train that was sitting there warming up.

So while she walked over to check on it, I walked back to my crew and the first words out of their mouths we" well Lonnie, did you get a date?" I just looked at em, told them it just isn't right for a young girl to be doing that, and it isn't even close to being funny about their comments. How could they even think someone in dire needs could be funny? Just because THEY have a home, and someone to come home to and her she is, young, alone, hungry, and riding a train at night for pete's sake. I shamed em into silence. You See? I will stand up for WHAT IS RIGHT, go against the "popular" crowd, do the right thing. Then the normal talk continued. But as we left, two of the guys gave her food and some money also.

So, perhaps I did help her, and maybe them, after all.

Everyone always says "Coffee is always good in public, to see how we feel. Then we can go from there." but there is so much more we can do. Use your imagination, enjoy life. We will just cross that bridge when we do, ok?