I believe I'm a better listener than I am "talking" about myself but, here goes. Born in Indiana and grew up in West Central Florida, which still has the best beaches for me. Anna Maria Island, Longboat key, Siesta Key, Sanibel and and Captiva to name a few. Wonderful places to escape to for a while!

My hobbies include golf, bowling, shooting a little pool, watching college football and basketball (I like watching the ebb and flow of momentum in these two sports). I enjoy activities of all kinds, enjoy exercising my mind with crosswords, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune among other mental challenges. I have always believed that our brains are like our muscles and should be exercised to keep them in shape.

I have two daughters, both are grown with families of their own and they have blessed me with four grandchildren that I love dearly. I think our grandchildren are the best means we have of getting even with our children for the tests they put us through when they were growing up. I want to see my grandchildren grow up and become adults that their parents can be as proud of as I am of my daughters.

I may be unique in that I still like to treat a lady as a lady should be treated. Some would call it old fashioned because I like opening doors for my dates. Then I'm old fashioned!! I still work a regular job. I don't work the insane hours that I used to, trying to gain more balance in my life.

I enjoy going out to dinners, mostly the more casual restaurants like Longhorns, Outback, O'charley's and California Dreaming. For nicer evenings out I like Aspen's and New York Prime still serves the best filet mignon in town. They all serve pretty good adult beverages, too!

I like good movies that are uplifting to our human spirits and I have to confess I have enjoyed a number of the so-called "chick flics". I enjoy books that are based on true stories and fact. I am a Tom Clancey fan and have enjoyed the movies based on his books and the fact that most of his movies have almost always had pretty good actors to portray his characters.

My taste in music runs the gamut from country music to Yanni to Celine Dion and so on and on. I really like a lot of music of all kinds.

I would like to meet a lady with similar likes and values to enjoy this journey we call life. I tend to be a little shy until I get to know a lady. As cliche as it may sound, I want a friend first!!

For a first date, I am open to whatever the lady feels comfortable with doing so we can have a chance to get to know each other better. I would probably prefer a little time over an adult beverage and possibly move on to dinner, if we both agree that we would like to do so.