What can I say about myself? Especially when I'm not fond of blowing my own horn. I enjoy Celtic Festivals, Renaissance Faires, Halloween and most any occasion to dress in costume. I love different cultures and people who are representative of their cultural backgrounds. In another life I could have been Scottish peasant, explored Mexico and South America, a Hawaiian canoe builder, sailed the Seven Seas or chased wenches in English Pubs. I enjoy movies that contain themes pertaining to love and honor. I'm a liberal who also happens to be a patriot. I don't do organized religion, yet have a good understanding of my personal spiritual beliefs. I don't follow the herd, but occasionally enjoy their company and have no desire to be their leader. When it comes to romance, I enjoy having that special woman in my life to share the good times and the rough times. I'm open and honest about myself almost to a fault, but would rather you know me as I am than con you into liking me. If the "right" woman exists for me, she will as I am just as I will her. Honesty and integrity are important to me as I am pretty much an open book and very candid about myself. I believe true mates will always be honest, give 100% to the relationship and share it 50/50. What's good for the goose is good for the gander and what's good for both is best of all.

Now, about my choice in a mate in no particular order:

She is height/weight proportional as I am and in decent health. Her pictures are reasonably current as it really doesn't matter to me what she looked like 5, 10 or 30 years ago. She is fit enough to go backpacking with me and enjoys nature enough to find pleasure in it with minimal creature comforts. Backpacking is minimalist by nature since you have to carry everything you will need on your back for miles at a time. I hope to find a woman that not only can do it, but would enjoy doing it. She is sensuous, sexy and fun with a healthy appetite for sex and a liberal attitude towards it. That does NOT mean I expect a woman to jump into bed with me within a short period of time. I'm not looking for a one night stand, but rather for a woman whom I will be compatible with if it ever gets that far. I don't think in terms of first, second or third bases, but think that the two of us will know and communicate when the time is right. I would rather say no to someone than to jump into bed with her knowing that there is little chance of every falling in love with her. I AM looking for a long term relationship and casual sex rarely leads to that. She should be open minded as well. I have many gay, bi or lesbian friends/family members and the woman I match with will be able to respect other people's lifestyle choices. She is not materialistic, overly judgmental or culturally biased. She probably doesn't watch Fox news on a daily basis unless it's for entertainment value. She is comfortable dressing up or down, but probably leans more towards casual. She doesn't have to cook, but should not mind sharing the cooking with me as I love to cook. I've found that cooking together can be a great time for bonding with each other. For that matter, she doesn't have to be a great cook if she'll let me do most of the cooking! lol She has a good sense of humor and can enjoy being silly occasionally. She loves to dance, but accepts that I have little experience in C/W or ballroom, yet would be a willing student. She is articulate, intelligent, and open, able to communicate her feelings, desires and needs. She will allow me the same courtesy. She is not an alcoholic! I drink socially, but can go weeks, even months without doing so. She may be an occasional herbalist, but I don't tolerate druggies. She will have a liberal outlook on life, love and the pursuit of happiness. She will truly enjoy many different genres of music as I do, from blues to rock to Celtic to Latin to C/W to Hawaiian and many others. She has a zest for life and love. She is reasonably happy, yet can be honest about her feelings when she is not and does not have unreasonable expectations that I will pretend to be happy when I'm not. Healthy people go through the full range of emotions as life throws us curve balls, we just have to be emotionally healthy enough to handle them appropriately.

Because so many women on PoF want to know such things, here is some info that may save you some time:

I don't have a lot of money, but I do have a job, own a home and I'm financially responsible. I drive a compact car because I work 90 miles from home and like the gas mileage. I have cats because I'm not at home everyday and dogs need more attention. I have had dogs in the past and would love to have another one if or when my job moves closer to home. I work nights 3 to 4 nights a week, but I have weekends off. I don't have huge hands or feet and can't believe some women actually demand such a thing in their profiles. I am a considerate lover, more interested in pleasing my partner than myself. I'm a normal guy who's in better shape than most of the men my age, in good health with a healthy appetite for cuddling and much, much more. I keep my word when I make a commitment and won't make one that I don't believe I can keep. I don't play games with other people's emotions and I don't lie. If I tell a woman that I won't see anyone but them, then I won't. I love to travel as much as the next person, but to be honest it usually means a nice extended trip once a year on vacation with weekend getaways on and off throughout the year. I'm not religious and probably would not be a good match for someone who is. I can respect your beliefs, but find it hard to play nicely with over zealous Christians. I usually lean more towards women who are spiritual, but not religious or who practice one of those "other" religions. Although I do believe in god, a higher power, universal force or whatever you like to call it, I have grown into my spirituality in a very personal way and get a little bit peeved when someone else tries to tell me what I should believe. Although I have ridden in the past and even sold motorcycles at one point in my life, I don't have one now. Nor do I have a horse, although I enjoy riding them. I enjoy sports on occasion, but I'm not exactly a sports fan. I'd rather play them than watch them. Unlike so many of the profiles I read, I don't really care or NASCAR. Lastly, if there is anything else you want to know all you have to do is ask because I'm honest and candid about myself, including my faults.

If you've read this far and haven't been scared away, I would love to hear from you. Thank you for taking time to learn a little about me.

I would enjoy any activity that allows the time and quiet for us to talk at length and get to know each other. If there is no chemistry then one of us just runs away screaming. (Kidding!) If the chemistry is there then just maybe the date will last a lifetime.