Who am I: progressive, politically informed, environmentalist, feminist who believes in social justice and equality for all.

My interests: I read a lot - some fiction and lots of non-fiction. Recently read books include "The Secret History of American Empire" by Perkins, "Worse than Watergate" by John Dean, and "Animal, Vegetable, Mineral" by Kingsolver. I love great music including folk, rock, bluegrass, world beat -all kinds (and maintain that U2 is the best band since the Beatles, lol). I tend toward independent films and love smartly done documentaries. I enjoy ethnic food and cook and eat primarily vegetarian but I've been known to cheat. While I enjoy a meal out, or going to a lecture, play or concert, I am also a homebody and love to cook with/for someone, cuddle on the couch and watch a movie, or read and listen to music.

I live simply compared to most of our culture and believe in the concept of leaving a small footprint. I enjoy hiking, walking and have been known to roller blade. I feel at home and closer to a sense of the divine any time I am in nature.

I am Buddhist in my outlook and try to focus on staying present, cultivating compassion, tolerance, and peace. I am very much a work in progress, and fall short of my goals many times a day. My background is a combination of Presbyterian and Judaism, so I am a spiritual "mutt". I happen think I was born fine the first time, so if you are an evangelical or a fundamentalist anything we wouldn't be a good match.

As serious as I sound, I am also playful, fun and funny and my ideal partner is as well...you have to find time to play and laugh in this troubled world if you are going to refuel and have the energy to make a difference with your life.

In a relationship I am loyal, faithful, nurturing and compassionate and passionate. I want a partnership where we are allies and support one another, valuing our differences as much as our similarities. I don't need a partner, but having mastered being alone, I am open to finding someone with whom to share the journey.

I am also looking for a meeting of the minds, someone who turns me on because of the quality of the conversation. We would be able to talk about anything, life, politics, philosophy, literature, whatever our varied or mutual interests might stir us to dissect and share.

I am a casual kind of woman who wears minimal make up and jeans and t-shirts most days, but can dress for the occasion. If you want a "slender" woman I must admit that the term hasn't really applied to me in recent years. At the moment I am focused on exercising and eating to take off the unwanted pounds but I will always have soft womanly curves. I'm not perfect, but parts of me are quite excellent!

I am hoping to meet someone available to date and eventually if we click, for a partner; someone who is self-aware to some degree, is working on his own personal growth as I am, and who knows that an intimate relationship takes work. But it is so worthwhile because after all, along with protecting this beautiful planet, I think the greatest thing we can do the short time we are here is to learn how to truly open our hearts and love.

If you want someone who smiles a lot, lives fully in the moment, who will challenge and excite you...I could be that person.

There are a few additional caveats: I prefer a nonsmoker, no active alcoholics or drug users, and no bigots (sexism, racism, homophobia, etc.). We have to be compatible in terms of core values so if you voted for Bush and don't deeply regret it or if you support the right wing agenda for our country we aren't going to be a match. I'm also not a fan of hunting for sport, Nascar, or ATVs in wilderness, but I am flexible on most other things and don't expect I will share all of my partners activities.

By the way, I'm passionate about most things...could you tell. But, I have a tender heart and a very gentle and feminine side. I hold strong views but respect others (unless they are expressing intolerance in which case, I am intolerant of intolerance, lol).

I'll close with a favorite lyric by Canadian folk-rocker Bruce Coc*burn (that's a silent k where the * is):
"Say what you will, there's no snake oil or pill, can make love less painful or fine. There's no theater, even of the absurd, can express what goes on in this meeting of hearts and minds."

Lot's of possibilities:
1. Take a stroll through the Botanical Garden or at Forest park
2. Meet at a bookstore for coffee and conversation
3. Go to a neighborhood joint for a glass of wine or a brew

Any of the above or things I haven't thought of! The key is to get a sense of the other person and whether the energy between you feels good. Let's face it, we can all describe our characteristics, likes and dislikes, but in the end it is the ineffable experience of how it feels to be in a room with the other person that makes the difference. Not just the physical, although that spark has to be there, but also how the conversation flows and whether there is the sensation of your heart opening to possibility.