I am hoping to meet a woman interested in a serious relationship leading to marriage. That said, I'm not in a hurry, but eager to exchange emails with like-minded women and move on to a casual meeting if we seem compatible. While I'm not currently in a position to make long-term commitments, it's certainly not for fear of commitment, and I am ready to lay a foundation --start building a relationship. It would truly be a comfort to find a dear friend during what's likely to be a very difficult period.

I was married for a long, long time. So I know nothing of dating life. But I know myself pretty well (having spent lots of time together and all) and can say these things: I'm a one woman man; I crave intimacy (no, that's not code for sex); I'm sincere, honest, communicative, warm and affectionate, smart, creative, more emotional than the average bear, and funny as all hell.

My one out-of-the-ordinary requirement(hope?): Appreciation for classical music. It needn't be your favorite like it is mine, but if you can't stand it we're probably not a fit. I also love latin music, and though I don't dance... I could really see myself trying latin pair dancing with my lady love's encouragement.

Things I find interesting and/or fun: table tennis; vegetable gardening; board and card games (Bridge, anyone?); cooking; home projects; computers; ferocement (what's that? Ask!).

Favorite movies: Emma, Somewhere in Time, Saving Private Ryan, Sense and Sensibility, Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Wait Until Dark, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jump Tomorrow, Lord of the Rings, Time Rider. I'd like thrillers more, but get annoyed when the bad guys turn dumb or soft near movie's end, just in time for the spectacular finale. Notice the one thriller/suspense movie listed, "Wait Until Dark": Whatever else you can say for Harry Roat Jr, he stayed a nasty evil **stard throughout.

Something casual, affording a chance to talk and become familiar with each other. Ice cream and a walk? What we do doesn't matter so much, as long as it doesn't get in the way of getting acquainted.