Joined Couch Surfing as of 2020 have hosted but disappointed that I have not had anyone respond yay or nay to my hosting requests.

I grew up on a cattle ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills which has been in our family since 1909. I worked 33 years in Nebraska public libraries now an active volunteer with my local political party, and other causes worthy of my time including US Servas (nonprofit which promotes peace through open doors traveling and hosting with 100 other participating countries, members provide references and are interviewed before being accepted) and Alternatives to Violence Project Omaha working with incarcerated. I love to attend music festivals, camp and swim.

Meaningful travel exploration and cultural exchange experiences has been a highlight of my life. The best experiences have been through the nonprofits Servas and New Community Project. My friends consider me to be a good travel companion and I am honored by this. I am taking Ukulele lessons and play with a group of musicians, and jam with Great Plains Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association, sing with the Omaha Folk Song Society and Omaha Shapenote group.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have been an adventurer since hitchhiking solo in Europe in 1979 and was encouraged by friend Leena to give CS a try. I’ve been disappointed in zero response rate to my CS hosting requests and seeing profiles of members still visible who have not been active for a decade or more! What??? I would love to meet some hosts!

As for me - I try to respond quickly to requests I receive but am frequently not hosting as I myself am off traveling but set my profile accordingly. We are also in the Great Plains, a part of the US that is only on the radar of the most adventurous travelers and in the suburbs of Omaha our most populous city so we do not get many host requests. So what are you waiting for? Come Check us out!

Interests

Reproductive Rights, Prison Reform, Music Festivals, Civic Engagement, Meaningful Slow Travel, Ukulele, Singing, Family Lore

• music festivals
• civil rights
• baking
• yoga
• folk music
• swimming
• genealogy
• ukulele
• social justice
• bicycling
• local history
• peace
• bluegrass
• spanish language
• blues music
• jam bands
• newgrass
• shape note singing
• sandhills

Music, Movies, and Books

Mostly music…. My husband and I attend the Omaha Symphony and Lincoln Association For Traditional Arts concerts and belong to the Omaha Blues Society. I love Blues, Bluegrass, Folk, Jazz, Jam Band and most live and local music of which we are blessed. I like attending local music festivals favorites are Power and Progress and Greenbelt. I play ukulele with a group of musicians and attempting penny whistle.

Movies…..documentaries especially pertaining to civil rights or biographical, Masterpiece Theatre on PBS.

Books…. I started collecting books about the Nebraska Sandhills -largest contiguous prairie in the world during the pandemic.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was at the Sweet Home Blue Chicago club and struck up a conversation with Willie Kent (unbeknownst to me Chicago blues legend), who invited me to go with his band to a private party in Chicago where they were special guests joining another blues band on stage. The seas parted when he arrived and it was then I realized how well regarded this musician was! He dropped me off at my hotel and gave me a CD then reading the liner notes I knew I had been in the presence of a blues legend. It was a once in a lifetime very serendipitous and very memorable occasion for me that simply came about from saying hello and having a conversation.

Teach, Learn, Share

I know a little bit about a lot of things.

I love Baking, trying new recipes and foods and spirits and cocktails so can teach you how to make scones or a Sezarac Cocktail.

Fact Checking ( a librarian thing). Advice-use your critical thinking skills.

Delving into local history and family genealogy and stories.

I have an account on iNaturalist so can help you identify plants and animals.

What I Can Share with Hosts

We have a guest bed room queen bed with an attached bathroom. You will need your own wheels as there is no public transportation.

IWe have a beautiful little downtown Papillion nearby about 2 miles away and there are rental bikes for exploring our many bike paths.

We have several good breweries, good places to eat, as well as local sites to explore :

Omaha Zoo (rated #1 or #2 in nation)
Luminarium
Durham Museum
Joslyn Art Museum, (free)
Kaneko
Bemis
Hot Shops
Boys Town
Malcolm X Memorial Foundation,
Great Plains Black History Museum
Fontenelle Forest (hiking trails)
North Omaha Music and Arts
Union for Contemporary Art
NCAA Men’s College World Series (June)

We can make meals together.

We have a 6 toed calico cat Emma who loves to play ball and snuggle.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Bahamas, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Gibraltar, India, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom, United States