Hawkmistress

I am a 64 year old native Floridian who traveled abroad a lot in her younger years. Circumstances brought me home to the Tampa Bay area in 1976 and I've been here ever since. I live with my 6 cats, have a family of choice living nearby in addition to my only brother. I have one daughter who is a surgeon but lives in another state. We have formed a small group working to weather the coming hard times. I have been a Buddhist for 40+ years and have been studying Wicca for the past 4 years. I have been told I have tremendous magical power. However, I seldom do spells as I am very cautious. I belong to a small group of Wiccans and other witches. I am hoping to continue to grow although I am an old grey haired woman. I am a spiritual seeker and am interested in many spiritual paths.I read a lot rather than watching TV. Mostly science fiction and fantasy. Never go anywhere without a magazine or book because I hate to waste time. This way if I'm stuck somewhere I can read. Generally read a book a day if its fiction. Of course I read lots of non fiction as well but much more slowly. Subscribe to an eclectic variety of magazines like Clamor, Ad-Busters, Utne, Left Turn and lots of self-sufficiency magazines. I literally have thousands of books.Music is very important to me. I listen to music constantly and I doubt many my age would care for some of the music I love. Also, I love pottery and plan to start making my own pottery. Art. Art. Art!!! is so important in my life.I really hate politics but I am very political. I guess I could be called an Anarchist although when I was 21 I registered as a Democrat. Don't care much for the powers that be or those folks who want total control over our lives. I am involved in the Human Rights movement and have been most of my life. I am an anti-war peacenik. I don't mince words and love political debates. I also take part in anti war protests. I'm easily identifible as last year I shaved my head in solidarity with political prisoners in our jails.I am interested in urban permaculture as I believe it is important to live as lightly as possible on the land. I live on a 100' x 125' lot in a small town and I am trying to create an urban homestead. I am trying to become as self sufficient as possible. I garden. Can't stand very many days without digging in the dirt(delayed childhood I guess). I have gardened for many years as it is great for the mind and body. I have planted lots of different fruit trees, herbs, and grape vines. I've built raised beds for vegetables. I have 4 little hens to provide me with fresh eggs. Working on a grey water system. Already have rain barrels with rain chains.I live very simply. Being debt free creates personal freedom. Refuse to own electronic toys other than my computer & cd player. For entertainment I have the outdoors, my garden, books, music and my friends. I just hate Television as it dumbs down the mind.I have been trying to find other local people to form a loose community which would help each other in hard times. It's better to form these communities of like minded folks before the TSHTF so you can know how reliable they will be. The unfortunate thing is that most people of like mind live further away than I would like.I hope this gives you a visual picture of who I am.