PastelPeacock

Hello from Cleveland, Ohio, USA!

I am a happily introverted (INFJ for the MBTI folks, Pisces for the astrologists) Gen-X flexitarian feminist who likes city life because I like arts and culture and engaging with people who are different from me.

I like to garden, read, correspond via snail mail, create sketch journals, do crossword puzzles, travel, needlework.

I have a husband, daughter in college, and a cat and dog. Our cat, Mids, is 15 years old. He's a white long-haired, very vocal guy who keeps Pierre, the 5 year old Cavachon pup, in line. Mids came from the shelter with the name - we wonder if he might have been Midas? But he comes when he's called, so we didn't change it. Pierre loves to travel, but hates car rides. He adored taking a dog cruise in Chicago. He goes nuts when he sees an animal on TV, but doesn't care if he sees one in real life. We aren't sure if he knows he's a dog - he likes to go to the dog park and sit on the bench with me and watch the dogs, though.

My family and I have a hard time sitting still on vacation - we like to visit new cities and use public transit to get around. We also care about social justice and enjoy volunteering in our community. I hope to put good into the world and I'm pretty accepting and can find common ground with all kinds of people.

Regina Spektor, The Pogues, The Kinks, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, the Great American Songbook & showtunes, most jazz, especially gypsy swing and bebop, classic rock & older punk

I collect cookbooks. Classics and books with female protagonists. Mysteries and spy novels. I tend to need prompts to pick new fiction, so I count on my book club and suggestions from friends. Not a book, but enjoy reading The New Yorker every week.

Hopeless romantic who loves old Hollywood and quirk, especially Wes Anderson. My daughter is named after the movie Amelie and I watch It's a Wonderful Life and cry every winter.

I love living in the golden age of binge watching. I'm a sucker for a costume drama - Downton Abbey, The Crown, Mad Men, Mrs. Maisel. SNL & stand-up. Flowers, IT Crowd, Father Ted, Ted Lasso, The Americans. Anthony Bourdain and Julia Child. British Baking and Nailed It in all languages (C'est du Gateau!).

Upcycling fabric and unfinished needlepoint that I find in thrift stores. Mainly hand sewing, though I love my machine. Crochet & knit in the winter or if a baby blanket is needed.

I keep sketch journals and junk journals. Carve stamps and dabble in print making. I paint, mainly with watercolor & gouache.

I like mail art in addition to collecting postcards and writing letters. I enjoy language learning.

Francophile - I spent 3 days in Paris this year and try to pretend I am still there as much as possible while I plot my return.

Kawaii and what the kids these days call light academia

Gardening, especially roses, but I adore flowers and all things floral. Also count on my houseplants and aerogarden to get me through the long Cleveland winters. Fond of birds, bees, butterflies, elephants, peacocks, bunnies and cats and dogs.

The only food I don't care for is cooked bell peppers - I won't sign up for the bell pepper swap!

I love coffee, tea, and chocolate and gummy candy. Favorite teas are black and earl grey, rose, hibiscus. I enjoy dry wines and gin cocktails.

I'm trying my best and will assume you are as well, so promise to extend grace to all swap partners. It's all about sharing a piece of ourselves as best we can - I am delighted with anything folks take the time to send. (Except cooked bell peppers - pass those along to someone will appreciate them, please!)

Peace, Elise