Is love still there and can it be found in middle age? Does the expectations change as we get older? Will I ever be caught in thunder and lightning again, or a gentle Spring shower. Will love come and go in my life as a winter drizzle or just a light sprinkle that barely has time to soak in?

A man who would interest me would be intelligent, conversant on a variety of subjects, reliable, confident, takes care of details when doing things. He has expressive eyes and smiles a lot, expresses feelings easily, is sensitive to the needs of others, likes my kids, loves all kinds of music (except rap). He is attentive to my needs as I am to his, and is good in bed. He would not have a shed bigger than his tool, has hair, is fit, looks great in jeans. He would put others' needs first before his own. Does such a man exist?

I say what I want up front, sometimes I'm too outspoken. I cut to the chase, and it saves myself trouble in the end. It's not shallow. At 50+ head games are a waste of time. We should know what we want and how to ask for it. Inevitably burying your true identity leads to resentment at not being able to let your real self and interests show.

Variables that influence a relationship:

Similarity in attitudes,backgrounds, personality traits.
Geographic proximity.
Desirable characteristics of personality and appearance.
Satisfying needs and sexual preferences.
Reciprocal affection.
Readiness for a romantic relationship.
Personal habits: neatness, sloppiness.
Money management.
Shared vision of goals.
Attitudes toward our families.
Feelings about secrets (Do you believe in revealing all or somethings best left alone?)
Attitudes toward former relationship (Are those out of bounds for discussion or are you friendly with the ex?)
Expectations of how things work in a relationship (sharing of chores, finances, family obligations).
Issues we're passionate about.

Nobody's perfect and if you're too moral you cheat yourself out of a lot of life. I reach out to meet all kinds of people, play and laugh, enjoy life. You can't have the world judge you and care too much what people think. People treat us the way we allow ourselves to be treated. As Eleanor Roosevelt said: "No one can make you feel inferior unless you give them permission to do so."

Our society tends to make people feel if they're not joined at the hip with a man, even a lousy man, that something is wrong with them. This forum is an opportunity to meet people from all over the U.S. who would otherwise never enter your life and getting them to talk about themselves. Online romances sometimes work, and Eons has been the impetus to make changes in the status quo of a lot of lives.
Aren't we curious about others? When one stops being curious it's a sign of aging.

I've worked all my life, been thru a tempestuous marriage, raised my kids, and now that I'm alone again I want to learn several languages, travel the world and get a degree in the University of Life.