Most of my friends and family make requests, which saves me the guesswork. I have requests this year for 3 paintings, 2 photo shoots, a sculptur from my studio and a dozen various knitting projects. Anyone who didn't make their request yet, gets a walnut basket or socks.

When I was younger, there were times I didn't realize my failures in relationships until after the fact, in some cases even until years later. Older and more experienced now, I know everything and never make mistakes.

Ok, I can still screw up in relationships all the time.

My home is always spotless, with the exception of my work studio. I once tried to straighten it and couldn't find a thing for two weeks. The proper place for things in there is simply OUT!

Yes, it's true. They require more foot powder.

A photograph of my shadow on the beach maybe?

Depending on how it's said, I think it sometimes comes of as either flirty or condesending. Depending on the situation, it may not be crystal clear so why make someone guess what that term means to YOU?

Also,

I know some consider it a term of endearment, but there's a rule I use to determine if endearment is appropriate. Consider this...if you don't know someone well enough to be sure they will like it, then it may not seem appropriate to them.

I've seen the thread about relationships that started here, but I'm currious about friendships.

Who here has forged true and long standing friendships from this site.

Tell me your friendship experiences.

Too many things to list, but some of the best are:

The perfect photo opportunity...especially after a dry spell
Making my baby niece giggle
A warm blanket straight from the dryer on a cold night
Sitting by the fireplace and watching it snow out the window
A good book under a shade tree
A picnic by a stream on a perfect spring day
Being the last one on the slopes, so I can glide down enjoying the kind of serenity that only a deserted snowscaped mountain can produce.

Of the greatest importance!

I believe this also counts for open and honest communication.

I choose honesty for my main ingredient and hope it brings out the flavor of all the others, so to speak.

What is the most important ingredient in a relationship to you and why?

I would first need proof of an iron clad garantee, with a time frame of how long this peace would last and some way to inforce it after I'm gone...then yes.

I agree with Gossip...don't think I'd have any attraction to my opposite to start with.

They say that certain singles activities, if done too often, can make you go blind.

Sounds like you've been through the ringer!

I'm impressed that you still have the optimism to be out there actively looking for someone after all that. I think that says you're a fighter...so just keep fighting your fight because persistence always wins, right?

I would not let anyone force my decisions with their opinions...but I can't say that it wouldn't hurt if they couldn't get along.

I am fortunate that I can do my job from any location in the world.

But if I had to choose for any other reason, it would be a tough one because I've had a 25 year love afair with my job already.

Once someone is divorced the "forsaking all others" thing is null along with the marriage.

As a romantic, I like the idea of a marriage "until death" but know realistically that we live in an age where life is not that simple.

I was more intending to exert the extremes in my statement, that "forsaking all others" leaves no wiggle room for dating.

I would replace the "until death do you part" with, "at least until you're legaly released from your vows".

I don't expect people to be shackled for life by mistakes that (most of the time) they could not fortell, but mistakes can be mended and I would not date someone until it was completely mended.

No, I would not date someone before they were divorced is the bottom line.