Orchid, thank you for your reply.
What is a "hybrid," bike? I'm not afraid of gears and did ride a bike with gears when I was much younger, I'm sure they have changed by this time.

There are bike shops here, (tons by the way, there are SO many bikers in AZ,) that sell reconditioned bikes and new bikes. I can go in and try some of them and remember all those fitting facts you gave me. Perhaps I will write them down. I DON'T want arms strain so can you tell me how to avoid that? You said the handle bars need to be the length of my shoulders? I have wide shoulders.

Should my foot be FLAT on the ground when standing on the bike?

Sine this is the desert, the tires need to be a bit more tough than some I see the really experienced bikers who go out on rides in clubs for the weekend. Do the bikes you are describing have such tires? I just don't know what a hybrid is...

Thank you,

Dancer