Warning! Clothing Attracts Stinging Insects

It's true.  Clinical studies have proven it.  Okay, okay...there weren't any clinical studies and I'm speaking purely from personal experience.  Yesterday we went to my husband's company picnic.  It's a small outfit and this was their first one.  Lots of food was provided and everyone contributed some sort of dish as well.  It was good to finally get a chance to match faces to the names of folks I've been hearing about since February.  This picnic was held at a place we'd never been to before.  There were nice grounds, two swimming pools, lots of picnic tables and about 10 million yellow jackets.  I think the entire area was built on ancient yellow jacket burial grounds.

My husband did most of the grilling and anyone who's ever had to fend off aggressive, apparently starving yellow jackets knows what a challenge this is.  Trying to actually eat anything without ingesting one is even more so.  Yellow jackets are so vile; they sting for the sheer pleasure of it.  Of course, I got stung on my thigh.  It's a painful sting that makes the surrounding area puff up and turn hard as a rock.  Today the entire site alternately burns, throbs and itches.

We took to the waters, hoping it would bring a little relief.  We were the only adults in the group who did; this is not an aquatic group, I guess.  This, obviously, was not a clothing-optional facility and all in attendance around the pool wore bathing suits.  It was the strangest feeling to be in water with material between it and my skin.  I didn't care for it at all--it was an alien sensation.  This reaction is a major antithesis to what I thought a little over five years ago.  My, how things change.  As I looked around at the people, I couldn't help thinking how much more comfortable they'd be if they were naked.  Even if at no other time, it should be perfectly acceptable everywhere to be naked in or by water.  It makes sense to me but I realize this is because I've become so accustomed to the idea.  Bathing suits do little more than cut a body into separate pieces and some are so scant one wonders what is actually the point of wearing them at all?  It is years of conditioning that deem them necessary to the majority of the population.

I, for one, am so glad I chose to break free from this custom.  I might add, also, I've never been stung by any kind of wasp, hornet or bee in all the times I've been naked outdoors.  I know this isn't a fair rationalization; it was the food that caused the yellow jackets to descend upon us.  It just seemed like such an ironic injustice to be stung while clothed.  I think I'm in need of a trip to the Springs to restore my senses and soothe my soul.

Surprise! The Satyrday Six

For a change of pace (and location), let's pop this favorite weekly indulgence of mine into this journal.  Ready?  Here we go; it's time for~

1. What's your favorite thing to do while indoors?

Couldn't you have said thing(s)?  How to possibly choose just one thing?  One answer would have to be making love with my dearest on a thunderstormy afternoon during a rare period of seclusion from the rest of the world.  More generally speaking, I would have to say my favorite thing is playing on the computer, be it, surfing, IMing, reading journals or adding to my own.

  2. What's your favorite thing to do while outdoors?

No hesitation here.  Favorite outdoor activity is stretched out on the lawn reading or daydreaming, floating in the cool pool or steaming in the hot tub at my favorite hot springs.

3. Do you wear any jewelry regularly?  If so, what and where?

I usually wear a necklace of different shades of small green beads.  I always wear on my right ankle an anklet of connected butterfiles of Mother-of-Pearl given to me by my darling daughter some time ago.  Wear earrings 99% of the time; used to have an awesome collection; currently, slowly but surely, collecting a new one.  And, of course, I always wear my engagement and wedding rings; however, these two items are more of a defining symbol of who and what I am rather than extraneous jewelry.  

 4. You have the choice of spending time alone, with a few close friends, with many friends and aquaintances, or in a large crowd consisting of people you do and don't know.  Which one would make you the most comfortable?

Now, Patrick, this is actually a twofold question.  If I had a choice of spending some time alone, I would always opt for this.  Time to myself has always been precious to me.  The scenario in which I wouldbe most comfortable would be with a few close friends.

5. How many pairs of shoes do you own?

I hate shoes.  I forgot this question was here.  I guess I have, maybe, fourteen that I can recall at this time.  Wear far less; a work pair, sandels, black pumps, slippers in winter and even, I have to admit, an awesome pair of Cinderella-type CFM shoes that I wear maybe once a year.  My job is Not conducive to high heels; you stop wearing them and you're lost forever!

6. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #21 from Jeanno43 and Cherie:   If a fire or other circumstances forced you to leave your home with all of your loved ones and pets -- but only time to rescue one single item, what would you choose to take with you and why?

I would rush back to retrieve a big cardboard box that's full of slides dating from the late 1950's.  After the death of  my parents, I somehow ended up with these and they're a marvelous record of my entire early childhood, young adulthood continuing up to my wedding day.  Through these slides, I can relive those very happy days and for a brief time, my parents are restored to me in a one-dimensional world at least.  They are an irreplaceable treasure to me.

Yes, I also ended up with the slide projector and screen but have no recollection as to how. 

That's all folks! 

Can't We All Just Get Along?

 Last Sunday, my husband and I took ourselves off to the Springs.  We had left a couple of very nice large towels there on my birthday visit and wanted to retrieve them before they were pitched.  We don't usually go there twice within a two-week period but even so, the need was great and we were more than ready to go.  Oh, to visit this place on a weekly basis.

This time, there were quite a few same sex couples.  I found myself observing them a little more than usual.  This was because of something I saw on the way home from work the day before we left.  As I got off the exit ramp that took me into town and home, I passed the long-term parking lot on the south end of town.  I noticed a little police action going on there.  In the second or so as I drove by, my brain registered three images: two defiant, angry looking young men, a female police office and a trashed, gaudily painted vehicle emblazoned with the words:  GAY PRIDE SUCKS.

My thoughts fragmented into a myriad of directions.  I began to wonder why certain people feel so threatened by homosexuals that they consider it their civic duty to wreak havoc in these peoples' lives.  Don't they have enough going on in their own lives to occupy their time?  I also thought, not for the first time, how sorry I was that this particular group confisicated the word "gay" as their own to represent their sexual orientation.  It's always been a word I've enjoyed using and now it's to be avoided at all costs lest someone misinterpret your meaning.  The appropriation of this word is my only complaint regarding this sector of the population.  Couldn't they have chosen another word?  But then, I'd probably be cross about that, too.

Thinking about that vandalized car made me wonder why anyone should feel so much anger and animosity.  I've seen these couples together; they're happy, they love each other.  Isn't that really all that matters in the final analysis?  Homosexualtiy is not something new.  It's been around since the dawn of time; has always been so and will continue to be.  After all, who is to say what is normal and what is not?  Isn't the bottom line loving someone, anyone, and being loved in return by that someone?  Personally, I don't care if an individual wants to love a piano stool.  If both parties are happy, it's okay with me.  This is most definitely so if they're over 21 and doing no harm to anyone.  Remember the phrase, "consenting adults"?

Finally, I thought about the three words that had been defiantly, proudly painted or sprayed on the side of the vehicle:  Gay Pride Sucks.  Imagine taking this hateful, hurtful phrase literally.  Its meaning would become something far and away from the intended message.  This phrase would mean, Happily Excited Group of Lion Cubs Nursing!  Hardly hateful nor threatening; but I doubt that those who intend harm and hatred towards their fellow man are always educated, literal or pragmatic.  I like to think I am all those things. 

These thoughts are simply random musings on my part.  I'm allowed to do this~this is my journal.  Since I left the sin-filled city of San Francisco so many years ago, about the only time I see gay couples is when I go the the Springs.  There are some days we visit when the "boys" seem to be out.  Other times, it's the "girls".  The fact that remains is that they, too, enjoy being with their special someone in a natural state.  It's nice to have such a special place where any couple, whether hetero- or homosexual, can feel safe, comfortable and free from harassment.  The world needs places such as these.  The Springs is such a place. 

Confidential Confidence

 In looking back over past entries, I write in a very casual, blithe manner about being a naturist.  Am I really one of these liberated, uninhibited persons?  In my wildest dreams, I never imagined the day would come in my life when I would join a social gathering wearing nothing more than a smile.  I never thought about or had the desire to be a naturist for the majority of my life.  I was presented with a circumstance that forced my hand somewhat into an introduction to the naturist life.

Granted, it didn't take me long to feel okay with it.  I would have felt a lot more gung ho from the beginning had I felt better about how I looked.  For some time after my baptism of fire, so to speak, I steadfastly maintained that I revisited the state of undress for my husband's sake alone.  At some point something changed for me and I realized this was something I was doing for myself as well, but why?  What do I get out of being a naturist?

I have mentioned previously in other entries the need to feel comfortable and secure to be able to come forth and stand naked among other people.  These people seemed to be supremely confident and happy with themselves.  For a great many years of my life, I lacked confidence in myself.  When I began to experiement with naturism, something very interesting began to happen.  For the first time in my life I felt a sense of empowerment.  I already confessed it was necessary for me to get into better shape physically before I could feel truly comfortable naked.  This is not necessarily so for others I've since met. 

Becoming a naturist caused me to feel a sense of awe towards my female body; more so than I'd ever felt before.  I began to really like the way my body looked.  We're all so critical of ourselves~our own worst enemy.  Adopting a naturist lifestyle has allowed me to grow in terms of self-esteem which has affected other facets of my life.  I am more secure with who I am as an individual.  I've become more vocal and assertive in my workplace.  Naturism has brought these strengths to me.  If I can mingle socially with naked folks, I can do just about anything.  It's a powerful rationalizer.  Admittedly, this is a unique way to acquire these traits but different methods work for different people and the lucky ones are simply born decisive and confident.

It is said that we must love ourselves in order for others to love us.  I believe this to be true.  Naturism makes me feel like a person worthy of love and respect.  It makes me feel more like a member of the family of man than anything I've yet to encounter.

 

Wearing Nothing But A Smile, A Suitless Birthday

What better way to celebrate a birthday than wearing nothing more than your birthday suit for the occasion?  Makes perfect sense to me!

Saturday, August 14th, was my 51st birthday and my husband took me to our special hot springs to spend the day.  It was a wonderful day.  He spent the whole day catering to me.  We whiled away the day together lolling in tubs of warm mineral water, steaming our cares away in the steam room and basking in the dry warmth of the sauna.  Throughout the day he gave me foot rubs, leg massages and congenial pats of affection and appreciation.  Every caress made it quite clear that even though I turned 51 in the chronological sense, my husband continues to regard me as a healthy, attractive, desirable mate.  There's life in this old girl yet!

We had a light lunch to save room and a hearty appetite for dinner.  My husband has become quite an excellent cook over the years and his grilling talents have become legend.  My birthday dinner consisted of grilled kabobs of large shrimp and Ahi tuna pieces marinated in his homemade teriyaki sauce, slices of a homegrown Heirloom tomato dressed with olive oil, rice vinegar and sprinkled with crumbled feta and a loaf of garlic peppercorn bread with warm herbed olive oil in which to dip it.  We shared a festive bottle of  Schmitt Sohne 2002 Riesling, one of my current favorite summer wines, to complete this festive feast.  No birthday celebration is complete without at least the hint of a birthday cake.  At the meal's end I was presented with a Hostess Cupcake.  Perfect.  I don't think I've eaten one of these in at least five years; it'll be another five years before I consider another.

All the while we were enjoying our meal, a lively discussion and genial merriment was coming from several people seated at the table next to us.  A brief moment of blatant eavesdropping informed me that one of the women was celebrating her birthday as well.  Truly, this was a woman who knew one of the best places in the world to celebrate a birthday.

I entered this world naked and unashamed 51 years ago, the very physical result from a loving union between my parents.  I enjoy the fact that I'm currently willing and able to visit available places and return to being naked and unashamed in the prime of my adulthood and glory in that brief element of chance that allowed for my existence on this Earth.  My continued practice of living the life of a naturist is my ongoing gift to myself.  I shall indulge for yet another year.  It was a very happy birthday.

                          

Naturism: Questions and Answers

Are some of you who are reading this vicarious naturists?  I suspect you are.  If so, why?  What's holding you back from at least trying this exhilarating experience--once?  I believe I know many of the reasons and have a response for each of them.

1.  "I could never be naked around other people.  I'm too _______ (fill in the blank) thin, fat, young, old, tall, short, scarred, big, small, flat, busty, etc."

We all come in different shapes and sizes.  Thank God.  We all have our dings and dents and assorted souvenirs of life's experiences.  Those eight or so people that consistently appear on magazine covers aren't as perfect as they seem either.  We'd all look fantastic with someone continually working on our face, body, hair, make-up and if we were perpetually standing in front of a fan to make our hair look "just right".  Come on, people!  This isn't reality!

2.  "I'd feel so uncomfortable without my clothes on".

Of course you would--for about 15 minutes or so.  We all did and once we got past that time frame, it was okay forever after.

3.  "My wife, friend, significant other would never want to do that!"

How do you know?  Did you ever ask?  Are you sure?

4.  "What would my family and friends say if they knew I was doing this?"

If you choose to tell them in the first place, a great many of them would probably think you were a brave, gutsy soul.  Some would be envious and begin to wonder "why couldn't I do that?"  When all's said and done, do you really care?

5.  "Why on Earth would people want to run around without their clothes on in the company of perfect strangers?"

The strangers don't stay "strange" for long and I'm willing to bet you'll discover some of the nicest people you've ever met once you experience a clothing-free environment.  Naturism seems to attract warm, caring, happy people.  They have little else to win you over but a big smile and an innate confidence and pride in being a member of the human race.  It's very refreshing.

I know these things to be true.  Not too long ago, I was asking some of these questions.  It's summertime and warm in most places.  If you're even the wee bit curious about what it would be like to experience the utter freedom of life without the bonds and restrictions of clothing, try it while the thought is still fresh and alive in your mind.  Don't let it become a thought that gets relegated to the back burner of your brain ending up as nothing more than a faded memory of "I wish I had...."

In Search of...Positive Body Self-Image

I grew up in a modest household, not puritanically so but modest just the same.  Like all children, I was curious about how grownups looked undressed, both men and women.  My mother had several nursing textbooks that showed pictures of naked people but since there was always some sort of disease or skin problem being illustrated, these weren't too helpful.

I tried to satisfy my curiosity in the usual manner of kids; a stolen peek at the pages of an unattended Playboy magazine and, of course, art books.  We had lots of these books in my house.  Early on, it struck me that renditions of the female form were definitely more prevalent than male ones.  As for observing male anatomy, all I had to go on for years was a picture of Michaelangelo's statue of David and, frankly, that didn't offer a whole lot of enlightenment.  Once when I was quite young, I walked in on my father unintentionally while he was undressing.  I was out of the room so quickly he didn't even know I'd been there or seen him.  What I did see in that brief moment stayed with me a long time.  I was embarrassed and shocked.  I was also both fascinated and repelled.  Had he known I had seen him, I think my dad would've been embarrassed as well.  Why is this the initial reaction to seeing a naked individual?

I recall a picture of one painting in particular that I found very interesting.  It was of a woman stretched out languidly on a red flowing piece of material alongside a river or stream.  She was relaxed or she may have been asleep and she was completely naked.  Peering out from behind a tree she was lying next to was a rather nasty looking little man.  He was staring at her and the lurid expression on his face clearly showed that his intentions were not honorable.  However, at my young age, I didn't have a clue as to what he might've been thinking.  This picture held my attention for years and it was only a few days ago that the memory of it bubbled up to the surface of my memory.

I recall the woman in the picture as being beautiful with a lovely body.  She was neither slender nor Rubenesque.  She was perfect in my eyes.  I think the look and shape of this female subconciously became my ideal, how I wanted to look when I grew up.  This didn't quite happen!  When I was growing up, I didn't think about it but there's a great deal of mystery about the human body.  Children who grow up in nudist households don't share this curiosity.  To them, the sight of a naked man or woman is as natural as breathing.  The bodies they see are those of ordinary people, not air-brushed perfectly sculpted forms.  This allows acceptance of varied body types as well. 

I'm not quite sure exactly where I'm going with this.  Perhaps if we grew up seeing all sorts of body types and accepting them as normal, there wouldn't be this obsession with extreme weight loss and the constant pressure to try to look exactly how society has deemed we should.  Not many of us have what our current culture calls a beautiful body.  We owe it to our health to try to take care of the bodies we inhabit; so many people don't.

Embracing a naturist lifestyle enables you to see that we all look pretty much alike and I find comfort in that.