Naked Snow Angels :)

 Naked Snow Angels

Naked Snow Angels…
Almost Everyone has made a Snow Angel at some point in their life.
But not everyone has had the joy of making one naked.

I was one of those who had never before experienced the feeling of naked in the snow for most of my life. That changed when I was almost 30.

For the first twelve years of my life, I thoroughly enjoyed the freedoms and joys of naked enjoyment. But from the time I was twelve, I mostly went into hiding my body. Even with all the naked freedom I had been taught as a child, for some odd reason nobody ever encouraged me to feel the wonder of snow while naked. Then from the age of twelve, there was no way I would have even entertained the idea. (you can read my blog about “The joys of naked as A Child, then Lost” here: http://enterwithanopenmindorclosedeyes.blogspot.com/2011/09/joys-of-naked-as-child-then-lost.html  And you can read about my “Coming out of the (naked) Closet” here: http://enterwithanopenmindorclosedeyes.blogspot.com/2011/09/coming-out-of-naked-closet.html

~! NAKED ALERT !~
Some of the photos in this blog show Me Nekkid! (because it is kinda hard to not have nekkid photos when illustrating Naked Snow Angels)
If you have a problem with naked, you have three options:
1- You can choose to not look.
2- You can choose to look with an open mind, or with closed eyes.
3- You can choose to scroll past the photos and only read the text.
Perhaps you are not sure if you have a problem with seeing someone simply naked enjoying life, in a non-sexual manner. That is ok, too! You are more than welcome to find out here if you are Ok with it. (Nobody will know you were here, and you don't have to tell anybody.) Finding out what is comfortable for you is easiest when done in a safe place. I guarantee nothing I post will ever be considered unsafe, illegal, or even remotely obscene. All of my stuff is always family-friendly, and often just plain funny.
The Nakedness does not show up until far into the story... so you can read most of the story before the nekkid pics show up. I'll post another Nekkid Alert just before ya get to anything revealing, so ya can cover your eyes if ya want...

Now, before I tell you how I happened to end up naked in the snow, let me fill you in on a couple of details that led to this. When I met Cara in 1995, we instantly became best of friends. (I write quite extensively about her role in finally coming out of the naked closet in the above mentioned blog.) Many times we would be someplace together, and the topic of skinny dipping would come up. We would say that “If we ever decided to do that, we would do it together.” Then when it would snow, or the topic of snow came up we would say “If we ever would go naked in the snow, or make naked snow angels, we would do it together.” Cara worked in the one-hour film developing center at PayLess (later became Rite Aid), and I always took my film to her for developing. I trusted her with my pictures, and she always did a wonderful job with them. Another perk of having her develop my pictures was that often she was not with me on my adventures, and this was how I could easily share the joys with her, even when we could not get together for long lengths of time. Often she would leave notes tucked in amongst my pictures… making comments, expressing joy, or even jealousy about having not been included on an adventure. She loved living my adventures through the photos, and also knew she was the very first to ever see them! She knew she was special, and she knew how important we were in each others’ lives.

In 1998, I was still very much hiding my body, and would never have considered being naked in any place where I might be seen, or even take pictures of such an event. That is what makes this even more of a mile-stone:

My Tracker... topless in January 1998

This was in Death Valley

In January 1998, I was driving home to Portland, Oregon from a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. I had mapped-out a scenic journey from Vegas back to Portland. This led me through some serious mountain driving in the snowiest part of the winter. I had a Geo Tracker which had proven unstoppable in deep snow. This was an incredible little vehicle!
I was prepared for any condition that may come my way, and had several routes planned in case the weather turned bad. On my way to Vegas, The entire state of Oregon was in a Blizzard, and a solid sheet of ice for driving. I had chains for all four wheels, and new tires, too. Fortunately, on the trip home, the weather was clear. When I left Vegas, it was early in the morning, and chilly. I knew I was headed out across Death Valley, so I took the top down on my Tracker. I drove with the top off enjoying the cold January wind, and sunshine while driving in the daylight. It was such a spectacular, beautiful drive! I could marvel at all the magnificent mountains, the sky, the clouds, the vast desert, and the fresh air. I dressed in my ski clothes, so I was never cold. Because it was January, it got dark early in the mountains, so I closed up the top, and kept going.

As I crossed the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the darkness, it was a magical night! The road I chose to travel was easy to drive in the summer, and I was about to find out how treacherous it was in the winter after a heavy storm. I expected the worst, and even expected I would have to turn back after a couple of hours. The road had been packed snow before the storm, but hardly traveled since the snow fell the previous day. The gates were not closed, but the signs made it clear that it was not maintained, and four-wheel drive and chains were mandatory. No Problem, I could do that! My Tracker proved to be wonderful in the deep snow! The firm, packed road was about 18-inches below the fluffy stuff. Without chains, I was able to keep going without any difficulty. At times, the snow that my bumper was pushing was above the headlights, but I hardly needed the lights. The glow of the stars, and moon were so bright on a fresh-blanket of snow! After two hours, I finally saw another vehicle going the other way. That one was a very large pickup fully chained, and struggling to hold it straight. We slowed as we passed each other, gave each other a wave, and kept going.

Needless to say, that after all this time, I needed to make a nature-call! Well, here I was in the absolute middle of where not a single person to be seen for miles and miles. Did I just stop and go right there? Nope. Like I said before, I was still not open about the possibility of anyone ever seeing me… even going pee… nope! I always found a secluded spot. So, what did I do? I found a side-road, and drove up it. I did not go far, just enough that if any other vehicles drove down the main road, they would not see me.

It turned out that this little road ended right where I had stopped anyhow. But it was almost like it had invited me there! I had found what seemed like a small perfect circle opening in the trees. It was almost a perfect circle. The trees stood tall like sentinel guards all around, and it seemed like a perfect, shallow bowl in nature. I had driven just to the edge of it, and was in awe! The snow that had fallen was deeper here, because there were no trees above. I left my motor running, but turned off the lights, and just stood in awe. I walked to where the trees were to make some yellow snow, and was quite surprised to find that once bits and parts were exposed to the night air that it was not at all cold! (Anyone who has ever needed to pee in the snow knows all too well how fast bits will shrivel and retreat, almost making it impossible to function in those conditions) I was amazed that it actually felt comfortable exposed to the winter!

For unknown reasons, and without even any thought, I stripped off all my clothes, and frolicked, danced, and totally lost myself in the pure nature I had found myself suddenly in. It was the most pure, peaceful place I had ever experienced. There was not a sound to be heard for miles. The stars were the brightest I had ever seen, and that snow was the softest, fluffiest, and was not even wet! I was absolutely in Heaven!

At the edge of the naturally-formed perfect bowl, the snow had formed a slight incline that was just perfectly inviting for a flop, face-first into the snow! Yup, I just put my arms out, and fell forward into that wonderful pure soft fluffy blanket of snow! It was so soft and fluffy that it was like falling into a pile feathers without ever hitting bottom. I sank in about a foot deep. Then I just stayed there a moment and soaked up all the joy. Needless to say, I made a mess of the perfect imprint when I climbed out. But I still was not cold, or even very wet! I knew I needed to make a perfect-imprint without messing it up. So, I went and got one of my shovels. Then I went to another spot that was untouched, planted my shovel into the snow next to it, and flopped-in again, face-first. Then I grabbed the shovel-handle and pulled myself upright without disturbing the imprint. Then I moved over a few feet and did the same thing backwards. I had made two absolutely perfect body-imprints in the snow!! I was just thrilled that I had been able to do this, and the thought of creating angel-imprints had never occurred to me. These imprints were amazing, and I could not believe that they actually showed a perfect mold of my naked body! I ran back and got my camera. Then I went and took pictures of each imprint. I took pictures of the magical area I was in. But I did not take any pictures of myself… no way! I was still totally hiding any sign of nakedness! But the fact that I actually took pictures of my perfect-naked-imprints actually blew me away.

I was still amazed that I was not at all cold! I went and flopped into the snow again, face-up this time, and stayed there totally marveling at how wonderful this was! I watched the starry sky, and the snowy tall trees in a perfect circle all around where I lay. All this time I had wished Cara was on this trip with me, so we could enjoy the naked snow together. I knew she would see the pictures, but I wished she could have enjoyed it with me! I was still totally naked, and then I noticed the snow actually had a warming effect. I was staring to understand how a snow-cave could actually keep you warm. I stayed there for quite a while. Then suddenly, I could hear the sound of a vehicle coming up the road from miles and miles away. I knew that vehicle was at least ten minutes from where I was, but I instantly hurried and got dressed, and drove out of there. After a few minutes of driving, I came upon that vehicle coming toward me. This one flashed their lights signaling me to stop. I did. It turned out this was a State Trooper patrolling the roads. (At that moment I was very glad I was dressed!) He pulled up next to me to chat. He had me stop just to inquire how I was and if everything was alright. We chatted a bit about the road, and conditions. He was surprised I had come through with no chains, but easily accepted the fact that I clearly knew what I was doing. I told him where I had pulled-off so that when he got to that point he would not be concerned about having to see where stray tracks went. (I did not tell him about being naked.) He assured me the road ahead would be no problem for me, and we went our own ways. Ironically, I had to chain-up once I got on the main roads again… because there was no snow, just ice. I traveled that night as far as Medford, Or, and stayed at my Dad’s until morning when the highway would be clear again.

When I got back to Portland, the first thing I did was take my film to Cara for developing. Normally, she would just leave notes with the pictures, or wait to talk with me when I picked them up. This time, she called me immediately! The first thing she said was, ”You were naked in the snow without me!” After we talked a bit, she confessed that she likely would not have gotten naked anyhow. And in all likeliness, I would not have either if she was there. She absolutely loved the detail the pictures captured of the imprints… and I was absolutely mortified that I had actually taken those pictures. They did show every detail, and I might as well have just been in the picture myself. I do not recall what ever happened to those pictures.

That first time naked in the snow planted a seed that would forever make me want to be naked in nature as much as possible. It would take many more years until I was truly willing to be naked where anyone might actually see me. Many times I was in snow, and wished I would screw-up the courage to go naked, but I never would. Finally in 2005, I did it again. That was almost seven years later! I was in Virginia, and it snowed. I had already gotten used to be outside nekkid, and my neighbors totally accepted me, and hardly even blinked. (you can read about how that came about in my blog “Oops! I Forgot to Put Clothes On!”: http://enterwithanopenmindorclosedeyes.blogspot.com/2011/12/oops-i-forgot-to-put-clothes-on.html
The first time it snowed at my home in Virginia, I got up while it was still dark out, and went outside to play in it. I danced, I frolicked, I was as happy as I had been that one time so long ago! I had finally found the freedom and joy I had refused to allow myself to experience! I took one picture of myself while I was dancing in the parking lot. Then, I noticed my feet were turning numb. I ran inside, and put on socks, boots, and a hat and scarf. Then I went running down the hill, and played, danced and frolicked naked in the soccer field not far away. I did not take my camera, but I made dozens of Naked Snow Angels all over that soccer field! I was so totally excited to finally have broken the chains that held me locked-up and hiding my body! I was totally freezing my Butt off (and other parts, too!) but I was so thrilled at my joy and freedom, I did not care. Besides, I knew I could go jump in the warm shower as soon as I got back home.

Then I heard giggling, laughter, joy, and just good clean playful fun from the surrounding dorms and homes. This was smack in the middle of a college, so there were houses, dorms, and other buildings all around. I did not care. This neighborhood had already proven to be safe, comfortable, accepting, and free. I was about a quarter-mile from my own home, and did not bring a single thing for cover, or warmth. When I found where the laughter was coming from, I saw there were kids doing the exact same thing I was. (I say 'Kids' because to me, they were kids, but they were actually young adults) By the time I was so numb and cold that I had to go back home for warmth, There were many of the kids coming outside, and onto the field… some naked, some in pajamas, and others totally bundled in coats. As I came to my building, there were two of my neighbors on their own balconies who had been watching me the whole time. (They were each wearing only a blanket, and enjoying the snow in their own way.) They were laughing, and saying how wonderful it was to see me so free! This was The Absolute best neighborhood!

After my shower, I went back outside, still completely naked, but with my camera to take pictures of my snow angels… but the entire field had been made a mess by all the kids. There were now hundreds of people of all ages from all the surrounding neighborhoods gathered in this one soccer field to play in the snow. Not a single one of them cared that others were naked. I enjoyed that so many people were safe, comfortable,and happy. Because I could not get good pictures of my snow angels, I walked back up the hill, got dressed, and drove around exploring all the winter wonderland. I stopped several times that morning and made naked snow angels in the farm-country I was exploring. Each time, I was not far from farm-houses, so I hurried to get dressed and move on again… but smiled knowing when they came out, they would discover naked snow-angel prints in their yards.

I got many more wonderful snow days naked while in Virginia!

Then In 2007, I moved back to Oregon. Much to my surprise, I ended up living with people who actually enjoyed and encouraged my nekkidness! (They also enjoyed learning the joys of nekkidness... they just were not as willing to do it as publicly as I was, and usually stayed behind the camera while photographing me in my joy!) 

OK... If Ya Don't Wanna see Nekkidness, Cover your Eyes Now...
~Naked Alert!~ The following pics show Me Nekkid.
If you do not wanna see Me Nekkid, cover your eyes.
If you aren't sure... look with an open mind. :)
Don't Blame Me if You suddenly burst out laughing, smiling, and having fun, though! ~=:-)
Much to my joy and surprise, this was when I was first able to BE an actual Naked-Snow-Fairie! Hehe (just look at the picture, then you will understand.)

Yup! I am not afraid to be a Fairie... and a Snow Fairie at that!
(the funniest thing was my housemates were more surprised that I would actually do this...
...and even more surprised when I was willing to allow them to photgraph me, too!)

The teenage girl who was also living there took much delight in fitting me in her purple and black Fairie-wings, and then was thrilled that I would actually allow photos to be taken.

Yup, Of course, I made a Naked Snow Angel, too!

Yup! It was really Really COLD! But it was Sooo Worth it! :)

Then I ran inside and took a nice hot shower! After I was thoroughly warmed again, and the snow had been falling more, I went back out and played, and danced, and frolicked in the joy of falling snow!

Then, of course, once the snow had piled really deep, I just had to sit in it!

AIGH! Yeah, it was a bit... ummm, of a shock.... but something you just gotta experience!

Yup, it was COLD!! This snow and weather was much different than the very first time! But it was still an experience I had to do!  By the next morning, we had over 8-inches, but There was no more playing in it, because it also had turned to solid ice. Snow against the naked skin is wonderful, but Ice is not. Ice cuts, scrapes, and hurts. I still enjoyed it, but just not actually with bare skin in contact with it. It snowed for several days, and we had well-over a foot, and it was frozen solid! I spent as much time outside naked in that snow as possible. I even spent Christmas day out there next to my fire! The absolute best way to spend a Christmas Day!

Then, I finally got a chance to make a Naked Snow angel while I was at work one day!! It started snowing, and by early afternoon many people had decided to leave work early. I waited for the snow to accumulate enough that I could actually make an effective Naked Snow Angel.

The most perfect accidental clothing...
I did not purposely cover myself with the scarf in either of these photos.
It just happened to fall in that position in each shot!

And the best part was, It was My Boss that took the pictures! I was out there for about ten minutes naked, then many more of the employees decided to leave for the day, and came out just after I got dressed. Some of my coworkers knew I was gonna do this, but did not know when. I had to just take the opportunity when it happened, so I could not run in and tell those who wanted to watch. Some expressed disappointment at not being able to come and watch, or take their own photos.

Last year, I got to make Naked Snow Angels, Play, Frolic, and Dance in Enumclaw, Washington.

The best part of the naked snow time in Enumclaw, was that finally someone was willing to join me! Anita totally got nekkid, played,and danced with me in the snow... and allowed her picture to be taken, too!

At least the last memory I created of playing nekkid in the snow before moving to Vegas was one I would cherish forever! This time with Loved ones was equally as wonderful as the very first time so long ago!

This year, I am in Las Vegas, and January is almost over. It would seem I will not get to make any Naked Snow Angels this winter.

I have been able to play naked in the snow every year since 2005. I miss it this year.
I have no doubt that I will be able to make more Naked Snow Angels...but I just gotta get out of Vegas to do so! Perhaps Anita will decide to join me the next time, too...

I often hear people say “no way” or “that’s crazy”, or some other thing like that about naked in snow. I try and tell them how wonderful it is, and they usually do not believe me. I think it is a feeling everyone needs to feel for themselves, and until they actually do, they will never know what they are missing.

One thing I can tell them without any doubt is that it is The Absolute Purest way to feel Heaven while on Earth. My recommendation to you: If you decide you wish to try this, be plenty warm before you strip-off your clothes. Play fast, then get warm, and dry again as fast as possible. If you are not frozen, stay and play some more. Feel the nature. Experience Nature. Take some pictures, because you may not get the opportunity again, and it is worth it. Do it alone, or with a friend… or in a group! Any way you do it, just be sure and try it at least once before you die. You will not be sorry.

If it is snowing where you are, WHY Have You Not Gotten Nekkid in It Yet??
Hope you have a wonderful snow play-day! Enjoy it for me, will ya? JOn~=:-)

The Smell of Rain, (Or Heaven Scent)

The Smell Of Rain… Or Is IT?

This is a true story.

THE SMELL OF RAIN

A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was still groggy from surgery. Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news.

That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Caesarean to deliver the couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing. At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound and nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature.

Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs. "I don't think she's going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could. "There's only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one".

Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Dana would likely face if she survived. She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on.

"No! No!" was all Diana could say. She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four. Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away.

Through the dark hours of morning as Dana held onto life by the thinnest thread, Diana slipped in and out of sleep, growing more and more determined that their tiny daughter would live and live to be a healthy, happy young girl.

But David, fully awake and listening to additional dire details of their daughter's chances of ever leaving the hospital alive, much less healthy, knew he must confront his wife with the inevitable.

David walked in and said that we needed to talk about making funeral
arrangements.
Diana felt so bad for him because he was doing everything to try to include
her in what was going on, but she just wouldn't listen, She couldn't listen. She said, "No, that is not going to happen, no way! I don't care what the doctors say. Dana is not going to die! One day she will be just fine, and she will be coming home with us!"

As if willed to live by Diana's determination, Dana clung to life hour after hour, with the help of every medical machine and marvel her miniature body could endure. But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Dana's underdeveloped nervous system was essentially raw, the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love.
All they could do, as Dana struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light
in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to
their precious little girl.

There was never a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger. But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there. At last, when Dana turned two months old, her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time. And two months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.

Then, five years later, Dana is a petite but

feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for
life. She shows no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she is everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending is far from the end of her story.

One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Dana was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ball park where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing.

As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell

silent. Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked, "Do you smell

that?" Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, "Yes, it smells like rain."
Dana closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?"
Once again, her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet. It smells like rain."

Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced, "No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest."

Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with the other children. Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along. During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.

Smell the rain.

*******************************************************************************

Out of pure curiosity, I Googled this to see about the truth, or a follow-up… since Dana would now be 20 years old. There are many many references to this story, all with the same details. Snopes verifies most of it, but of course they dismiss the possibility of a child that young to have any developed sense of smell, and claim it is not likely for a child to know, or recognize what God is… or to be able to recall such details. But for those who KNOW, God IS Recognizable, And We all know we Can and DO recall such details from such a young age. There are many credible sources sharing this same story. I believe it, and will let you decide for yourself. Nobody can convince another of something they know. Each Person has to discover some things for themselves. God is one of those things I KNOW, and will stand by. If you do not yet know God, that is OK. We each have different experiences in life, and come to different conclusions. We each find our strengths in different places. For some reason, Dana’s name is recorded as both Dana, and later in her life as Danae. But Everything else in this story is validated. This story originally was titled “Heaven Scent”. Cute, and accurate! :)

A Special thanks to my Wonderful Friend, Cara for sending this to me when I most needed it in September of 2005. I just found it again, and thought it worthy to pass along to all who might need it, too! Perhaps You are in need of “Smelling The Rain”, Or Know someone who is.

I Hope You Have A Wonderful, and Safe Day! Thank You for Reading My Blog! Jon~=:-)

Coming Out of the (Naked) Closet

“If You Just Take It Off, It Would Be Easier.” 
That was what I told my best friend, and roommate, Cara on that sunny afternoon in 2005.

I had gotten in the habit of lying in the sun naked in the early afternoon. I worked at 4 in the evening, and there was seldom anybody home, mid-day at our house. Or, when they were home, they seldom went out back, or looked out the windows.

This portion of the yard was mostly secluded, but was open to view if any of the neighbors happened to come around that side of the house. It was also visible from any window in the house. Not exactly a hiding place, but I had stopped hiding a little over a year ago. The sunshine and lush green lawn were a perfect place to get a little sunshine, and a nap before showering, and heading to work for the evening. It was no secret that I was often out there naked.

On this particular day, Cara and her (almost) two-year old daughter, Sammy were enjoying the back yard sunshine. I often tried to get others to enjoy the yard, but they did not go out there much. I often believed they purposely avoided anyplace they might see me naked. Sammy was playing in her little pool, and Cara was sitting in a patio chair attempting to get some sun, while watching Sammy. I came outside for my time in the sun, and was happy, yet surprised to see them out here, too. The strange thing was I usually just went out naked, but for whatever reason, I was wearing shorts this time. I went ahead and lay down on my towel, still wearing shorts.

Cara had chosen to wear an elastic-waisted skirt, and nothing else. She pulled the elastic-waist up over her boobs, and wore it kinda like a summer tube-top dress. She had her boobs, and lap covered. She kept fiddling with it to adjust how much skin she could expose to the sun, without exposing herself. It was actually quite comical the contortions she kept trying. She would pull down the top portion a bit exposing some of her boobs to the sun, but not all the way. She would push the bottom hem up a little higher on her thighs, but not expose herself. The elastic was not being very cooperative, and the breeze would blow the bottom hem. She was not exactly able to relax while doing this.

A Funny look at how we go to endless,

Often silly efforts to keep our barriers in place.

Even with those we trust.

Likewise, I was on my towel pretty much doing the same thing with my shorts. Adjust a little down on the waistline, and pull the legs up a bit. In the past year, I had gotten used to sunning without anything on. I had no tan lines. The shorts really bugged me, and I could not get them comfortable. So here was Cara Fiddling with here coverage, and here I was doing the same thing. We were laughing at each other. Sammy was playing happily in the pool.

I told Cara, “If You Just Take It Off, It Would Be Easier.” She Was heading in with Sammy to get some juice. As she went in the door, she looked over shoulder with a huge grin, and said to me, “If You Just Take It Off, It Would Be Easier.” Then she paused, looked at me again, and with her most playful, challenging grin ever, she said, “I don’t see you out here naked.” And Proud of her retort, and challenge at the same time, turned and went inside to get the juice.

Sounds like an easy answer, right?
Our History:

For almost ten years prior to this, Cara and I have been best of friends. We really were very comfortable with each other, and had seen each other at various times in various stages of dress, undress, and everything in between. We had each been through a lot of life, and shared much of our lives together. We could talk about anything, and trust in the other. We had a comfort, a closeness, and a love that would span any topic we felt we wanted to discuss, or any situation that may cross our paths.

We never dated, nor did we ever have sex. We had an agreement that if neither of us was in a relationship, we would snuggle, and share a bed. We both found this wonderful. We were very comfortable. We both knew plenty about how the other was shaped, and what every part of their body felt like. That was no big deal to either of us. For whatever reasons we each had, neither of us would ever be seen naked by another if we could help it. These beliefs went way back for each of us. Or, if one happened to see the other, we were always polite, turned away, and did not linger when that occurred. We each had our own self-imposed prisons, walls, barriers, and blockades that kept us from either being seen, or seeing the other naked. We each knew how the other felt, and would do what we had to for their protection, and even our own. We each often saw others naked, and we each claimed seeing someone naked was no big deal. But still, we had our own personal barriers.

A little over a year before this, I finally decided to “Come Out of the Closet”, so to speak. No, I was not coming out of the gay closet. I was coming out of THE NAKED CLOSET. (Why should gay people be the only ones to get to use such a fun phrase?) I knew a happy freedom naked as a child, until that was abruptly taken away at age twelve.
(See blog post: http://enterwithanopenmindorclosedeyes.blogspot.com/2011/09/joys-of-naked-as-child-then-lost.html  )
After 24-years of living a Secret Naked Lifestyle, I finally got the courage to Come Out Of The Naked Closet.
(See Blog post: http://enterwithanopenmindorclosedeyes.blogspot.com/2011/08/wearin-only-purple-toenail-polish-and.html  )
For some, getting “caught” and seen by hundreds of passing tourists on a boat could have devastating effects. For me, it showed me I could be accepted, and even welcomed while naked. It was time for people to realize who I really was, and time to stop hiding. They would either accept me, or they would not. This was a huge part of who I am, and That was what I needed to do.
I knew I had to approach this cautiously. It was easy to be seen, and accepted by those who do not know you, and will likely never see you again. It is easy to pretend there are no extreme barriers, walls, and blockades with those you do not know. Those who know you also know your barriers, and what is not acceptable. Likewise, you know their barriers, and know what is not acceptable to them. So, Imagine how difficult it is after a lifetime of each of you making sure you never saw one another naked, to suddenly try to say it is NOW OK. You both have these hard-programmed barriers in place that you will each do whatever is needed to protect. Most of the time, it is not even a choice, or a thought. It is just how we have programmed ourselves with our friends. Friends agree (often unspoken) to never purposely do something that would harm the other.

That first time publicly naked for me was in mid- 2004. It would take almost a full year to get comfortable being seen by anyone who knew me. I cautiously approached the subject with those in my life. I would dangle a bit of bait, and see how they responded. Many times I would mention where I had gone, and how I enjoyed the sun. Sometimes the comment about my watch being the only constant tan line was a good way to open it up. Most people would not care to know any details. I was open about it, but Never Blunt. Often I would bring up the subject and see what the reaction was.
Changing Clothes, and Sharing Bathrooms did not seem to count. People always share bathrooms. Nobody looks, and nobody seems to care. Often people needed to change clothes around others. Nobody looked, nor did they seem to care. Whether a roommate, a house guest, traveling with others, or whatever the reason, nobody seemed to have a problem with those they trust coming into the bathroom, or walking-in while changing. I never really understood this, but accepted it.

At the time I decided to stop hiding my naked lifestyle, I was living with Jodee, and her wonderful family in the Hills of Hockinson, Washington. It was a very full house, and the room I was supposed to use was suddenly needed by a pregnant neice who was coming up from California. I had no problem allowing her to have the room, and I took the living room. Sleeping in the living room left very little privacy. I often slept naked, but did not advertise it. Also, the main bathroom was needed by many people, and was off one of the bedrooms. Nobody ever made a big deal out of what they did or did not see. We all were respectful of each other. Some of the time, I put shorts on when I got up during the night, but most nights I did not. I often went outside and watched the stars while naked, never even taking anything with me for cover. It was not uncommon for someone else to also be up, but we pretty much allowed each other to have their own space, and would not see what they were up to, or what they were wearing. Once the weather warmed up, I set up a tent out in the yard. That was about the same time I started to fully come out of the naked closet.

I found living in the country was a perfect place to experiment with being openly naked again! I always slept naked, and would often spend time in the surrounding yard naked. The horses never seemed to mind. The closest neighbor was far enough away, that unless I suddenly had a spotlight aimed at me, I was not easily visible. I had set-up my hammock between the trees, and would often read in the late afternoon, or evening while naked. I kept my shorts nearby, just in case someone happened to not want to see me, should they stumble upon me. From the time I moved into the tent, I seldom put on any clothes when I would go inside to use the bathroom or in the morning when I would go in to shower. I Only put on clothes when it was evening, and others were still up. When I went in to shower, I was always first up, and first into the bathroom. The door to the bedroom was always open, and often Jodee would tell me “good morning” from her bed. After I was done showering, I would open her door again. By this time she was always up, and drinking coffee. I would often go back out to my tent without a towel to get dressed. Allowing the fresh air to hit my semi-wet skin , and finish drying in the open air was the best feeling! Often I would stop and gather my clothes from the dryer on my way out. I gained a lot of naked freedom living there. I do not know if anyone ever saw me naked, because nobody ever said a word, and I never asked. I imagine, if they saw me, they just politely looked away, and accepted it for what it was. I never attempted to hang out to purposely be seen. I did not hide, but my purpose was to enjoy life unashamedly naked, not be an exhibitionist. I did learn to be unashamed naked. It felt great! I was gaining a freedom I had lost 24 years ago!

That fall, was when I moved Portland, Oregon again, into the garage at Cara’s house. It was actually Cara’s Mom’s house. Cara, Sammy, and I were all her roommates. The garage had an outside door, instead of an entrance through the house. That was where I lived. It was mostly my bedroom. I used the house for kitchen, laundry, and bathroom.
I had told Cara about my excitement over finding naked freedom again. She was totally accepting, and encouraging of my joy, freedom, and said I could be naked anytime I wanted. Her mother frightened me a bit, though. Her mother always made remarks that made me believe she wanted to jump me, and have sex if she were to see me naked. That made me a tad nervous. While Cara insisted she was fine, and would not have any issues if she saw me naked, she was not very convincing. I made sure to tell her where, and when I would be nekkid, and it seemed she made sure to never be around at those times, or would not go where I might be naked.

Cara and I always chatted, and we enjoyed each other’s company. We were not exactly shy about much around each other… except when it came to naked. We both had hang-ups about that. As much as we both discussed how it would not matter, and how open we were about almost everything, we still, for whatever reason still mostly hid ourselves from each other. I went about my freedom pretty much the same as I did at Jodee’s house in the country. As a general rule, in the evening while others were still up around the house, I did not purposely go naked through the house. Cara always took advantage of that time, and would stop me to hang, and chat before I got a chance to strip once coming home. She almost never went out to the garage, because I believed she wanted to be sure she did not stumble upon me naked. It was no secret that I would come and go from the garage to the house without any clothes. My bathroom was just inside the back door.

The laundry room was also right there. I often did my laundry, or went into the bathroom without any clothes, and often I could hear others in the house, but they did not come around to see what I was up to. This also led me to believe she purposely avoided seeing me naked. Her mother seemed to hide in the other part of the house most of the time, so I quickly forgot about her scaring me while I was naked. My bathroom did not have a shower. I shared Cara’s for showering. It was through the kitchen, past the living room, and between the two rooms Cara and Sammy used. I was usually up in the morning way earlier than anyone else, so I never wore clothes in the morning. For whatever reason, when I was in the shower, Cara often got up (or more appropriately seemed to sleepwalk) to use the bathroom. She almost always went to use my toilet. Once in a while when I was heading out of the shower, we would pass while I was naked. She would give me a sleepy hug, and go back to bed. Perhaps it was dark enough, or she was so sleepy she never seemed to notice.

One of my greatest joys was to watch the stars before going to sleep. I always did this naked. Cara would never come out and join me. Again, I believed this was because while she said naked was OK, it really was not. During the winter, I continued to explore my naked freedom, and often would go outside in the freezing temperatures for the exhilaration, then retreat to the heaters in my garage.

After the winter had passed, I was hardly ever hiding my nakedness, but I noticed Cara was making sure she was never where I might be. I felt my nakedness was pushing Cara away. She insisted it was not. I could not live her life, I needed to live mine. If she insisted naked was not a problem, I had to trust her. As spring came around, and the weather warmed I found great pleasure in being in the yard as much as possible naked. Some of the neighbors saw me, and would chat. I especially loved to garden naked.

I had a good garden there. The neighbors behind us tended their garden while I tended mine. Both he, and his wife never even seemed to notice I was naked. They often saw me coming and going between the house and garage, and occasionally would join me around my fire. Other neighbors saw me, and would say hi, but nothing else. Also in the spring, my work schedule changed, and I was suddenly home more in the late morning, and afternoon. This meant that I was not guaranteed to be the only one up and around the house, like I had in the early morning hours. I continued my freedom without worry of what time of day it was. For whatever reason, our paths never crossed while I was naked. I had a fire pit in the back yard, and once darkness fell, I would often be without clothes near the fire. Cara would hang out until dark, and then go inside with the reason of having to take Sammy in for the night. That was a totally valid reason, but also seemed like a good reason to make sure she did not see me naked.

As early summer came around, I got in the habit of lying in the sun while napping naked before work. I often would stay out there for hours, before going in to shower for work. This was also the best time to get my laundry done. (For some odd reason, all my life doing laundry while naked was something I really enjoyed. I often did it secretly at many apartment laundry rooms.) I could start a load, go lay in the yard, go back inside to transfer it to the dryer, go back out again. When I would go in to shower before work, my clothes were dry, and I would get dressed right there at the dryer. I often would make my breakfast, or my lunch while naked. I had (almost) total naked freedom.
As I grew, and explored freedom over the past year, I found plenty of places all over the greater Portland metro area where I could enjoy naked freedom. I was never trying to place myself where I would be seen, or be considered an exhibitionist. (Simply naked is not illegal. Exhibitionism is illegal, because you are attempting to attract attention for being naked.) I knew the laws, and what was acceptable, and what was not. I do not ever do anything that could possibly land me in jail. As summer came, I had gotten comfortable hiking, and enjoying the local rivers. I could skinny dip without fear of being seen.

I could hike, and totally enjoy almost anything I liked to do while naked. I got to know the marine patrol sheriff, because I was always near the rivers, and he assured me I was fully within the law, and had nothing to worry about.

I found that the past year was both the most rewarding, and at the same time the most difficult. I was learning new-again freedoms, but in order to learn these, I had to knock down life-long barriers every single step of the way. Every single time someone would see me, it was total fear, and all the “what-ifs would boil-up again…. For a brief moment. It was always a matter of seeing how the other person would react that would determine if it was ok. I always made a habit of greeting the other person, or people with a smile, a wave, and if they were close enough to hear, a friendly ‘Hello’. I was completely amazed at how accepting people were. This acceptance was not limited to any gender, any age, or even any race, or sexual orientation. I was simply accepted as a naked human. I was finding my freedom again! I Never had one single incident where someone made me wish I had not been naked. Because I did not act like I was doing something wrong, and accepted it for myself, others accepted it, too. Almost all of the seemingly impossible barriers had been knocked down. I say almost, because one of those barriers was the issue of naked in front of those you know, and see every day. To know it would be alright was not a guarantee. To know it would not freak out your best friend was a gamble.
As the summer wore on, I found it weird that I could be naked so much of the time, and never see Cara. Often she was home, but had her door closed. I often wondered if she did see me while I was in the yard, or doing laundry, but never said a word. The same was true with her mom. I wondered.

This brings us back to where I started this story.
I told Cara, “If You Just Take It Off, It Would Be Easier.” She Was heading in with Sammy to get some juice. As she went in the door, she looked over shoulder with a huge grin, and said to me, “If You Just Take It Off, It Would Be Easier.” Then she paused, looked at me again, and with her most playful, challenging grin ever, she said, “I don’t see you out here naked.” And Proud of her retort, and challenge at the same time, turned and went inside to get the juice.
Easy Answer, Right?
I hesitated only half a second. One of the things Cara and I had with each other was the ability to know when to call one another’s bluff, and also to know when to act on that bluff. She clearly meant it this time.
It was now or never. There was no half-way, or even a chance to second-think it. My shorts came off. I rolled onto my stomach just to play it safe. It was less than a minute she was inside. Her and Sammy came back outside. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH!! I was actually shaking from the fear of what the reaction would be. I made sure I was lying flat, and not looking her direction. I could tell from her laugh that she was a bit shocked. I asked if it was ok. She started to relax, and started giggling. I looked her way to see how she was taking it. She said she asked for it, and REALLY DID expect me to be naked when she came back out, but for some reason it shocked, and embarrassed her. I asked if she wanted me to cover up. She would not look at me, but was still laughing, and I could tell she was embarrassed, but she said I was fine like that. I told her how nervous I was, and scared, too! She occasionally looked my way, but would not look directly at me, or especially toward my naked butt. Sammy was another story. Sammy was what broke the ice, and got Cara and Me to both relax, and just laugh. Sammy was almost two, and had never before seen a naked male. I was lying on my stomach, but Sammy was right there by my butt trying to see what that thing was between my legs on the towel. Gotta love the uninhibited curiosities of a child!
( I discuss the natural curiosities of children in this blog: http://enterwithanopenmindorclosedeyes.blogspot.com/2011/09/no-you-can-touch-it.html 
Cara had to get out of her chair and distract Sammy somehow. I asked Cara if she minded at all, or if she did not want Sammy to see me. She was now pretty relaxed, and we talked about the curiosities, and that she wanted Sammy to learn things in a safe manner, such as this, rather than later once it was too late, or in an unsafe environment. Sammy lost interest after a few minutes. She had seen all she wanted, and moved on.

We were all relaxed again in about a half-hour. I knew I would burn my butt if I stayed like this. I asked Cara if she would object if I rolled over so I would not get burned.




She was calm, and said it was ok. Once I was on my back, Cara was again red, and would not look at me for a while. Sammy was suddenly curious again. She was wanting to see what that thing was! Cara took her away a couple times, but it did no good. We were going to have to find a different approach, or take Sammy inside. That would not be fair to her. I sat up, and talked to Sammy about anything under the sun. She was always my backyard adventurer. I always taught her to look under rocks for critters, and to watch bugs, and look at leaves, and not step on the flowers. She liked to learn from me. Today was no different. She stood there, and talked, and listened, only occasionally looking at the thing down there. Cara was giggling, but trying to hide it from Sammy. One time while she was looking I explained the no touching rule. Told her it was ok to look, but not nice to look for a long time, and she could not touch. She understood that, looked a little more, then went off to play again. I then laid back and relaxed again.

Cara was giggling, and in the same playful, challenging tone she used when she said “I don’t see you out here naked”, she said, “Do the same rules about looking and touching apply to me, too?” It was my turn to be embarrassed! I rolled over on my stomach again!

The afternoon went by fast, and It was soon time for me to shower and head to work. Cara and Sammy had already gone inside when I headed in for my shower.

After that day, it was back to “normal”. I was naked as much as possible, I never saw anyone else while I was naked. Had I offended her? Or was that just what was needed by both of us? What was left of the summer went by really fast. I never found out. At the end of that July was when I literally ran away from life as I knew it in Oregon. I never knew if I offended her, or if she was ok.

What I discovered, and experienced while traveling across the United States was another level of learning, and discovering new-found freedoms. I eventually settled in Virginia, and got back in contact with Cara. It was sometime during the next year that another friend was scared of seeing me possibly naked, when I got up the courage to ask Cara about that naked afternoon. She did not say much, except “that it really messed with her for a long time.” That was all she would say, and it was clear even that was not easy for her to tell me. I did not press it further.
Soon after that phone call, she started asking me to mail her photos of my adventures. I asked for clarification to be sure I understood. She was happy to see my naked photos. She said her fiancé was open to it, and found it quite humorous, too. She said she had been telling him all about me, and he wanted to know more. I eventually ended up back in Oregon again, and Cara and Sammy were around me all the time while I was naked. They both remembered the rules. They both grinned endlessly.
Perhaps one day, Cara will write her side of this story, and I will know how she felt, and how it affected her. She is still one of my very best friends, ever, and I love, and respect her more than she realizes. I would love to know her thoughts. Even if she never wants to share those thoughts, I will still love her!

Jodee, Holly, Shawna, Aimee, Josh, and Baillie were all around me when I was first learning to be openly naked in 2004, and 2005. I have never heard a thing from any of them about if they ever saw me, or if they even knew. I would love to hear their version if any of them had seen me, or even knew, or even cared. I would love to hear how they perceived it, or how it affected them. (Hint: Jodee, Holly, Shawna, Aimee', Josh, and Baillie.... If any of you read this, and care to tell me how, if at all, any of this affected you, or if you even noticed, I would really love to know... If you wish to say anything at all.)

Hopefully, if you are struggling with life issues, or know someone who is, my writings will help. If baring my soul, along with baring my body helps even one person, in any form, it is worth it. I do not write these for an audience, but I happily share with the hopes that it may help people to possibly understand me a little bit, or in the hopes that someone else going through the same thing might see this, and find comfort. Perhaps ot reaches the one person who really needed a good laugh, and this provided exactly that. Perhaps that one person is conflicted about a toddler who saw them naked. Perhaps you have seen someone naked, and were not sure how to handle it. If my life’s experiences help one person, then that was the purpose I wrote it.
I Hope You have a Safe, and Wonderful Day! Thank You for reading My Blog! Jon ~=:-)

My Favorite Blanket Came out of Storage Last Night

My Favorite Blanket came out of storage last night.

Yesterday was Labor Day. To many people in The U.S., it marks the unofficial end of summer. The reason it is unofficial, is because that is usually the last long weekend they have while the weather is still good. Often schools begin again immediately following Labor Day (although lately many across the nation have begun in August). The Official end of summer is not actually until the Fall Equinox, September 21st. However, when Labor Day arrives, one notices dramatic changes in the season.

I am currently living in Las Vegas. Vegas is in The Mojave Desert, so it would come as no surprise that we see temperatures well-above 100 degrees all summer long. I moved here in February from Oregon, specifically to enjoy the warm climate. March, and April, the temps started to warm up enough that I could sleep with the windows wide open, but still needed a blanket. By the time June came around, I had long since packed-away all the blankets, and occasionally needed a sheet while sleeping. Once July came, we had daily temperatures that were never below 100 degrees, often mid-day saw 110-115. I Leave my windows wide open, and they face south, so my apartment would easily reach 110-115 by evening. Ahhhh, The most perfect climate for me! During the night, I would sleep with a fan in the window, and one at the foot of my bed. Never needing even a sheet, and I Loved it! By morning, the temperature outside had dropped to about 90 degrees, sometimes in the 80’s, but it not got “chilly”. (My body defines chilly as anything below 80 degrees.) This is just how my body is, I have no say-so in how I was made. I am comfortable at anything above 80, and chilly at anything below 80.

Irony: Yesterday was Labor Day. It was also the very first day in many months where the temperature did not reach 100. Vegas had clouds, and drizzle all day. Do ya suppose the Sun decided it was done with summer, and took a holiday?  The sunsets are now happening right around 7 and completely dark by 8. It was less than a month ago, I could watch the sunset around 9, and darkness did not come until 10. I have watched as the arc of the sun has gotten dramatically lower, and high-noon now casts a quite long shadow. The sunrises are not happening at 5 anymore. The first signs of daylight are not until 6.

With Temperatures below 100 yesterday, and a breeze last night, I pulled out my favorite blanket before bed. I knew it would get chilly by morning. It did. My apartment was close to 70 degrees when I woke at 5 this morning. Outside was 72 degrees with a cool breeze. I always make my coffee, and go enjoy the morning on my balcony. I love everything about being outside as much as possible. Watching the day come to life with a fresh cup of coffee, in my comfy chair on my balcony is a beautiful way to start the day. Even in the City of Las Vegas, one can find nature all around them if they look. I hear an owl every morning in a nearby tree. I see birds looking for breakfast, I see the stars fade, as the dawn breaks. I see the color f the sky turn from black, to grey, to light blue, to pinks, purples, and finally brilliant blue as the sun reports for work every morning.
I usually can come and enjoy my morning on the balcony without even a blanket. This morning, was a bit too chilly for me. For me, needing to grab a blanket is not a bad thing. But I do not grab just any blanket. I HAVE THE MOST WONDERFUL BLANKET ever created, and it is MY FAVORITE BLANKET! What makes this blanket so wonderful?

On my 37th birthday in 2005, I was living in the garage of my best-friend’s house. I had gotten pneumonia again. I was working too many hours, and running myself ragged. I came home from work, and the ONLY thing I wanted to do was crash-out, and sleep. My friend (Cara) texted me when she saw me pull in the driveway to ask me to come inside the house for a few minutes. I wanted to ignore the text, and just go crash-out. There are many people I can just ignore, and a rare few that I absolutely could not. Cara was one of those few I cherished, and would not ignore. I had to go see what she wanted. When I walked inside, she could see how horrible I felt. She hugged me, and told me to stand there a minute. Then she came out, and wrapped a blanket around me. She hugged me, held me, and said “Happy Birthday.” Even in my wishing I were dead sickness, I could see the love that was just wrapped around me!

This, I Knew was THE MOST WONDERFUL, LOVE-FILLED Birthday present I had ever received! This blanket was the first one I had ever had that was actually longer than I was. It was not a tiny little blanket. Nor was it a skimpy, almost worthless thing that someone just threw together fast. The colors matched my personality perfectly, the yarn was heavy, and the knitting was done perfectly! As I admired this wonderful work of craftsmanship (or craftswomanship), She explained how hard it was to create. It was no small little knitting project she could easily stuff under a cushion when I came in. It was twice as big as she was, and not a light-weight, easy, fast project. She had found a yarn that matched my personality perfectly. The color was variegated, starting at the darkest blue possible, going through the entire color-spectrum all the way to the lightest yellow possible.

This blanket was knit to have plenty of warmth, but with large enough holes in the pattern to for it to allow air both in and out. It created warmth, but never made me sweat. I could be warm, and still feel the fresh-air through it. One of my favorite things to do at night is to watch the stars wearing nothing at all. This is not always easy when it is cold outside. This blanket became my star-gazing wrap. I could still feel like I was nekkid, yet have warmth. I could feel the night-air, yet not be freezing parts off.

There were many things I left behind when I (literally) ran-away from life as I knew it in Oregon in August of 2005, But this blanket was not one of those things. While I am not trying to make light of that whole situation by just glossing-over it, I only mention it to show the reference and importance of this blanket, and what it represented. (Eventually, I will write in detail about that event).
When one is running away, there also is irony: Every night when I would find a secure place to sleep a few hours, what did I wrap myself in? Yup, even sleeping under the stars in a corn-field, I slept with only the wrapping of Cara’s blanket. It Helped. After I settled in Virginia, and was back in contact with Cara again, one of the first things she asked me was, “You didn’t get rid of the blanket, did you?” We both understood what this blanket was. I even took it into The Salvation Army Shelter. Even though I knew it was a risk, because nothing was safe in that place…. But I also believe there is more in this blanket than just yarn. As Cara put herself into this blanket, God also wove himself into every fiber. (No, I am not saying this blanket IS God, nor do I worship this blanket AS God). I Believe God has a hand in all things created with love.

Virginia has some of the most breath-taking thunderstorms I have seen. They often came through during a summer night. I always went outside to watch them, wrapped in only this blanket. I would sit on the hood of my car, leaning against the windshield, and using the cover of the carport to stay just out of the storm’s drenching. Even in summer, the storms blew cold. The wind, and rain were wild! In this blanket, I was kept warm, yet through the large holes, I could feel every bit of nature in it’s fury. The wind and rain would hit my skin, the blanket would be wet, but I never got cold. I had two wonderful neighbors there. Lucy was a 22-year old college girl. Sandy was a 42-year old lady who had never met a male she could trust. Often, they would come and join me on the hood of my car, and all three of us would wrap in this blanket. They each were so completely different in everything about their lives. Lucy loved to be naked, and loved the storms. Sandy would never go naked (except on Memorial Day.. You can read about that here: http://enterwithanopenmindorclosedeyes.blogspot.com/2012/06/get-naked-on-roof-for-memorial-day.html ) , and was scared to death of storms. All three of us fit perfectly. Sandy, the one who would never go naked, and even was not comfortable seeing naked until she met us, for some reason found comfort in the company of two who were not at all uncomfortable with it. She also found comfort and safety in a storm from two people who not only loved storms, but went out into them. I say it was the blanket ~Grin~ You decide.

This Blanket has traveled across The United States twice. It has moved to new homes along with me dozens of times. It has held me close, kept me warm, and reminded me there is love. There is not a single time I use it, or even see it, that does not make me smile.

The photo at the top of this page was taken at 5:30 this morning. The first chilly morning. This is Wonderful! Coffee, Early morning Chill, and THE MOST WONDERFUL BLANKET EVER CREATED!

Thank You, Cara! I Love You, and always feel your loving, caring, hands in every stitch against my body.

The Best Card I Ever Received.... Twice!

Many many years ago, in 2002, I was given a greeting card by a wonderful friend, Tabitha. I had it hanging on my wall when I left Oregon (actually ran-away), and I left it there. Cara found it left behind, saved it, and later mailed it to me when I settled down in Virginia, in 2005. I loved it so much, and it has such powerful meaning, I actually painted these words around the entire interior perimeter of my apartment. The card has since deteriorated, but I kept the words. Every time I see this, I melt, and Thank Tabitha, and Cara for being such special friends in my life!




I Hope You Like it, too!





Be Alive. Think Freely. Smile Often.....

Tell Those You Love That You Do.....

Rediscover Old Friends. Make New Ones.....

Hope. Grow. Give. Give In. Pick Some Daisies.....

Share Them. Keep A Promise. Laugh Heartily. Reach Out. Let Someone In. Hug A Kid.....

Let Out The Kid In You. Slow Down.....

See A Sunrise. Listen To Rain. Trust Life. ....

Take A Leap Of Faith.....

Make Some Mistakes. Learn From Them.....

Explore Your Heart. Let Your Imagination Play.....

Paint Your Dreams. Enjoy. Celebrate Life.....

Make Each Day A Masterpiece.....

Just Hoping You Have A Great Day!....

(This is by Jan Michelsen)....



I HOPE You find as Much Joy and love in this that I have! Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful day!! JOn~=:-)