August is now here and in the Orthodox tradition, this is the month for the customary (at least in the home country) blessing of the grapes. In other words, invoking the divine to shed his benevolence upon each and every grape that we consume, be it the fruit itself or the juice or the wine that we drink. Trust me, as Greeks, we do consume quite a bit of wine and have a remarkable ability to eat an impressive number of grapes.
Category: Aaron
International Skinny-Dip Day
The The Naturist Society (TNS) and the American Association For Nude Recreation (AANR) are observing tomorrow, Saturday, July 14, 2018, as International Skinny-Dipping Day. Grab a friend, strip out of those clothes and jump into a body of water for some old-fashioned style swimming in just your natural skin. For those who live in colder climates, a heated indoor pool is highly recommended. No one wishes frost-bite on anyone, although I’m sure there are a few who would welcome a cooling experience from the summer’s heat and humidity!
July 4, 2018
As I sit here in front of my laptop I am trying, yes, sincerely trying, to find something uplifting and flag-waving to post about today’s USA holiday. Unfortunately, I’m just not able to find any type of inspirational reason to wave a flag. Since the last national election, I’ve found it easier to be be embarrassed and humiliated over living in this country than I’ve found ever in my entire life. Yes, I was born here, but to Greek parents. And my parents legally migrated here after World War II but upon my father’s retirement, returned to their homeland, Greece.
Happy Canada Day!
One doesn’t necessarily have to be Canadian to celebrate Dominion of Canada Day. This international day honoring the maple leaf (the leaf silhouetted on the flag) is open and welcoming to everyone (unlike its neighbor to the south). This observance commemorates the enactment of the British North America Act on July 1, 1867, which officially united the colonies of Canada (then just Ontario and Quebec), Nova Scotia and New Brunswick into the larger, autonomous Dominion of Canada. It is celebrated as the national holiday of Canada (although with today being Sunday, tomorrow is also a holiday).
Is GLBTQ Pride Relevant?
As June is GLBTQ Pride Month, many of my acquaintances ask themselves and others the same question: “Is Pride still relevant today?” I think that many of us ask ourselves the exact same question. What may have seemed radical and trendy fifty years ago – is it just as important today? We have evolved as a society and in many ways being GLBTQ no longer carries the stigma that it may have invoked “back in the day.” With the amount of progress that we have made, “Is pride still necessary?”
June Is GLBTQ Nude Pride Month!
Today is June 1, the very first day of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (GLBTQ) Nude Pride Month here at ReNude Pride. As I explained last year in my first post for the month of June, 2017, as a same gender loving (gay) man, I always combine the gay pride month with nude pride to create our own unique celebration. It’s a month the commemorate the fact that we’re both GLBTQ persons and we’re bare practitioners (naturists/nudists) and equally proud of both of those aspects of ourselves.
Protect Yourself!
This weekend is the Memorial Day weekend here in the USA. Monday is a national holiday which makes this the first 3-day weekend of the 2018 Summer season. Summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21 but most meteorologists recognize this long weekend as the the unofficial beginning of the season of sand, sun and surf. The sunlight is at its zenith and so are the opportunities for sunburn – the skin discomfort as evidenced on the back of the gentleman in the above picture.
Hospitality
When invited to be guests in the home of friends, it is important to respect their wishes and in turn, expect them to respect us. This is a matter of common courtesy and treating others as we, ourselves, would like to be treated. In the above photo, the “welcome” mat in front of the door sends a clear and irrefutable message. We are about to enter into the home of a bare practitioner (naturist/nudist). The sandals are politely placed beside the greeting. The message is plain and simple.
World Naked Gardening Day
Tomorrow, Saturday, May 5, 2018, is World Naked Gardening Day (WNGD). Observed on the first Saturday in May, annually, this is the day in which everyone is encouraged to do their gardening tasks while completely clothes-free. World Naked Gardening Day was first celebrated in 2005 and this year marks it’s 14th year. The occasion was always on an agreed date and in 2007, it was decided to keep the date on the first Saturday of May. No matter what our gardening needs are, this is as good a time as any to get things in order.
Read and Heed!
There are always signs that remind us of policies and rules wherever we go. It seems that it has become a routine to remind all of us as to what is or what isn’t allowed. It should come as no major surprise to anyone reading or visiting here that Aaron, my spouse, and I have one posted on the front door of our condominium that reads identical to the one above. Aaron found it at a conference that he attended shortly after we got married in 2015.
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 