Well, I am much gratified to find that Ric, who is a much bolder and vastly more experienced naturist than I, experiences some of the same paranoia about being 'discovered by a stranger' from his wife as I do from my Mrs N. It is also a new finding that your full exploits, as documented on these hallowed pages, has been the subject of partial "non disclosure'' (good way of putting it!) to your wife, Ric. Obviously I have such unmentioned areas of my naturism and always feel a bit guilty about that. It's always nice to know you're not the only one. So thank you for that bit of disclosure, Ric, I feel better that I am somewhat less out on a limb for spousal disapproval than I thought.
As I have referred to several times in the past, my wife and I in younger years (mid 20s) had 2 or 3 naturist experiences on beaches at which time she appeared to be happy to be naked. But on occasions in recent years that these experiences have been recalled she claims not to have been happy about it. By contrast Ric's wife does join in and is somewhat of a naturist today. But Mrs N did get naked and sunbathe on Greek and Moroccan beaches for hours at a time - was this an extreme manifestation of her parallel tendency to conform overriding her dislike of nudity?
JBee, I would love your scenario to come to pass of being discovered by a caller to our house. My wife's fears far outweigh the likely actual consequences of a naked encounter with a visitor. I think that some of our friends (by no means all!!) would actually join in...or at least treat the event as unremarkable and be happy for me to stay nude. A question arises as to what my reaction would be? I am mature enough with my own command of naturism that I know I would not panic or grab my genitals and rush off bent double in embarrassment. There would be no rushing off to hide. However, would I stay naked - given that I am in my own home and therefore entirely within my rights to be dressed as I like? My mind says that I would cover up. To whoever might encounter me I would say "Do you want me to cover up a bit?" and if the response was in the affirmative I would saunter off and don a minimum of clothes e.g. a pair of shorts or a wrap. Maybe a T-shirt. I do this with my wife. When she joins me and I have been naked I will throw something on in deference to her wishes which, regrettably, even though she has been more permissive lately, do seemingly run deep.
Whilst we are discussing people's reactions to one being naked, I was again saddened by my art class colleagues. Someone asked me earlier this week how I was getting on in my life classes (next class in a couple of weeks!) and there ensued a short interchange of slightly giggling embarrassed humour. The other guy in the class asked if I would like to be a life model for this class. I somewhat chickened out and cheerily replied that I would be delighted to do that but it wouldn't be ideal because if I was modelling I'd miss the class myself! Thank goodness there are some art students, i.e. my life class colleagues, who have a proper, mature attitude to the naked body.
Drawing the human form is one of the hardest things I have done for a very long time - getting your hand to reproduce what your eye sees and stopping the brain misinterpreting proportion and shape is phenomenally hard. That's why I do it - it keeps the brain fresh. I asked my wife if she would model for me. She said yes. She was settling down to watch a film in the living room so I suggested that she might model whilst she is watching the film. "Oh no! She exclaimed. "I'm sorry but I just couldn't sit and watch a film whilst naked - I just couldn't" How irrational is that? She then said "I don't mind coming up to your study and doing it but I just couldn't be naked in the living room in from to the telly." So I have her agreement to model at least. (She had also said she would on a previous occasion). When she does, I will be clothed. I think psychologically that would make her more comfortable. I will give you the news if it happens!
John
John