Tuesday, May 8, 2018

A Special Welcome to Aspies and Others on the Autistic Spectrum

WE HAVE NOTICED an uptick in traffic related to the topics of nudity and autism this week.  This happens from time to time and we especially welcome those on the autistic spectrum to the Bare Platypus.  Stop in.  St ay a while. Feel free to ditch your clothes and no one will judge you here!

Fact is, there are quite a few folks with Asperger's or other conditions on the autism spectrum who just know, inherently, that life feels better without clothes. We understand.  We really do! Clothes can be very uncomfortable for some of us. We also know that Aspies go on to grad school, med school, and much much more.  We hope you will continue to make the world a better place for nudists.

If this describes you, we appreciate you for being you.   And we'll bare with you!

Feel free to check out these Platypus blog posts:

Revisiting Nudity and Autism

Are we wearing naked genes?

Nudity: Therapy for Autism?











Monday, May 7, 2018

I Bare Therefore I Am (a Nudist)

Last week there was an interesting juxtaposition of stories appearing in the news.  First came an announcement from the Ford Motor Company that, effective beginning in 2019, it would cease building cars with the exception of just a model or two (e.g. the Mustang).  That's right, you read correctly. The company that, for over 100 years brought us the Model T, the Model A, the Edsel, the Thunderbird, the Falcon, the LTD (remember Starsky and Hutch anyone?) and a host of other cars will virtually eliminate all cars from its North American lineup.  Ford will still crank out trucks and sport utility vehicles, which apparently produce much greater profits for the folks in Dearborn, Michigan.

Just a few days later another story piqued The Platypus interest.  Seems that after 108 years the Boy Scouts of America will allow girls to join its ranks and work towards becoming Eagle Scouts just like their brothers. The organization is changing its name to "Scouts BSA" to reflect this fact.  We know, we know...maybe this was just a matter of time.  There have been girls in the Explorer arm of the program for decades and women have served for decades now as Scoutmasters as well.

However one feels about these decisions, one must admit that they represent a significant change in philosophy, focus, and direction. Have these respective entities totally lost their way or simply embraced inevitable changes?  It all got The Platypus to thinking about what the essence of nudism is...at least for us.  The views you are about to read reflect our opinions only and not necessarily those of the readership or those who link to us. But here goes:

To us, the essence of nudism IS nudity.  It's being naked, not wearing clothing because that's what nudists like to do.  This may sound obvious but it warrants stating and repeating.  To those publications and resorts that market to the nudist community we would ask you to remember that as well.

Why do we need to say it?  Because often the latest amenity, service, or activity offered does not necessarily enhance the experience of being naked.  Sometimes the opposite is true.  Just a few examples:  (1) hosting a big charity event at your nudist park that eventually becomes so big that your park asks us to wear clothes to avoid offending the new visitors; (2) adding an expensive upgrade to your facility while neglecting to install that fence or grove of trees that would eliminate the need to "cover up" when walking certain trails or areas of your park that could be accessible to nudity if this were made a priority; (3) that gym equipment that is so special that clothes are required when using it.

If you think we're off base here check out some of the advertising and websites from some of the more "sophisticated" European naturist resorts.  Fine dining. Parasailing from a tow boat.  Arts, crafts, science centers,  discoteques.  You know what you also see when all of these are featured? Lots of people wearing lots of clothes!

We're not saying anyone has to listen to us.  We don't pay your mortgage (at least not directly).  But if it's all the same we will gladly exchange the latest gee-whiz technology for something much more simple:  building your business around people like us who like to remove our clothes when we arrive and, having done so, don't put them on until it's time to leave.  This isn't about choice.  Whether strictly nudist or clothing optional, you can still opt for nudity in your messaging.  And scheduling. Let us know that nudity is always acceptable and welcome on your grounds.  Work for a clientele that gets it. Employ people who get it too.

Here's hoping we don't get to the point of reading "swimsuits required" on the nudist pool sign.



Saturday, May 5, 2018

Recap on World Naked Gardening Day

THE PLATYPUS CELEBRATION of World Naked Gardening Day was an enjoyable one... if a bit "punctuated" by a few off-and-on rain showers throughout the afternoon.

To begin, the Platypus made the rounds of a few home and garden stores.  Bright annual flowers? Check.  Enhanced potting soil?  Check. Mulch to spread around the new flowers? Check. And a greeting to sales clerks for a happy naked gardening day.  Check.

Once home there were some repairs to be made to backyard "non-offense" screening. Last year there were some severe wind storms that knocked down the more permanent fencing of our yard and hundreds of neighbors.  So the barricades are more temporary this spring and the area to be tilled and planted much smaller too.

But there was an opportunity to put colorful fledgling plants into the ground in a completely naked state.  And that's what we did.

Refreshing.

Natural.

Bare.

No neighbors offended.

A few scattered showers to provide refreshment to the new flowers and our bare skin.

The mulch is not down yet so tomorrow after church may be a time for World Naked Gardening Day Part II: the sequel.

Friday, May 4, 2018

World Naked Gardening Day is Tomorrow and This is One You Should Do

IT'S THAT TIME of year again... first Saturday in May is tomorrow... and that means...you guessed it: World Naked Gardening Day.

This one is fun.  Doesn't matter what your political stripes are.  Doesn't matter if you are a dues-paying nudist or even call yourself a nudist.  Doesn't matter your age. Your gender. Or anything else. You, your spouse, your family can celebrate.  And if the pets lend a hand with digging a hole or two, well they're already naked.

It's about doing something good for the earth while celebrating the act of gardening in the state that the first gardeners---Adam and Eve---did it: sans clothes.

Now we know that the weather may not cooperate for some of you.  Or that you have nosy neighbors and not enough non-offense fencing to avoid causing an "incident."  But even if you have to confine your birthday suit work to indoors you can "garden."  Water your plants naked.  Plant some seedlings. Read up for tips online while starkers.

Equally important, help spread some awareness.  You could post a Twitter tweet.  Or do what the Platypus is planning to do: visit a few garden shops making small purchases of plants (inexpensive bright annuals), soil, or plant food.  Then casually mention that it is World Naked Gardening Day and what brought you to them for business.

We also plan to watch the comic strips... in the past there have been brief "homages" to "going outside to do some gardening," or talk about spring planting that seems to be an oh-so-very-very subtle nod to us that more folks recognize the occasion each year.

There's a saying, "photos or it didn't happen.We'll leave that up to your discretion on World Naked Gardening Day.