Started working on my tan today

During the summer my feet are always so tanned that anyone looking at them would have no doubt that I go barefoot all the time and never wear shoes. And that's the way I like it. Because it's pretty apparent that I didn't just take my shoes off or forget my shoes or something like that. One time in my dentist's office the hygienist said I looked like I just came from the beach. And a nurse in a doctor's office made a similar comment once.

So, anyway, today it was around 74 (F.), clear blue sky, warm sun, so I sat out and started getting my feet and legs nice and brown again. Felt really good. Actually, I did the same yesterday, but it wasn't quite as nice and warm as it was today. Obviously, spring is coming soon, and it's sure starting to feel like it around here.

 

Well, the picture of southern California I have in mind is that it's always spring there, except maybe in January? I don't know. Compared with Maine anyway. We're starting to go into spring, too, but it was the mildest winter ever, but, also, we're getting one of our famous last minute chill downs, so the ground is freezing back up again!

I'd be curious about your age---the favorable comments you received tell me you're still young enough to get away with it. I also tan my feet and legs so it looks like I never cover them. And I think I pull it off pretty well. I wonder if it's easier for someone young vs older to get away with it.

 

I never thought to consciously try to tan my legs/feet. Mainly because I don't tan much, but thinking about it now, it seems like something that'd just happen rather than me try to do it. Not that I think you're doing anything wrong...I'm just saying that i had never considered it.

And as far as temperatures go, you SoCal guys have it made. I usually won't bf unless it's at least 40 degrees, which I don't imagine happens all too often down there.

Though, I will say, since our discussion on the "Socks" thread, I've stopped wearing socks indoors and am going out in the cold more often, and once I got my mind set, it's not been a problem. Especially inside; outside the cold does take it's toll. I can't stop them from going numb after a while.

 

This is a big state, and even in SoCal there are a lot of variations depending on whether you're in the mountains, in the desert, by the beach or whatever. But I looked up where I live, and these are the average tempertures in the winter (note, these are only averages, but it gives you some idea):

Highs and lows by month:
December
67
44
January
67
44
February
67
45
March
68
46

So you see, it doesn't usually get all that cold, and anyone can easily go barefoot all the time. But in the winter we get lots of rain and cloudiness (no rain in the summer).

I'm certainly not "young" enough to get away with it. Possibly the opposite, if age has anything to do with it. I'm actually older than you are.

 

Excellent! Someone older---also, Maine isn't just colder; there is a weird combination of our corner of the US being both liberal, and a little stuffy at the same time. Forgetting the differences between our climates, I'm thinking I'd be better off in this way if I lived where you do. I lived in Yosemite (yes, yours is indeed a huge state) long ago. Sometimes, when people here ask me how I got this way, I tell them it was my time in California! Some truth to that, I'm sure. Also, I'm just being me. And, also, you can see I've never been without snow in my life.

 

It builds up. The weird and wonderful combination of numbness and delicious feeling, I mean. Things which numbed me some years ago are now actually feeling good now. But as I posted last fall, there are limits. If I'm barefoot in snow or on ice, it's in SPRING conditions, not Maine winter conditions! That's totally different, and very dangerous. I tried to make sure that was in my posts last fall. But right now I'm enjoying some of that spring snow/ice I rave about. We're finishing a record mild winter, but there are still some frozen ponds, and I actually do have business (work) reasons to be ON them:
Temps in mid 30's, but in March our sun is getting strong.

 

Man, you look so much younger than 53.

And, you're a hero for wearing shorts/being barefoot so much all the way up there in Maine. I know MI can get cold, but probably not as cold as you, and there's no way I'd do that.

 

Thanks! But remember, I'm doing that in spring conditions, which, if the sun is out, and you can hide from the wind, and temp is from about 28 or up, it's good! I wouldn't be barefoot on snow or ice when serious cold. Shorts, yes, barefoot no! I'm strict about the dangers of frost bite, wilderness safety, etc.

I think my climate is "roughly" that of the upper part of the MI "mitten" or the warmer parts of your UP, where I feel right at home.

 

weather here is same as maine ..about 28 outside right now with a slight snow flurry ..oh ,well .another 4 months and we should be into spring ..lol

 

New Brunswick, Canada? Welcome, neighbor! And you're my age too. Yes, normally we have some more waiting to get thru, but since we mostly missed winter this year---

 

Glad I started working, or just allowing, my tan earlier. The April Grim has begun, and there's no telling when we'll see the sun again. We sometimes go almost the whole spring without it. Now THAT's depressing.

But even though it's chilly, I'm spending about half each day working bf!

 

On Thursday it was 85° (F.) on my back patio, with clear skies. Best day yet this year! My feet and legs definitely show a difference from a few weeks ago. Yesterday it was similar, but I had to work inside all day. Today so far looks promising (it's 8:47 a.m. right now), but here's the forecast for my area for today: "Mostly Cloudy - Hi: 67° / Lo: 45°," so we'll see.

 

Well, the "April grim" spell really still hasn't started yet afterall! Just a 3 day dark spell, and now back to unusual sun and warmth again. Amazing, up to 60F today. My legs and feet are now almost as tan as they'll get all summer and next fall, and I have now worked in my tank top for two days as well. IN MARCH IN MAINE! This is simply amazing. Gotta go for it since the spring could still turn sour at any time, and stay that way, but we'll see.