in memorium

I recently lost a very special lady from my life. I would like to celebrate her strength and wonderful independent spirit here.

As always, Mary Oliver has the perfect words…

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Like an angel, or a Buddha with wings,
it was beautiful, and accurate,
striking the snow and whatever was there
with a force that left the imprint
of the tips of its wings — five feet apart —
and the grabbing thrust of its feet,
and the indentation of what had been running
through the white valleys of the snow —
and then it rose, gracefully,
and flew back to the frozen marshes
to lurk there, like a little lighthouse,
in the blue shadows —
so I thought:
maybe death isn’t darkness, after all,
but so much light wrapping itself around us —
as soft as feathers —
that we are instantly weary of looking, and looking,
and shut our eyes, not without amazement,
and let ourselves be carried,
as through the translucence of mica,
to the river that is without the least dapple or shadow,
that is nothing but light — scalding, aortal light —
in which we are washed and washed
out of our bones.

Dear Ann, wrapped in light, soft as feathers…
I’ll miss you

Foot fetish or foot appreciation?

To some, the sight of a well-tended, attractive foot is a huge turn-on. Why is it that a high arch, elegant toes, foot jewellery and/or sexy shoes can turn a normally sensible person into a slavering sex slave?

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There are a few theories, but this is the one I particularly like:

According to the neuroscientiststhe part of the brain that relates to the genitalia and feet are located next to one other in the brain’s body image map, which can lead to some crossed wiring. The neurons in the brain that have to do with sensations in the foot are ‘neural neighbours’ to the neurons that have to do with sensations in the sexual areas. The theory is that the ‘couriers’ in the nervous system get crossed, which is why feet can be so erotic.

Other researchers have found the smell of feet is arousing  to some – the natural odour of feet can act like pheromones.

For men, interest in pretty peds may be because they don’t typically spend any time on their own feet, whereas women often make an effort to make theirs look attractive. The arches and natural curves of the woman’s foot can be as arousing as any feminine curve.

Then there’s ‘cue theory’ or imprinting – childhood experiences which may have a direct effect on a person’s erotic attraction to feet. Foot cues could originate from a very young age – as young as when a child is crawling, when they may see their mother’s feet more than any other part of her body. Thus, a foot can become associated with the positive feelings of a nurturing mother.

Ogi Ogas, a neuroscientist and co-author of A Billion Wicked Thoughts, explains, “Following cue theory, during a man’s critical period of sexual desire formation, his innate foot cue makes him more likely to pay attention to feet and makes him more receptive to foot-related stimuli. If through chance or culture he is then exposed to a strong foot-related experience—a woman sticking her foot in a thirteen-year-old’s face or watching your first girlfriend slowly unroll her black stockings—then the foot-related details of the experience are more likely to get imprinted.”

 

I can definitely appreciate how a lovely foot can be a turn-on, but from what I understand, having a fetish means that in order to be fully sexually aroused, you need to focus on one body part. In the case of podophilia, a foot fetish, the body part/s involved are the feet.

But there’s no reason you couldn’t call your love of a beautifully tended foot a fetish, if that’s what turns you on 😉

And if feet are your man’s Achilles heel, here are some positions he’ll love:

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/positions/g8659598/foot-fetish-sex-positions/

deleted (sex) scenes

In case you’ve noticed how quiet things have been around here, it isn’t because I got caught in an alternate universe… I’ve been writing women’s fiction, which doesn’t really lend itself to making discoveries suitable for sharing here.

On the up-side of my ‘vanilla’ pursuits, I’m currently editing a story that I wrote with quite a lot of spicy sexual elements, most of which are going to need to be heavily edited or removed, so the story fits in with the rest of the series.

So, as I come across those naughty little scenes, I’ll share them here 😊 I hope you enjoy them.

And in the meantime, I’ve been exploring the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of the female foot as a sexual turn-on…

A see-saw of pleasure

After a few months of illness and recovery, I have finally regained enough energy to be creative. I have started back working on my current story and would like to share a small sliver  – a lovemaking scene, of course. Just a couple of paragraphs, but it is a start to writing again and I can feel my enthusiasm, creativity and ideas bubbling to be expressed.

He did not stop, nor did he quicken his pace, but held me in torturous pleasure, between the wish to savour him deep within, and the need to move faster, to escalate toward the ecstasy waiting for us. Would he hold me in this place of conflict indefinitely?

Could he?

I opened my eyes and found myself locked in his intense gaze, unable to look away. He was watching me, fascinated as my responses to his slow thrust and teasing withdrawal played across my face: relief as he thrust deep and paused; impatience as he teased me with the friction of his movement.

Slow, agonising pleasure…

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Alter-egos are healthy

Most people have an alter-ego, an aspect of themselves they like to, or need to, keep hidden from their family, children, work colleagues.

I have an alter ego. You’ve met her – Josie Baker. Although, because this is her blog, I guess it’s her ‘regular’, ‘respectable’ self who is the alternate personality here.

It amazes me that people who are a part of my regular life see me as demure – prim even, straight laced. My clients; the staff at my local library; the girl who does my facials and waxing; my acupuncturist; osteopath; doctor; the girls in my yoga class; don’t see the sexual nature that is so much a part of ‘me’. They would never suspect that I am Josie – the girl who writes erotica, who thinks about sex and fantasises about the many different sexual scenarios which could spring from the situations happening all around her, every day.

I could count on my 2 hands the people who know both of my personas – most of my writing friends know me as Josie, but only a very few know who Josie is with her mask on in the world of legitimate identities.

It is fun being two people. I love having an alter ego, and I love having a space for her to stretch and feel free to be herself. I love having an outlet for the secret part of me. I especially love everyone who visits to check in with me, those who ‘like’ one of my posts, or who decide to ‘follow’ and keep the connection.

Josie is the person I would have been if I’d made a different life for myself. You never know, maybe one day I’ll be brave and introduce myself as Josie Baker, and everyone will know what goes on in my head 😉

I plan to share more of my erotic fantasies in 2017, right here, so please drop in and say ‘hi’ sometime.

Wishing you a new year full of love and pleasure.

Josie

Jade egg as a writing aid?

It’s been a few months since my jade egg arrived, but I wanted to give my body some time to adjust before I wrote of my experiences.

I can’t be entirely sure of the physical changes since my egg and I first became acquainted, except that in the beginning, the muscles of my vaginal canal could only hold my egg for half an hour or so before my internal muscles tired. The time increased steadily and I quickly found I could go about my normal life with my egg inside. Now I can hold it indefinitely without trying, or being conscious of its presence. I assume from that change that my muscles have become stronger and more toned – and with very little effort.

The most noticeable difference though, is associated with creativity. If I am writing, by using my egg, I find the words flow easier and faster, and if I am having trouble connecting with my creativity (I wouldn’t call it writers block, more like constriction), with my egg as my companion, the connection opens immediately and ideas and words flow without hesitation.

Increased and better access to my creativity was not one of the benefits I expected, but it was an extremely welcome one. Now, after reading Naomi Wolf’s book “Vagina” and learning of the link between orgasm and creativity, I realise I should have expected any improved connection with my sexuality and increased sexual energy, could only benefit my creative process.

A direct line to my muse? I wouldn’t want to be presumptuous, but what a thought!

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Le Clos Tranquille

I had a lovely surprise today, while searching for a boring old document on my computer… I came across some photos I took on my visit to Giverny (Monet’s home from 1883 to 1926) more than 2 years ago. I don’t think I even glanced at these images when I got home, so it was like unwrapping a gift – and a beautiful reminder of my visit.

giverny

It was a gorgeous September day, the temperature was perfect (for eating icecream), the gardens blooming…

There is something magical about the light in Europe, so clear yet gentle, not like the harsh light I’m accustomed to at home in Australia (which is beautiful in its own way, especially when it is illuminating the beautiful blue skies and vibrant earth of the outback).

I thought I’d share my favourites with you. You may notice, as I have just discovered, I have a ‘thing’ for dahlias in their many forms. I always knew I had a weakness for French bees…

And of course there are the delicious stories of Monet’s women: his first wife, muse and model, Camille (below); the affair he supposedly had with his patron’s wife, Alice, who may have nursed Camille on her deathbed, and then became Monet’s second wife…

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Orgasms… the extremes some women will go to

There’s no denying orgasms are one of life’s more pleasurable – and for many of us, accessible – experiences. But if it wasn’t a simple pleasure? How far would you go to experience the sweet, if short, release of orgasm?

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These days genital plastic surgery is quite common, to make us look prettier ‘down there’ or in an attempt to make orgasm easier to achieve. The removal of the clitoral hood has been popular since the Victorians believed it to be superfluous and that exposing the glans clitoris would make women more responsive.

In fact, the hood is made up of erogenous tissue – it is a pleasure receptor in itself and protects the often too-sensitive clitoris (direct pressure can be painful), diffusing it’s sensitivity so sex can be a pleasurable, not an uncomfortable activity. And why would you willingly remove even a small piece of the organ packed with nerve endings, present in the body for the sole purpose of pleasure? Without it, wouldn’t we just be depriving ourselves of part of our erogenous anatomy? Continue reading

Romance Writers of Australia

I’m very excited to be flying off to Adelaide later this week to attend the annual RWA conference. Friday is going to be a big day for me – I’ll be attending the full day workshop on Story Mastery by the legendary Michael Hauge, AND the e-book of my collection of sensual short stories and novelettes will be launched on Amazon.

LLNC cover Amazon

‘Love, Lust & Nipple Clamps’ is a compilation of the four editions of Peep Shows I’ve published plus a brand new story, ‘Penetration’, to make nine in total. When Gwen sheds her puritanical fiance, the journey to sensual liberation takes her to an illicit sex club where voyeurism is the only entry requirement; and into the office of its damaged owner, Alex, who could do with some healing of his own. Will Gwen break through the iron control he holds over his desires and find what she truly craves: acceptance and respect for her sexuality?

I think it will make a gorgeous physical book as well, so once I get the cover art finished I’ll be making it available for print on demand.

Oooh, and I’ve just found the most gorgeous corset at my new favourite store, Honey Birdette, to wear to the cabaret themed cocktail party on Friday night. I’m counting down the days  …

SEx Libris

What is it about erotic personalised book labels?

I recently decided to create my own Ex Libris label to use on my vast and much loved collection of books in the hopes they will return to me one day when I loan them out. So, I had a quick peek at what others were doing.

It seems the humble book label is the perfect outlet to express one’s individuality and creativity. I was not expecting the eroticism of some of the artwork I found – obviously many people express the erotic leanings of their personal library through their Ex Libris label.

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Some of the designs are gorgeous, many are wonderfully titillating. I noticed a trend in the sensually themed labels toward the myth of Leda and the Swan. I’m not overly familiar with Greek mythology, but obviously there’s an erotic tale in there. I think I’ll have to do a bit of reading in that direction … there may even be inspiration for a modern retelling.

Some of my favourites are on my Pinterest board: