If it were because of the heat, the men in the Manet painting (which has some wonderful graphic aspects and harkens back to a much older Italian painting) would also have stripped off, even if they weren’t interested in those women. I think it is clear that nudity vs being (uncomfortably) overdressed was a matter of status, in terms of sex and class. The women may have not been prostitutes in the literal sense, but they were viewed as “available”. The men are smartly dressed, one in a slightly bohemian manner.
I do like picnics, though ours remain very urban, in a most domesticated version of nature. Where we picnic at the Botanical Gardens has outdoor tables and chairs (the oldest in our party is 82) is under a canvas awning and looks out upon beautiful greenery.
A friend skipped out of a much-coveted appointment for a knee transplant. I certainly understand him as I’m terrified of hospitals and doctors who think they are the Deity, but his appointment was last summer at a moment when several of us didn’t have too much work and could have shopped for him and seen to his needs. He lives in Outremont, a bit west of where I live, and an easy bicycle ride from my place to his and to the places I’d have shopped for him. I do hope he can get another appointment.
By the way, I did find some good and freshly made falafel – the stuff in supermarkets is horrible, and I really didn’t feel like going to the trouble of making it just for myself. Yes, I’m worth it, but the work is a pain in the chair end. Work also involves cleanup… I didn’t want a sandwich, just the chickpea balls – with a green salad.