A while back I wrote about the stimulating nature of sounds that invoke memories and promises. This exercise prompted me to begin collecting the everyday scents in life that evoke memories and signal contentment. I am sure we all have such a list, perhaps not as eclectic in nature. The following scents have special meaning to me.
Patchouli oil based colognes and incense. Patchouli, to me, signals the necessity to take one’s mind out of gear and coast mentally. It is strongly associated with the early hippy culture
Sourdough bread, both rising and baking. I know of no one who can resist this comforting scent. An aroma that takes me back to my grandmother’s kitchen
Thick sliced, hickory smoked bacon in the skillet or on the grill. Bacon is savory, and produces an immediate salivary response.
Freshly mowed hay or a lush lawn. On a summer morning, a cut hayfield will more than offset the discomfort of a car window rolled down.
A puff of hardwood smoke upon opening a wood stove. It signals warmth and another small win over nature.
The scent of a woman. One can approach this consideration from several angles, but the scent of subtle cologne and a hand lotion on a woman signals any number of pleasures for her and you. Men are carnal in nature, let’s be honest here.
The smells in a horse barn. These gentle beasts have a scent of their own. Their scent reminds me that horses are in the servitude of man, creating a unique bond between them and us.
Leather. I absolutely love the smell of leather. Whether it be furniture, a saddle or jacket. It conveys strength, quality, and endurance. I own many leather bags and coats, choosing it over synthetic materials anytime I have the opportunity.
The smell of coffee in any form. It is impossible for me to resist the smell of freshly ground coffee or the brew it produces. Coffee has been the currency of the world for many years, responsible for huge swings in world markets. There is a reason.
A puppy’s breath. The subtle smell of mother’s milk on the breath of a little puppy will melt the heart of the hardest individual.
I have never used tobacco but absolutely love the smell within a humidor where pipe tobacco nestles with other tobacco products. A tin of cherry tobacco reminds me of my pipe smoking ancestors and their incessant use of it.
The smell of a bookstore. I own many books and a bookstore signals literary excitement. The fresh smell of new books is stimulating, reminding me of a beautiful time before computers.
Finally, my list includes the smell of dryer vents on a Sunday morning. We lived, for awhile, in a condo on the Lake of the Ozarks, one of precious few permanent inhabitants. The dryer vents dispensing their promise of clean laundry, also indicated the hell raisers were on their way home returning peace and solitude to the permanent party.
Other aromas include; a balsam Christmas tree, chain saw smoke, burned gunpowder, corn dogs at the State Fair and freshly popped movie popcorn.
As I get older, I increasingly marvel at what our senses provide us, and am very sympathetic to those who have lost one or more of their precious senses. Again, I urge my readers to never take these gifts for granted.
Have a great week!
SR
srj641 