I've heard many times that senses can create an instant recall of memories, scent being the strongest of which. It seems weird to think that you can be going about your day and as you walk by a stranger you smell their cologne and are instantly thrust mentally into a time long ago. It's subconscious and eerie, but it can be pleasant as well.
I got to thinking about all the scents that draw really direct and clear memories for me. Because I'm me and use lists as the template to my thought process, I thought I'd list all the associations I have with different smells. I mean, why not.
* Elderly ladies that smoke and wear musky perfume- I know, sounds disgusting. To me, this smells like the memories I have of the gentle nature of my Nanny whom I loved (and still love) dearly. When this smell hits me, I'm 5 years old again and I don't want to be ripped away from the memory this brings, it's a strong one.
* Horse or cow stalls in barns- Reminds me of my small town and vaguely what the country can smell like on a day with a breeze.
* Pig pens (clean ones)- warm summer days spent prepping fair animals with friends before showing, followed by evenings spent riding carnival rides until we were sick.
* Wood stoves- home. From early fall to late spring, we always had a warm fire to heat our house and to this day, nothing is more relaxing to me than curling up there with a blanket and falling asleep.
* Spring flowers- Grandma. Every kind of spring flower's scent brings back memories of Grandma's humble, but beautifully cared for gardens each year. That smell reminds me of her hugs and her smile that I miss.
* Chanel No.5- Mom. Classic, graceful, somehow smelling kind. This smell, no matter where I am, brings me back to playing dress up in Mom's closet, and sitting around for hours soaking up advice and sharing stories with her. I love that I still get to build on these memories.
* Car grease and tools- Tools have a distinct smell, like dirty metal. Whenever I smell that, I'm back home working in the garage, fixing cars, listening to the 8 track player and creating carpentry projects with my Dad, while absorbing direct and indirect advice on life. I still take advantage of every opportunity to expand that memory bank when I return home.
* Wet pleather jackets- My favorite concert with my sister, which was monsooned beforehand and was one of my favorite days ever.
* Cigars- Viewing stars through my brother's telescope for the first time in my parents field, freezing my butt off in literally sub freezing weather while I sat outside with my brother and shot the breeze while he smoked a cigar. One of the simplest, and most memorable days with him in recent years. He loves a good stogey so whenever I smell one I think of the goofball that I grew up alongside, terrorizing and feuding with, and always admiring and loving, especially when I wouldn't admit it.
*Puppies- You know, the puppy smell, you can't describe it, but it exists! Takes me back to the day we adopted my drama king dog child that we love so much.
*Patchouli- College. My college experience was different than most, other than my fellow Oregonians. College opened my eyes to a whole new world of savory and unsavory choices and lifestyles. But patchouli, this reminds me of what lax days in the sun at Alton Baker Park, and lazy days at the Saturday Market felt like. My college town was the essence of patchouli and though strange it may be, I'd never have had it any other way. It's woven into my memories like a finely knotted Persian Rug.
*Thunder storms- Not only the physical place, but the region I call home. Nothing beats a humid, scorching day drenched in water poured from ferocious skies. Nothing. That is my heaven on earth.
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