Day 343, Dec. 9: Smelly

10 Smells That Take Me

To Times & Places Gone By

Do you ever get the scent of something that instantly makes you think of your past? It happens to me a lot. Most of the time, it's a good scent; but not always.

Cigarette smoke: If it's a single cigarette in an otherwise smoke-free environment, it reminds me of my childhood (even tho our house was NOT a smoke-free environment)

Cinnabar perfume: Andrea, the Southern Belle girlfriend I had in Missouri, wore it (so did my sister-in-law Julie, tho I don't believe she still does)

Coffee: Again, in a small dose, it reminds me of my mom. In a large dose, it makes me a bit nauseous. (I don't drink coffee, as you might guess.)

Marijuana: Instantly, it sends me back to the Dane County Coliseum and going to rock concerts. I never smoked it, but I always loved the smell in that environment.

Newspaper press room: Reminds me of my old days in newspapers, when I used to work near the composing people which was near the press. Seldom get near the press anymore.

New house wood: My dad built a house in the country - almost from scratch - when I was 10 and I still think back to it every time I smell fresh new house wood.

Oceans: Each time I get to the ocean and smell and feel that salty breeze, it reminds me of the first time I experienced it as a college student in 1977.

Old gymnasium: No, not the locker room. I seldom smell this anymore either because most are gone. But when I do, it takes me back to the Community building at Stoughton Junior High.

Tequila: Even though I can handle it in a fruity mixed drink, this smell straight from the bottle reminds me of college and a couple of episodes I wish I could forget.

Tobacco: This is the leaf, from the field before it's turned into chewing tobacco. I seldom smell it anymore, but when I do, I'm back at Stoughton, working in the fields, sheds and strip houses.