The nose knows. When my first son was born, the hospital bathed him and washed his hair with Dove soap. To this day, I buy Dove soap, the original scent, and every time I shower, I put the bar of soap to my nose and take a sniff. It brings me right back to those early days, in the hospital, holding my son for the first time, his soft hair tickling my nose and the fragrance of Dove will be forever linked to that special time in my life.
Friday, my cousin Joe treated my cousin Donna and me to a beautiful lunch at the Union League. The food was superb, the company even better, and we laughed and talked for almost 2 hours together. We were talking about disease and familial links and Joe said that we grew up in South Philadelphia and it was his opinion that we were exposed to a lot of toxins in the air by the various factories and such that spewed poison out on a regular basis. I decided that this was possible but that he needed to remember that we also stood in the fumes of the soft serve ice cream truck for more than a few minutes every summer night, waiting for our turn. "Every time my husband starts the lawn mower, I get the urge for a Mr. Softie", I exclaimed. We howled laughing and so it is. Smells bring back memories and the smell of my husband's lawn mower reminds me of soft serve ice cream!
If I am near a man who uses the old fashioned cologne, Aqua Di Silva, I think of Mr. Appa from middle school. Estee Lauder perfume reminds me of my mom, who always wore Youth Dew or Cinnabar when I was growing up. When I deliver meals on wheels on Thursdays, one of my little ladies wears Youth Dew and I always feel great when I walk in because it transports me to my childhood and warm memories of my mom. Although I am lucky to still have her, she doesn't wear Estee Lauder anymore.
I have always maintained that heaven, when I arrive, will smell like my mother's kitchen; aromatic with spices and tomatoes boiling on the stove or a roast in the oven. I love the smell of my garden flowers, most especially my butterfly bushes. The smell of the seashore, a lovely combination of salt and sunscreen is also a smell that could transport you to a happy place.
Smells are important. The nose knows! If you are selling your home, it should smell clean. It should smell like apple pie, fresh flowers and clean breezes. It shouldn't smell of stale cooking odors, unwashed dog, cigarette smoke or the kitty litter box. While I find doggie smells to be very comforting, most people would argue they are offensive. When selling your home, call a real estate agent. All homes have their own distinctive odor, and we really can't smell it on a day to day basis. Your agent will let you know what you need to do have your house smelling just right to put it on the market.
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