“Smell is a potent wizard which transports us across time and all the years we have lived.”
– Helen Keller*
As I’ve been writing, I find it interesting that scent is such an evocative catalyst, rather than something that grounds me in the present. It wakes me up and makes me pay attention, but not to the now. Instead, it takes me back to the experience of something that I might not have recognized as important when it happened the first time. Rarely have I realized that I was imprinting on a scent, or even what exactly I was imprinting on, until I smelled (or remembered) the same scent at a later time. Smell is like Dickens’ Ghost of Christmas Future–its purpose is to wake us from our daily sleepwalk through the world.
Here’s to deep inhalations – thanks for reading!
Samantha, October 2006
*3/07: nothing new under the sun, indeed. Thanks to aroma creations for the quote!
For a bit of time travel: disturb the marigolds.
curlydock, I’m intrigued! Please say more, as I haven’t been able to shed any light on your reference.
I am curious about this, as well. The smell of marigolds brings me back to early childhood, along with the smells of nasturtiums and eucalyptus. I will always grow them, if I’m able, for that reason.
Molly said it.
Ah, of course. I have no childhood marigold memories, which is my only excuse. Thanks for writing!