Monday, May 21, 2012

Olfactory Memories

First, thanks Laura for taking me down this path with your post "My Grandpa Rand".

As I read Laura's post, I started thinking about my own memories and what odors will cause them to bubble up:

Coconut Oil/Coco Butter always makes me think of my Grandma V., my mom's mom. She always had lots of coco butter lotion that she would use all summer long. She played golf so she would use sunscreen that smelled of coconuts. I don't like coconut as a food, but adore the smell. (Those red and white starlight candies and hard butterscotch candies also always make me think of Grandma.)

I always associate the smell of Whiskey with my Grandpa V. Again, I'm not a big fan of drinking whiskey but whenever I smell it I think of Grandpa.

Weirdly, the combined smell of manure, musty barn, and a general farm makes me think of my Grandad D., my dad's dad. Also, the smell of Juicy Fruit gum makes me think of Grandad. And, while not an odor, anytime I see, taste, or smell maple glazed donuts makes me think visiting my grandparents and coming out for breakfast (after Grandad had already been up and done a full day's work before the sum came up) and seeing a box of donuts with maple glazed longjohns on the table and the farm report on the radio.

Fresh cut wood and varnish always makes me think of my Dad.

I've been trying to think of a smell that makes me think of Grandma D. and/or my Mom but can't think of any....

4 comments:

Sara said...

fun :)

Juicy Fruit... I hadn't thought of that in a long time and now can't remember who it reminds me of, but I definitely have a connected memory to it.

Jaye said...

No odor is better than having a bad odor!!!! Love your blog!!!

Diane said...

Butterscotch candies remind me of my mom's mom. Old Spice and Aqua Velva remind me of my dad.

Jane said...

Awe, I love this

Ps thanks for the shout out