"Sensical Tour"-Part III: SMELL

"The nose knows."  So they say to tout the importance of scent in human lives.  Whether you agree or disagree with the level of importance the sense of smell plays in our lives, we all can certainly recall  those super-scented moments we've experienced.  So, clear your sinuses, and let's "sniff around" a little to get a whiff of the odors and aromas that have wafted about in our recent moments.

***pungent and earthy essence of newly mowed lawns; acrid, chemical nostril-assaults of weed sprays; fresh, airy scents of rain; fragrant and sweet aromas of lilacs and blooming crab-apple trees; the harsh, mechanical odors emitting from the gas-powered engines of mowers and weed-eaters: oh, the varied smells of spring!  Enjoyed the 10 day span of mostly-sunny days we had about a week ago!  YES!

***the somewhat less-than-fresh scent floating from the slightly less-than-tidy apartment of our collegiate son and his roommates on our quick visit last weekend soon dissipated in the revel of being together with family, and was certainly out-scented by the flavorful aromas of the dinner we cooked for them that evening: juicy roast beef, zingy stir-fried Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, and nutty steamed rice, with a zesty key lime pie for dessert.  Good to "check-in" and "catch-up" with him for a bit.  He completed his third year admirably, conquering the "hardest class" in both of his majors this past semester.  He is on-schedule to graduate next spring with double majors of Mathematics and Computer Science.  He is not taking summer classes this summer--for the first time--and, after a couple weeks of "vacationing" back East with friends, hopes to land a job and stay in Bozeman for the summer.

***more floral fragrances--some pleasantly sweet, others slightly stinky--always fill my hours at my spring/summer job at the greenhouses; along with caustic chemical smells; musty, earthy soil scents, and always tasty pot-luck lunch entrees at our Open House on the last weekend in April.  Blessed to be enjoying the flower-filled, play-in-the-water-and-dirt days of my 19th season there with the caring owners and friendly, fun co-workers.  Busy Mothers' Day weekend, and a few after-school hours last week.  Will be there all day most every day after school is out in June.

***woodsy forest freshness, inviting fried-spuddy goodness or fresh-baked bready-heaven, and muddy, ranch-animal naturalness are the comforting, homey olfactory cues that greet us on our occasional visits to my parents mountain ranch.  Always a renewing blessing to spend time with Mom and Dad, enjoy Mom's tasty meals, and accompany Dad in caring for his cows and horses when I can.  We try to find time for a peaceful stroll along the "crick," and often enjoy watching a movie with Mom and Dad.  Sometimes, we luck out and get to see other family people too--brothers, sisters, aunties, etc.  I know I've said it before, but it bears repeating: What a blessing family is!

***imagining the artsy aromas the creative princess has encountered this term in MN: sawdusty, paint, and inky scents of theatre sets or the grease-paint perfume of theatre make-up, as she acted a small, feisty role in her first college production, The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail; and when she helped out as an "extra" playing one of several jurors in the performances of a Greek tragedy.  Also, varied culinary scents of the dining hall during her work-study lunch shifts three times a week, and the green barkiness as she basks in the spring sunshine, composing poetry below her favorite poetic tree on campus.

 

***luscious, sweet aromas of freshly-baked desserts still frequently waft from our kitchen, as the lovely bride nearly always keeps tasty--often chocolatey--treats around for pleasurable consumption: recently a new recipe of chocolate-coconut biscotti, and a run of chocolate frosted Rice-Krispie bars satisfied our desserty desires. Yum!

So, I say, "All hail to the mighty nose!"  And may your days too be awash in aromatic awareness.  And remember: "If your nose runs and your feet smell, then you're built upside-down." 

A "Sensical" Tour: Part II: SOUND

Over the past months--since before my negligence--I have reveled in a number of auditory events that hint at memorable moments of our lives.  Tune in now; listen with a sensitive ear, and enjoy the euphonic melodies of our momentous months.

**rhythmic clickety-clack and haunting whoooo-hoooo of  arriving and departing Amtrak trains as they carried the princess home and away for her winter and spring breaks from college.  About a 24-hour ride for her, so she's really ready to be off when she arrives, but always a blessing to have her home--even if the six weeks (between Thanksgiving and New Years) or the eight days (mid-March) rush by way too quickly.  Actually, in March, the train brought both the kids home to us, as the son flew from Bozeman to MN during his spring break, spent a day with his sister meeting her friends and seeing her college, and then accompanied her back home on the train.  Good time for them to be able to spend some sibling time together.  He was only home about a day before we needed to drive him back to Bozeman to get back to classes.

**gentle, whispery breaths and squirmy baby gurgles of our five-day-old great-nephew as he lay contentedly sleeping or wiggled peacefully in my arms during our late-February visit with him, and his lovely Mommy and Daddy.   My sister is the first of us siblings to become a grandparent and she declares her grandson is the "prettiest baby in the world."  The beautiful bride and I were also very enthralled and charmed with his full head of curly black hair, sweet round cherub face, and sparkly dark eyes.  Have only seen a couple photos in the past several weeks, but he seems to be holding on to that angelic image.

**garbled and rushed, nearly-overlapping airport announcements --spoken in an amazing variety of accents-- repeating tirelessly over static-filled PA systems, on our couple extended weekend treks out for family celebrations.  Treasured time with brother and his charming new bride at their wedding in a historic chapel nestled against the saguaro-sprinkled foothills of the Sonoran Desert in January.  Pleasant preparatory moments, a simple, special ceremony, followed by flavorful Fiesta cuisine among the rustling trees and twittering birds on the "veranda" of a Mexican retaurant, and a bit of desert sight-seeing the next day with brother and his bride, her sister, and our sister made it a memorable whirlwind winter weekend visit for us.   And pleasant, relaxing family time with bride's dad and brother in CA in mid-April; enjoyed more tasty Mexican dining, gorgeous rose-filled tour of friends' nursery, and necessary time at the beach while helping celebrate Dad's 80th birthday; even skyped both kids so we could all sing Happy Birthday together from three time-zones.  The flip-slap-shuffle of playing-cards during a couple nights of fun family card games (all of which I came in last place) and the grinding whir of the automatic juicer as I prepared superbly tasty fresh-squeezed juice from the backyard citrus trees all contributed joyful moments to our festive family weekend.

**gentle mews, insistent mewling, contented rumbling purrs all resonate daily from our home as we continue to enjoy and cater to our three furry feline friends: calm, quiet creamy-chocolate colorpoint, K' Zool; attitudinal and demanding, but very loyal and loving soft-silvery grey Sakura; and our active, playful tom, fiery-orange tiger-striped Phoenix.  Can't really imagine our days without their needy, but comforting and cuddly company.

So, friends, keep listening.  Bask in the happy harmonies and beautiful beats of your life as "time marches on."