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Just Greenery and Humid Air

Thursday, March 15, 2012

The weather in Charlottesville has been warm and absolutely beautiful for the past few days, so when I woke up this morning, I donned 2012's first shorts and hastily smoothed on some lotion with sunscreen in it. Then I went to work.

It wasn't until several hours later that I realized how much I smelled like summer.

Sure, different smells can arouse all sorts of memories. And sure, sunscreen smells like summer. But I was startled by how very specific my thoughts and memories were.

I thought of grad school--those six weeks starting in July, and Men, Women, and Dragons: Gender and Identity in Fantasy for Children, which was from 9AM-12PM every Monday and Wednesday in that freezing room in the art building. I thought about quick Starbucks runs for dirty iced chais by myself on those same days before my History & Criticism class. I thought of that apartment with the brick walls and the cold shiny floors. I thought about Roanoke, last summer. All this, because of some sunscreen.

It's the way that filling my car with gasoline doesn't do anything to me, but the way the smell of gasoline from someone else's car when I'm sitting in traffic on a hot day reminds me of summer afternoons spent in the sun, in a boat, on the lake.

It makes me wonder what smells will hit me in the years to come, reminding me of this current season of life.

I know that it's a little early to be fantasizing about summer. But spring has definitely sprung, and that's something.




Which scents take you back?

10 comments:

  1. First off, that class sounds awesome. Secondly, I'm so glad that spring is here and cannot wait for the flowers to bloom and make everything smell so beautifully

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  2. the spring/summer can literally not get here fast enough. i think i won't even mind the humidity this year.*

    *jk.

    CupcakesOMG!

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  3. I completely understand about trigger smells. I went outside yesterday morning to the smell of my recently clipped green clover lawn and was just overwhelmed with the memories of summers past.

    "I thought of grad school--those six weeks starting in July, and Men, Women, and Dragons: Gender and Identity in Fantasy for Children, which was from 9AM-12PM every Monday and Wednesday in that freezing room in the art building. I thought about quick Starbucks runs for dirty iced chais by myself on those same days before my History & Criticism class. I thought of that apartment with the brick walls and the cold shiny floors. I thought about Roanoke, last summer. All this, because of some sunscreen."

    Sounds like a wonderful time in your life. (I had a dirty chai today as well. It was tantalizing. I've never tried them iced before, though!)

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  4. I absolutely love it when a smell triggers an amazing memory. Your grand school sounds so awesome. Its never too early to be fantasizing about summer!

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  5. Your description of the emergence of spring is so eloquent.
    From one Lit/Creative Writing Major to another: I loved it.

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  6. Summer Skin's always a summer song of mine too. I always get nostalgic for summer around this time. AT least it's getting warm again!

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  7. I always think it's strange how strongly smell is tied to memories. I love spring!! PS What's a dirty chai?

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  8. Seattle is still rainy cold! I cant want for spring and more importantly-SUMMER!!!! ahhhh! Enjoy the warmth!

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  9. These pictures are gorgeous!! Just like you, I am beyond thrilled for spring to be here.

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  10. You blog is beautiful and the way you word your thoughts even more so. I'm so glad I came across it.

    Nostalgia is a beautiful thing. I think scent is one of the strongest sparks for it. It definitely is for me.

    Sunscreen takes me back to travel with my family and the way the AC in our rental car felt after the humid air outside in Hawaii. It makes me smile and it makes me want to go back.

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