Does This Make Scents?

My nostrils rouse to the heady scent of smoke as it penetrates the air from an unseen pipe as I recall the memories of my dad sitting in his easy chair reading the newspaper, filling his pipe with tobacco.  When I think of my grandma, I can’t help but also imagine her “smell”, which was talcum powder personified with a touch of freshly-baked bread.  When the bouquet of Costa Rican coffee is captured within my senses, I envision my lovebug readying himself for the day ahead with the one guaranteed thing to get him going.  And, I have to chuckle when I recall my son, when he was an infant, having that “new baby” aroma.

The hug of an oversized sweater in college carried the remnants of manly aftershave and nostalgia from the night before.  The tang of autumn brings me right back to tailgate parties and football games.  The essence of spring rain; pine; popcorn popping; firecrackers; mimeographed paper; fire places; new shoe leather and fresh from the oven cookies, all tickle my olfactory nerve and immediately elicit an emotional high.

Great, everyone and everything around me seems to be identified with an “eau de themselves”, but what about me? I don’t even know if I have a natural scent.  Well, I suppose everyone does, but I mean a pleasant one that quantifies my existence in someone’s memory.  My scents that I have noticed in myself seem to scream contradiction and I need to do something about it.  I may have to give up the unadorned and unpretentious path of fulfillment and resort to the commercial route to get the desired effect I am looking for.  Not that I mind being aromatic in the best sense of a domestic goddess but, well, I want more.

Recently a friend from Europe visited and brought me a most delicious smelling perfume.  This is the second time in 8 months that she has been so kind as to remember me with such a delightful and, dare I say, personal gift.  My first thought when she presented the package was the generosity that she showed.  Then, as my thoughts wandered and my self-esteem crumbled, it turned to WHY? is she giving me a gift of perfume.  Did I mention this friend is very high couture conscious? She lives, breathes and shops all the “right” fashion districts around the world – she can even pronounce names, labels and designs with the correct intonation from the province from which the designer hails (very impressive).  Even with such inspiring credentials, the presumption that I would even need (another) scent made me wonder about our friendship.  I never thought it would be so easy for someone to peg you and your personality and find a perfume that naturally blends with your Ph balance.  Heck, I have had trouble finding a fragrance that still smells good on me after I leave the store.  Never mind trying to catch the essence, vitality and spirit of a person in one aroma.

Then it hit me; to cover all the bases you do need several bouquets of emanation.  Not knowing what will trigger the desired spontaneous, impulsive reflex of those you walk past, encounter or live with makes perfect sense to have a scent that one can sniff, whiff, inhale and identify with you.  My friend was merely helping me along in my quest and she was right on target.  But, as she said, this is only my summer flavour and I need to fill out the rest of my repertoire.

Now as I begin each day, no matter what I have planned – from walking the dog to a rendezvous with my love muffin, I strategically place my scent in the most effective location.  So far it’s been working like a charm.  But never underestimate the power of your own “scent”… amazing what a shower, a fresh mouth and clean, starched jeans can do for a few memories.

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life.  Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.                 

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-