I’m dreaming of home
October in Mom’s kitchen
awake with eyes closed
whiffs of anise and sweet clove
cinnamon and pumpkin spice
© 2022 selmamartin.com
I’m sure you smell it, too — the evocative scents everywhere. And I’m not talking about
the “fall” scents at candle stores that welcome customers as they walk in. Nor of those
that appear in fragrant products, but of the scent in the air right now. It’s a distinctive
smell.
For most people, this time of the year is a pleasant period. I close my eyes and can
smell it: Sweet clementine, cinnamon, clove, and anisette cookies. But I’m nowhere
close to any of those things.
But did you know
“The smell of fall represents a lot of decomposition as plants decay,”
/why-do-we-love-the-way-autumn-smells/
said Pamela Dalton, a cognitive psychologist at the Monell Chemical
Senses Center in Philadelphia who studies how people react to and
perceive odors in the environment around them. “As they change
from when the leaves were green, and now they’re changing color,
they’re also changing the kinds of odors that they give off. And that
can be very evocative for us because it’s become associated with a
period of time that is a somewhat pleasant transition for most people.”
The smell of any season depends on the trees, the ground, the air, and the natural
vegetation, including plants and flowers. So every place in the world has its scent
identity and personality.
I grew up near the seashore, never knowing the smell of a forest or a big city. Only
when we visited my grandparents could I discern the difference in smells. My town
smelled salty at times from the sea, sweet at others from the whiff of the sugarcane
fields, and swampy at others.
At my grandparents, I missed the sea smell, but the chill in my grandparents’ town
introduced me to the scent of wood, completely different — a different kind of sweet
and musky. I liked it.
And though I only knew one season then, I remember clearly how, come October, Mom
got busy preparing dishes with more pungent smells. I just loved it.
Now that I’m exposed to four seasons, I still have an affinity for the lovely smells I
remember of October, which bring memories of warmth, comfort, and family.
salt, sugar, and wood
/the-smell-of-home-is-etched-in-memory/
just like it was on Mother
all soaked into me
What’s your scent identity?
Happy fall, everyone.
I wish you miracles.
This post was published on Medium recently. Read or listen with this free link.
Happy fall– the season of becoming.
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Yes, changing seasons are more associated with the smells in the air.
October smells different. I like October. Be well, Sadje. Thanks for always supporting my efforts and always honoring me with a comment. You’re the best.
It’s my pleasure my friend
I love those autumn spices too. (K)
Spices. They revive us. Thanks, K. Blessings.
Though change of seasons is subtle in SW Florida, fall and winter are our most pleasant seasons. Your post evokes the warmth of seasonal festivities and happy memories. Oddly, 3 weeks after Hurricane Ian stripped the leaves off our live oak trees, they are blooming and leafing out as they normally do in February. So interesting! Wonder what mother nature will do next?
Happy fall, Selma! 🙂
Nature is rejuvenating. And she’s so timely. Always. Happy Fall, Cheryl dear. Blessing you.
I also think the smell of a bonfire while roasting marshmallows is really nice! It’s those feelings we associate with the season that really linger!! 🍁
So right. They linger. And sometimes we can relive it when we close our eyes. Happy Fall, dear Tricia. Blessings.
Thanks, Selma! ❤️🍁❤️
Wonderful scents and engaging writing, Selma. 🍂
I’m so pleased you liked this, (too) dear Michele Lee. Stay sweet.
😊
Wonderful changing seasonal smell. Seasonal festivities and happy memories.
Fall is a wonderful time for enjoying warmth and smells. And for eating too 🤣 🍲
Nice fall season.
I love the autumn aromas, too. Autumn reminds me of the apple pies my Mum used to make as the weather got cooler. I still remember the smell of the cinnamon and nutmeg she added to the recipe. Delicious. At this time of year, I want hot drinks to keep myself warm and make apple and cinnamon tea. I love the scent of the spices wafting through the air in my kitchen. Xx 🥰
Hooked on the smells of Fall 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽😍😍😍😍
🥛 🍪 ☕️ 🍫
I could smell all the lovely scents coming off the screen as I read. Wonderfully evocative. Now I want a gingerbread latte 🙂