Smell, my 5th sense. It bleeds into other senses, awakening them and massaging my brain.
On my walk this morning.
A freshly hayed field. I swear, the aroma is an aphrodisiac. Some enterprising person should bottle it.
The stink of a hot, happy dog playing in the summer grass. (Those who have dogs in their families know how this “stink” is a happy one.)
The bright, crisp smell of Magnolia blossoms, like Southern sweetness. Someone should bottle this one, too.
Silver honeysuckle, the invasive weed that no one will cut back because it smells like vanilla syrup smeared on juicy slices of orange.
Back home, fresh ground coffee. Lord have mercy, my senses are full.
Only now do I sit down to write.
Priscilla Bettis, Author 
My sense of smell isn’t as great as it used to be, so when I do smell something, it’s extra meaningful. The scent of jasmine is an old favourite, and it instantly transports me back to Venice, where I used to catch that same scent floating in the air as I waited for the vaporetto at Giardini. Then there are men’s fragrances such as Tommy, which reminds me of a certain turning point in my career when I used to wear it; and Carolina Herrera 212, which reminds me of family holidays in Spain. My current favourite has to be the scent of horses. It’s definitely an acquired taste, but one that all riders love, and know as Parfum de Chevaux!
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Wow, you have a lot of cool memories. Horses, I know exactly what you mean! There are horses about a quarter mile from us. When I stop to stroke their l-o-n-g noses, I really do like their smell. It’s not stinky animal smell. It’s not like a cow. It’s just outdoorsy and relaxing.
Thanks for commenting, Brian.:-)
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I enjoyed reading this. Beautiful pictures and yes, why do coffee beans look like dead beetles? It’s a bit unsettling.
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Fortunately, the hubster usually makes the coffee, so I don’t have to look at the creepy little “bug shells” very often.:-) Thanks for stopping by, Lucy!
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This whole post is fragrant with lovely experiences and deep thoughts – LOVED READING IT! 😍😇🦋
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Thank you, R A I N, you’re so kind.:-)
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😇🦋
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Being a cat person and a non-coffee drinker (smells wonderful, tastes like dishwater to me – weird tastebuds), the only one of these I can identify with is the magnolia blossoms. Southern sweetness is a perfect description. Beautiful pics, Priscilla – thanks for the walk!
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I’m the odd breed that likes both dogs and cats. We have four black cats! I’m glad you stopped by, Teri.:-)
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I also love the smell of a happy dog😁 And honeysuckle! And coffee of course.
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Coffee and I are good friends.:-) I’m glad you commented, Tammy!
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I love honeysuckle and freshly ground coffee. I’ve seen my share of magnolia trees and can not recall their scent. Your comment about dogs reminds me of the sound of happily playing children and the sound they make when things have gotten or are about to get unhappy and or messy. It’s easy to tell the difference even though both are usually loud.
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You’ll have to stop next time you see a magnolia tree in bloom and go smell it. Sure, passersby may think you’re odd, but the scent is worth it! Thanks for commenting, Equipsblog.:-)
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It is nice to learn a bit more about you through this post, Priscilla. I have cats and they are not really smelly at all.
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Yeah, cats are generally more nose-friendly. We have four cats, and the only time they stink is when they’re using the litter box. Thanks for stopping by, Robbie!
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Thank you for this olfactory journey. I felt I was right there with you experiencing the smells, it was delicious! And I would like to point out, excellent writing as well.
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Thank you, Fawn. “Delicious” is right. The wild honeysuckles in particular make my mouth water . . . maybe they’re actually edible, I dunno. I’m glad you stopped by, Fawn!
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Thanks for sharing your morning walk. It looks like you have a wonderful setting for it.
And the scent of honeysuckle is one of my all time favorites. What wonderful fragrances you got to experience!
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We do live in a nice area for walking. It’s almost rural but not quite. Since this morning’s walk, it has clouded over and started drizzling now. But even that dank soil smell is a good aroma when your area’s been going through a dry spell. Thanks for commenting, Mae!
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I love that smell too, Priscilla. My area is also kind of similar….a bit rural, but not quite. We have farms all around us, but are just a short drive to stores and restaurants!
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Have a great day! 🙂
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Thank you, Bette. I hope you have a fab day too!
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❤
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I also love smells. Some bring me distant memories…
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My parents were always big coffee drinkers. I have lots of memories from my childhood associated with that smell, like early mornings with my dad reading the newspaper before the sun rose. Thank you for commenting, Luisa.:-)
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What a beautiful post, Priscilla! I remember being taught in a psychology class that smell was the most powerful memory trigger. I have to agree. You have me remembering the scent of wild honeysuckle when I was a child. Hugs on the wing!
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Yes, I’ve heard that too. I have coffee-smell memories myself. Hugs on the wing back at ya, Teagan.:-)
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Coffee is a very happy smell. 😀
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Smell is one of the most powerful senses we have, especially when it comes to reawakening memories. I’ve read/seen a few horror stories use it, and some of them do it very well.
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Yeah, I’ve learned from horror stories/films that when the sulfur smell invades the back hallway, it’s time to get an exorcist! Thanks for visiting, Rami!
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You’re welcome.
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Wonderful tagging along on your walk and imagining all the good smells. I love how coffee smells, but have never ground up my own beans. 🙂
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I like coffee smell in any form. Coffee is a great invention (you know, like chocolate and pizza and ice cream!). Thanks for commenting, Ghostmmnc.:-)
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Lord have mercy, it all smelled wonderful to me. 🙂
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Yeah, it was a great way to start the day. And I did have a productive writing day.:-) Thanks for stopping by, Steven!
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My pleasure. 🙂
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Myself I love the smell of pipe tobacco, hay, horses, and leather…not to mention cilantro, and fresh-milled wood, wet earth after a rain…
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You have a lot of good ones! Thanks for commenting, KC.:-)
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There are some of those magnolias around here, but I’ve never noticed their scent. That honeysuckle, for sure! I have it here in the garden and it behaves quite well, not weedy at all. The smell of freshly ground coffee beans is actually better than brewed coffee, although both are great smells. I remember reading somewhere a comparison of a cat’s toes to coffee beans. At the time I had a cat with black toes, and it’s true! As for the happy dog, we have a Newfoundland, so I’m familiar with that doggy smell.
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I wonder if you have the same species of magnolias. I can smell these things a quarter mile away when they are in bloom. I’m glad you commented, Audrey.:-)
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I love the smell of a new bag of garden compost – and the feel of it, too.
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Yes, Julia! Another happy smell. Thanks for the reminder.:-)
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This made me smile 🙂 Beautiful!!
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Thanks, Emmy. It was a good way to start my day, and it set me up for a productive writing session. I’m glad you popped in.:-)
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If you figure out how to make your own air freshener, put some of the magnolia in!
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Yeah, that would be perfect! Thanks for stopping by, Deby.:-)
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