Autumn Smells

Autumn has a unique smell.

It is probably the smell of leaf mold on the wind--which at the same time is familiar and makes me sneeze.

That, coupled with the cooler crisper air is one of those dead ringer "it's autumm" signals for me.

Smells are very powerful. I think they are being over used now though. Everytime I turn around there is a new candle or spray object in the house putting out seemingly pleasant odors that mostly make me sneeze.

I noticed the autumn smell this afternoon while going to the cafeteria for lunch. I just caught me and made me realize that it really is autumn here in Maryland.

I also know that there is a very clean, almost odorless smell associated with snow as it lays new fallen on the ground. I don't particularly enjoy it, but I have noticed it.

I looked at the pool cover the yesterday and thought about the water underneath, waiting for springtime.

And it reminded me of the smell of water being splashed upon hot concrete. It has a particular odor to it was well--one that calls for me to jump in the pool and enjoy the day.

So smells are a part of our overall experience that sometimes we do not take time to catalog. They can't be stored slike so many digital images--but we do remember them and can quickly be transported back in time in our minds to a different place.

Some smells make us think of home--like pumpkin pie or baking bread.

Some smells tell us there is a problem, like the smell of burnt hair or hot brake fluid.

Some smells are for information like the smell of radiator fluid leaking on the ground (I hate that).

But the smell of autumn is unique--it is just, autumn. Refreshing and complex.

So I will enjoy it as I watch the sun set too early and the flowers dim and wither knowing that springtime is one day closer.