Sense of smell

Today I walked into a health food/bulk food store and instantly something inside me shouted - MOM!

I am always fascinated at how our minds make associations. Research has shown that we form even stronger associations and memories at times of increased emotions - its like the emotion ramps up the brain to say - oh wow, we can't forget this because it was so good/bad! For example - the smell of charred remains of something burnt gives me an instant and paralyzing fear that my house is burning. But the smell of apples and pumpkins makes me smile and think it must be time for Thanksgiving.

So then I started to think....what other smells remind me of people? A person is an odd sort of thing to associate with a smell. It occurred to me that 2-stroke engine (ie. the smell of gas in a small gas powered tool of some sort) make me think of my dad, and I picture him in an old t-shirt and ear protectors. Fried fish makes me think of my Grandma. Fresh homemade dinner rolls smell like my Gammie.

I wonder what my new world will smell like? Thailand smelled like jasmine and franginpan....what will Texas smell like? Will my new house have a wood stove? Will our yard have trees? Will we have flower gardens? Will Ray buy such a large bbq and smoker that I will forever have the smell of cooked meat stuck in my nose? hmm...lots of things to ponder and imagine....

Love
Pamela