~Olfactory Memories~

Reading Helena's blog, "memory palace", made me consider, especially this weekend, the connection between smells and memories. I was at my sister's house this weekend and the smell of her house brings back summer memories for me. I lived with her while taking a six week literature course here. The smell of the soap in the bathroom brings me back to the many nights of getting ready and going out, having the time of my life! The bedroom which was mine temporarily...many late nights studying with the moonlight spilling through the window. Waking up in the early mornings to my nephew (only a few months old at the time) crying or laughing...that has not changed either!

We also baked cookies, which was often a summer favorite on her husband's poker nights! All these smells bring back sweet summer memories. The smells bring back not only the memories in the house, but what I was going to do. So, like the soap in the bathroom- still all I can think of is how many times I would be getting ready and where I went once that was done or more importantly who I went with!

My first summer in Bozeman was this past one, it was by far the best summer I have ever had! If only I could bring it back...but that is what the memories are for!