Triggering a Memory, from Smell or Sound-Part One…..

July 24, 2013 Sheila 1 Comment

We had just turned the corner into our subdivision when Howard tuned to me and said, “I smell smoke.”

Last Saturday we were on our early morning walk with our “girls”. It was a beautiful morning and I was walking along enjoying our stroll happy to have my “pack” with me. I had also smelled the smoke and my mind drifted to a pleasant memory that took place many years ago.

I was interrupted from my reminiscing, when Howard stated “I wonder where it is coming from?” I then heard a hint of concern in his voice, which I did not feel myself, because I was in the past, reliving. I believe his concern, over smelling the smoke, was triggered from last summers horrible forest fires in our area.

Smelling certain odors and hearing certain sounds are powerful triggers to the brain, calling up memories mostly from childhood, but not always. The brain is a complex organ and more often then not, truly mysterious to me, in how it functions.

I don’t understand how these triggers work, something to do with the olfactory bulb being closely associated with memory and feeling. What I do know is when triggers happen and the memories are good ones, I am thankful for them.

After my experience last Saturday of having a memory triggered by an odor, I thought it would be interesting to write a few personal stories. I decided to write about this subject in multiple posts/memories, because of the length. This is Part One, so look for others.

~ Part One ~

The pleasing odor of wood burning in a fireplace…..

Always brings me back to the late seventies and our first ski trip to Aspen, Colorado. There were six of us and this particular trip was the first of many. We all lived in the suburbs of New Orleans and thank goodness we discovered how much fun a skiing vacation could be.

I found this old photo and scanned it. From left to right: Howard, Gay C., Gay M., Sheila, Harold and Don was behind the camera as usual.

After an enjoyable day of skiing, we would walk through the beautiful downtown area of Aspen, bundled up in heavy coats, hats, gloves and scarves on our way in search of a delicious meal and to relive our day on the mountain.

The cold, mountain, air and the flame inducing peacefulness of a fire are invitations for people to light their fireplaces, thus the strong smell of burning wood in the air. It was an exciting time spent with friends and I found the smell of smoke in the air a pleasant one.

Odors and sounds triggering fond memories, mysterious why it happens, but always a welcome experience.

What fond memories are triggered when you smell a certain odor or hear a certain sound?

At Home, Photos-Birds

SBS:~Western Kingbird/Take Two~

July 20, 2013 Sheila 6 Comments

Sheila’s Bird Shots…..

Guess where we went today?

If you guessed to check on our motorhome you would be correct.

Last week’s visit was to remove two, five year old start batteries, which were going bad and this week was to install the newly purchased start batteries. We have a total of eight batteries in our rig, two start and six house. Thankfully, the six house batteries are only three years old!

While hubby was installing the batteries, I mean what could I possibly have done, I was again photographing the beautiful, Western Kingbirds.

My foray into the Western Kingbirds space was more successful than last Saturdays. No circling or fussing at me. We were still separated by a high chain link fence, but I was able to capture these images.

First- just caught

Second – don’t want to get stung

Third – look what I caught

Fourth – got it by the stinger

Fifth – now got it by a leg

Sixth – still trying to get it in my mouth

Seventh – almost

Eighth – do you see any more

Photos-Flowers, Plants, Trees, Poetry

Poetry:~Day Lily~

July 18, 2013 Sheila 5 Comments

Day Lilies were a favorite,

I planted a few just for her.

My Burgundy ones are in full bloom,

Whispering to me each morning.

Flowers shaped like vessels can be filled with many thoughts,

These are filled with my fond memories.

Of a very special lady,

Mom.

At Home, Photos-Birds

SBS:~Western Kingbird~

July 17, 2013 Sheila 5 Comments

Sheila’s Bird Shots: ~ Western Kingbird ~

On Saturday we took a ride to check on our motorhome, which is stored about seven miles from our home. While there I noticed several Western Kingbirds perched in Cottonwood trees that run along a fence line separating the storage facility from an open grassland.

I wanted to try to capture an image of these Flycatchers. I got my camera and slowly approached the fence so as not to scare them. I stopped not too far away and just stood there hoping they would get use to seeing me.

After a few minutes, one of the Western Kingbirds flew high into the air and came gliding down toward me. This fearless, striking gray and yellow bird then continued to fly in circles around me as it gave me a scolding. Loud, buzzing, vocals combined with graceful, acrobatics. How fun.

A few seconds of this behavior and it flew back to its perch. I stood there for a couple more minutes, thoroughly scolded, but not deterred. The Kingbird must have decided I was not a threat, because I was ignored after that.

I was able to observe, their gymnastic flying and hunting abilities as they snatched bugs out of the air. There was plenty of “fussing” between the Kingbirds, I guess reminding each other which Cottonwood tree was theirs.

These photos are my first images of Western Kingbirds. Wish I could have gotten closer.