I Always Love the Red, White, and Blue

Happy Fourth of July!

The Nose Knows: The Smells of Summer

" Some suggest that our sense of smell evokes the most powerful memories. And when we close our eyes and summon the perfume of fruit pies baking, fresh-mown grass, line-dried laundry, and herb beds at midday, we're convinced: the nose knows."- Anonymous

I believe the sense of smell does evoke the most powerful memories. I can walk through the garden in the morning taking in the scent of syringa and be back climbing a hill just to breathe in those blossoms when I was ten.  It is hard to find a rose anymore with a true scent, but my Honey Perfume rose transports me to either grandmother's house in the summer as I pulled on petals and tried to catch bees. The spicy smell of petunias puts me on my mom's backyard deck. Lilies evoke Eugene and my brother's aromatic flowers he used to grow.

Smelling the strong odor of  campfire smoke takes me back to Camp Neewahlu,high school gatherings up the river, camping at Lolo, Canyon Creek, Steamboat Rock, Lake Chelan, Heyburn State Park, a writing retreat at Payette Lake, and our own gazebo. Campfire smoke lingers on clothes after a wet,cold camping trip. Campfire smoke hangs in the tent, on the dogs, and even the cats.

What else does summer smell like? The other day I covered myself with sunscreen before I went out to work in the yard. It was Coppertone. The smell took me back to the swimming pool, Rose Lake, and the Coeur d'Alene River more than thirty years aga. Summer smells like chlorine, dry pine needles, barbecued steak, and toasted marshmellows. It smells like honeysuckle, fresh lavender, boat oil, and lake water. Dill is the smell of all the women in my family that have hung the plants up to dry. Bacon is the smell of the best addition to green beans fresh from the garden.

Yes, the sense of smell does evoke powerful memories. What does summer smell like to you?

Still Life in the Garden

I so enjoy the lilies,

and also the foxglove,

marigolds,

the "Nearly Wild" roses,

and the " Pink Iceberg" roses.

I hope I can keep this begonia blooming like this all summer.

A Bouquet for a Friend and Mentor

I picked a bouquet this morning to take a friend and mentor that is also my therapist. Nine years ago I first met D.R. when I knew I needed help in some kind of way. Through the nine years we have been meeting we have addressed my depression, anxiety, and also how to handle stress. D.R. has encouraged me to grow as a person, helped me set goals to improve myself, encouraged me to write, and supported me in surrounding myself with all that is good in the world. We have eaten chocolate, cried, laughed out loud, and had deep discussions. When I completed my national boards we actually did a toast with a glass of wine. We have read books together, shared articles of interest, and shared websites. She has encouraged me to journal and I have filled books in the nine years.

Two months ago D.R. had an accident at home. I didn't really know what happened. She quit seeing patients for awhile. I knew she had to recuperate. It was difficult. I realized how much I relied on her. I didn't call or email. I waited until she was ready to see patients again. I went through some tough stuff during that time. I missed our sessions, but also realized I actually dealt with stuff that was thrown at me.

Today we had a session after two months. When I handed her the flowers I could see she is back to normal. I am getting closer to normal after we met today. We once again ate chocolate, cried, laughed out loud, and had deep discussions. I left with a whole list of things to do and felt twenty pounds lift off my shoulders when I drove away. I knew I was better, but not ready to give up on our sessions. It is a habit I don't want to break any time soon.

I was also relieved when she told me she wasn't ready to retire. She looked at me and said, "What would I do with myself if I wasn't here working?" I smiled and hugged her good-bye.

The Kittens Venture Outside

Grayson and Junebug got their first outside tour today. It was quite a bit of excitement for two little kittens. We watched them closely... as did the dogs.

Junebug loved the chair.

Grayson discovered an iris.

Way too much excitement.

Sibling Assignment #131: Memories Around Food

Raymond Pert gave the assignment this week. What are you looking forward to at the cousin reunion in Orofino in July? You can find RP's post here and Silver Valley Girl's here.

I have written many memoir pieces centered around food in Orofino.  We didn't always eat in Orofino, but those memories have stayed with me. The gathering around the table with food always brings back vivid memories of Auntie Lila's Swiss Steak, Auntie Ronnie's canned cherries, Grandma West's homemade apple pies that came up from the freezer with hard ice cream, and old fashioned popcorn at cousin Lura's.

As we come together this summer food has already been planned. I know we will collect new recipes, talk about old ones, write down copies on cards from each other and I will have more to add to my collection. When families gather food becomes a vehicle for beginning conversation, sustaining conversation, and remembering.  I know that Lura makes a "killer taco salad". I also can't wait to taste Judy's bean dish from the crock pot. Gloria is known for her dill pickles. Mark will be smoking fish caught in the waters around Orofino. Lyle will be making his signature coffee.  Mom will make her potato salad and pies at home in Kellogg and transport them to her hometown as not to heat up the kitchen in Orofino. All this is only the beginning.

I will probably be able to pull together a cookbook by the time we are done on Sunday of our cousin reunion. I can't wait. I look forward to choosing recipes from my collection, hearing stories about where other recipes came from, and just enjoying the fellowship of family and food.