Everyone in my writing group knows I’m smell-obsessed. I probably have far too many scent references in my work and I’m always asking the others in the group things like, “But what did the locker room smell like when your main character walked in?”In my work in progress, the aroma of a Sharpie pen figures prominently. I don’t mind the smell, but it’s not one of my favorites. I’m a big fan of scents that are either severely organic (the inside of a corn husk, good damp soil) or severely chemical (gas straight from the nozzle, WD-40).
What are your favorite smells? Will anyone admit to offbeat or politically incorrect scents? Allow me to start by publicly admitting that I love the smell of gun cleaner and wet cat fur.
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28 comments:
Gun cleaner? I hope it's a childhood thing...
My favorite forbidden scent is horse stable hay. Used.
CDG
There is something wrong w/ you. I see everyone else on thsi blog is all warm and fuzzy and lovey. I can't do it.
Blog friends, meet my friend Tonya. Isn't she a delight?
I adored the Kado pens they used on big white sheets of paper when I was a child at school.
I also love horse manure, Daphne, and Croissants...
Barb
Yea to gun cleaner and horse stables! Also lavender, rosemary, and pines, coffee brewing, newborn babies, sun dried clothes, et al. I guess smell is my favorite sense. You must have gotten it from me.
mom
Wow you should see the episode of Intervention where the addict sniffs computer duster and gets super high, its a scary thing! but my secret smell is skunks and gas from the nozzle too!
SKUNKS!?! Okay, no judgment. Good for you for secretly liking skunks.
Yikes! I just sprayed computer duster at Hank! Is it toxic? I thought it was just canned air...don't call Child Services.
I seriously just laughed out loud alone in my bed!
I had forgotten about gun cleaner! Mmmmm!!!!! (and how random that so many of us actually have smelled and witnessed a regular gun cleaning!) aaahhh youth. Cleaning guns with daddy :-)
I love too many to mention, but am sitting here trying to think of something totally peculiar to crack you up.
Dang! I'm stumped. I'll check back later.
K
I'm sure you'll come up with something, Katie! Maybe something seriously Southern?
I love the smell of my small child's breath in the morning. Specifically, when they exhale after yawning while asleep. Ahhh, the sweet smell of Hot Breath.
diane
I totally get that one, Diane!
I won't call CPS but seriously that is not just air, it makes you high and the chick who was doing it looked like she was totally drunk all the time, that is what it looked like.
Gasoline, totally. Also my cats' fur (not wet) after they've been outside. And newspaper ink. And new books. And although I don't really like beer, the smell of stale beer in the air takes me back to college parties, which brings back fond memories ;)
Gasoline straight from the pump, YUM. Love the smell of leather, new puppy breath & sadly enough I love the smell of paint thinner.... WendyD
Ah, it's been awhile since I've huffed puppy breath but I do fondly remember the smell...
Now this won't be proper but I loved the smell of marijuana smoke - not cigarettes, they're yucky! It's been a long time so this is a distant memory, but I did go see Willie Nelson last Summer. Tomato leaves as I'm gardening and fresh basil make me so happy! Jennifer C
Okay, I love the smell of old stereo equipment--maybe a turntable that's been sitting in the top of my closet for twenty years and it has that sharp, musty vinyl smell. YUM.
Jennifer C - Nice! I'm sure with your professional background you were smelling completely legal "medical marijuana" right?
And SF, you definitely win for the most obscure. I TOTALLY know what smell you're talking about but wouldn't have ever conjured up that memory.
SF - you are one silly willy! This smelly post wins for the most comments!
Wow, interesting. I thought I was the only one that had weird ties to smells. I love puppies breath, rubbing alcohol (come to think of it ANY alcohol), love the kid's breath in the morning, and burning nail polish remover.
PC - Interesting spin on nail polish remover! You burn it? Like, on purpose? And two thumbs up for rubbing alcohol - one of the main reasons (besides the institutional food) that I love going to the hospital!
I love the smell of paper, anything pickled and cigarettes before they've been smoked. They smell like tea leaves. Nothing like getting caught shoving your nose in someone's pack of Marlboro Lights or a box of Lemon Zinger.
LOL, that was supposed to be burning firewood and then I realized we were talking about weird smells...so I *thought* I deleted it. Wow, pretty sure burning nailpolish remover would be masked by smells of burning house! ;)
Ha! SO funny. I wondered if you had a special incense burner to use when lighting up your nail polish remover! But hey, I have friends who like the smell of skunk, so who am I to judge?
I will confess to the gasoline straight out of the pump. As a child I sat in the back seat,roll the window down and inhale the aroma.There's also the whole subcategory of smells in the housecleaning department: organic orange detergent, dishwasher crystals....
-KMB
Smell story for you - Chris, Remember when you MADE me take your late assignment to Dr. Winter and tell him that while, of course it had been finsishd on time your grandma/aunt/sister (I can't remember which family member you used that time) had passed away and you had to leave town. He lifted it to his nose, sniffed and said, "hmmm wet ink, fresh off the printer." Tell her to let it sit for a while before she has you lie for her!
Lorna Doone cookies.
Clothes and blankets that have been to the beach.
Rain.
My grandparents' house in Kansas.
Fall.
Cucumber.
Lemon.
Band aids, I can't believe no one said band aids yet. You know, after they've been on a little while and have had antiseptic on them, that is when they are at their best.
Earl Grey I love smelling and I hate wet, damp, stick-to-your-hand-sponge-smell the most!
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