Sunday, April 18, 2010

Stop Awhile And Breathe



We have a lilac bush outside our kitchen door, and these pictures show the stages of it's blooming. Whenever we open the door or pull up in the car, the smell is amazing. This year, the smell of all the flowers is so much more fragrant and stronger than other years. It's not just me, because a friend mentioned it to me the other day. Have you noticed this? Did you know that your sense of smell is strongest when you are a child? By the time we get into our twenties, it slowly starts to decline. The older we are, the less effective our sense of smell is. Isn't it funny how a smell can bring back childhood memories even more than visualization? The fresh baked bread like grandma used to bake, the perfume mom used to wear...a mere waft can send us spinning back in time. I've read that no two people smell something the same way. I have a friend who is a cook, and an operation left her with no sense of smell or taste. She cannot taste whether her food is good or not. She cannot smell our beautiful lilac...

After dinner chores
When the lilacs are in bloom;
Stop awhile and breathe

Andromeda Jazmon

"But thanks be to God, who leads us in triumphful procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." 2 Cor. 2:14















11 comments:

Beverly said...

Those photos are so lovely. It's neat to see the lilacs from bud to bloom. Will they still be in bloom when I come?

Glenda said...

Your photos are just gorgeous! I wish I had lilacs beside my door! And you are so right about smells reminding us of the past. I can still smell Mama's pies and cakes cooking, line-dried clothes on a sunny day, bacon smoking in our smokehouse . . .

Great post, Ginny!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Ginny, Love your photos... Spring is unusually gorgeous this year for all of us... I guess it was because winter was SO bitter.

Yes--smells can bring back so many memories. My mother mad home-made cheese rolls to die for --and I can't make them.. BUT---I can still smell them in my heart!!!! She was an excellent cook--and I didn't learn that from her...

Hope you had a good weekend.

Hugs,
Betsy

RoeH said...

Oh nooooo....It's time for lilacs and I'm missing them? I go into deep lilac depression every year. I hate living in Arizona. Well, for that reason anyway. I grew up with them every spring in Idaho. It the biggest thing I miss about seasons. Your photos are soooo beautiful!!

MadSnapper said...

that is sad about the no smell or taste, stop and smell the roses or lilacs is so important. lovely lovely flowers

Stephanie V said...

Nice progression of the lilac blooms. I have a tree just outside my sewing room window...looks about the same as yours. It's the reason I wanted to buy this house: there was a lilac tree. What a wonderful scent they have. Although after they bloom they don't look all that wonderful.
Enjoy their short season.
The licorice? I googled it because I was concerned about the potential sodium. You can buy it in stores where they specialize in Dutch and Scandinavian foods.

Rosie leavesnbloom Scotland said...

I can virtually smell those lilacs from here in Scotland. I agree with you that smells really can provoke so many memories. I used to keep away from my grandads lilacs are there was always that buzzing sound around them and at that time I was so scared of anything that buzzed!

You probably wonder how I found you - well I was on Dawn treader's blog and I read some lovely comments you had written and I thought I should come over and say hello and introduce myself to you rather than lurk in the background. God Bless you :) Rosie

George said...

We had two big lilac bushes at the first house I remember as a child. I think I can still smell that wonderful fragrance.

Kilauea Poetry said...

This couldn't be more true..gorgeous photo series!! Highlighed with the verse Ginny! Your so fortunete to have them growing in your yard! Now I honestly feel this has everything to do..or is the outcome of a harsh cold winter..just like us huh? What a lovely post..Regina-

Kilauea Poetry said...

Btw..ya, that is sad about your friend..my dad also mentioned he really lost his sense of smell too (he's 93yrs tough) Regina-

SquirrelQueen said...

Beautiful photos Ginny, your lilacs are gorgeous. Ours started blooming over the weekend but it has been windy so the scent is not as strong as usual. Smells do trigger memories, it would be sad not to have a sense of smell or taste.

The Big Cow - Easter 2024

 The Big Cow is all dressed up and ready for Easter. And he has brought along some of his friends as well!