2001-07-17 - 3:13 p.m.
The Way to My Heart is Through My Nose

An ordinary summer workstudy student with slightly above average-looks just walked into the office (I'm manning the front desk again today) and handed me a set of truck keys to put back in the cabinet. His hand was warm and callused; I could smell engine oil, earth and (faintly) sweat. Suddenly, he seemed twice as attractive ...

It reminded me of a drive I took a few weeks ago, near sunset, when the air was starting to cool and the light was golden in the trees. I cracked the windows, hit 75 on the interstate, and headed south towards my parents' house. Along the way I encountered the scents of damp air, cut grass, hot pavement, warm earth, and a pungent, manure-y smell that reminded me instantly of stink bait (a tarlike substance used to attract catfish, that I haven't handled since I was 12). My mood, which was rather dark when I started, lightened considerably as I drove, until I was nearly bubbling with cheer when I reached my destination.

No matter where I go or what economic bracket I might aspire to, I don't think I'll ever leave my grubby middle-class Southern upbringing behind. No matter what sort of lofty men I meet, I think I'll always be most attracted to the tall, strong blue-collar type. No wonder I've had such problems with men around here ... Not many tall, strong blue-collar types end up at private universities! *laugh*

I went over some old photos last night, and came across one of my favorite pictures of Christmas. It isn't of anything really special -- a friend snapped it last year when my mother was opening a joke gift at a Christmas Eve party. She has an amused yet horrified look on her face, holding a hideous ornament at arm's length, and my father beside her is laughing. Behind them, in the corner of a couch, I am sitting with my hands cupped around a coffee mug, holding it in front of me, my eyes closed as I breathe in the warmth rising from the hot liquid. Just looking at it, I can smell Dad's special brew, and I smile.

I hope I never lose my sense of smell. =)