They say the nose knows, but what does the nose know? More than you think.
Memory and our sense of smell possess a stronger connection than our other senses. What we smell factors into most of our experiences, but we don’t often recognize it unless it tips the pleasant/unpleasant scale. Today, we focus on a travel memory and shine the light on what the nose knows.
Remember, the maximum word count to post every day is 750 words, the equivalent of three (3) double-spaced, typewritten pages. You can write fewer words but not more, and all words count, even the little ones. If you haven’t yet watched the
If you’d like, use the handout below to create a cluster or mindmap of possible story ideas. Print out several blank cluster diagrams and use them to focus your story on a moment that involves only a few people and a short period of time. If you’ve not yet watched the Brainstorm Your Stories by Clustering video, you may want to do that first.
When you’ve settled on what you wish to write, create a draft of the story, post your work in the comments section below, read a few of your fellow challengers’ stories, and include a word or two of encouragement. Happy writing!
This is my story about smell. Enjoy!
Great story Julie. Loved the title…very creative. Interesting story concept. I loved your last lines. So truthful. You go girl!
Good story, Julie. Your story brought back a memory of us moving our daughter into Sarah Lawrence College. She was our firstborn and leaving her alone in an unfamiliar place was hard. Luckily, she could hop on a train and be home within two hours.
Julie,
You really hit home with this one. All smells aside, your descriptions brought me back to taking my daughters off to college. It was almost depressing, when we moved Morgan into Indiana University of Pennsylvania. But when we moved Shannon into Ohio University, it was worse. Peg and I became EMPTY NESTERS.
Good descriptions.
One more thing…..why do the freshmen always get stuck on the highest floors?
John
Very well portrayed. You were leaving all that and a lot more. Good read.
This was not a worse trip, it was really wonderful with six years, ages ten to sixteen, filled with wonderful culinary smells in a heavily populated German community.
What a great Ohio story, Jackie. It was fun to read and oh how the description of your grandmother’s food. I could picture it. Such a heartwarming story of family, loving kindness and the sacrifices that were made.
Jackie, so much love conveyed in the last paragraph. Through your grandmothers words, humour and ”Donots Ya”. I love it. A powerful statement to your parents dedication. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Thierry. My husbands parent French Canadian accent was even more touching. My father-in-law worked in the American business word, but my mother-in- law, who I dearly loved dearly, had a beautiful heavy lady like accent which I wish I could replicate both verbally (much like yours) and in writing. I will have to write about the first time I met her, really funny.
Jackie, a delightful story about your grandparents and how family members cared for their loved ones when they became old. We do not see that nowadays. Thanks for sharing.
Jackie,
When you started to describe the smells and then your grandmother’s German accent, I forgot what the story was about. Rather than being an ugly story of the ravages of the war, you turned it into a lovely story of family bonding.
Jackie, you had me licking my lips at the descriptions of that wonderful, home-made food. I enjoyed the way you show us the warmth and love in your family, and your grandmother’s heavy German accent. I’d love to know more about both your grandparents. And I want one of those doughnuts!
Ah, Nostalgia! Great job!
Here is my story of a disappointing trip with a twist of chocolate.
Nancy, I, too, was confused by the location of your trip. Just like John. Otherwise, a nice story about bonding with your son and enjoying chocolate.
Nancy,
An interesting story. But I got lost. Were you driving to the ski trip and turned around? Or did you just give up on the trip after getting the new car?
Did this happen in Australia? That’s the only Perth (other than Perth Amboy, NJ) which I know. The only Hershey’s plant I know of is in Hershey ,PA. Been there many times.
Good story line. But may need a touch of cleaning up.
John
Chocolate makes everything better. This memory actually made me miss snow (though not driving in it!). Great details in the chocolate factory as well as the description of the scenery and weather. I love the spur-of-the-moment decision to buy a new car, and Matt’s calmness, just rolling with whatever happens. Nice job.
Great story, well told.
A little late but here is my story for Day 2. This one was a challenge for me. I tried to subtly add some details of smell into the experience.
Hello Rose, Gripping story so vividly portrayed. I admire your courage in undertaing the White water Rafting.
Great story, Rose. You wove so well. It kept me engrossed in it from the beginning to the end. The suspense was killing me. The descriptions were so vivid that you took me on a ride.
I love this story, Rose. My niece was a rescuer for a rafting company on the Ottawa River. You were brave.
Thanks Nancy.
Trying to catch up today (Wednesday)! Here is my story for Day Two: My parents were not chain smokers. I have no idea how many cigarettes they went through in a day, or a week, nor did I care. Smoking was a habit for most of the adults I knew. As the health risks became better understood, when I was in my early teens, Mum and Daddy both quit. They never said whether it was difficult. I never asked. I had accepted the habit; I accepted it when they stopped. By the time I was in high school, I was… Read more »
Nice job, Terry. A story I haven’t heard before. “Still, coming back into the house after a day at the beach was like having my face pushed into a dirty ash tray as I walked in the door.” What a great line! I enjoyed reading this story. Loved the description and the substance.
Smoking has come a long way. When I was growing up, it was perfectly acceptable and even a sign of some sort of dignity. I had my first cigarette in the fifth grade. Got sick as a dog. The only right I had in basic training was, “Light ’em up if you got ’em.” So, I got ’em. All of that has changed over the last 30-40 years.
I think you captured the smell of walking into a room (or should I say wall) in the home and area of smokers.
You left out one important word……YUCK!!!
This is a great account of putting up with secondhand smoke. Many smokers are unaware of how smoke affects people. It’s great we can live in smokefree workplaces, shopping malls and restaurants etc.
Thank you, Nancy. I was lucky. My older sister has had respiratory issues all her life, and I’m sure they stem from the cigarettes our parents smoked when we were young. She had seven more years of it than I did.
Reposting Day 2 story Double-Spaced as required, Sorry!
Thierry,
I think that you are a romantic. I’m naming you, “The King of Description.” I’m always fascinated with your translations to English. Two of the highlights in this story:
Good Job, fellow T.
Thank you John for the title of ”King” and your support. I might fly to England for a ceremony! (:
I will definitely visualise you near ant hills, imagining Versailles or wanting to build your own castles. Once again you got me to laugh, feels good.
You finally felt at home, in the rain. A great story of how disappointment can turn around so fast. It was a wonderful moment.
As you say Nancy, the moment was finally wonderful in the writing as I could express it after all those years.
Wow, that was quite a trip, Thierry. Your descriptions and phrasing created quite a journey as I read.
Hi Lisa Marie I’ m glad to have shared this journey, I appreciate you naming it as such, ads to my perspective on the trip itself. Thank you.
Thierry, your imagery is beautiful. I love the rebirth at the end, you standing in the sun, becoming a marble statue in all its glory.
Thank you Millie, rebirthing resonates I agree.
Here is my first draft of a story I titled A Whiff. Tough prompt. Could you smell it?
All feedback welcome.
Day 2 through.
A foul tidal wave of stank rolled over me like the stench of graveyards past on steroids. If you took the worst of the worst, heated it, bagged it, and let it marinade for a week, it couldn’t have compared to reeking odor that bombarded me. It wasn’t just a whiff of something. It smelled like I was greeted by a giant living breathing sweat-drenched formidable villain wearing wet fur tackled me and breathed its putrid never brushed teeth in my face…and that’s putting it mildly. Marie, what a great story. I was there with you, gagging all over the… Read more »
Great story! You brought me right along with you, both with the good and the bad, and I laughed out loud at your vivid description of the smell (it seems too weak a word). You have a real gift for original phrasing. The stench from your poor abused refrigerator had an almost physical presence and personality. Not funny at the time, I’m sure, but you did a wonderful job of finding the humor in retrospect.
Such a contrast from Roast Beef cooking to decomposed meat. I loved your description of the smell and urgency to get rid of it.
Lisa Marie, you rocked this challenge. I love the contrast between the best of what could be found in a refrigerator and the worst, the most pleasant smells and the most horrid. Your descriptions made it real to me. Well done.
Lisa Marie, I am so glad that Dar recommended I read your story. Very powerful — pun intended. Great job of describing all the details, And how brave of you to stay and clean it up.
LM, you are my Number One Rock Star Writer on this subject. There are so many words, lines, and visions in this story that makes it my absolute favorite one of all. Well done, my friend.
Thank you so much, Dar. I wasn’t really sure how to write “smelly,” so it is encouraging that I was on the right track. 🙂
The attachment is my Day 2 story.
Good descriptions, Raymond. Gripping story. Thank you for your service.
What a journey, Raymond. I could imagine it as you went along describing it.
Thank you.
Thanks for the insight into what it was like to go to Vietnam. The sights and sounds at the end described a culture much different than your own.
I’m sure this story stirred up a lot of memories for you Raymond. Thanks for sharing those remembered thoughts with us.
Here is my story for today. My trip is from the journey of my life, and the smell not an unpleasant one.
Lorna,. Intricate webs in morning fresness do come to life in a unique and fascinating way. I love that you share life on a Jamaican farm, offering us a taste of your island. Love cows to. I can understand how proud you were with owning one head of cattle. well done.
Lorna, very nice recollection of life on a farm. You did a good job describing the surroundings and the scents you experienced living there. I, too, have an affinity for cows, even though I have never met one in person.
Etya, Thanks for your positive feedback. Very encouraging. Interesting that we both have an affitity for cows!!
I too grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan. One of my chores was to go and find the two milk cows grazing in the pasture and bring them home after school, so I know that smell well. I just never would have imagined about putting this memory into such beautiful words. I enjoyed your story today and your growing up home land sounds beautiful. I could almost feel the cool breeze.
Hello Dar, thank you for reading my story and for taking time to comment. So happy you could identify with my experience on the farm and that my story triggered pleasant memories!
So well written. Loved the different adjectives and visual descriptions. You had a lovely up bring. Thanks!
Raymond, Thank you for reading my story and for your encouraging words. I had a happy childhood, thanks to my parents, sibblings and the place where we grew up.
My limited trip experiences left me with no stories about bad smells and trips, but a scent that one likes might be something the next person despises, so here’s a story about a strong scent on a trip…
I love the smell of mint, especially the fresh one. I always wondered what a vast room full of mint could smell like. You described so well when you revealed what was behind the closed door.
I enjoyed your description of an unusual experience. I could visualize the tour and the guide’s anticipation. The reveal of the “mint room” was especially well done. Thanks for sharing a memory of a good smell and an enjoyable trip.
What a great memory moment. I enjoy learning about things I never would have thought about. This is definitely a story about a smell, however I don’t think this was your worst travel story. Did they grow the mint in Colorado?
What a fun experience — Mint — who would have known. Nice detail.
OK, writing buddies, here it is … a challenging story that includes SMELL. Your suggestions are invited. Thank you.
Nice story, Rose. I enjoyed it!
It seems that things like this happen just when you have something important to do.
Great story Rose. Living in close proximity with Mother Nature does have its drawbacks. Poor Alex.
I enjoyed your story and the fact that you remained calm. Can identify with the versions in the retelling…
Nothing like the smell of a skunk on a frisky dog! Nice description of a hectic but memorable day.
This was a hard story for me to write today. Hard to put smells in with the worst trip I ever had and I couldn’t make it shorter. I’ll write a really short one tomorrow. I did not take the photo of the ferry.
Dar, what a story. I never knew you could plug the radiator with potatoes. Too bad your mom didn’t greet you with open arms, I would.
What an adventure that turned out to be. I was impressed with the resourcefulness of using potatoes to plug the radiator. Nice detail of a variety of smells.
A very entertaining story with lots of adventure. Sorry things didn’t work out. I was wondering what Ferry it was in Saskatchewan. Parents’ reactions to our mishaps were different then. I guess they wanted to teach us a lesson.
Loved your descriptions: “loved anything with a motor,” and “kissing skills.” Never thought of using potatoes to plug a ruptured radiator and never thought the potatoes could be cooked! Glad you didn’t marry that guy. Great story!
I’m posting this again.
Catherine,
Did not see that one coming. One of the happiest days of my life was when I gave Jelly (named for the Jellicle Ball in “CATS.”) away. Did Clem have only one eye? Loved the line, Kiss playing non-stop….plenty of time to work up resentment. LMAO when he did his deed.
Cool story.
John
I hope that smelling burned cat urine is something I never have to encounter. You described it well, even the areas of the brain that may be affected by emotion and smell.
It went right into all parts of my head.
I enjoyed your story. You described everything so well, Cathy. Your humor went through. What a terrible experience you lived through. There is one thing in this world that I cannot deal with well: the smell of cat’s urine. I can’t even imagine the scent when it goes through a burner. Poor you.
Thanks, Etya. It was funny after it was over and gave me something to write about, so I guess it was worth it. I can’t wait to dive into your stories for this challenge.
This was delightful, the little thumbnail sketches of Howard and Clem were unique and vivid, and your description of the smell was almost too real. I felt your pain! I enjoy your style and the little touches of humor (“gruff male greetings”, Kiss non-stop on the radio) that kept the story light and playful.
Thank you, Terry! I’m glad the humor came through. I liked describing the smell using non-smell words.
I can imagine that smell and it’s not good. Yuck! I loved your descriptions of characters, human and feline. Empathy for the cat provided an interesting perspective. I really enjoyed the story. I admire your ability to tell a story with unique description and humour. It reminded me of your ‘opossum story’.
Thank you, Rose. You always make me feel good. I’m glad you like my attempts at humor.
Catherine, I have smelled lots of cat urine in my life. Comes with the territory of volunteering at cat shelters. I have never smelled burning cat urine. What a memorable experience.
There’s nothing quite like it. It should have its own category!
Oh Cathy, that cat was definitely pissed off.
He had a bad trip for sure!
What a memory! I can actually smell that event! Loved the “King of esoterica” and the medical names for your sinus system. Nice to understand from the cat’s point of view. Fun stuff!
Many thanks. glad you enjoyed it.
Hello Writing pals, As I never experienced a bad trip, I shall just send you what I wrote about smell. It happens to be in the third person. Although the alarm kept ringing….she did not stir. What a wretched noise! She was adamant…why should she be dragged from the comfort of her bed and the warm woollen blankets? But, suddenly, the room was filled with a splendid fragrance. The aroma of the coffee had a powerful effect, and on second thoughts, she jumped out of bed with the pleasant anticipation of her steaming cup of coffee, a morning ritual. She… Read more »
Thanks for the description of the aroma of coffee and how it brings back strong memories of your parents. I drank coffee with my parents every afternoon at about 4:00. We sat around our kitchen table, read the mail, and discussed newspaper articles with a cup of coffee in hand.
I’m glad it brought back nice memories too. I’m glad you liked it. thanks.
Mireille, interesting story filled with great descriptions and love for your parents.
So pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks.
Mireille, you did an excellent job of describing not only the wonderful aroma of coffee but also the memories and joyful dependence so many of us associate with our daily dose of caffeine. I especially enjoyed the beginning. I can definitely relate to the desire to stay curled up in the warm bed on a cold morning.
I struggle to get out of bed especially in winter so we have this in common. How I wish my parents were alive and share a cup with them. The caffeine not only wakes me up but also raises my spirits and provides energy to face my tasks in the morning.
Since we both like coffee and its aroma so much it would me nice to meet for a cup especially as we were in the same group in Writing your life and I remember you, Terry. So glad you appreciated my short essay.
I also remember our time together in one of the feedback breakout sessions. I’m glad to find that you’re still writing. I’m in the central Florida area, just north of Orlando, so if you’re anywhere nearby, drop me a line at tdeer@earthlink.net and we’ll make it happen!
Where? Your story isn’t here. If anyone knows how to post, it is you.
Day 2. Stink Horns
I can attest to the pungency of stink horns. Your writing vividly brought the experience back to mind. Phew! Great description. The photo looks like something out of a horror film!
Interesting smell or should I say stink. I never heard of these plants before. Thanks for sharing.
Norma, unreal. That is even better than turtles. Think, a children’s book on the Stink Horn. Better than what seems to be in the schools, and for little ones. Just think, with your artistry, sense of human and imagination the product you could produce. Just kidding. I loved it and have never heard of such a thing. Animals are more my thing, but, then, that looks like some sort of an animal. Great story and as usual, great writing.
That’s a great photo. Very colorful. I definitely learned something new. I wonder…what did you do once you found the putrid little offender, Norma?
I dug them up. The spores are carried by insects to other areas of the lawn.
Well I learn something new every day. I’m so happy you took the photo. It really helped me to visualize this stinky plant. Interesting that no matter what things look like, everything has a purpose. Thanks Norma
Norma — that’s intriguing! Loved the photo!
Glad you liked it. I was glad to get rid of the stinkers!
Norma, I have a succulent that grows in my garden. It makes a beautiful purple flower. The first time it bloomed, I went to smell it and almost threw up. It had the same rotten smell you described.
It is both ugly and smelly! Thank you for teaching me something new today. Loved your story.
Day 2. Challenge Word count; 616
Thierry, You are good, No, great. I’ve been there and could totally visualize, although your fabulous ability to describe didn’t require one to be there to see the place, feel the discomfort, but most of all feel, smell and experience that ‘FAN’ episode of water that brought you home. Another winner.
Thierry, loved your use of figurative language to depict the sense of smell. I smiled as you described many disappointments during your adventure. You are a master of simile which is engaging to this reader.
Thank you rose, I never thought I would write about these events, one day. Alll part of the beauty of remembering and sharing.
Etya has said the exact things I want to convey to you about this story of a visit to France. I loved the ending. To me, it seemed like a re-birthing….and I also think you would be a good model for a marble sculpture.
Dar, I’m sure you have an eye for models, I am flatered. The ending gave me great satisfaction in sharing it.
Thierry, I loved your recollection. It was interesting to read the description of Versailles the way you saw it. My favorite, however, was the ending. ‘At last, I felt home, in the country that gave birth to me. With sunrays reappearing in the background as one witnesses in magnificent paintings from the Louvre. Standing as skies dried up, to the smell of nature awakening, drenched and proud, naked under my white shorts and linen shirt, plastered to my skin, I for an eternal moment felt as one of many sensual marble statues, in all my glory.’ Well said.
I’ m glad you enjoyed it. I feel I am more and more mastering the english language as I write in confidence. Trust in myself boosted by generous feedbacks from yousrelf and fellow writers. I am proud of this written ending as well.
I can relate to writing in second language. It gets easier the more you practice.
Thierry, your use of smell to convey a bad attitude was very interesting. I also liked “the smell of nature awakening.” Your writing describes the feeling of a smell rather than a scent. Nice!
Thank you for underligning these choices Nancy. Quite a challenge today.
Summer Air In the summer of 1960, Cousin Jackie visited us in Sedalia, Missouri. At fourteen he received all the privileges of a teenage boy while, at twelve, my parents considered me a little girl. He could stay out longer, could stay up later, and could ride his bike beyond the family boundaries into the next neighborhood. I hated him! Dad had just purchased a powder blue Impala Convertible. Experiencing a mid-life crisis, he thought a sporty car would cure that itch, even with a wife and four kids. “It has bench seats and with the top down we can bask in the sun, feel the… Read more »
Poor Jackie. It was a good story about a common occurrence. Nobody admits it was them. No rain, with the top down, on the return journey would help make the drive more pleasurable.
Oh my goodness what a smelly misadventure.You described it well. I can just imagine your family reminiscing about all your travels in service to our country.
Nancy, this was hilarious!
You painted a vivid word picture of that perfect powder blue car and a boy in the backseat passing gas across the bench seat!
Here is my story for Day Two.
It’s too bad you got Covid. Hope you were OK. Good story of being on a ship with lots of people.
I’m glad you survived and lived to tell us about this. You also convinced me to never go on a cruise again.
Wow, Sheila. What an unfortunate experience for you. So sorry you had to go through it.
It sounds like a terrible trip — with COVID as an added bonus. By the end, you were probably thankful for your loss of smell. I’m convinced not to take a large cruise ship anywhere!
Day 2. Stench
This story must have been an emotional one to write. Thank you for sharing. Being alone at fourteen would have been difficult, especially when the neighbourhood kids harassed you.
Horrifying…really. Your poor father! Often I feel that Americans have been so fortunate. I guess capitalism can create good doctors (rich ones!) and somewhat decent facilities. Did your mother survive?
That’s a heart-wrenching story, Etya, but one of perseverance and survival. I liked many of your phrases: “like an invisible cloak,” “death was a constant companion,” “somewhat domesticated cats.” I’m glad it had a happy ending.
Thank you, Nancy. Papa recovered. He came home and lived for another year. When I think back, I consider myself lucky because my neighbors didn’t report me to the authorities. I was under age, and they were kind to me, repaying the kindness of my parents. I appreciate your comments.
I marvel at how the medical conditions you describe are no different than medical conditions here, except the hospitals do not smell. Waiting times to see specialists are ridiculous. Confusion leads to mistakes. I was a chaplain for 15 years for Jewish Family and Children’s Service. Nursing homes often do have strange odors. My heart is with yours in your story. I am glad it worked out well for your family.
Thank you, Orah. Sadly, since I came here in 1977, the changes in medical help I observed in last couple of years have gone from bad to worst.
This picture accompanies my story.
Here is my day 2 story.
I think it is so important for the world to know what happened in the death camps. My son has taken his University Geography Students to Auschwitz. A life-changing experience.
Awesome to choose such an experience if you don’t have to.
I have heard about this museum – I had an Israeli boyfriend who would go there often. We had an argument about why on earth they would have such horrific exhibits – I thought the museum had gone too far…he didn’t think so – he told me that it was necessary to make sure people remember what happened…and remember it as it really was. What a journey for you! Beautifully written!
Thank you.
That sounds like a rewarding yet sorrowful journey. Did you experience the camps? I cannot imagine what they smelled like. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thanks for reading my story. I did not experience the camps, just the family trauma of Eastern European Jewish life. That was bad enough, Supposedly the smell in the Valley of Communities was intended to be the smell of death camps burning bodies and so forth. The videos of Yad Vashem that show what life was like before the Holocaust opened my heart to those people.
Orah, the children’s museum, broke my heart. The darkness of the place followed up with the photos, and the names of the children read out loud remain in the membranes of my memories forever. I found it interesting that both of us choose the smell of death for this exercise. The image of you inside the card affirms your previous life. .
Hello fellow writers. This is my entry for Day 2.
I liked it when you used you orange juice as the first line of defence against the biscuits and gravy. I am glad you got the sale.
Your detail and descriptions kept me engaged from beginning to end. ‘enough anxiety to power the plane’ and ‘stepped out of my body…’ really helped me relate to your experience. The visual description and smell of the biscuits and gravy was vivid. I agree with you, yuck. Nice contrast with the smell of the orange juice. I am glad you made it through your first business trip with some success.
Oh, poor baby…hee hee. the smell sounds horrible. I’m glad you didn’t try them. People who grew up with them, love them…others, not so much.
I love how you managed to turn a “worst” around with humor. Great job. Congratulations on getting the sale. Strange how culture conflict can happen in the States.
You really stayed on topic, Millie — loved your descriptions of breakfast and anxiety. Also loved your closing. Nice job.
Wow, Millie, what an experience. The best biscuits I have ever tasted are the ones I make from scratch. I never use gravy. Loved how you described the look of them and the smell. Glad you survived that business trip.
My Day 2 entry
What an interesting story. You seemed to be in the middle of all the action. I am glad you didn’t get into trouble for throwing up on the guard’s shoes.
What a great trip, except for the fumes. You sure took care of that guard. Well done.
Great story, exciting and funny. Your description of the fumes almost made me throw up. Nice job.
Robin, what a terrifying event. You are lucky that throwing up on the guard’s shoes didn’t land you in trouble.
It was scary…and, yes, anything could have happened. But, I was only 18 – and was used to constant danger and hostile African guards/soldiers. My mother lived in Nigeria for 3 years during the Biafran War…we were in the Sudan during the 6 day war and in Greece for a coup shortly after that. We used to joke that everywhere my mother got a job, war would break out.
Terrifying and well-written story, Robin.I could just imagine how you felt going through regime change. I lived under socialism for twenty years. I know how it feels. Equal redistribution only works when it reflects misery. Most everyone in the USSR lived a miserable. life. Thanks for sharing.
What was(is) sad about the USSR is that everyone suffered except those in power who had all of the best apartments, cars, luxuries…I remember meeting a couple who couldn’t even buy Russian caviar in the specialty shops where I, as a foreigner, could! I hope your time there had its bright moments. There are some wonderful things about the USSR – the literature, poetry, music, art, architecture, ballet….a wild, artistic charismatic people at times.
I agree with you. I know how everything worked in the Soviet Union. The elite had it all, and the peons had nothing. My memoir is about that. The thing I am most appreciative of is the education I received in a country of not enough. I know the specialty shops you are talking about. They were strictly for tourists to put on a smoke screen and to deceive those who came from abroad. Most people in the USSR couldn’t afford caviar or other delicacies on display at specialty shops.
I would love to read your memoir when it comes out! Or…even before then! 2 of my friends have self-published memoirs about their families on Amazon – Rhoda Orme-Johnson, wrote one about her grandmother’s escape from the Ukraine, another, Heidi Lloyd, wrote one about her family who escaped Communist China during the Revolution.I had a great, great uncle who served on a “mosquito boat” in China during WWI…history is certainly stranger than fiction!
My offering for today;
Linda, hysterical. Being a zoologist, an avid lover of all animals, I had them all over my classrooms and like Billy, probably would have had to check out those cute furry little things. Loved the way youwrote the account of entire incident. Well done.
Oh No! Poor Billy. A delightful story of a city kid visiting a farm. I wonder what stories he had to tell about this same incident.
Loved your story Linda. Did Billy ever live down this family legend? Well told. I’m sure the berth was wide. There’s more to this story…
Thanks Dar, I don’t think he did.
Linda, such a fun story. At first, when you started about the eggs, I thought you would describe the rotten smell they produce, but when you mentioned the fluffy black and white critters, immediately, I knew it was a skunk. Thanks for sharing your story. It made me laugh.
Thanks so much, Etya. Your praise means a great deal.
My pleasure! Keep on writing!
So funny!!! Maybe you should have taken him outside and hosed him off! Great image of you driving home with him in the trunk…? I take it you left the lid up?
We did. And I believe we have taken the hose to him. LOL
Right on topic, Linda — funny description of a day when smell topped your adventure! Loved your precise description of rabbit poo! Fun read!
Thanks, but it was baby SKUNKS!
Those city kids. Always causing trouble. Very funny.
Thanks,Millie.
BTW, Lauren….I apologize for not including you in my praise on Monday. You are a gem. I’m
glad that you’re on board.
Thank you, John! I know you appreciate all the work behind the scenes 🙂
Patricia, this was another no brainer. I only had two stories that came to mind. But this story stood out as I think it’s a primary cause of my PTSD. It was probably the worst scene that I ever experienced.
OMG John, what a horrible thing to have to experience. God bless you. Focusing on the smell, was ingenious. Writing about the actual scene would be devastating, impossible. Thank you for sharing. Yes, I understand the Salvation Army is truly great. Always give to them over Red Cross, don’t know why, but seems I’ve heard some good stories about the S.A. Your writing gets better and better. Keep it up. JR
Thanks for sharing with us your horrific experience of the plane crash. Police units never know what is on the other side of that telephone call. Writing is one of the best ways to deal with the aftermath. I am glad you feel you can share with us. Keep writing.
John, I don’ t recall reading another story quite like this one. Coming from you it only makes it more precious to be part of your life through Life Writers. As Rose suggests, unless you don’t understandably want to elaborae on this story, finding the words to elaborate on the smell or maybe insisting how it invades all actions around the scene! In any case I command you for being such an available person for others , in life or in death. Loved the Hot Dog insertion. Great story buddy.
Oh John. How grateful people should be to have people like you in the world when terrible and horrible things have to be performed…certainly makes one look at the world through different eyes.
John, what a story. I am glad that you managed in a dire situation like that using humor. “1. With all of the body parts at the scene, hot dogs just seemed inappropriate.” This line made me laugh, despite the grimness of your story. Good job!
Wow…your PTSD must be horrible! I don’t think any of us can even imagine such a scene. Surprised you manage a sense of humor…but, I’m certain it helps.
Very descriptive, John. You write about tragedy with a practiced voice. Your story helps to imagine what it was like.
Oh, John. What a harrowing experience. Even reading about it second-hand is difficult. You do an excellent job of conveying the horror of the event and also the way you and others used humor to shield yourselves from the reality of the job. God bless you, and thank you for your service.
John, does aviation fuel smell like gasoline? If there is some way of elaborating on the smell, readers like me could identify with it. As you wonderfully described the plane crash, I saw the heroes who dealt with the tragedy of lives lost in a horrific way. Thank you for sharing this traumatic event … it had to be difficult. BTW, I appreciate your humor.
Rose,
I wish I could explain the smell of burning jet fuel. The closest thing I can tell you is to follow a diesel truck down the highway after it accelerates. The problem is that there is also the smell of burnt flesh mixed in. You could blindfold me and give me 100 odors. Even though I can’t explain it, I would pick out the jet/flesh smell.