childhood summer in a bottle

(image from K-State Libraries online.)

A few months ago, I was at Cost Plus and fell victim to the “I have a coupon so I GOTTA purchase something” syndrome.  So, I got a bottle of what I thought was handsoap.  When I got home, I realized I inadvertently grabbed the shower gel version.

Marche du Monde, Lime Blossom.

I was bummed because I actually needed handsoap.

Anyway, a month after purchasing, I finally tapped the bottle. Wow.  A genie might as well have emerged. One whiff and I was immediately transported back in time. Don’t you love it when that happens?  (Well, usually, anyway?) I was a young girl again, playing in patches of green grass (pre-allergy days, obviously), with the heat of summertime drumming out the beautiful fragrance of the little white clover flowers that popped up everywhere.  It’s a gorgeous scent, and the shower gel is oh-so true to my memory.  (And being extra sensitive to syntheticy scented products, this one is a joy.)

I’m halfway through the bottle now. Fate (or wyrd, for any Beowulf fans out there) intended for me to have it in the shower, as it allows me to linger longer and reminisce with the fragrance.

It also brought other green memories to surface: the giant honeysuckle bush that grew in front of the porch near the porch swing (too bad the bees were so protective of the flowers; I feared getting too close); and “pickle” flowers. I don’t actually know what the pickle flowers are actually called…  They’re very tiny, like a groundcover flower would be, but it’s not groundcover.  It has about 5 shiny buttery-colored yellow petals, and tastes like a dill pickle.

I better go back and get some more of this shower gel, lest they stop selling it.  Hope I get another coupon soon. [smirk]

Speaking of coupons… I have to admit I’m a little glad that today is the last day the Peet’s freddo buy one get one free coupons are valid. I’ve gone every single friggin’ day since the promo started last Thursday. (You don’t really expect me to exercise self-control in this situation, do you?)

Oh yeah, and today was my first day back to work since being on maternity leave. I’m SO fortunate to be working with the folks I do…  I’m currently working from home 50% time, but went into the office for a meeting. Took Sofia, who was cooperative under the circumstances. I work with some people who really were like heroes to me as a student. And now I can actually say they (and my staff fellows) are my friends.

And speaking of work and clovers and joy (sounds like a carol)… My glowing-with-good-energy pinch hitter, Joy.  She’s in India now for a much deserved break after covering my job in addition to her regular job in Religious Studies.  When I sat at my desk today, I saw she left two four-leaf clovers for me.  :)  When I first met her nearly 2 years ago, I admired the impromptu four-leaf clover collection at her desk and lamented the fact I’ve never found one.  In a very enchanted-forest-fairy way, she swore me to secrecy and then shared with me her fool-proof secret to finding them.

It works.

It’s such a happy, happy thing.

Hmmm…  Joy could actually be an enchanted forest fairy…

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