a la recherche du temps perdu

Tonight, in almost a fit of desperation, I bought some plain,
unflavored, Chapstick as it's like –8948489 here in DC and I didn't
have any with me here in the housesitting house. I haven't used plain
Chapstick in years. Decades.
And once I took the cap off, the smell––and the taste and texture, but
mostly the smell––transported me to past. I can't tell where exactly,
but possibly high school.
Wow.

In article <1106879925.579390.255...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>,
"jjjjjuliep" <jjjjju...@aol.com> wrote:
I haven't used Chapstick in eons either but I know the smell. Scent
memories are apparently the most acute, accurate and long term. A few
years ago, after a conversation with other people born in the early 60s,
I decided to buy some Silly Putty because it had a distinct smell I
remember but haven't smelled since 1970 at the latest. I was nostalgiac
for it. Unfortunately, it's not the same at all and I was rather
disappointed. Then again, perhaps it was also toxic back then :)
Stacy

I love original Chapstick. I had the retro–experience about 8 years ago, and
I've kept using it ever since.


"jjjjjuliep" <jjjjju...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1106879925.579390.255...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...

I love the waxy texture and smell of Chapstick. For a blast to the
past also try Jergen's original cherry almond scent hand lotion. Still
good for the hands. And brings me back to a time where my grandmother
would be putting the hand lotion on her hands. And then she would slip
on those short white gloves and go to church. Swoon......

"bumblebee4451" <bumblebee4...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1106912400.028941.152...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
I have a friend who is a professional flutist. She has been addicted to
original Chapstick for (ahem) years. Instead of an engagement ring, her
now–husband had a jeweler make a silver chapstick holder for her. The
holder hangs from a chain around her neck; it is designed so that the little
winding mechanism on the Chapstick is accessible without removing the
Chapstick from the case.
*My* youthful flashback smells occurred when my kids got their first
Colorforms and Play–Doh. I think there's something intoxicating in those
aromas. Maybe that's what the video generation is missing!
cofarb

It never fails to amaze me how just the whiff of something can really
transport you back to a specific time and place, and conjure up the clearest
of memories that you never realized were stored in the back of your brain.
For me, there were certain perfumes that I wore at certain times/stages in
my life, and bringing those out again takes me back to those times.
I've got a memory of original ChapStick too, though unfortunately not a very
fond one. My orthodontist was apt to use this on our lips and to help coat
the sharp edges of the braces to prevent dryness, cracking, and bleeding.
So whenever I smell original Chapstick, I think of those painful years.
Ouch.
Leilani

cofarb wrote:
Ahh colorforms and play–doh, those bring up scent memories.
And also:
Paste, the white kind with the spatula applicator. There's just
something about the whiteness, texture and scent of it.
Lego's
The ozone whiff of electric trains.
For me, video machines and computers also have scent memories. The
plastics used in them often had strong scents. Especially the early
"breadbox" Commodore 64 and peripherals.(which I never actually owned
but used at school)
ObFash:
Loves Baby Soft.
Veronica
––
Makeup, it takes believing in. Like a magic carpet, it's belief that
makes it fly. Otherwise, it's just a rug.
If you believe in it, makeup has a magic all it's own.
Of course, makeup is only dime–store magic. But it works well enough,
when it's used properly.",
the makeup artist, from the book Sooner or Later, based on the 1978 TV
movie of the same name.

Leilani wrote:
clearest
brain.
times/stages in
a very
help coat
bleeding.
years.
Sorry about bringing up that painful memory, Leilani! ;–)
Your comments about how catching the smell of something can transport
us back to a particular place and time was exactly the impetus for my
post!

when aunt dying, said would give anything to relive childhood moment...
arriving home from school, finding smell of freshly made donuts with
cinnamon permeating the kitchen....evidently, my grandmother was a cook
without equal. excuse clipped speech, sciatica obviates long sits.
val – still hoping to find "My Sin" one more time.

Whenever I go on vacation, I get a new perfume or scented lotion just
for that vacation so that whenever I smell it again, I can be reminded
of that trip.
I actually did that throughout school too...At the beginning of the
year (or semester) I would decide on a scent and wear just that scent.
Now, whenever I smell it or something similar, all these great memories
flood back...
LJ, who is about to dig up all her old perfumes and lotions so she can
reminisce!