As hard as it may seem to believe, not all people love the smell of racing castor, aka bean oil. To those of us whose olfactory senses are highly evolved in this area, nothing can smell better than following an old race bike down the road. Much better than the toxic smells of today's racing fuels, it stays in the clothes and allows you a quick exit to your room to change out of them when arriving home. Must be a testosterone based event, as I have found few women who share the desire for this most gourmet like smell associated with motorcycles. And wives somehow find it an anathema. Probably not the reason she married you for.
It seems there is something about old bikes and their oils, gasses, and greases that I find intoxicating. I pity those of you who don't, for great smells can relate to great experiences, and serve as a catalyst to fond memories. And I rarely find girl odors, in particular Grandma odors in the files. Like in church, why do some women put on so much perfume to make the rest of us nauseous? Why does Grandma wear so much perfume to the picnic, and then spend the day swatting flies? Like a ride in an elevator reminded me yesterday-leave it at home-no one wants to smell you! Or be fumigated by you! But yet, later on an elevator ride, an older, distinguished gentleman got off smelling of British Sterling, my old favorite, yet it could never make me smell as attractive, or distinguished. And although the commercials always showed beautiful women flocking to these great smelling men, it never worked for me. I think I was the opposite, I wore cologne for me, not for anyone else. So if I may, this is my list of cologne odors-for me. The rest of you, take a deep breath and keep walking.
Racing castor-Castrol to be precise. I would bottle up those fumes from some old Triumph or BSA and keep them liberally spread around the house. Some scents are for more than just the garage.
IN-and OUT-who can resist the desire for a Double Double while passing by-might keep me hungry all day.
BBQ from Arthur Bryants-intoxicating, for the alternative meal after to many burgers.
New Car Smell-not that phony aerosol they spray at the car wash-but real artificial fabrics giving off real artificial scents-needed at least twice a day to break the caster spell.
Bacon frying-from a skillet over a fire-I can hear it crackling now. Next to the potatoes and eggs.
Bay Rum-to be only applied by an old barber-somehow it takes to the skin much better from skilled hands who have been applying it for decades.
And somewhere on the list would be suntan lotion, a wood fire, brownies or chocolate chip cookies, fresh cut grass, or old books. A quick snort of one of these every once in awhile just to stir the senses.
But after sorting out the olfactory eruptions, I would like to sit on the front porch and smell the air after a rain. A summer rain, where after the clouds part again, all these fresh, wonderful, natural odors erupt. And one of the things I miss here in So Cal, for it doesn't rain. It takes a porch in Pennsylvania, or in Colorado to get the right ambiance. And sit back and watch as the rain drops from the trees-good stuff. The smell of fresh and new-just like the song says about Jesus-He is like a fragrance after the rain. Smells of life, love, and watching as flowers bloom again. Signs of life that remind me of being forgiven and loved by Him. Scents so special that they smell different to each one of us. Personal, intimate, and for those special few moments, time spent with the God of the universe. Intoxicating, but different than castor. Invigorating, but different than the barber's hands. And stirring a hunger in me for more, like a trip past In-and-Out. A fragrance that He made just for me. And one just for you too.
A time to stop and rest, and reflect. Something we all could use a lot more of, but somehow don't get.
I could add strawberries, fresh coffee-not Starbucks burnt smell, Sunoco 260-racing gas from the pump, my wife's shampoo, or the smell of a good steak. They all stimulate the senses. But only that precious fragrance that comes from Jesus stimulates my soul. If you have ever smelled this, you know what I mean. If not, next time it rains, find a porch and sit and sniff. Take in all the wonderful smells, and realize they were made just for you, by a God who loved you so much He gave His only son. So that you might have life, and be able to breathe in all the things that He has to offer. Better than scratch and sniff, and you don't have to wait for a rainy day-ask Him into your life now, and let the olfactory rushes begin!
Jesus and racing castor. Then a Double Double, and then some fresh strawberries. With my wife after she has shampooed. On the front porch. Life just don't get any better.
With just enough wind in the face to make the experience last. All this from a guy who hates riding in the rain. For loving God makes more than sense-it makes scents as well.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com