Saturday, June 16, 2012

Delicately Fragrant Purple Iris


One whiff of iris and I'm transported to childhood.


Isn't it utterly amazing how a certain smell or taste can make us think of our lives decades ago?


Our minds must be like tape recorders. Everything that ever happened to us is still in there somewhere. 


My father grew iris in a round flower garden in the side yard of the old homestead.

 They came up faithfully every year for as long as I can remember.


Their blossoms are so regal and elegant looking, like Queens of the flower world. 

The blossoms even have little designs, like etchings, adding to their beauty.

Their perfume is so incredibly delicate and intoxicating. 

Bees used to buzz around the iris but that didn't stop me from putting my nose right up to the blossoms and sniffing.



These flowers don't last long. In a vase, inside the house, they are gone within a day or two but oh, the way they smell makes it all worthwhile.


WHAT IS ONE SMELL THAT REMINDS YOU OF CHILDHOOD?

12 comments:

Bookie said...

i love irises. My grandpa had twenty acres with them around the front yard. He called his place Flag Ranch...plenty of flags but little ranch!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

We have a few Iris planted in our yard and I love them, but they don't last long you are right. I am a Gardenia fan and that smell reminds me of a home we had with those gorgeous flowers. Heady fragrance. My Gardenia is blooming at home and I'm anxious to get back there next week! hugs, Linda

diane.stetson said...

Barb loves Iris..they are her favorite flower. I have something like them growing outside in my front patio but they are blue...lovely! My childhood memories are of the lilac bushes in our neighbor's yard...LOVE that smell. We do not have them here where I live.

Chatty Crone said...

I have read that each and every memory we have is recorded somewhere in the brain. If we were to go under and be probed in our brain - different memories would come out. Isn't that cool? Sandie

Unknown said...

I love Irises, and especially this purplish colored ones. Lily of the Valley reminds me of my grandmother, I love that smell.

Donna Volkenannt said...

Roses and mums remind me of my mom.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Oh, that's easy! My mother's face powder brings back memories of me watching her put on her make up.

Victorian1885 said...

Thank you for sharing the beautiful Iris photos and memories of your Father....
The smell of Dove soap brings back a childhood memory of visiting my Grandmother. Because the house was full of Family I slept in the old cast iron tub and enjoyed the smell of her Dove soap as I slept. Have a great weekend!

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

I sure wish my iris looked like this. I don't know why mine hasn't bloomed this season. They are beautiful flowers.

Barbara Neubeck said...

Hi Susan,
Your Iris are so pretty. I didn't know that they had a perfume.
The smell of Violets in the garden always takes me back to childhood.
God Bless
Barb from Australia

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Whenever I smell Cover Girl Foundation or Oil of Olay, I remember my Mammaw. I used to sit at her dressing table and play with her makeup and all the jewelry in her box. She has wonderful broaches and clip earrings that all us cousins would get into. One time when I was about 12, I put on a full face of makeup and boy was my dad mad. He told me "you go wash your face right now, or I'll wash it for you." My memories of my childhood are very foggy, but that's one I'll never forget. :) Hope your day is great. Tammy

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I said "has" like she is still here -- my Mammaw has been gone since 1988 but she is always in my heart. :)

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