Topsmead Fragrances

The full force of summer suddenly arrived, so I headed over to Topsmead State Forest for some respite from the heat and humidity.  Topsmead is located on Jefferson Hill, the highest point in Litchfield, and catches every possible breeze.  On this day, the breeze was a welcome gift.  I began my walk in the pine tree shade of Underhill's walking lanes because they offered welcome refuge from the boiling heat of the summer sun.

After a few minutes, I realized that the sun offered an unexpected gift:  the dappled rays filtering through the pine boughs warmed the rusty brown carpet of fallen pine needles, and the rising heat lifted the fragrant piney scent up to my nose.  I took a moment, closed my eyes, and breathed in the fragrance.

I resumed walking with my sense of smell awakened by the piney perfume.  Making a detour down to the pond with its wooden double Adirondack chairs, I entered the fragrance room of the pond with its damp, cooling atmosphere reminiscent of wet leaves.

Leaving the pond behind, I braved the sun and struck out on the mowed path through the hay field.  Halfway across the field, my nose brought me up short.  What was that heavily floral smell?  I looked to my left and saw a carpet of purple wild asters in the knee-high hay.  I leaned down to smell them.  Nope.  Not them.  I looked to my right and saw a community of Joe Pye Weed in full blossom.  I leaned down to smell one.  Wow!  It was them!  Who knew that tall, awkward-leaved weed would offer such fragrance.

The English cutting garden at Miss Edith's house was my final nose stop of the day.  I can always depend on the tall, graceful phlox for their sweet, spicy, even intoxicating fragrance.  And I didn't even have to bend down to breathe in their scent.

Relishing the memory of that July walkabout, I am reminded how important it is to stop and take moments to be mindful, to enjoy and savor, and to be grateful.  And I admit that I get a chuckle knowing that, unlike the latest Trump merch--Trump Fragrances Fight Fight Fight and Victory 45-47 at between $199 and $249 for 3.3 fluid ounces--the Topsmead Fragrances are free and enduring.
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Margaret Hunt
BlogMistress