Saturday, May 15, 2010

Intoxicating



The gardenias growing in the back yard gardens are heavy with flowers. Their perfume is intoxicating. We stop to inhale at several of the flowers. The tender flowers don't last too long so we cut a few to bring small bouquets inside, placing one in a vase on the table near the bed.

The old magnolias are blending their scent with that of other flowers. It is the scent of the old South. I am reminded of those sachets that my grandmother made and kept among her linens. I remember playing beneath the magnolias as they spread their branches nearly to the ground. And I hear the soft voices coming from the porch as my parents sit and talk at the end of a warm day.

The lightening bugs flash as dusk falls, signalling to each other that it's time to mate. I am glad to see their glow. It is another reminder of hot summer nights.

Back then, we slept with windows open to let in a little breeze. Now we open up the windows and porch doors to let the night air and the smell of flowers enter. The ceiling fans swirl. And we hold each other close, intoxicated by the beauty of the day, the warmth of our skin, and the promise of tomorrow.

20 comments:

  1. Mother Nature knows how to provide just what we need,doesn't she..Everything else is pure art ;)

    Nice post !

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  2. oh now that is awesome...we sleep with the windows open as well...it lets the night sounds in too, like a lullaby...

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  3. Intoxicating is a perfect description. The apple blossoms and lilac trees around my property have bloomed. I know exactly what your talking about, having a heady scent. (Hugs)Indigo

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  4. Great description of the scent and the mood.

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  5. This was a beautiful thing to read just before bedtime. I just became a "follower" of your blog. I had done a google search for "acceptance and alanon". I'm happy it led me to your writings. Inspired to start one of my one.

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  6. aaahh :)

    yep I love the smell of plants and flowers at night. I don't know why the smell seems more noticeable at night, but I have always liked that too.

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  7. mmmm the sweet warm scent of southern nights! Beautiful!

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  8. This was a beautiful post, Syd, especially since it followed the sad one before it. It shows in stark reality how life can be if we cherish it and stay sober.

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  9. The scent in the air where I am in a small city in nw CT is fragrant with Skunk, so not quite as romantic as the smell you describe in the Old South. But, along with the scent of green grass, new leaves and lots of early spring flowers, it's an odor of a New England spring that makes me feel joyful to have made it through the winter to celebrate another spring.

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  10. What a lovely post. Intoxicating, even. We don't have gardenias in our garden, but we do have jasmine.

    I've been told that the most fragrant flowers are white.

    I'm glad I stopped by today. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. So those ones in the photo, are they gardenias or magnolias? I only know the names as colours of paint of "notes" said to feature in ladies' perfumes... I wouldn't know a gardenia if it ambushed me and slapped me round the face!!

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  12. ...Syd ..you have such a sweet soul...your daily blogs keep me going...glad you and your wife have managed to stay together...my hubby of 23 years and I didn't ...not a day goes by I wish it could have turned out differently..but today I am just fine...

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  13. Lightening bugs! Like fireflies? I miss those - none here in the mountains . . .

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  14. Just incredibly lovely writing Syd.

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  15. Syd, you are almost "waxing poetic" and it suits you well, Sir!

    Intoxicating, as also our Angel Trumpets (but only in early night).

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  16. What a wonderful description of the senses. Thanks for sharing on my post about the rehab poll, I liked your take on it Syd.

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  17. I grew up in the south. You took me home tonight with your writing. Rest well.

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