Celebrating the Senses

Right now I am sitting in our cozy little cottage listening to my Steve Tyrell station on Pandora. The air is full of yummy baking smells. The occasional sharp tang of tabbouleh catches my nose, and Jeffrey wonders how I always know when he is sneaking another bite. The lights are low and the computer connects me to friends around the world. This is the quiet time before the clamor of tomorrow. Tonight I am thinking about the wonderful chaos that is Thanksgiving, which reminds me to be grateful for each sense. Taste, touch, scent, sight, sound all bring such pleasure to my life.

Taste

* raspberries * chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven * creamy dip on crunchy carrots * fluffernutter sandwiches * hot chili with sour cream * mashed potatoes and gravy * capers * hot chocolate with too many marshmallows * blackberry dumplings * peppery peas right off the plant * an apple, fresh from the tree * Big Red gum * really good dark chocolate * sour pickles * olives * garlic * chicken noodle soup * turkey dinner *

Touch

* wet clay * damp sand in between toes * the clasp of tiny fingers * the gentle touch of a lover * wrapping up in a cuddly sweater * velvet * cashmere * the satiny feel of well-finished wood * the tickle of a mustache kiss * snowflakes in your lashes and on your nose * the cool side of the pillow * butterfly kisses * the steady thrum of a purring cat under your hand * the sandpapery feel of kitty kisses * a warm mug in a cold hand * a foot massage * holding hands as we give thanks *

Scent

* chocolate flowers * fresh lemons * freshly mown grass * the back of a baby's neck * Christmas trees * wood smoke * peppermint * brownies in the oven * laundry fresh off the line * ocean breezes * summer rainstorms * cotton candy * Origins mint shampoo * lilacs * lavender sachets * honeysuckle * baby powder * Jergen's hand lotion * opening a box of Bandaids * baking bread * the clean dirt smell of hands grubby from the garden * just-washed dog smells * Thanksgiving dinner on the table *

Sight

* smiles * sunset over the Pacific Ocean * the view from the top of anything * the first glimpse of home after a long journey * Crater Lake * bare baby toes * your grandmother cradling your baby * balloons floating away in the blue, blue sky * the view across the Mall from the steps of the Capitol * the look on a groom's face when the bride first enters * the faces of loved ones, gathered together for turkey and gratitude *

Sound

* the clink of silver against china * music * please and thank you * the sound of a soda just after you pop the tab * laughing children * giggling babies * raucous, manly guffaws * the hymn from a congregation who has sung together for years * the crack of a bat signaling a home run * wildly cheering crowds * praise * the swoosh of blades on ice * the moment a match ignites * the pull of tape in a dispenser * the productive kathunk of a stapler * "I love you, Momma." * "I love you. I love you. I love you." *


Indulge all your senses tomorrow, and have a very happy Thanksgiving, dear friends. We have so much to be thankful for.




Taste by Pink Sherbert. Touch by Tito. Scent by Steve Stone. Sight by Steve McCurry. Sound by Steve.Korn.