Bill Leslie: Smells and memories

When I returned home the fragrance pushed me way back to my childhood.

My mother was an excellent cook. So was my father. As merchants in Morganton, they were always extremely busy this time of year. Christmas was make-or-break time, but my parents always found time to fill the house with tantalizing aromas from the oven.

Research has proven that smells can trigger a flood of memories. Think of Thanksgiving. The November holiday always transports me back to Selwyn Avenue in Charlotte where my grandparents lived. I recall vividly the warmth of the kitchen, the squeaks on the basement staircase and the boyish laughter of Pop, my grandfather on the Bergeron side of the family.

Scientists believe that smells can unlock forgotten memories. Smell is different than the other senses in that it “enters directly deep into the brain." When you revisit a smell, all sorts of memories can become dislodged.

I will be careful to savor every moment of the holiday baking season to see if I can unlock some memories. My favorite smell from the oven is cheese biscuits baking. Add the aroma of Frasier Fir refresher oil from our diffuser and I will certainly travel back in time.

What is your favorite kitchen smell this time of year? And what about your associations with smell and memory? I’d love to hear from you. My email address is bleslie@wral.com.