I love the smell of gardenias. Don’t you?
Their distinctive perfume transports me back to evenings on Pear Street when we threw open the living room windows to catch summer breezes.
Hear the murmur of voices? Mother and Daddy talking with someone–maybe Miz Batson or Chapman, the Spauldings, Lily Fay & William, the girls from the office, aunts and uncles, my in-laws–or even you.
Mom is probably encouraging someone to talk about their latest endeavor, little one, job, love of their life . . .
Someone else could be telling a fish story—dare I say embellishing it like Daddy did so well when he related how he accidently tipped both mother and him out of the boat? (I wish you could have heard his version of events.)
Opinions aplenty–Please Do Not get the men started on politics.
But it was all done in fun.
For me, somewhere along the way, gardenias became synonymous with laughter and stimulating conversation. Their aroma conveys simple hospitality—something my folks were gifted at extending.
Maybe that’s why I’ve always wanted a gardenia bush near my front door. The only problem is I haven’t had much luck growing them. Where Daddy could make a gardenia thrive so it was loaded with shiny green leaves and blossoms, mine offer only a few blooms each year.
But I’m no quitter. We moved our two bushes last summer, and I have hopes for abundance this year.
Plus this week, I planted another gardenia in the large pot by the front porch where it will get plenty of sunshine.
I’d like to think folks will be enveloped in its luscious fragrance when they come to visit.
I hope you’ll stop by to test it out. I’ll fix us something to drink and offer you a cookie. Let me know ahead of time, and I’ll make something special.
I promise to ask you about your latest endeavor, your kidos, or your main squeeze. And I’ll listen to what’s on your mind.
I think I can smell the gardenias already.
How about you?
Is there a summer scent that reminds you of home and hospitality?
Reflections from Dorothy 
I agree, I LOVE the scent of gardenias and admire your perseverance! My last three bushes bit the dust and I’ve not had the courage to try again…maybe I will if you have success. And I will definitely drop by to see the flowers and come for a visit. I’ll call first so you’ll have time to “make something special!”
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I’d love for you come and visit. I’ll fix a treat.
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Oh, my friend. I was reliving the exact same thing you wrote. It was the same way at our home. We had our gardenia bush by Paulette’s and my bedroom windows. With the attic fan roaring and the breeze coming in with the undeniable scent, it was heaven on earth. My bush now is by my swing in the backyard where I sit each evening and read. Great memories……… kd
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Those were sweet times in so many ways. I remember that bedroom.
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Our fence was lined with honeysuckle. Since we didn’t have air conditioning in the house, we went to sleep with that scent.
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I love the smell of honeysuckle, too.
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This is so beautiful, Dorothy! Fragrances call to our forgotten memories and warm our hearts. I love the smell of gardenias and now I will think of you each time I smell them!
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It makes me happy to think that you enjoyed this and will associate gardenias with me because of it.
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I love this too, Dorothy. Smells bring back memories so well.
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Thank you, friend!
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