certain smells take me back to walker hill.

thanksgiving was

women bustling, fussing

sage and thyme mellowed in hot butter,
filling the house with scent
turkey basted
again and again

pungent scent of onions,
raw, peeled, diced
sweet tiny onions simmering on the stove
and oh, the stuffing… sage again
and spiced sausage

all about the house
delicate little glass bowls
buttery, melt-in-your-mouth mints
nuts, nuts, nuts
home-made pickles in endless variety
olives, salty and savory
(once i ate so many olives i was sick!)

later in the day,
hiss of drippings on the stove top,
then the gravy was made
rich creamy brown sauce
spiced with pepper and herbs
always garden vegetables on the table
string beans. carrots. squash. peas.
home grown potatoes, mashed
dripping with butter.

fresh-baked bread!
homemade rolls
floated to your plate
they were so light and fluffy

scent of cinnamon, apple pies
nutmeg, pumpkin pies
sweet fruits, minced meat
rich sweet smell of pecans
carrot cake, too, heavy with walnuts

take a deep breath
and remember

fl
2007_11_09