Don't deny the power of smell

Smell is one of the most powerful triggers of memory. The smell of something can cause a wide of range of emotions and reactions.

Often smells can make us recall a happy or sad event from the past. Certain smells can grab hold of you and almost seem to pull you back in time. Sight and sound are usually seen as the most important senses, but it's hard to deny the power of smell.

There's some smells that result in a common response for most people. Like the smell of popcorn can remind you of being at the movies. The smell of cut grass usually is connected with summer time.

Sometimes a more intangible feeling is the result. The smell of rain often warns of a coming storm or brings about a sense of freshness. Cold or crisp air usually brings about the feeling of fall.

The holidays often bring about powerful smells and with it powerful memories. The smell of pine usually brings thoughts of a Christmas tree. Or the smell of pumpkin pie can bring about thoughts of Thanksgiving.

While we all share some common responses to smell, there are also responses that are more specific to each individual.

For me, the smell of cooking celery always reminds me of stuffing. This then usually reminds me of turkey. I guess this happens because my mom always put celery in her stuffing.

One of the most powerful memory stimulants for me, however, is the smell of corn. Not cooking corn, but just corn straight from the can. Opening up a can always makes me think of fishing.

A strange connection — true. Even I was bit surprised the first time I opened a can and consciously realized the results. That is unless you've done a lot of fishing with corn. Which is exactly why I guess my mind has, over the years, created this connection.

In my adult life I haven't done a lot of fishing. An occasional day here or there; if someone else was going already. Even then I usually just tagged along and didn't do any actual fishing myself.

However, as a child fishing outings were a frequent summer event with my grandparents. Both my grandparents, and in particular my grandfather, spent as many summer days as possible fishing. Our bait of choice was, of course, corn.

Obviously those days spent on the lake have left a lasting impression in my mind. Today no matter where I am — and even though my grandparents passed away several years ago — when I open a can of corn I can't help but be transported back to sitting there in the boat with a fishing pole in hand.

The funny thing is that I don't think I've ever smelled fish and thought about fishing. That connection would seem to be so simple, but that smell just prompts me to think it's stinky.

It can be nice to have smell to instantly transport you to another time and place. To think of happy days. Especially when those memories can be recalled anytime or place just by opening a can of corn.

Heidi Desch is the reporter for the Hungry Horse News.