In the old days it was said a lady was not completely a lady unless she drifted around casting her own personal scent.
Perfumes are still globally hot items of course, even though ladies do not usually “drift” anymore and maybe they don’t even trail their favorite scents behind them.
I just read a fascinating story from Kate’s blog, Lady in Transition, who wrote To Dab or Not to Dab, about the reason she often opts not to dab her favorite aroma. It has to do with allergies.
Who knew there were so many additives in perfumes and colognes? And even though suffocated in the presence of over-dabbed damsels, I was not aware of the severe allergies to manufactured aromas prevalent in today’s society.
Kate’s fascinating story got me thinking about other reasons “to dab or not to dab.”
You see, since moving to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, I have learned a thing or two about achieving comfort and survival in the countryside.
Poison Ivy
For instance, I recognize poison ivy now. It has a vine stem with a beard! The point is to avoid all bearded vines! This is called Country Knowledge.
Puff Balls, Paw Paws, and Wine Berries
I also learned about Puff Balls (the big round white mushrooms that can grow to the size of volley balls) and Paw Paws (an ugly fruit that is actually very sweet) and Virginia Wine Berries (better than raspberries!) Knowing about such natural edibles in rural Virginia is called Country Living at its Best.
High Heels, Slopes and Gravel
Then there are the perils of wearing high heels on gravel drives, or wet soles on slippery slopes. And that is called Broken Ankle Wisdom.
Cologne
Eventually I learned about the magnificent power of COLOGNE (not the city, although there is a city in Germany called that).
I finally discovered my own individual, romantic,
devastating, killer scent!
One close whiff and an enchantress emerges
who causes mere mortals to faint with pleasure.
Actually, the compliments never fail to amaze.
“Oh, you smell so good!”
“What is that scent you are wearing?”
“You smell great – even at the gym.”
There is one problem though.
I can only wear the magic cologne in winter!
And that is called Country Living the Hard Way.
The evil witch must have cast a spell. And like the princess in a fairy tale, I only awaken after a long, spring-summer-autumn slumber, and suddenly become the elegant drifting lady, devastating anyone with a discerning nose.
Winter is sadly the only time I can trail that musky invitation to elegant passion, thereby returning to my rightful place in fairy tale splendor.
But today it is spring, one of the no-no seasons when there is no scent at all. Bleh!
And so sorry you could not detect that glorious aroma this winter through the blog-us-fear.
But I just know you are dying to ask the reason for restrictive winter wafting.
The answer is that at any other time of year, Dor’s devastating cologne not only attracts devoted people,
It draws bugs!
Elegant Lady painting by Charles-Amalde Lenoir (1860-1926); Oil on Canvas; private collection; Image from Wikimedia Commons, the Free Media Repository; commons.wikimedia.org
Aha! So you’re the reason all outdoor-activity rules say not to wear colognes and perfumes. 😉
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My neighbor dabs her cologne on tufts of hair , ties them into little mesh bags , and hangs these around her garden to repel deer. Many colognes are just too strong to be enchanting or ladylike ! What a fun essay Dor!
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I read recently that due to allergies and those sensitive to those who have them, perfume sales are dropping. I guess it can be really terrible for some folks, like an asthma attack. Essential oils might be a good alternative. You could wear peppermint – the bugs don’t like that one and you’d smell like a mint julep! 😀
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Hmmmm! Smelling like a mint julep has possibilities. That could stun the odor seekers into an alcoholic daze. 🙂
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Now that is funny – hanging perfume hairballs to repel deer! Maybe they have allergies to it too. 🙂 LOL!
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And here I thought I had discovered the rules by accident and hard core experience!
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LOL 😉 It looks like Christmas in her front garden with all of these little ‘ornaments’ hanging from trees and shrubs 😉
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This post has me in stitches! Thank you for the mention, I’m so grateful. I was most interested in woodlandgnomes reply. Perfumed hairballs to repel the deer – that is funny but maybe it will work. My garden would be most grateful, as the ravenous deer do not believe in property lines.
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High heels and gravel…not a good combination. You’re right Dor, perfume definitely attracts the bugs. For me, it’s the bees.
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My husband is really bothered by many perfumes so I am limited to what I can and will wear. He can’t stand scented candles either and you know how you walk into many gift stores and the scent of potpourri is so strong that it sticks into your clothes? Yeah, well, he never goes into those places. And yes, bearded vines are very, very bad things. I’ve become more of an expert on poison ivy than I ever would have dreamed. Have only had it once so far this year which I blame on Max. Have a great day, Dor!
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One of my favorite scents is “fresh shower.” I only wish they made it without taking the shower!
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The perfumed hairballs idea is hilarious Kate, but we may be laughing too soon. 🙂 What if it really works?
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Or for me it’s the gnats… or anything else that moves.
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Oh yes, I forgot the doggies can bring in poison ivy too! Your garden is soooo beautiful though, how can you and Max stay away?
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Hahaha! LOL! That’s a scent I would like to have too…. without the shower. 🙂
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I have the same problem with scented hand lotions. I like several of the Bath & Body Works body creams and I can’t wear them once the bugs come out. So I have to switch to Aveeno until first frost comes.
Actually, I didn’t know about the bearded vines, but my trigger is “leaves of 3” and “shaped like a mitten with a thumb”. Which is exactly what I saw the other day on my walk. I took a different path that was more cleared.
Nancy
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And I didn’t know about the mitten with a thumb Nancy. “Knowledge is (definitely) power.” 🙂
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That’s one of the biggest things is that “thumb” on the side. The hubby and I always wear heavy jeans and hiking boots when we’re in the woods to help reduce the odds of trouble in case we accidentally brush against it.
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I’m rummaging through my cologne Dorann – meet me in the garden!!
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Who knew that country living was so filled with problems. But I do love “One close whiff and an enchantress emerges” so enjoy being the enchantress if only for a few months each year.
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It’s a dilemma. I can’t wear anything in the classroom because memos ask us to be sensitive to student allergies. They don’t ban scents, but… Call me a nose pleaser. However, friends, family and our church haven’t sent out any memos. And most importantly, Rick doesn’t mind at all. My favorite scents: Blue Grass that my mother wears, Beautiful and LaPerla from Italy.
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🙂 Prince Charming is already here so he can wait until winter for the emerging enchantress. Thanks Judith! 🙂
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Mine is Acqua di Gioia! Spreads joy and enchantment. 🙂
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I am allergic to a lot of perfumes, so when someone comes close who is heavily scented, I have to get away! If things ever get really bad, I have a place I can go: It is illegal to wear scent–men and women–in Halifax, NS.
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A no-scent area! Great idea. Soap and water suits me as I’m getting too old to be a real enchantress. 🙂
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My essential oils give me enough memorable scent–maybe the oregano is not so good though.
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Unless one is hungry for Italian food! Ha! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Lady in Transition and commented:
Dor, from Virginia Views – Country Living for Beginners wrote last week that my post ‘Dab or Not to Dab’ had inspired her to write about the cologne she only dares to ware in the winter. Her post was delightful and funny. I wanted to share it here. Please enjoy ‘Enchantress Reveals Country Secrets’.
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Wonderful post and yes so fitting with Kate’s To Dab or Not To Dab.
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Thanks so much for reblogging the “Enchantress” story Kate! We make a great team huh?
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Thanks for visiting my blog Amanda! 🙂
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