YOSEMITE!
Half Dome!
Dogwood!
Rock Climbers!
Bears!
Hippies!
El Capitan!
Water Falls!
Nature!
Pizza!
Patchouli!
In the early 90's I was sitting on a bus in Yosemite Valley when on walked a woman wearing pieces of fabric tied over, under and around her body, macrame hemp tied around her head holding matted hair into a large bun, a big over stuffed shoulder bag made of burlap and no shoes with a scent that made me stare.. I was not sure if I liked the smell or did not. I heard a man say peeeyouuuuu!!!, that chic is wearing a load of patchouli! I made a note to remember that name (Patchouli) and look into to it when I got to town. I continued to stare at the woman, her organic clothes, cool style and dirtiness that made her shine in a clean sort of way.
One of my first stops in town was the health food store, where I inquired about Patchouli and listened for about 20 minutes on all the scientific facts and data on the plant: Patchouli is a bushy herb of the mint family. Patchouli is native to China, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and the Philippines. In the Plant Kingdom it's Genus species is Pogostamin cablin. Uses of Patchouli include; hair shampoo, conditioner, perfume, air fresher, antidotes for venomous snake bites, incense, detergents, aromatherapy oil, lotion, insect repellent, medicinal uses include; headache, colds, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and more. Its' name is derived from Tamil Patchai. The clerk wanted to keep talking, I wanted to buy some. So I grabbed a bottle, paid and left eager to try it out. Since this day I have bought Patchouli products of many kinds and like the way the smell moves me earthward.
One day I was in Costco, standing in line with my mountain size pile of things in a cart and 4 customers back from the check out and heard the Cashier say, "I smell dirt, WHO has been working on a tractor? DIRT !!! Do you guys smell that? I really smell dirt and it's is getting stronger. Are they working in a field nearby. The dirt is strong." She was talking VERY LOUD!!! Everyone was looking around for a large mound of dirt! I wanted to do the boogie and sing- IT'S ME!!!!!! It was I that reeked of dirt and WOW!, I was choosing embarrassed because everyone now new she smelled dirt and I knew it was me. My turn at the cash register and I said, " Do you still smell dirt?" She said, "YES!, Do you?" I laughed, " Yes I do, and YES that dirt smell is me." I told her it might be the Patchouli and I let her sniff my arm and she roared with laughter and said, "Yes, Yes, that is it." Since then I call Patchouli, DIRT, very fitting name for me and my style of perfume... Thank you lady at Costco!!!! I LOVE DIRT!!!!
