The machine shed on the farm, Waseca, Minnesota.
This is a present-day photo, but it relates to my post from last Thursday where I mentioned the machine shed on the farm where I grew up.
Thanks to my cousin, Karen, for sending this to me! This is how the machine shed looks right now. If this were 30 years ago, conditions would be ripe for a climb! It didn’t get like this every year. For one, we needed enough snow, and it also had to be cold enough to pack down the snow and make it hard and crunchy in order to get a toe-hold.
Another thing about the machine shed: the smell of it inside was absolutely intoxicating. It had a dirt floor, so there was something about the mix of dirt and oil and fuel that was pungent and unique. It’s not too often that I come across that smell these days, but when I do I’m instantly transported back to the farm; Grandpa and the tractors materialize before my eyes, as if in a sharp dream.
Perhaps this is why I love the smell of auto parts stores and mechanics’ garages. Similar enough, but not exactly the same as the machine shed.
If there was a smell that you could bottle because of its ability to conjure memories, what would it be?
If You Have Five Seconds to Spare 
My dad’s business had that same type of smell, it smelled like years and years of grease and oil on wood and packed dirt. I could smell it as I read your post, it brought back memories.
Hello! I just nominated you for the Liebster Award. 🙂
http://simpletasteforreading.wordpress.com/2014/01/30/the-liebster-award/
The scent of freshly-mown alfalfa drying in the sun takes me back to my childhood farm.
I also “get” that machine shed smell you appreciate. More rural memories evoked.
There’s nothing quite like those farm smells! (At least the good ones, ha!).
yes, i fondly remember you demonstrating taking in the country air while on the bus to or from cross-country meets. made me laugh and laugh.
but to answer your question, yes, a certain deodorant remind me of a certain person and for that reason, i buy it every time i am in USA (i have not ever seen it outside of USA and i have searched for years). the smell of Birdseye in the summer take me back to Waseca in the summer. the smell of smoke in public restrooms is very evocative and full of nostalgia.
Good memories–country air and Birdseye?
What brand of deodorant?