Petrichor
The smell of rain has been given the name ‘petrichor‘, a term coined by Australian scientists in 1964, which describes the unique earthy smell associated with rain. There’s more detailed scientific explanations available online if you’re keen to go searching for more information!
I know the correct use of petrichor is usually after log periods of dry weather when the ground throws up this amazing aroma, but it still struck me as a ‘thing’ when we pulled up at my late mother-in-law’s house yesterday. The smell of wet earth was there front and centre!
It had been raining for most of our 5+ hour drive and for days beforehand. We broke our drive with a short stop to see one of our daughters and two grandchildren along the way. The rain eased up so we took the opportunity go searching for some muddy puddles to jump in – the muddier the better – said the three year old!
It’s so cute that she’s keen to teach her one year old brother how to jump in puddles, insisting on showing him and almost dragging him into said puddles 🙂
That sky after the rain!
Once we arrived at the property later that afternoon, the sky decided to put on a dazzling show and the smell of wet earth was prevalent.
No filter required with this sky!
Everything here is muddy and churned up from trucks coming to take the last effects of my husband’s family home away – the old red tractor the girls loved to play on, the scraps of metal in the paddock, the garage full of unloved and unused ‘stuff’….(churned up a bit like our emotions).
The property is going up for auction at the end of June so we are here for one final tidy up, if the weather will give us a break, but I have to say it’s looking promising today!
It’s been the Mathematician’s home for just about all of his life and I’ve been coming here since I was 17 (as the girlfriend) – so many memories, stories and life events are bound up in this place.
So while it’s sad to see it go from the family, we have to remember the fun times, the sad times and the many years of coming here as a family. It will never leave our memories.
The property in case you’re interested!
Sunday Stills Photo Challenge
Terri, from Second Wind Leisure, hosts Sunday Stills photo challenge every week with the prompt this week being ‘What is that aroma?’. You can read Terri’s post here.
Have a great week!
Deb x
All my Sunday Stills posts can be found here – I’ve been doing these for quite some time now!
Latest posts on Deb’s World:
- A peek into a change of scenery #SundayStills
- The Thong Pole in Tathra #WordlessWednesday
- I’d rather be… #SundayStills
- That empty feeling when you finish a series #WOYBS
- Tell Us About…Scent
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Everyone has a story to tell! Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. She never imagined being Granny Debs would bring so much joy to her life! You can read more of Deb’s story here
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Deb's World 
I used to say ‘I can smell the earth’, when it rained. My husband would say ‘I can’t smell it.’ But after 48 years of marriage, he just said to me the other day, ‘I can smell the rain & soil.’ I think he gets it now!
We just dismantled my family home 2 weeks ago. It’s so sad, but I’m clinging to the good memories in that home!
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Yay he gets it now!! The earth does smell 🙂 I’m sorry to hear you recently dismantled your family home, it’s not an easy thing to do!
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Bittersweet
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Indeed Carol!
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Such rich and wonderful memories, Debbie.
Sending warm hugs your way. Wishing you and me a bit less rain than what we have been having (our May weather keeps smashing previous records for cold and wet temperatures – sigh.).
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Thanks Donna, hoping your weather improves soon specially for your hike coming up!
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It’s as if the rain is washing away the former and freshening up the property for a new family, Debbie. I love that smell after the rain, too. So earthy and organic. Beautifully expressed with your words and lovely images. That sunset is beyond stunning! Enjoy your travels home!
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Yes that’s a lovely way of looking at it Terri, thank you.
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Lovely after-rain photos, Deb. What a wonderful word, there is nothing like that smell after rain. Toni x
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Thanks Toni, I always like words like petrichor 🙂
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I had never heard that word. It’s so perfect for that amazing smell. Your sunset is stellar. Ah yes it’s hard to give up the original home. I still miss it after all these years but that’s life isn’t it. Time keeps ticking. Have a good week. Bernie
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It’s such a great word isn’t it Bernie? I loved seeing that sunset when we arrived after the rain, it was very special. Thanks!
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Your posts make me happy. I love the first photo completely. It captures love and joy.
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That’s a lovely comment thanks Cindy.
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Hi Deb – it must be heart wrenching to say goodbye to all those memories (the location looks amazing in the video) but also a feeling of accomplishment to know that things are sorted and a new family will be enjoying it soon. All that rain you guys have been having and it’s still quite dry over here – we had the lovely noise of rain on the roof the other night and it re-filled our rainwater tank, but now it’s dry again for the next few days. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of Winter we have and whether NSW & Qld used up all the rain already!
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Hi Leanne, yes a new family will get to enjoy all that wonderful space but we still have the memories. So much rain lately, we can spare some for you!
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What an amazing location to grow up in – some lucky family will buy it and make their own special memories there, it’s time to pass the baton onto the next generation there.
There really is something about jumping into muddy puddles isn’t there? Lovely to watch children enjoy something so simple – and I have to say it’s impossible for me not to join in with them when our grandchildren do the same!
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Thanks Deb, yes it was a lovely place to share with our children as they were growing up on visits to see their grandchildren. Muddy puddles are fun no matter how old we are!
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What a beautiful property, Deb! I’m sure it holds lovely memories for you both. Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos! xxxx
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Thanks Christina, it does hold wonderful memories for all of us.
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Funnily enough I was talking about a distinct childhood memory: the playground after rain. The summer dust soaked gave off this oh so familiar aroma which I smelt again on a carpark! Thank you for a new word Deb!
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My pleasure to share this word with you Geoff! Lovely memories.
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Please send some of that rain here.
We, desperately, need it.
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I would if I could!
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Clearing a family home is never easy but as you say, it’s important to hold on to the memories. I hope it all goes well, and you get more sunsets like that one to brighten the task!
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Thanks Sarah, that sunset was perfect timing!
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Hi Deb it certainly is an emotional time especially for Grant but it is also a time of closure. On another note, I do love the smell of fresh cut grass (I wonder if there is a name for that) and also yes, the smell of the earth after rain. Nature is certainly wonderful. xx
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Thanks Sue, a time of closure is right and all will be well in a few months I’m sure. Nature is amazing!
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I love the smell after rain. Sending hugs to you. I bet that property had years of making amazing memories!!!
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Yes so many memories Kirstin, thanks for your kind thoughts.
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