Here are the neighborhood pigeons, roosting once again in the walnut tree in our garden. You can see how the autumn colors have deepened since I took a similar photo in September. The Japanese maple is blazing more and more red and the walnut is gradually yellowing.
I made a discovery which, although touching on an unsavory subject, might be useful for you all to know. Remember how I mentioned that I found myself wearing a slightly odiferous sweater the other day? Well, the truth is, both I and the sweater were odiferous, and here's why. Some time ago, I bought two new sticks of deodorant -- Sure, my usual brand, in identical green plastic containers. I used one of the sticks and it was fine. When it ran out, I moved to the other, and I thought, "Hey, this one seems slightly different." I didn't give it much thought until one or two days later -- the day of the sweater.
I discovered that I'd inadvertently bought something called "Sure Whole Body Deo," which is not the same as regular anti-perspirant. In Sure's own words, "Traditional deodorants, especially antiperspirant deodorants, are designed to tackle body odor at its root by blocking sweat glands and reducing skin bacteria. Body sprays, on the other hand, are akin to perfumes, offering a fragrant cover-up for odors with a blend of herbs, oils, and spices."
(This was not a spray, but I assume the product is similar however it's delivered.)
So basically I'd bought something that was not my regular deodorant -- that "covers up" odors rather than blocking them. BEWARE the "Whole Body Deo"! That's my useful consumer information for the day.
Dave and I are off to Brighton this evening to see Suzanne Vega in concert. I've seen her live a couple of times, once back in 1990 during her tour for her album "Days of Open Hand," and again in 2007, a show I blogged about. (She also showed up as a surprise guest at a Christmas benefit concert I attended that same year.)
I've been a longtime fan so I'm looking forward to this. I bought the tickets way back in May so thank goodness I didn't forget. We'll stay overnight in Brighton and we've taken tomorrow off work, so we don't need to rush home. I hope we can have a leisurely morning by the sea!
My youngest was in a cycling talent team in his mid teens...I remember walking past the changing room as the door opened..and the fragrance a dozen different body sprays...and a dozen sweaty teenage boys...wafted out... enough to knock anyone for six!!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the seaside 🙂
Enjoy the concert .. and don't forget the anti perspirant!
ReplyDeleteFirst: I LOVE these two pigeon photos. The separation of the green from the red is perfection. Odd that a whole-body deodorant would make you smell bad, even if you didn’t exactly use it as directed. And now I’m singing “daylight come an’ me wanna go home.”
ReplyDeleteI would kill to take a stroll by the sea right now. My son and his hockey pals went through a phase, thankfully short, of drowning themselves in Axe. I literally could not breath sometimes driving them to practice.
ReplyDeleteEh? School staff having days off from work? After almost forty years of teaching that is not a concept that I am familiar with. Sure - people had days off for illness, funerals or job interviews but never did they request time off for leisure pursuits or extended weekends. After all - that would have required work colleagues to fill in which would have simply been unfair. What is the world coming to?
ReplyDeleteI had a similar experience a couple of years ago and found out how much I stink without deodorant after working all day, and it was difficult to get the smell out of my uniforms:)
ReplyDeleteI love that photo of the pigeons, gorgeous with the red in the background.
I love the color in the photos.
ReplyDeleteThe pigeons clearly enjoy their roost on the walnut tree.
ReplyDeleteYou're not alone Steve. More than once I have grabbed a stick of deodorant only. I need ones that say deodorant AND anti perspirant. There is a big difference for me anyway.
ReplyDeleteJust imagine, 1960s and 70s Britain, few men wore deoderants of any kind. They smelt of cigarettes instead.
ReplyDeleteI love the two pigeon photos. Our regular chubby pigeons have taken to looking in at me through the glass doors, no doubt complaining at the lack of food at the bird table. 😄
ReplyDeleteThat top photo is good for a calendar, great composition and colors.
ReplyDeleteAnother day another trip, you guys are living for pleasure.
Those photos are amazing! Love them!
ReplyDeleteOne time, my underarms broke out in a rash after using my regular deodorant (that I'd been using forever). So until that cleared up I used a lotion with aloe in it. And lo & behold that worked just fine as a deodorant! I've been using lotion ever since. Although maybe my nose isn't working and I should ask someone else to let me know if it's really effective. Ha!
That photo is fabulous! I have never heard of Suzanne Vega. Enjoy the concert, tho!
ReplyDeleteGood info to know! Have a wonderful time tonight -- and boy, I love those photos. That maple is fabulous, too.
ReplyDeleteYes !!! Suzanne !!! Travel On , Enjoy The Festive Atmosphere , And Take That Slow Train Home
ReplyDeleteWay Psyched ,
Cheers
I just don't get those whole body deodorants. I mean, yeah, you don't want to stink, but I just don't get wanting to be odorless. People have natural odors and it plays a part in sexual attractiveness. I love Marc's natural odor, my first husband not so much which probably played part in the eventual divorce.
ReplyDeleteNice shot of the pigeons but I'm glad they don't roost here.
That first picture is frameable ...
ReplyDeleteSure unscented stick has been my go-to for years! To me, body odor is a total turn-off!
Think of how people must have smelled before regular bathing and deodorants. I am sure that they didn't even notice what we would think is horrendous.
ReplyDeleteNice shots of the pigeons and Japanese Maple. Definitely frame-worthy. Either one, really.
Love the bright fall colors! I stick with my Old Spice anti-perspirant, even though people have told me, "That's for men!" It works. Hope the concert is great!
ReplyDeleteLike Mitchell, on seeing the post title I hummed " daylight come and me wanna go home." That must date us badly! Was that pigeon flying at you? It's a great photo!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the concert and the sea views!
ReplyDeleteYour Japanese Maple is brilliant. I love the way birds seem to line up on a branch or wire. The perfect photo.
The autumn colours are more vibrant this year because of the wet warm summer and the amount of sugar in the leaves
ReplyDelete