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 🙂
I'll take seaside air over that any day!
DeleteEnjoy the concert .. and don't forget the anti perspirant!
ReplyDeleteI did not! LOL
DeleteFirst: 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.”
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't exactly make you smell bad, it's just ineffective at making you smell GOOD. If that makes sense.
DeleteI was also singing "The Banana Boat Song" after writing this post, though I think that's usually written "day-o"!
I 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.
ReplyDeleteI've never understood the point of Axe or any of these whole-body sprays. But I guess my friends and I used cologne liberally when we were young, which is kind of the same idea. (And just as obnoxious.)
DeleteEh? 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?
ReplyDeleteWe have these fancy people known as "substitute teachers" who come in and work in our stead so -- gasp -- our colleagues don't have to lift a finger! Imagine that!
DeleteIn all seriousness, we are contractually entitled to a small number of personal days each year.
I 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.
It's a little scary to realize how much deodorant does for us!
DeleteI love the color in the photos.
ReplyDeleteIt's a really good season in the back garden, until autumn storms blow all the leaves off.
DeleteThe pigeons clearly enjoy their roost on the walnut tree.
ReplyDeleteIt's right above the bird feeder! They're hopeful!
DeleteYou'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.
ReplyDeleteIt really annoyed me that they used virtually identical packaging. That seems intended to deceive.
DeleteJust imagine, 1960s and 70s Britain, few men wore deoderants of any kind. They smelt of cigarettes instead.
ReplyDeleteImagine what they must have smelled like in the 1860s!
DeleteI 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. 😄
ReplyDeleteThey do often look like they're saying, "HEY! Haven't you forgotten something?"
DeleteThat top photo is good for a calendar, great composition and colors.
ReplyDeleteAnother day another trip, you guys are living for pleasure.
We work to live, not the other way around. :)
DeleteThose 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!
Oh, interesting! Well, hey, as long as it works that's the important thing. I wonder if the manufacturer reformulated your deodorant somehow and that's what caused you to break out?
DeleteThat photo is fabulous! I have never heard of Suzanne Vega. Enjoy the concert, tho!
ReplyDeleteYou've probably heard some of her songs on the radio without realizing it. She had some hits about 35-40 years ago!
DeleteGood info to know! Have a wonderful time tonight -- and boy, I love those photos. That maple is fabulous, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you! And yes, the maple is amazing in the fall.
DeleteYes !!! Suzanne !!! Travel On , Enjoy The Festive Atmosphere , And Take That Slow Train Home
ReplyDeleteWay Psyched ,
Cheers
It was a great show!
DeleteI 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.
I agree. Back in the '70s people were trying to smell musky! LOL!
DeleteThat first picture is frameable ...
ReplyDeleteSure unscented stick has been my go-to for years! To me, body odor is a total turn-off!
I'm with you! And yes, Sure unscented is my fave as well.
DeleteThink 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.
I suppose that's really why perfume and cologne originated in the first place. Yeah, I imagine there were lots of smells back in the day.
DeleteLove 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!
ReplyDeleteHey, whatever works!
DeleteLike 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!
ReplyDeleteThe pigeon launched itself off the branch just as I took the picture, but it didn't fly to me -- just down to the ground.
DeleteEnjoy 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.
They do look like they're enjoying each other's company, but I suppose flocking is really all about survival.
DeleteThe autumn colours are more vibrant this year because of the wet warm summer and the amount of sugar in the leaves
ReplyDeleteI've heard those factors can make a difference!
DeleteAt one time they said you shouldn't block the sweat glands. I also think your body can become accustomed to one and quit working. I stick with natural deodorants and they seem to control any odors (which is important in my climate!).
ReplyDeleteThe proverbial "they". I have no idea who "they" was that said that.
DeleteWell, I can't see that they've done me any harm, but I only use a small amount and only under my arms. I would never want to smear it all over my body!
DeleteCodex: Been there done that do not wishvto repeat it. Bought one by accident because the stick looked the same. Ended up with a gross feeling of gel.
ReplyDeleteDeodorants are like room deodorizer. They just mask bad smells. They don't neutralize anything.
Exactly -- that was my mistake too!
DeleteCover up sprays seem to combine the scent used with the bad smell. Clogging up pores probably isn't great, but that is how effective deodorants work.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather clog my pores than smell bad, as long as my skin doesn't get irritated.
DeleteThe colors behind the pigeons are gorgeous. I promise to be wary of attempts to cover up odors. I remember the name Suzanne Vega. Now I have to look her up.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
You'd know her music if you heard it, I bet!
DeleteLove Suzanne Vega...if you're interested, she's featured in Sarah McLachlan's new documentary about Lilith Fair.
ReplyDeleteOh, good to know! I didn't even realize Sarah McLachlan had done that documentary -- I'll have to look for it.
Delete