I remember a few things about the house my family lived in when I was born. This seems unusual, because they moved away when I was only three. One of my more striking memories, though, is that it had a brick front porch with gardenia bushes on either side. The scent was heavenly, and to this day the smell of gardenia flowers evokes deep memories.
Gardenias thrive here on the island, and we have several bushes of at least two varieties.
There is even one I can see from the kitchen sink growing over the roof of the shower.
HA likes to pick them and put them around the house. This Tahitian gardenia is scenting the air next to my side of the bed.
And here’s a standard variety by her side of the bed.
—2p