Sunday, March 7, 2010

Do you believe in magic??

This is Canus goat's milk. They haven't paid me to endorse their product, nor have they sent me free products (although I wish they would). They sell soap, lotions, bath milk, body butter and so on; and for the past 10 years, I always try to keep it on hand. You see, it's magic!
I love this product.
Not just any goat's milk lotion, but this brand!
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Years ago, when I lived outside of town and my car would be in the shop, I'd drive to work with my good friend and neighbor, Sandy B. I can remember getting in the car with her one morning, and there was a lovely fragrance coming from her. When I remarked on it, she said "Oh! It must be my hand lotion". Each time I drove with her, I noticed it; and it almost seemed call to me. I didn't have much money back then, but when I went on a little shopping trip one time in the Valley, I found it and bought it for myself.
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That night while I was rubbing the lotion on my legs, I luxuriated in the scent. The next night, I did the same thing; and as I lay back in my bed I thought "Emm! This is nice!" Then the next and the next; and finally one evening I began to ask myself "What is it about this scent that makes me feel so good? It reminds me of something or someone! What is it?"
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I don't know when it finally hit me.
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Canus original formula goat's milk reminds me of something my Dad always carried on him when I was a very small girl. It was these!
Sen-Sen is the original breath freshener. They are small hard pieces with a licorice flavor.
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Some of my earliest childhood memories are from family times spent at our summer cabin (aka cottage) at Big Bonne Bay Pond, about an hour's drive from home. This would be early to mid '60's. We'd all be piled in this big old Ford. My dad would be driving and singing along with the radio while his wedding ring kept beat on the steering wheel; my mom was on the passenger side with the baby on her lap [no seat belts!]; I was in the back seat with my 2 brothers and my sister who would be rolling around, poking and prodding each other and trying not to fight -- quite often a losing battle.
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I usually sat on the edge of the seat, somewhere around the hump, with my chin resting on the front seat listening to my Dad sing and my Mom saying
"Cec! Turn that radio down; it's too loud!"
and I'd gaze adoringly at him and laugh as he ignored her request but blew kisses at her instead and said (with his Newfie accent)
"I loves ya, Mom!"
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At least twice during the drive, Dad would take this little packet of Sen Sens out of his shirt pocket and hand them to me. I'd dole out 2 or 3 for Dad and one for me! And as I handed them to Daddy, he'd wink at me!
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This lotion brings back to me not just the memory but the whole feeling of being there! And it's absolutely wonderful!
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Pretty magical stuff, if you ask me.

13 comments:

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

My dad always used sen sen too! They tasted nasty.

I've have to check out the goats milk stuffs.

Unknown said...

What a nice memory, and a great way to keep it alive!

Barb said...

I believe in the magic of happy memories - with or without sen sen scent.

A human kind of human said...

Oh Sandy, I remember those. Isn't it wonderful when just a sound or a smell suddenly brings back such lovely memories. One of my favourites is the smell of rain on the hardbaked soil - guess it takes me back to my childhood summers.

ethelmaepotter! said...

I think I must have a dim memory of these, too. Gotta go find some!

Wanda..... said...

I have often read, a scent stirs are memories more than anything. I have many loving memories of riding in the back seat of those old cars as well, fighting with sisters and singing with mother...family outings in the car, along with a simple packed lunch was the thing then! If car sick, we sucked on lemons!!!

Thanks for the memory!
Wanda

Maureen said...

What a wonderful memory. Isn't it funny how the smell of something can evoke these memories. I always think of my mom when I smell Juicy Fruit gum, or Evening in Paris perfume.

Are sen sens still around?

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Studies have shown that our sense of smell triggers our memories most often but we use that sense the least as a teaching tool. Go figure!!! Thanks for sharing your precious memories!!!

wendy said...

Magical indeed. I love Sen Sen's.
I loves you mom----that is so cute.

and yes , I remember No Seat belts. NONE of my kids ever wore a seat belt. or car seat. or any such thing.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

What's up girl??? Been here done this!

Have a fab day filled with sweet, sweet blessings from above!

Anything Fits A Naked Man said...

Magical, indeed! What a great, lovely memory you've just shared! Thanks!

I have a similar experience with Balm Barr lotion. It's what my grandma wore, always applying it to her hand and arms before bed, and she always gave us some, too!

Now, I special order the stuff so I can smell like Grandma!!

Furry Bottoms said...

For me, it's Old Spice. My dad was so in love with that stuff. I like your blog!

Gail said...

What a wonderful memory! Glad you found the lotion.

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