Wednesday, September 18, 2013

like rocks long for rain

Is it possible I learned the word petrichor from Tumblr? I believe I can thank Tumblr for both leading me to believe the lovely word referred to the scent of any and all earth after rain, and for teaching me that it's, more specifically, the smell of rain on dry earth. Petrichor, according to Wikipedia, is "the scent of rain on dry earth, or the scent of dust after rain. The word is constructed from Greek, petros, meaning stone + ichor, the fluid that flows in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology. It is defined as 'the distinctive scent which accompanies the first rain after a long warm dry spell.'" According to Scientific American, "Petrichor was first described in 1964 by mineralogists Isabel Joy Bear and R. G. Thomas...As they defined it, it occurs when airborne molecules from decomposing plant or animal matter become attached to mineral or clay surfaces. During a dry spell, these molecules chemically recombine with other elements on a rock's surface. Then when the rains came, the redolent combination of fatty acids, alcohols and hydrocarbons is released."

Our street corner (before the rains) in Kigali 

Petrichor is on my mind and in the air so much lately, here in Kigali. When we arrived it was so dry and dusty that the insides of my nostrils, when I tried to blow them clean at night, would be sometimes clogged with the same red dirt from the roads. Now the rainy season is beginning, and the wet fresh smell rising from all those stones and clay after rain is one of the very best things about being here. If you've gotten an e-mail from me lately, it's likely contained a lament about how much I'll miss fall, my favorite season, all those smoky, caramelly, woolly, crunchy-leaf smells. Petrichor may prove to be my consolation. Though it's not salty, it has the same calming effect as sea air I've smelled and loved in New England and the Pacific Northwest. Everything in the air here changes after these heavy rains--the light, the weight, the sounds. Things turn dark green and then golden and the smell is close to chlorinated, but with none of the burn. I will long for autumn as I’ve always known it, but feel lucky for the chance to fall in love with this new (to me) season’s smell also, all that wet clean rock, all that dark rushing road. 

33 comments:

LilMizGalaxy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Preets said...

So beautiful, nosygirl. I am thinking of the smell of rain in me hometown. Different smells for different rains: gentle morning drizzles (grey greeny muddy smell) and ferocious afternoon downpours (hot steamy smell). Maybe someday you'll get to smell these rains, and describe them properly to me!

Preets said...

(I wasn't trying to sound like a character out of My Fair Lady. *My* hometown!)

Anonymous said...

incredible! i never thought to research the scientific explanation for this favorite smell of mine. (NARST alert!) really fascinating, about the airborne molecules from decomposing organic matter become attached to inorganic matter and then being released with the rainfall. what a world!
also, did i tell you how, when chrisly was visiting this summer and we visited Franklin Park Zoo, he kept pestering me about where the sprinklers were, and i was dismissing him, saying, "there are no sprinklers here." he insisted, saying he smelled it, and i thought he will full of bologna, given that alli could smell were the zebras. and then sure enough, we turned a corner, and they had a giant fan blowing water from a hose with punctures in it. he was like, "SEE?! i told you i smelled it!" he clearly has a nose for petrichor (and its iterations).

Unknown said...

kate spade handbags
louboutin shoes
air jordan shoes
calvin klein outlet
salvatore ferragamo
monster beats
washington redskins jerseys
puma sneakers
beats headphones
jordan 4
ugg boots, http://www.uggbootsclearance.in.net
asics running shoes
oakley sunglasses
pandora jewelry
karen millen dresses
christian louboutin uk
michael kors outlet store, http://www.michaelkorsoutletonlinstore.us.com
air jordan 4
burberry outlet online, http://www.burberryoutletonlinestore.com.co
nba jerseys
baltimore ravens jerseys
oakley sunglasses, http://www.oakleysunglassescanada.com
oakley sunglasses
oakley sunglasses
michael kors factory online, http://www.michaelkorsfactoryoutletonline.com
ray ban
calvin klein underwear
hollister pas cher
roshe run men
replica watches
tory burch outlet online
ralph lauren uk
giuseppe zanotti
cheap jordans
canada goose outlet
lacoste outlet
achang 0814

Unknown said...

crx123
iphone 6 case louis vuitton polo ralph lauren outlet nie hermes birkin burberry lululemon australia ralph lauren uk ingeruje tommy hilfiger online shop toms shoes outlet adidas replica watches w nike prada outlet ray ban chanel sunglasses tre?? adidas online omega watches coach factory wholesale handbags wypowiedzi polo ralph lauren basketball shoes ray ban outlet chanel umieszczanych babyliss pro raybans.com christian louboutin shoes nike shoes w abercrombie.com michael kors outlet online air huarache ray ban komentarzach, coach outlet store beats by dr dre michael kors air jordan retro zastrzega michael kors outlet online new balance michael kors outlet online michael kors outlet online sobie woolrich jackets outlet longchamp handbags horloges tiffany and co jedynie ralph lauren outlet barbour mens jackets ugg boots nike prawo huarache

Unknown said...

2015-10-05 zhengjx
Louis Vuitton Outlet Authentic Handbags Discount
Louis Vuitton Handbags Outlet Online
coach outlet
hollister clothing
Cheap Michael Kors Handbags On Sale
Michael Kors Outlet Stores Online
cheap jordans
true religion outlet
uggs outlet
Jordan 6 Retro Discount Sale
nike trainers
Louis Vuitton Handbags Official USA Website
coach factory outlet
ugg boots sale
Louis Vuitton Handbags Outlet Sale
Michael Kors Outlet Online Store Clearance
canada goose jackets
Coach Outlet Store Online Free Shipping
Coach Outlet Store Online Clearance
Hollister UK Clothing Store
Abercrombie And Fitch Clothing Outlet at New York
louis vuitton
New Jordans Cheap For Sale
Cheap Toms Shoes Outlet Sale Clearance
toms outlet
celine handbags
Louis Vuitton Outlet Store Locations
Kobe Shoes,Kobe 9,Kobe 8 Discount
Louis Vuitton Handbags Outlet On Sale
Gucci Outlet Online 80% OFF

oakleyses said...

louis vuitton, uggs outlet, christian louboutin shoes, jordan shoes, polo outlet, tiffany jewelry, nike air max, michael kors outlet, michael kors outlet online, longchamp outlet, louis vuitton, replica watches, louis vuitton outlet, tory burch outlet, burberry handbags, tiffany and co, burberry outlet, replica watches, christian louboutin, longchamp outlet, oakley sunglasses, oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton outlet, kate spade outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet online, gucci handbags, prada outlet, cheap oakley sunglasses, oakley sunglasses wholesale, uggs outlet, nike free, christian louboutin outlet, michael kors outlet online, michael kors outlet online, ray ban sunglasses, michael kors outlet online, nike air max, longchamp outlet, uggs on sale, chanel handbags, nike outlet, michael kors outlet, ugg boots, ugg boots, ray ban sunglasses, oakley sunglasses

oakleyses said...

north face uk, sac longchamp pas cher, vans pas cher, abercrombie and fitch uk, nike roshe run uk, coach purses, new balance, coach outlet store online, true religion jeans, oakley pas cher, north face, mulberry uk, sac hermes, lululemon canada, michael kors, replica handbags, jordan pas cher, kate spade, ray ban pas cher, michael kors pas cher, true religion outlet, nike air force, polo ralph lauren, louboutin pas cher, burberry pas cher, hollister uk, michael kors, ray ban uk, guess pas cher, converse pas cher, nike tn, air max, longchamp pas cher, michael kors outlet, sac vanessa bruno, true religion outlet, coach outlet, nike free uk, hollister pas cher, nike air max uk, hogan outlet, nike air max, nike blazer pas cher, timberland pas cher, true religion outlet, ralph lauren uk, nike air max uk, polo lacoste, nike free run, nike roshe

oakleyses said...

moncler outlet, swarovski crystal, ugg, coach outlet, montre pas cher, hollister, juicy couture outlet, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, pandora jewelry, louis vuitton, louis vuitton, toms shoes, lancel, canada goose, barbour, ugg uk, ray ban, canada goose, moncler, canada goose uk, juicy couture outlet, marc jacobs, replica watches, vans, canada goose jackets, louis vuitton, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, louis vuitton, pandora uk, swarovski, moncler uk, ugg pas cher, converse outlet, pandora jewelry, gucci, nike air max, pandora charms, hollister, wedding dresses, moncler, links of london, converse, moncler outlet, louis vuitton, canada goose, moncler, karen millen uk, supra shoes, doudoune moncler, canada goose outlet, canada goose outlet, moncler

Unknown said...

nike basketball shoes
oakley sunglasses outlet
discount rolex watches
tod's shoes outlet
ralph lauren polo
hollister kids
coach factory outlet
air max thea
toms wedges
ray ban outlet
2017.1.19chenlixiang

Unknown said...

cheap oakley sunglasses
cleveland cavaliers jerseys
ray ban sunglasses
ray ban sunglasses
cheap oakley sunglasses
fitflops
michael kors outlet clearance
louis vuitton
louis vuitton handbags
michael kors outlet clearance
20170121lck

raybanoutlet001 said...

nike trainers uk
pandora jewelry
mont blanc pens outlet
nike free 5
air jordan uk
instyler max
nike blazer
converse trainers
michael kors outlet online
steelers jerseys

Unknown said...

hermes handbags
cheap jordans
coach outlet
tods shoes
coach outlet store online clearances
philadelphia phillies jerseys
pandora uk
coach factory outlet
losangeles lakers jerseys
longchamp outlet store
20170318huazhen

xumeiqing said...

20170512meiqing
nike shoes
fitflops uk
pandora uk
fred perry
burberry outlet store
swarovski jewellery
ralph lauren
adidas outlet
mont blanc pens
beats headphones

Unknown said...

polo ralph lauren outlet
cheap oakley sunglasses
michael kors outlet clearance
rolex orologi
coach outlet store online
cartier watches for sale
polo ralph lauren
coach outlet clearance
lacoste outlet
coach outlet store online
chanyuan2017.06.08

Unknown said...

hermes belts for men
vibram fivefingers
longchamp handbags
pandora uk
nike air force
kyrie irving shoes
yeezy boost
yeezy shoes
longchamp outlet
adidas ultra

qqqqqqqqqqqq said...

nike air force
kd shoes
nike air force
dior glasses
adidas iniki
derrick rose shoes
nike zoom running shoe
golden goose sneakers
jordan 11 retro
russell westbrook shoes

Unknown said...

adidas pure boost
golden goose
nike react
yeezy boost 350 v2
fila
nike air presto
nike max
adidas nmd
harden shoes
chrome hearts

chenlili said...

michael kors outlet
christian louboutin shoes
michael kors outlet online
longchamp outlet online
michael kors outlet online
adidas yeezy
giuseppe zanotti sneakers
christian louboutin
pandora charms
supreme
chenqiuying20180720

Juliana Kho said...

Thank you for your information, please visit:
http://www.caradaftaridnpoker.com/
https://www.idnplay.vip/
http://www.idnplay.mobi/
idn poker
daftar idn poker
https://www.livechatidnpoker.com/
http://www.judislotjackpot.com/
http://www.agenosg777.org/
http://www.daftarosg777.com/
http://www.slot1628.com/

Juliana Kho said...

Play1628
http://www.livechatosg777.com/
http://www.download-osg777.com/
http://www.loginosg777.com/
https://www.livechatsbobet.co/
http://www.jokergaming.org/
http://www.ikangames.com/
http://www.gamejoker.net/
http://143.95.159.79/

jeje said...

canada goose
canada goose outlet
giuseppe zanotti
nike shoes
true religion jeans
lacoste polo
converse trainer
louboutin shoes
mbt shoes
adidas shoes

X3 said...

Klikqq
Laga99
Redmiqq
Daftar Klikqq
Daftar Laga99
Makviral
Laga 99

Unknown said...

I'm happy to find so many useful info here in the post.I really like it when people get together and share ideas. Great blog, keep it up!
Independent Escorts Services in Gurgaon
Independent Escorts in Aerocity

Marc Davis said...

Awesome article.Think so new kind of segments have solidified into your article. Sitting tight for your next article.
Check Balance On Vanilla Mastercard

chaelinsugar said...

Thankyou for sharing :

http://134.19.190.107/

http://134.19.190.108/

jan said...




ارخص شركة شحن عفش

نقل عفش من جدة الى مكة نقل عفش من جدة الى مكة
شركة نقل عفش من جدة الى الامارات نقل عفش من جدة الى الامارات
افضل شركة نقل عفش من جدة الى الرياض نقل عفش من جدة الى الرياض
شركة نقل عفش من جدة الى الدمام نقل عفش من جدة الى الدمام
شركة نقل عفش من المدينة المنورة الى مكة نقل عفش من المدينة المنورة الى مكة

POKER said...


Main permainan judi online dengan mudah dan cepat melalui Link dibawah ini.
http://www.dominoidnplay.com/
http://www.bola88live.org/
Main judi dunia hanya di sini saja
http://207.148.95.209/

POKER said...

Akun Poker88 terbaik dan paling aman terpercaya di Indonesia
http://149.28.132.91/

hajar said...


شركة نقل عفش بالرياض وجدة والدمام والخبر والجبيل اولقطيف والاحساء والرياض وجدة ومكة المدينة المنورة والخرج والطائف وخميس مشيط وبجدة افضل شركة نقل عفش بجدة نعرضها مجموعة الفا لنقل العفش بمكة والخرج والقصيم والطائف وتبوك وخميس مشيط ونجران وجيزان وبريدة والمدينة المنورة وينبع افضل شركات نقل الاثاث بالجبيل والطائف وخميس مشيط وبريدة وعنيزو وابها ونجران المدينة وينبع تبوك والقصيم الخرج حفر الباطن والظهران
شركة نقل عفش بجدة
شركة نقل عفش بالمدينة المنورة
شركة نقل اثاث بالرياض
شركة نقل عفش بالدمام

hajar said...


شركة نقل عفش بالطائف
شركة نقل عفش بمكة
شركة نقل عفش بينبع
شركة نقل عفش بالخرج
شركة نقل عفش ببريدة

hajar said...



شركة نقل عفش بخميس مشيط
شركة نقل عفش بالقصيم
شركة نقل عفش بتبوك
شركة نقل عفش بابها
شركة نقل عفش بنجران
شركة نقل عفش بحائل

Post a Comment