Odors of the Evening

When we were younger we were ALWAYS outside. No matter the time of day, we played. As we got older and were in junior high and high school we were still outside just not playing. Usually sitting in or on our parents cars (not everyone got a car when they got a drivers license) or on the front porch or sometimes out on the curb and just talking. Almost every day, every evening. And as we sat there we could smell the scent of supper in the air. If someone was frying chicken (yeah back then it was NEVER bought) or someone was grilling something, we would sit there and smell and would pretty much know what everyone in the area was eating that night. The aroma was heavenly and prevalent throughout the neighborhood since everyone had screen doors and central heating and air conditioning were unheard of (except for the very "rich"). To this day if I am outside at "evening" time, I will sniff the air and think, "they're barbecuing, or they are frying something, or on a cold day - they have their fireplace lit." It just makes me remember a time when life was simpler, doors were open, kids were outside playing, and mom's were in the kitchen cooking supper that we were all going to eat TOGETHER around the table as we talked about our day. Of course the neighborhoods are not full of evening aromas anymore like they used to be. People stay in their homes with their doors shut, they buy take out or don't eat at home, or mom cooks but everyone eats at different times. But when I catch a whiff of someones supper, it takes me back to those evenings, sitting outside, waiting to be called in to "wash your hands" and sit down to a meal that I had been smelling and anticipating all day. Mom's home cooked meals.....they were a staple of my childhood.....they were delicious........and I miss them.