by Pam Marra

Lifestyles Editor

A co-worker and I were leaving the office the other day and as soon as I opened the door, it hit me.

"I smell Easter," I said to her.

"What?" she asked, looking at me like I was crazy.

"I smell Easter. Don't you?"

"You are so weird sometimes," she shot back.

It wasn't the first time I'd heard that so I wasn't offended. But doesn't anybody else have this ability? If that kid on "The Sixth Sense" can see dead people, why can't I smell holidays?

I think even if I was in a long sleep and woke up years later, I'd be able to tell what time of the year it was because I could smell it.

"Hmmmmm. Let's see. I think it's around Nov. 5 or 6 because I can smell Thanksgiving."

Gee, I guess putting it into real words does sound kind of strange, doesn't it?

Maybe I have some kind of seasonal psychic ability or something.

Take this Easter thing, for instance.

This holiday is always in the spring when flowers are blooming. Common sense would tell me that most likely, I'm associating the fragrance of lilies or tulips with Easter and that's what I'm subconsciously sensing.

But that just sounds so boring. I'd much rather think I was experiencing some sort of heightened awareness state that makes me special.

Right before Christmas, I'm just bombarded with smell-induced auras.

Pine trees, wood-burning fireplaces, cookies baking. Even Scotch tape. I'm getting zinged from all sides.

Now that I'm thinking about it, though, my ability isn't just limited to holidays.

I can sense other things through scent, as well.

Snow when there is none, but it's coming; high school, when I've been out for (mumble, mumble) years; the beach, when I'm only wishing.

Gosh, the more I'm writing, the weirder I do sound.

Let me see if I can explain.

I love winter and sometimes on a cold day, I can step outside and the air has that crisp snap to it.

To me, there's a scent in it that tells me snow is on the way. Nobody else around me admits to noticing anything.

Maybe I sense it because the billowy clouds have gathered in an ominous formation.

Or maybe it's because my neighbor has put chains on his tires.

But, then, what about smelling high school? That really sounds strange.

I go to an exercise class at the Y and when Iopen the doors to walk in, the smell of rubber-soled tennis shoes and gym bags throws me right back in those hallowed halls of learning.

Thinking back, our school gym was right next to the art department and art was always my favorite class.

The beach? Oh, that's one I love.

It's usually at night when I'm leaving work and there's a soft breeze stirring. I can almost see the tide breaking on the sand. This feeling just lifts me up and takes me away like a Calgon bath.

Hey, maybe that's it. Maybe I'm not smelling these things at all.

Maybe I'm feeling them because they all bring back a good memory that maybe I've misplaced for a while.

Gee, I guess I don't have any special ability after all. I just must have an extra-sensitive nose.

I just wonder why I can never smell trouble.