Sniffing Blanks

          Lately, the odds are pretty high of finding me at a standstill in front of the open fridge sniffing barbecue sauce or with my nose in the jar of kalamata olives.

          A month ago, I had the cold-to-beat-all-colds. It went on for weeks. I cancelled events, coughed as though contributing a lung, and mainlined Nyquil to sleep.

          In the last days of it, the coup de grace that had me begging for mercy was the pain across my face. I’d never had a sinus infection before, but I was pretty sure that’s what this was.

          Dr. Google shared with me that usually antibiotics are of little use for this, you just have to wait it out, so I never went to my doctor. As someone who’s rarely sick, it doesn’t usually occur to me to go shopping for over the counter medications, but I sped to the decongestant aisle and stocked up, which helped somewhat.

          I’m over the hump now, but there was an after-effect that took me a few days to recognize.

          I’ve lost my sense of smell, and my sense of taste seems reduced.

          For someone who loves food as much as I do, this is world-shattering.

          No, I didn’t have Covid. I tested negative, but I’ve read that a sinus infection can have the same result. Continued research suggested that there might be a solution.

          I need to re-train my brain and re-connect it to my nose.

          The method involves using several different familiar – and strong – smells. For instance, a cut lemon, some eucalyptus oil, or rosemary. Sniff each one for 25 seconds and try to recall what it tastes like, or a memory that connects to that scent. For instance, chlorine might remind you of a summertime swimming pool. I need to do this twice a day, and depressingly, this could take weeks if not months.

          I really need to get this sorted.

This past weekend while out to dinner I ordered a gin and tonic that had no taste whatsoever. Now we’re talkin’ serious.