During the summer between my sophomore and junior years of college I purchased a small Honda motorcycle. Each morning I rode from my parent’s home to a construction site in Grove City, PA (about 20 miles). The trip usually took about 25 to 30 minutes. Each morning I rolled out of bed – half asleep. In 20 minutes I dressed, crammed as much food into my stomach as possible, grabbed my lunch and put in into a backpack that I slung behind me, and strapped on my helmet. I started the bike, and off I went. Immediately, the smells of each part of the trip entered my nose. Over time I grew to recognize exactly where I was in my short journey just from the aroma hitting my nostrils. I started in a residential area that smelled of flowers and cut grass. After entering the main road, the scent changed to motor oil and exhaust. Those soon gave way to the damp fragrance of the farms that I passed, each one slightly different, and changing as the summer wore on and transitioned into autumn. The air that entered through my nose and into my lungs nudged me more awake as I rode along. By the time I pulled into the gravel parking area I was fully alert and ready to face the day. The harsh world of a construction site is no place to enter unless your wits are fully engaged. That daily motorcycle ride provided the best means of preparing for what I would face each day…
Todd Rivetti 