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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

A friend of mine had recently worried that she had lost her sense of taste and smell and might not get it back.

The prospect seemed bleak as she listed some of the things she would miss. Fortunately, both senses returned, but it highlights how sometimes people can take good things for granted.

Chiton County has a lot to experience that may seem common because of familiarity. Yet, these tastes and smells are special to this place. Depending on the season, these could include — the smells of a freshly cut Chilton County peach, timber being harvested or processed, the local barbecue restaurant smoking its meat for the day, the taste of the sweetest strawberry you will put in your mouth straight from a local field or an old-fashioned caramel cake.

The smell of fresh cut wood always reminds me of my dad’s workshop when I was in elementary school, and the evenings I spent sitting on the basement steps watching him work and talking about various things.

I am sure each of you have a favorite you could add to my list of local specialties. (A hot hamburger comes to mind, but I am yet to taste one. Maybe that will be the topic of another column.)

Things that you may not especially notice, even when they are in season, but when you do, they add enjoyment to your day.

My life motto is “If small things make you happy, then you will always be happy.” The idea being that there are little things in everyday that can bring a smile to your face if you let them.

An example that comes to mind is the smile and joy that sunshine after cloudy days brings to me.

What about Chilton County could bring a smile to your face if you took the time to notice it?