Incense at home

I really love incense and enjoy collecting different scents. The best incense often comes from Portland, OR. In my opinion, a small, independent company there produces the finest quality incense with poetic fragrance compositions. Another company that's closer to me has started copying their marketing style, but while their incense is more affordable and straightforward, it’s still pretty good. Today, I enjoyed a pine-scented incense cone. It was perfectly formed and lit easily, and the sharp, invigorating smell really set the tone for writing today. The more budget-friendly incense has a more generic name, but considering the price and quality, it definitely gives the Portland company some competition for my attention. I loved watching the smoke form lifelike shapes rising from the cone on the makeshift plate; it made me feel accompanied and even glowed in the dark as my words took shape on the screen. I used my special Japanese white gas lighter—an accessory that was a little pricey but worth it. The beautiful tortoiseshell case and the satisfying flame made lighting the cone an enjoyable ritual. Overall, the lovely scent helps mask the old house smell we have, and it also brings back memories of a dear friend who used to smoke cigarettes before passing away. The energizing pine aroma hits right at the core of my brain— that primal, lizard brain—producing a powerful, though subtle, response. It also evokes a sense of awe, Sometimes, I like to mix in those calming, almost meditative scents like frankinsence and myrrh to create a different, relaxing atmosphere.