I’ve been riding my bike every morning before work. Most of the time, I’m pedaling the perimeter of the University at Albany.
Other times, I’m on the pavement at the state office complex off Western Avenue in Albany.

At both places, I roll by linden trees. The strong, sweet fragrance of leafy trees with small, gold-colored flowers is like honey in the air. The aroma just hits you in waves, and is one of the nicest things about summer.

Seems like there are not many seasonal smells for the outdoors. Autumn used to have the scent of burning leaves, but most communities banned the practice long ago. Fireplaces mean wood fires during the winter. People shoveling snow or walking the neighborhood can count on a smoky scent from December through March.

Most of the olfactory treats come during the summer. Here are a few I appreciate, in order of preference:

* A charcoal fire: Propane provides the flames for just about every grill fire these days, but there’s still nothing like charcoal briquettes going from black to red to white. Love the summer smoke!

* Gardens: From marigolds to petunias, the reds, yellows, whites and purples combine for pungent and pleasant aromas.

* Onions and peppers: I don’t know why, but the smell of onions and peppers on the grill — ready for sausages or hot dogs — are a summer staple.

* Clean air: After a heavy rain or thunderstorm, air seems much crisper.

* Fresh-mown grass - fresh and lush, like you're out playing croquet.

* Sunscreen lotion: At the beach or on the softball field, the somewhat medicinal scent is almost exclusively a summer sensation.

I’m not too crazy about chlorine, which keeps germs out of pool water, or citronella, which keeps mosquitoes out of the air.

But I am glad to endure them until September.