Stinky beauty

In the Kansas City area, one of the most conspicuous signs of spring are the beautiful white blooms of the decorative Bradford and Cleveland Pear trees. Many yards have one or several of these trees. Our yard is home to two of these trees. They truly are a bright and beautiful sign of God's creative beauty. The problem is, THEY STINK TO HIGH HEAVEN. Man, I feel like I need to wear an oxygen mask when I get too near them. Why can't they smell like lilacs or roses? Of all the hideous smells of the natural world, most of which emanate from the human body, the smell of a blooming decorative pear tree ranks toward the top of the list.

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