I always know when Spring has arrived because my eyes get watery and itchy, I start sneezing with typhoon like force, and my nose gets stuffed up. Yes, I have seasonal allergies like millions upon millions of others in the world. Fortunately, I have lots of drugs to combat most of the symptoms, plus my trusty neti pot to clear out allergens that settle into my system.
A year ago, I decided to get a blood test to determine which allergens were killing me. Not surprisingly, the top 3 were cedar/juniper, grass (timothy varietal), and cats. This makes sense to me based on personal experience. Growing up and owning a few cats, I remember breaking out or getting itchy when I got a cat scratch or got cat dander in my eyes. I have since mastered the eye flush technique that requires rushing to a bathroom sink to glob water into my eye. Having spent 3 years in Austin, TX prior to moving to MN, I thought I had the flu 2-3 months out of the year until I learned that I had allergies...to cedar which should be the proxy name for Austin (if you have ever visited there and seen the coatings of yellow dust on everything). Up north, it seems that cedar and grass are the main culprits to my allergies.
Of course, I don't let allergies stop me from enjoying Spring. I still plan to run around Lake Harriett, eat ice cream (and all other dairy products despite the histimines that make symptoms worse), play golf and basketball, and have refreshing cocktails in the evenings. Heck, it's a rite of passage for me these days to suffer for a few days before I can enjoy the warmth and crispness of Spring.
I love the embrace of Spring that can be seen all around town, from the emergence of street peddlers selling fresh vegetables/fruit and fresh cut flowers to the beautiful people running around the lakes in their fashionable outfits. I cherish the chance to sit outside at the cafes, drinking ice tea, licking ice cream cones, and people watching. I find comfort in standing outside on my front lawn and being able to chat with my neighbors and watch the flowers start to bloom.
Oh, Spring...thank you for arriving...finally....ah chew.
Are you really this cheerful?
Posted by: SY at April 18, 2006 04:49 PMOf course not, but why would one want to advertise their non-cheer all over the internet. Everything is wonderful!
Posted by: kdsam at April 19, 2006 07:31 AM