Pollens

ACHOOOOOO ! Spring is here and the breezes are filled with yellow pollens. Though the leaves have unfurled and blossoms have burst, the pollens continue to saturate the air, causing eyes to water, noses to run, sneezing and coughing to occur all around us. I've never had allergies before moving here, and this is all new to me, but I'm exposed now to new plantlife here that I'd never run into in the North. My brother told me that he experienced this for about three years after moving here, and then he 'got used to it.' I'm hoping to do the same, but this is my fourth Spring here, and I'm beginning to wonder if I will ever get used to it.

There's really not much I can do about it, other than to take Claritin for the symptoms. It seems to work quite well. I am grateful not to be as sensitive as some are, who require injections to combat their allergies. I love to be outdoors at this time of the year, and would hate to have to hibernate behind closed doors and windows during this beautiful season of buds and blooms.

For today, though, I will be inside, and unfortunately I will be exposed to high pollen counts as I tackle the cleaning of the sunroom. Without thinking, we had opened all ten windows in there when the warmer weather came, and that allowed thick layers of yellow pollen to cover every surface of the room. I'll need to carefully dust the surfaces and to vacuum the upholstered furniture, and probably even the walls. Spring cleaning has never been my favorite activity, and it's even more despised with this new enemy at hand. However, the task awaits and must be accomplished.

I wish I had a Haz-mat suit to wear while I clean. Without question, I'll be covered in gold dust, and not the good stuff!