The theme this month for our merry band of writers is Winter Wonderland. Yesterday, it dawned on me that I'm already dealing with a seasonal allergy. In Canada, in January.
I know that might seem strange to most people in North America, because, well...Winter Wonderland. But, where I live heather is blooming, moss is in season, grass is growing. It's so green here it looks like Ireland! We're seeing some winter sunshine on rare afternoons and the temperatures are pretty warm...considering Winter Wonderland.
We walked past a blooming plant that was about ten feet tall the other day. Long yellow flowers that were so heavy with blossoms, they drooped in a lovely arc. Lovely, until I realized that yellow blooms are supposed to be the highest in allergens. Since that afternoon, we've walked on the other side of the road.
All this to say the sniffles, itchy tongue, and slight sore throat are not the virus, although the symptoms had me wondering because we should be in a Winter Wonderland.
Today, for our walk I decided to try wearing a mask. It's easy to social distance here when you're outside, so I usually leave my mask at home. Other dogwalkers stay well back as we chat...or call to each other from across the road.
Now, when you wear glasses they tend to fog when you wear a mask, and even more so when your heartrate picks up as your breath becomes heavier. Have I mentioned we live in a very hilly area? We get our cardio by default.
Off we went, me in a disposable mask, trying to hold my glasses off my face so I could see where I was stepping in the woods. After the woods we always do a tour of the neighbourhood and yes, we walked past the yellow blooms again. My fella wandered over for a closer look, but we don't know what the shrub or bush is. Could be related to a sumac? Or not.
How did I fare? Better! I'm not as sniffley as yesterday and that's a very good thing. The niggley worry that lurks in the back of everyone's mind is gone. Allergies it is...Winter Wonderland? Not so much.
So, now that I've found a second reason to wear a mask...it feels like I've paid half for them since there's a new use for them now.
Something for you allergy sufferers to consider when your Winter Wonderland is over. Cheers everyone and happy reading!
Author Bonnie Edwards lives with her husband and pets on the coast of British Columbia. She has written novels, novellas, and short stories for Kensington Books, Harlequin Books, Carina Press, and Robinson (UK) although now she publishes her work herself.
With four ongoing romance series and contemporary family novels in her newest series, Return to Welcome, she rarely spends a day without writing. For more news you can sign up for her Bonnie's Newsy Bits.
Check out her website at https://www.bonnieedwards.com/
I love the post, but Calgary sure does have things a little backwards, doesn't it? Sympathies on your allergies, but enjoy the walks!
ReplyDeleteI’m off the west coast on an island...the warmest climate in the country. Calgary is one of the coldest ... they have real winters. We’re a moderate climate. I should post a picture of my palm tree! :)
DeleteWe have snow in the yard but they're predicting incoming rain. Usually ends up sleet, but we'll see. Thanks for the tip on the masks for allergies. I never wear mine walking but have been putting my scarf around my face because of the wind. Maybe the mask would work better.
ReplyDeleteLiving in Florida in the Winter, I've discovered allergies here at this time I never had in cold, snowy New England. But I'll take a few sneezes here and there instead of 5 degree weather and shoveling two feet of snow any day.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure! We rarely get snow here and when we do it melts the next day.
DeleteWeird climate changes messing up Mother Nature. Wear that mask. Bound to help.
ReplyDeleteThe mask has already helped!
DeleteA very timely post, Bonnie! It's 40 degrees where I am today. In January???? We took all three dogs for a nice long walk, because it feels more like April. I'm a year-round allergy person, but if this keeps up, it's gonna be a heck of a rough spring!
ReplyDeleteYes, I hear you! I could take meds, but they can make me groggy. The mask is helping a lot!
DeleteTuck your mask up under your glasses and scrunch that little metal piece tight over your nose. It helps with the fog! Hugs!!!
ReplyDelete