Nature hates me, but only a little

[muckefuck]

I've had mild allergies for ages. They first made themselves known two decades ago when I was in Germany, and--coming from a family of allergy-sufferers--I felt pretty damn smug being allergic to something which apparently grew there but not here. But they've very incrementally gotten worse over the years, although only to the point where I'm guaranteed a few days of sniffles and scratchy throat every year.

Gawd only knows why, but this year is different. Yesterday I fretted that I was suffering DOBF (Delayed-Onset Bear Flu), but I eventually figured out that the symptoms were different: the sore throat was a consequence of the constant post-nasal drip, which in turn seemed connected to sinus irritation and--for the first time--itchy eyes. I figured it was something I could pretty much ignore, but then bedtime rolled around and I found myself unable to sleep. So I've bummed a mock-Claritin from a co-worker to see whether that will do the trick.

Despite the summery temps and summertime socialising all around me, it still feels like late spring to me. This is mainly on account of the irises being out, along with hawthorns, lilacs, and some redbuds and viburnums. Roses and clematis are starting, and today I saw poppies, although still no paeonies. (Noch anderthalb Woche bis Pfingsten!) But it's the bridal wreath that's most conspicuous; everytime I leave work, I walk through a great big wash of its fragrance.

It was interesting while in Toronto to compare what was in bloom there with Chicago. Some things were earlier and some were later; the bridal wreath there was only in bud, but their chestnuts and lilacs were further ahead than ours. We also saw plenty of flags, but the azaleas hadn't yet faded. Upon reflection, I wonder how much of that has to do with the microclimes of the respective areas--Toronto's Downtown Core vs. Chicago's Far North Side (and near the Lake)--rather than the more general situation. Or even particular cultivars. All the kerria was saw, for instance, was a double-blooming kind I've never seen here. Could it be it always flowers a bit later?

Comments

[niemandsrose.livejournal.com]

You heard Chicago's getting swamp oak, right?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/science/earth/23adaptation.html

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

I thought we already had them! According to Wikipedia, "swamp oak" can refer to either Q. bicolor or Q. palustris, both of which are indigenous to northern Illinois. The latter I know as "pin oak" and it is the dominant oak species in the St Louis area (which is damn shame, because it's also one of the ugliest). And if I was going to react to that, I would've been miserable during my recent trip south when it was all in bloom, forcing my nephews to have to wash their hands every time they came inside.

[(Anonymous)]

This spring has seemed to have more allergens than usual, in that the overloading Vitamin C and taking local honey doesn't seem to be quelling the general awfulness as much. Neti pots and claritin for all. Gwyn