Allergy Season

If you've been in Chicago the last week, you will know that something strange has happened. A flip has been switched. One day it was 40 degrees, the next day it monsoon rained circa Thailand in the fall, and the next day there was light. Lots and lots of light. 84 degrees. 87 degrees, 92 degrees. And counting. Higher.

This is what happens in Chicago. Spring, the season for lovers and no bugs, does not exist, sadly. Typically Spring is the time that really bothers me around here, because I know, EVERYWHERE else, Spring is lovely. Come on, you've heard the phrase: Spring is sprouting. So great. Not here though. I think the reason mainly stems from the notion that Chicago summers will char whatever begins to grow during those three months—akin to the parable about the seeds being tossed into different areas. It goes like this. Three seeds are tossed, one in soft soil, that doesn't allow it to take root, so Chicago summer destroys it. Another falls into a rocky place and can't even make it to the small green stem phase. And the other goes into nice soft soil, taking root and growing. In Chicago you can't plant anything except perennials at the beginning of summer because it will die. Perennials are unique to this. Everything that grows has taken root the year before. Tulips are a great example of this.

Spring anywhere else really is enjoyable. Spring in Iowa is my favorite time of year there. Iowa gets great transition seasons in general though. Fall was also a favorite. Sweaters without jackets, no rain and sun with a breeze. I think I'm in the wrong state.

The other thing about Chicago's nonexistent Spring, is somehow, somehow my allergies still get kicked up a notch. It's really not fair though, as we don't get those beautiful weeks or 65 degrees-75 degrees and windy, the best time of the year by far across most of the country. We might, might, might get maybe, 5 days total like these. Days where the cherry trees bloom and take me back to the scent of spring as I rode my banana seat pink 2-wheeler to Cherokee Elementary School. The only nice thing about our cold Spring is the lead up to a warm summer, though this year has been unseasonably cold until Monday hit with 92 degrees reading on the thermometer. Just in time for summer, June 21.

Now the air is on and I can't go outside for a long time for fear of getting burnt. "It might be a crazy life, but it's my life." Thanks Jon & Kate Plus 8, another sad story.