Allergies, Energize

Since I moved to Arkansas a few years ago, I have realized how much the pollen affects me and how ubiquitous it can be. I have always gotten sick every year when the trees start blooming, but in Arkansas, it is so much worse. The pine trees and many other plants start blooming, and I find myself a sick mess. My ears are plugged, my head is stuffy, and my body aches. When I first encountered these symptoms a couple of years ago, I thought I had the flu, but friends informed me that it was just the pollen. The trees are beautiful, with their needles appearing ever greener through the haze, but yellow pollen covers the roads, vehicles, and pretty much anywhere else it can land. A blanket of yellow clogs the air, and it is even visible in the water that pools in drains and puddles along the muddy ground. When I return to Wisconsin, other blooming polliniferous plants will hit me again, so my head will remain a mess. 

Of course, this haze cuts down my productivity, and I struggle to catch up. It has been tough to write or grade when my head feels like a balloon. I am behind on the blog, my short stories, grading, feedback for my graduate students, and a few abstracts. You name a task, and I struggle to finish it. I am trying to energize myself by going for walks, listening to music, and doing anything but writing. I hope to return with vigor to these tasks tomorrow, but today I will put some Jerry Lee Lewis on the turntable, take some allergy medicine, and ride the allergy wave. The weather will be great, and I will be productive once this haze clears. 



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