Springtime Survival

• Posted by Kerena Hyler DD OCC April 15, 2013 - #  #humor  - 828 views

  A SPRINGTIME SURVIVAL GUIDE:

  SURVIVING ACHOO IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

   

  It’s pretty unavoidable for most of us here. Spring – lovely, promising and enticing spring – is here and the world (achoo) is in full bloom.  It’s lovely for photos and a time of hope but it’s a killer on the sinuses. 

   

  I have to stop myself from grousing too much about the odd cough and sniffle. There is no place I’d rather be than where the Lord put me, smack dab here in the Willamette Valley in the unique, strange and very beautiful Pacific Northwest. It’s a great area to live, work and play most of the time – temperate climate, lots of outdoors, pleasant laid back people (most of us anyway) and lots to keep me occupied.

   

  But I digress. This here is an official unofficial ‘survival’ guide for springtime, some tools for making achoo sniffle bearable until summer gets here. So, without further ado, here are a few things I think everybody needs.

   

  1. You have got to have a duck. Yes, a duck. I’ve got a ‘guard duck’, a visiting mallard and his lady.  They occasionally take to hiding under my outdoor chairs and I’ve seen evidence (eww!) that they sit by my welcome mat when they get tired of the pool.  A guard duck is a unique thing to have.  (The only problem is they are camera shy; such a pity!)
  2. The comfy chair or its larger cousin the comfy sofa is a must.  Everybody needs a relaxing place from which to just be, a place to take in the light from the outside when you need a reprieve from the pollen and the flowering tree petals that permeate the air. 
  3. You have to have something funny to watch, read or to listen to.  It helps you forget the itchy nose and watery eyes and it gives your brain a chance to work on other things.  Besides, many wise folks have pointed out that laughter and smiling make for good medicine.  It changes your perspective, even if just for a moment.
  4. You need friends who are as crazy as you are.  Let’s face it, what fun are friends who are sane and solid citizens? I like quirks and unique characters; it makes life more vivid and colorful.
  5. A feline or canine can come in really handy.  I include canines because I happen to like a little dog slobber when I’m walking to work.  I love a good tail wag and that unconditional affection; it makes me feel better.  Felines on the other hand come with conditions and they remind you that they know they are in control of the universe so you had best watch their step and pet them or else!
  6. Coffee and a variety of tea are things that just make the days go smoother, no matter what the season.  If you don’t like coffee or tea I’m suspicious of you. You obviously don’t come from around here.
  7. A bar of Slab soap and a hot bathtub or a hot shower is definite ‘gotta have’ things.  It’s a chance for you to test out your vocals and shut out the world as well as a sinus steaming opportunity. If you have a rubber duck that’s a serious bonus.
  8. This one’s a bit more serious.  Spirit time – doing something that feeds your mind, soul, body and spirit – is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, not to mention the others who are putting up with your sniffling and coughing.

   

  I’m sure there’s a lot more I could add but I’ll leave off for now.  It’s time for me to head off to the bath and contemplate the world from a tub full of bubbles.

   

  Peace be with you –

  Traveler K

   

  4/15/13