The sun is shining and a gentle breeze is blowing. The temperature is in the low 80s. I’m sitting outside on my shady back deck, gazing at the lake and reveling in the perfection of this day. I can’t believe I get to enjoy this. I wonder why I’m surprised. And then I remember…

POLLEN.

Any day now – perhaps any MINUTE now – fall allergy season will begin. And my enjoyment of the beauty of fall will have to happen behind doors and windows that are hermetically sealed. I really don’t know what I’m allergic to at this time of year. Ragweed, probably. But whatever it is, it hasn’t bloomed by September 12, cuz I feel GREAT.

For that I’m grateful. I need to embrace every second that I get to enjoy outdoors before I become a stuffy, sniffling, sneezing, nose-wiping mess. Maybe my girls and I will go for a walk after dinner.

There’s not much time. The ragweed is coming [cue ominous music].

What’s that shadow threatening this perfect day? is originally posted at: The Red Clay Diaries - Rambling down the dirt road of life Copyright 2007-2011. Use only with permission. Follow me on Twitter. I'm redclaydiaries