I love spring as much as anyone. Okay, maybe not quite as much as anyone. Which isn’t to say I don’t love it or that I’m not happy to have winter over with. I do and I am. I’m taking long walks with my dog and smiling more and even rhapsodizing about flowers now and then.
But you know from my title where this is going, don’t you? I have a bit of a gripe with spring.
Picture me last Friday, the day of very my first in-person interview for an upcoming article in Canadian Bookseller Magazine. Of course I want to appear charming, intelligent, self-possessed, etc. Instead I spend the morning wheezing and sniffling and my right eye, rubbed in the middle of the night when I was too sleepy to consider the consequences, won’t stop watering. Yep, I’ve got a one-eyed tragedy happening and no amount of eye drops, anti-histimines or folded pieces of paper towel soaked in cold water are doing a bit of good. In addition, because of lack of sleep and sinus trouble, I look like I’ve been punched in both eyes.
The first application of my trusty Mac Studio Fix only succeeds in making me look like a vampire and soon my watering eye has smeared everything anyway and I have to start over.
Eventually, with some blush and lipstick and holding my breath and tipping my head backwards and swearing and praying to various gods, I manage to get myself looking human and head out the door.
Luckily the eye starts to chill during my drive down to Queen West and a short, brisk walk helps me gather myself and (ironically) alleviates my symptoms, leading me to wonder if I’m allergic to my house, my dog or perhaps my neighborhood. Regardless, I make it to the interview somewhat composed, if not razor sharp, stunningly beautiful and painfully hip, as I’d like to be. (Need it be said that this is a stretch on any day and that I live in track pants?!)
To my immense relief, all goes smoothly from there. The interview is fun, the interviewer smart, interesting and lovely and my eye hardly waters at all. And I’m hoping when the article comes out she doesn’t say I huffed or snuffled or looked like I hadn’t slept in days.
All’s well that ends well, as Shakespeare said.
Except for this: Spring not only blooms, it lurks. I know from wheezy, sneezy, itchy experience that spring lays in wait. It lays in wait for other important days and events on this, the year of my debut, lays waiting to send its molds and pollens into the air at the worst possible moments, threatening to render me puffy, watery and helpless.
It is only April 10th and the battle has just begun.
Two words for you, Danielle: Allergy Shots. I’m so glad your interview went well and I’m sure the interviewer had no idea of your misery – you are, after all, an actor.
don’t you think it is time for a more aggressive approach to your allergies … take shots and move!
Mom
This made me laugh, Danielle. My husband and oldest daughter have the same response to spring! I’m sure you looked and were AMAZING!
Yikes, Danielle, this could have been my post except for the book interview, of course! And it’s my right eye, too…which “dries up” as the day goes on. Allergy shots? Even the Dr. recommends medication instead, claiming this too shall pass…and eventually it does. Happy summer! 😉
Joanne: Thanks for the vote of confidence re covering up my misery. I’ve thought about allergy shots but like Larramie said, the doctors seem kind of unconvinced about it themselves. On the other hand, it may be worth a shot…so to speak.
Cindy: Hmm. Moving would be a bit much at the moment, I think.
Gail: Thanks. Send my sympathies to your husband and eldest daughter! I’m right there with them.
Larramie: I will be thinking of you next time my right eye starts to bug me–what a crazy coincidence! Yes, yes. It will pass…until the fall of course.
Oh no! I’ve been so busy craving spring that I forgot entirely about allergies…ACK! My eyes feel itchy just thinking about it.
I’m off to stock up on Benydril (Benedryl?) while repeating over and over: “I love spring! I have no trouble with allergies at all! My eyes are clear and happy!”
Hi Trish! Maybe if you keep practicing amnesia about this aspect of spring it won’t get you! And I like the positive thinking too.
Danielle! You have to try these: (I was thoroughly grossed out by this, by the way):
Very cute!!! Did Jenny just link to a netti pot? My sister SWEARS by them!!!