Excuse me for being such a bummer at this beautiful time of year. Perhaps as you read, you can listen to a bit of “Le Sacre du Printemps” as a way of keeping your own head in a nice place.
But of course for me, one of the most allergic people you know, this season is less than pleasant. Not always, but a lot of the time. Especially the last few days. I go out to enjoy one of my walks, and then I pay for it all day and night. So I’m sticking more to the elliptical here in my office for getting my steps in.
People complain about their “seasonal allergies.” I have allergies all the time, and take several drugs every day to keep them in check. But of course there are times when the allergies are worse, and not in check, even with extra drugs. This is one of them.
So, when I went out for a walk over the weekend, I knew I was letting myself in for some unpleasantness. But I wasn’t quite prepared for the sight above, which I encountered a couple of blocks from my house.
This is not an unusual sight in my neighborhood. Copperheads abound, and a lot of them seem to like to slither on the paved road, regardless of traffic. I’ve found at least a couple of them in this condition alongside my own yard in recent years.
But that’s usually in the summer. Remember when my wife and I encountered a live copperhead traveling down the street back in 2020, as bold as though he owned it? That was… well, it was late summer, but still summer (Sept. 13).
So it’s particularly creepy to find this rather mature pit viper on March 23. Even creepier, it occurs to me that maybe not all of them are this stupid. Before I got home from the walk that day I tweeted this:
For those who have been looking forward to copperhead time: They are out and about now. And I wonder, for each one I find dead in the road, are there 100 others that were smarter? pic.twitter.com/9VtM2bVyG0
— Brad Warthen (@BradWarthen) March 23, 2024
Maybe they’re all that stupid, but I doubt it. So stop and smell the beautiful flowers, if you’re not allergic to them. But watch where you’re putting your feet…
I shot these back on March 5, which also seemed early to me — but more pleasant that the snake.
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As Elvis said, “There’s malice and there’s magic in every season…”
Hubs and I have seasonal allergies. We both feel tired and stuffy. I saw a friend outside with het mask on and decided she is smart. I also have to remember I should be aware that the pollen gets in my hair and needs at least rinsing out every night before bed. I do get migraines if around large amounts of pine tree pollen. I am sorry you have to deal with serious allergy issues.
Ah, I’ll deal with it.
I could live without the snakes, though.
I walked with a mask today. I think it helped, but I got tired after about a mile or so. Probably getting less oxygen that way…