Y’all…I can’t breathe.  And the pollen has put a serious cramp in my 5K training.  That’s almost embarrassing to say—5K training (it’s only 3 miles, for God’s sake).  But it is what it is, and truthfully?  I can barely breathe and run in the Atlanta smog by itself, but add pollen to the mix, and it makes for an excellent excuse to stay inside and eat Cheetos instead.    

The Great Pollen Bowl of 2007 has ravaged Atlanta, and I’m thinking that the city and surrounding suburbs need to be declared a disaster area.  We are covered in a blanket of yellow, and I can take it no longer.  So, I am writing an official letter to the President for relief funds.  And here it is…

I think that pretty much covers it.  Don’t you?

However, the Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic states that it’s not the yellow pine pollen that causes all of the allergy problems, it’s the oak pollen.  Well, you could have fooled me, because just looking at the yellow pollen?  Makes me cough.  And for those of you not living in the Atlanta area, be thankful, because here’s the pollen count for the past several days.  Notice that Thursday’s pollen count was a mere 5937…<ah-choo!>

And, just in case you don’t believe how bad it really is, see it for your own eyes, y’all…

Pollen on my patio

Pollen on my car

Pollen on my dog

And, because my brain, nostrils, and lungs are completely filled with pollen causing me to be dizzy and disoriented, I declare that Mother Nature is my candidate for Women are Fantastic Friday.  I know, I know.  Mother Nature is not a real woman nor is she worthy of Fantastic Friday with all of this pollen floating around like snow.  Did I not just say that I was dizzy and disoriented, people?  But, I must say that she is ushering in the warmer weather, and for that I am grateful. 

Have a happy Friday, y’all!  And stay inside.

Image Sources:
Make your own card: http://www.blyberg.net/2006/09/06/roll-your-own-catalog-card/
Pollen count: http://remote.atlantaallergy.com/pollencount/