Oak tree pollen is heavy. As usual it bothers me when I expose myself to the outdoors. If I stay in I’m much better.

When I’m affected, my eyes itch and I’m more stuffed up. Yesterday I only went to the South Clubhouse to pick up tacos and I took my garbage can out to the curb. I was uncomfortable last night and right now I can tell I exposed myself.

I find that my sheets/pillow cases must be laundered more frequently. It is my reminder. I do have eye drops that help but the best way to avoid the problem is to stay inside and keep my air filters running. I am much better than I’ve been other years when I didn’t have the new two air filters. If it rains hard, the pollen will be washed away and I’ll have a few days of reprieve.

This afternoon I’m going to an outdoor concert. I’ll wear sunglasses to keep it out of my eyes and I’ll take an extra zyrtec. Let’s hope it helps.

I may not have time to change my bedding until tomorrow, but if nothing else, I’ll change my pillowcases before I go to bed tonight. I know my hair catches the pollen and it’s left on my pillow. Maybe when I get home, I should brush my hair out in the garage.

The concert is the only time when I’ll be out today. I am really uncomfortable right now with itchy eyes so I might not have planned to go if I’d known how bad my allergies would be. I wonder if using my eye drops while at the concert might help. I’ll try anything.

About 25 years ago, I met a polite English gentleman (Pat O’Riordan) at the Southern Michigan Dulcimer Festival. He sold handmade penny whistles. They were lovely. I was so impressed that I bought a set of two – a C and a D (which worked with one mouthpiece and two bodies) and later a low G. Even back then, they were considered very expensive (a couple hundred dollars for the G and more for the two whistle set.)

Today I looked on the internet and found that Pat had died. His instruments are even more valuable. The set of two was worth about $1,500 a dozen years ago. The G was probably equal to that. His whistles are considered the best but none are now available. They are in demand. I could sell them for whatever I wanted. So I went looking for mine.

I know they are here someplace but I can’t find them. They were in the top drawer of the dresser in the guest room which I gave away a couple years ago. Before I donated it, I cleaned it out completely. I know it was empty, but I can’t remember where the stuff went that I took from the dresser. I have a storage room with lots of bins and I’ve stored stuff under my bed. I’ve also added all new bedroom furniture in my room so there are several drawers where I could have put the whistles. There is a nine drawer dresser in the guest room, a craft basket, a couple end tables. There’s also a large TV console with four drawers. The whistles could be in any of those places, or in my dining room, or… well, there are lots of places.

I’m thinking of hiring a helper/organizer to assist me as I go through my stuff. I won’t stick to it if it’s just me but if I hire help, I will work through everything and get rid of a lot of the junk I don’t need. Purging needs to be tackled.

With a $3,000 (or more) prize someplace, it would be worth the hunt.

This afternoon I needed to go to Ace Hardware which is quite a distance by golf cart but the weather is lovely (80+ degrees) and I was glad to get out. For the “occasion,” I decided to wear a cute lightweight purple and white cottony/floaty dress. What I didn’t count on were the 20+ mph winds. My dress was blowing all over the place. I tucked it under my legs but it kept breaking loose. I’m surprised I wasn’t arrested for indecent exposure. I kept fighting it but it blew anyway. I’m lucky that I wear modest undergarments. If you hear any wild stories about an old lady “displaying” herself on Rickenbacker and Kings Blvd. I’ll deny it, but. . .

I bought a new decoration for my great room. It’s a parrot (or looks like one).

I’m calling him CharlieII or Charlie the Second.

We had Charlie (the cockatiel) for many years but John’s doctor decided Charlie’s feathers were affecting John’s lungs so we gave him to a nice lady.

Here’s a photo of my the original Charlie next to my new CharlieII.

I ran into Charlie’s new owner at a euchre game and she told me Charlie had died.

Now that I’ve had my inoculations I can feel fairly safe. In fact most folks are reaching the point where it’s less risky to be around people. Therefore a lot of the virus restrictions are being lifted.

I rarely leave the condo. Yesterday was a good example. Never went outside at all. (It was a chilly day and started out rainy so there was no incentive to go out.) Today the sun is out but I have no plans because it’ll be lucky to reach 70.

This morning, I thought it was Monday. It’s Sunday. I went several hours a day “off.” Finally the absence of regularly scheduled TV shows caused me to question the day of the week. I have no excuse because I have a clock that, in addition to showing the time, temp (in and out), and date, provides the day, which clearly reads “SUN.”

So I’m all straightened out now.

I have a long “to do” list. Nothing really important but stuff I want to be able to cross off my list. Guess I should get busy!!

I spent the past hour re-reading my blog entries starting with some in January 2020 but zeroing in on the pandemic in March 2020. I primarily read about the progress of the covid-19 virus and our reaction to it. It sure has been a rough year. Feels like it’s been lots longer than a year!

Kings Point shut down on March 16th, 2020. I remember thinking it would be a month or two. Two weeks from today we’ll be celebrating the one-year anniversary.

My birthday is later this week (Thursday). Last year I was really sick. This year I feel really good. I had allergies last year but the addition of the two air purifiers have helped and allergies aren’t nearly as bad as previous years. A couple weeks ago I had some stomach problems, but eliminating extra meds have helped. I feel good and normal now.

It’s been a rough year and I’ve gotten to the point that I don’t care about going out, even if it’s not risky. Today I did visit a neighbor, but other than that, I didn’t leave the house. I have to get the garbage to the curb by about 8:30 tomorrow. I’ll do it! It’s hard to leave if you’re comfortable where you’re resting. Right now Sophie is curled by my side. Why would I want to disturb her just to go to the mailbox?

My life is kinda in a rut, but I don’t mind it. Actually I’m happy even when alone. I no longer feel like I am going bonkers staying inside. I’ve adjusted. It’s gotten lots easier.

Occasionally I call a friend, or write on Facebook, but I don’t miss going to parties or dances It’s what it is.

I know I’m 98% protected from the virus but I still stay in. I did go with Evie to Fiore’s Friday for fish. It was ok. I think I’d rather go to Sunset Grill next time we have a warm night. Maybe I’ll drive over there on my birthday even if I’m alone. I can still enjoy a sunset. I’ll see. I don’t want to make anyone feel they must accompany me so I’ll just do it on my own.