I added Nasalcort to my allergy arsenal this season, and I can't tell if it's actually helping, but I'm terrified to go without it in case things get worse. I wish I were independently wealthy so I could spend spring somewhere without trees or grass every year. (The moon? I don't think there's pollen there.)

Is your house going to lose shade for the summer, Ginger?

I have shade coming out of my bottom. What I'd like is more sun. I've gotten estimates over the years for taking out some trees, but they all gave me the vapors.

Now I have to decide to go with a cheaper tree service to deal with removing the tree alone or go with a more expensive one with an arborist and have the arborist also check out my other trees. I'm going to try to take advantage of the cooler weather over the next few days to clear stuff out of the way of the tree people, then decide.

Tough call, Ginger. Good luck.

Jess, my nephew was chagrined to find out that after spending most of his life in lush and green Portland, OR with no apparent allergies, he is allergic to every pollen there is in Flagstaff (My similar situation with Louisiana and California is similarly ironic, although I know that it's lawns and almond orchards (and, come to think of it, cow pastures that are no doubt full of ragweed) that are primarily to blame for my suffering). That's a not insignificant part of his decision to transfer to the Annapolis campus next year.

Which is to say, yeah, maybe the moon would work. Maybe.

I've been using flonase for me, nasalcort for Noah and Astelyne for Grace. Our meds are complicated.

The twins school had something called the Lincoln 500, where teams of 1, 2, 3rd graders worked with older kids on a tricycle race. The whole school was out watching, even though it's 96 degrees. Insane.

Yeah, I was never allergic in the midwest. I thought people were supposed to come out here to avoid the allergens! I blame all the transplanted midwesterners who come out here and garden like they're back home.

Oh, that's a good crackpot theory.

It works for me, as far as crackpot theories go.

Oh, that reminds me, Strix, I don't remember where you asked me, but yes, tour will include Lenexa. So I could conceivably schedule to meet up with you if you're around. It'd be the 28th.

It's not a crackpot theory. It's the truth.

It can be both.

Silly midwesteners!

I found out today that I was selected as one of my district's Teachers of the Year. Which is awesome and exciting.

Now I have to submit paperwork to the county to be considered for one of the county's Teachers of the Year. Then if they select me further, I will be considered for the California Teacher of the Year and then national.

Essentially, it's like a beauty pageant but not for beauty but teaching.