Achoo

It’s in the air. And on the car and settling in fine layers on the dining room table and coating the laptop and flying out of the dog’s coat when she shakes. It’s the cause of sneezy noses and watery eyes and it has nothing at all to do with flu season.

Pollen is a season all its own on the Vineyard, where the hayfields grow lush and tall at precisely the same time that the oak and pine trees are producing new growth: read pollen. And then along come gusty ocean breezes to keep the stuff aloft.

There is nothing for it but to try to keep the windows closed and buy extra tissues. Be thankful if you’re not a sufferer.

And have some sympathy for those who are. They’re not contagious; it’s just pollen season.