Today in my neighborhood, I drove through a downfall of yellow oak pollen. This explains so many things if you’re from around here. You might feel extra tired. Your eyes might feel puffy. You might feel completely swollen, under the weather, and congested. Your head might pound. You might feel completely out of sorts.
We all know this season. It’s oak pollen season! The pollen covers everything. It might seem lovely at first to walk about with yellow strings of pollen falling and golden dust blanketing everything from your car to your shirt and collecting in piles that line the roads. It might even seem whimsical to open the door to a wash of yellow. But no. It’s the pollen that makes so many of us feel terrible.
I like knowing what makes us feel the way we feel. When friends say, “I don’t know why I’m so tired and feel so out of sorts!” and I say, “Remember? It’s the oak pollen,” they feel better knowing the cause. When you know the cause, you apply a good remedy of whatever allergy medicine works for you. You change your filters in your home. You close windows. You stay inside more for a few days.
Meanwhile, there’s curiosity and gratitude. I remember the joy of oak pollen honey and how many bees love this pollen. I remember to learn more. This yellow pollen is called oak catkins. Did you know that? You can use catkins as mulch, too. They feed squirrels and birds. Next, I learn that a cluster of oak catkins is called an inflorescence. Who knew?
I’m about to have a conversation with my neighbor. I’ll be sure to say, “Wow, look at the catkins. Look all of these catkins together as an inflorescence!”