I'll be going to work in a few hours.  Sometimes I envy yo8 who get to sleep at night, but this shift was my choice.  Have a wonderful evening everyone, and keep warm. ~K

I got off work a little early this morning.  We have snow and it's still snowing.  It looks to be about 2 or 3 inches.  I love snow before anyone starts driving on it.  Have a good day everyone.  I am off to bed,~K

I feel very fortunate to have had Thanksgiving Day (last night for me) and tonight off.  I had all my cooking done on Tuesday with the exception of my turkey.  I feel very blessed. ~K

Hi everyone.  We're back from vacation and hope everyone has had a good restful two weeks like I did.  We didn't go anywhere special, just visited relatives and enjoyed not doing anything.  I go back to work on Sunday evening and I am kind of looking forward to it.  Hope everyone has a good weekend. ~K

Fall Allergies

Though the flowers are no longer blooming and the air has turned crisp and cool, many allergy sufferers get no reprieve during the fall months. The allergy triggers might be slightly different, but they can be just as misery-inducing as the flower pollen that fills the air in the spring and summer.

What Causes Fall Allergies?

Male plants release tiny cells called pollen into the air in order to reproduce. When these pollen or other allergy triggers get into the noses of certain people, their immune system mistakenly sees them as foreign invaders and releases antibodies -- substances that normally identify and go after bacteria, viruses, and other illness-causing organisms. The antibodies attack the allergens, which leads to the release of chemicals called histamines into the blood. Histamines trigger the runny nose, itchy eyes, and other symptoms of allergies.

During the fall season, ragweed is the biggest allergy trigger. Though the yellow-flowering weed typically begins pollinating in August, it can linger well into the fall months. About three-quarters of people who are allergic to spring pollen-producing plants are also allergic to ragweed. Ragweed pollen can travel for hundreds of miles on the wind, so even if it doesn't grow where you live, it can still make you miserable if you're allergic to it.