Saturday, March 29, 2014

It's spring all right

Achoo!
As you can see, this tree is covered with catkins, those little cylindrical hanging things that cause people like me to sneeze. I believe this is an alder tree but I'm no expert. I do know that the ground underneath the tree is covered with these things, and if it weren't for allergy medicine, I would be miserable. But fortunately for me, I treat the symptoms and once everything is nice and green, I'll be able to stop taking it.

I just learned from this link that catkins are usually on male trees; cones form on the female trees. And the name "catkin" comes from the Dutch word "katteken," meaning "kitten" because they look like kitten's tails.

Because I've recently started feeding a real cat during the day, in exchange for some petting and purring privileges, I decided to go to PetsMart to see about finding a substitute for milk that the cat might like. He loves cream but it's not good for him, so I bought a substitute. Once I got home and looked at the ingredients, it will be the last time I do that; I wouldn't drink that stuff myself; it's full of all kinds of unpronounceable additives! Not to mention expensive. Oh well, live and learn.

I'm off to the movies with Judy; we're going to see Tim's Vermeer at our local independent theater. It was either that or Noah. Anybody seen that one yet?
:-)

22 comments:

  1. Between the cedar tree "blooms" all over the back patio, and the alder catkins covering the driveway, I'm sneezing too. I have used eye drops for itchy eyes, but so far have not had to resort to antihistamines, which are hard on me. Sneezing has been moderate.
    I don't plan to rush right out and see Noah. Somehow the previews just turn me off. I'll be interested in what others think of it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the look of spring in your photos....and...anyone who feeds a cat and loves purrs is my kind of friend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. There are additives in everything, even food for humans. I have seen cat skins, but not the cones.

    ReplyDelete
  4. have not seen Noah, but i want to...i have not even heard of the one you are going to see...what is it about? luckily i dont get too much in the way of allergies...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well, glad to hear its spring somewhere! :) I hope that trend catches on.

    ReplyDelete
  6. are you feeding a stray or a friend's cat?

    my allergies went up a notch here this week - between trees starting to leaf, grass growing, wind blowing. ah, well. a price for beautiful things.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Not been to the movies a quite a while. We have very little spring in our area. The snow is still up to our patio door. It's been a hard winter and I heard that the farmers are expecting a rather dry hot sum me.
    Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's turning into spring in Bear's country. Temperature made it above the freezing mark today. Snow is melting very slowly. I've been working in the yard a bit, but to much. In a week or two, perhaps.

    Say, are your going to hang your cat in the tree with the rest of the catkins? I suppose not, but I thought I would ask.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I knew they were called that, but didn't know the reference to cat tails. Learned something. Yep, our pecan tree is getting ready...soon, our driveway will be covered with the 'messy stuff' and tracked in the house.

    Hope you're having a great weekend, in control of your allergies.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yes my eyes with itch in about 6 weeks...maybe longer. I used to take allergy pills, I hate taking pills so I will suffer through. Enjoy the movie! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Look after those allergies! Allergies sometimes lead to other problems so keep it under control.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Cedars make my Spring a challenge but fortunately, it gets less each year.
    Haven't seen Noah yet. I have to wait for the DVD since we don't have a theater here.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I remember those days well. I had a course of desensitising injections years ago now, and it change my life immeasurably. I was miserable - for a lot of the year and now only get the occasional bad day. Bliss.
    We give Jazz a teaspoon full of milk every third day or so. Not enough to cause him harm - and he loves it.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lots of sneezing this year. First in Tucson, after an early heat wave and then rain. Now in Sedona. And, four days from now, spring in Washington. Triple play!

    ReplyDelete
  15. From my experience, if you start feeding a cat, you have a pet for life.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Have heard some good things about Noah. Haven't seen it yet, but it's on my list.

    ReplyDelete
  17. PS Since our golden retriever is named Noah, I almost feel, well, obligated to see it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. How lovely! After having gotten yet more snow today here in Montreal, it is so nice to see Spring somewhere else.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Mrs. T. has similar allergies. What a pain..... And we haven't been to a movie for months. It's hard to find any where somebody is shooting somebody or blowing them up.... Let us know if you see something worthwhile.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Send some of that spring out this way! Minus the allergies.. poor you.

    Thanks for looking after that feline. They're easy to love and readily return it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. All he needs is fresh water to drink, nothing else.

    I've heard of that movie and it sounds absolutely fascinating! Tip the artistic community on its ear, eh? I'll be curious to hear what you think of it. I know I'll see Noah eventually, too, but I would have picked this one first also. ;)

    ReplyDelete

I really appreciate your comments! If you see a word verification box here, just ignore it. I don't use the darn thing and Blogger is trying to get us to use it, I guess. Ignore it and your comment will still appear.