Puffy, snotty, dry and tight... this is my autumn. As we give thanks for the bountiful harvests, I stealthily blow my nose. As we fluff sweaters and shake coats, I place frozen spoons on my swollen eyes. As we gather wood for the coming cool evenings, I hack and gurgle.

The last of the blooming foliages are now desperately flinging their seed to the four winds in hopes of impregnating the soil with their spring spawn. Dampness creeps covertly into carpets and closets. This is the beginning of fall and as the seasons follow their cycles so do my allergies. Nevertheless, this is one of my favorite times of year, especially when we revert to "real time" (sans daylight savings). There will be cozy evenings by the fire, yummy dreams 'neath the duvet, and overcast weekends for reading and napping. Football will occupy Sundays and Hockey will begin feverishly. There will be soups and stews, shepherd's pie, squash casseroles and plenty of toasty muffins.

My immune system be damned!