I’ve always counted yellow as one of my favorite’s in the world of color, but this week … hmm, I’m rethinking.  We’ve had a week of yellow, haven’t we?  I know … all of the weather folks and news commentators have said that the yellow (my term for pine pollen) is not any more hazy than in years previous.  Of course, we live in the piney woods of East Central Mississippi, and, well, we know that it’s coming in the springtime – all of that yellow stuff, but, whew, we’ve had a mighty heap of it this year.

    For example:  when my little beagle pup with her normally black backside is yellow, when we “track” across the deck into the front entrance of our house – actually counting the number of people or dogs who have crossed our way, when my white van is yellow, when  my eyes will not focus, and my throat will not clear – YELLOW!!

    I know that you have your yellow stories as well.  Yes, this time of year, the yellow is an interesting source of many conversations.  I wanted to know more about this uniqueness of yellowness, not breathe more of it, but become aware of the facts behind our plight into the yellow each spring.  I’m all about getting to the bottom (or to the yellow) of all situations.

    I have been curious about the YELLOWNESS of our world, you know, the source and just what the heck was going on – so, I’ve done a little research.  I now know the name of the culprit.  It is the MALE pine cone! Yeah, the male one … I admit that I have never thought in the terms of male and female pine cones – just never crossed my mind.  But, there it was – clearly stated online at the Wikipedia site.  It stated that in most cases, the male and female cones are located on the same pine tree – bet that can get uncomfortable for the poor ole pine tree, and then, WHAM – one day the male cone sort of comes undone and spouts that yellow haze all over the place and the magic of cross-fertilization has become a reality.  Yes, Mother Nature at work right here in East Central Mississippi.

    Then, someone thought of a way to organize a pollen count.  Someone with a lot of time on their hands, I’m thinking, but that’s just me. To check the count: http://www.pollen.com/allergy-weather-forecast.asp  Anyway, it was ascertained that the number of grains of pollen located in one square meter of air within a 24 hour period determined the severity or abundance of the pine pollen season.  Also, that pine pollen is heavy and usually will fall straight down from the tree – most of the time it doesn’t scatter in the wind.  Humph!

    Does that make you feel better?  Doesn’t me either.

    I have NEWS!  There is rain on the way … I hope. I hope.  Yes, I witnessed the extended forecast today and we are promised perhaps ? inch or so.  We have one shot this week for the raindrops, and, then sunny and warm days through next week, but, but – will ? inch take away the yellow?  Sort of “iffy,” I would say.

    Oops – did you hear my sneeze just now – made me lose my train of yellow thoughts?  Ah, yes, I remember — sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, headache, yucky throat … Granny always said to be thankful for your troubles. Wonder how terribly yellow the world was for her in the springtime? It’s strange, but I don’t ever remember any yellow problems in my world until the last five years or so? I’m sure that has nothing to do with all of the birthdays I’ve celebrated – pretty sure, that is.

    And, just my luck, my new spring attire – YELLOW!  Uh, huh, I purchased a lovely YELLOW blouse with a matching yellow/black jacket and slacks.  Thought I would brighten up the world, but I found it was hard to compete with a YELLOW haze when one is wearing a yellow outfit. Therefore, a shopping trip is needed.  Perhaps I should try a blue frock– wait a minute.  There are the blue Mississippi skies – my granddaughter, McKenzie’s, blue, blue eyes, and her brother, Jordan, with blue eyes as well.  Yes, I think a blue outfit will do nicely.

    Oh, I know this week there were more pressing issues than our yellowness here in the Deep South, or was there? It’s hard to concentrate when the eyes are bleary and the throat is scratchy. Let’s see – I know there was something about sports, oh, and political stuff going on this week.  Oh, wait a minute – that goes on every week – even on a yellow hazy week.  THE POLLEN WAITS FOR NO MAN (OR WOMAN)!

    I should mention that most experts agree that the yellow time of the spring season usually will not irritate our sinus passages and the such, but then, there is always the exception of every rule, and that would be me – maybe you, too?

    I probably shouldn’t bring this fact up right now, BUT – once that male pine cone settles down and the yellowness disbands … looky, looky — here comes the aggravating Mr. Ragweed.  Just to make your day, here is a handy Ragweed fact.  One ragweed plant can produce one million grains of pollen in a day.  The Ragweed pollen can be found up to 400 miles out to sea and as far as two miles up in the sky. Good Grief! 

    Yes, when yellow is yellow is yellow – we know that it’s springtime in Mississippi, and I wouldn’t live anywhere else.

    Anne McKee is an author and storyteller.  She lives in Meridian.  Anne is listed on the Mississippi Artist Roster, sponsored by Mississippi Arts Commission, as a dramatic and literary artist, storyteller and Teaching Artist.  She is active with the arts and educational communities throughout Mississippi.