Allergies get a breather

It's official. April in Bend was one of the coolest in recent decades and well below average. For example, average highs are usually in the upper 50s and low 60s. As I type this at 4 p.m., it's 45 degrees, clear, bright and windy. In fact, that wind chill in the shade can bring the temp closer to freezing.

While all this chilly weather wasn't good for suntanning it was fantastic for allergies.

Weather.com says our juniper tree pollen count is moderate, but my nose says differently. In fact, I haven't had to go to the usual extreme of taking the stopper: Allegra-D.

I've taken a few of the generic version of Zyrtec, but those pills really don't cut it when the days are warm and the pollen is flying.

With nighttime temps at or below freezing and with daytime highs in the 40s and 50s, the dreaded juniper onslaught was kept at bay.

Yes, I know some of you have suffered in Central Oregon, but, by and large, this was one of the best springs for chronic allergy sufferers. Now, the allergy doctors will tell you how awful it is, but don't believe them. It's actually my best spring for allergies in Bend in more than 20 years.

And, the good news is that juniper trees have a built-in pollen time-release capsule and it's been stunted. This means that the juniper pollen season will be not only shortened but likely nearly non-existent.

Now, it is supposed to warm up next week into the 60s and that should cause a few problems, but, overall, juniper pollen will not be the nasal nemesis of springs past.

And, for that, I'm eternally grateful.