Tuesday, April 6, 2010

New Things

I love moving to new places. In the last 5 years, we went from Oklahoma to California to North Carolina. Maybe people think we are running away from something, or work for the Feds. None of the above.. we just love new surroundings. It makes life interesting.

Charlotte really feels like home though. California never did, it was more like an extended vacation. But I love Charlotte, and I can't wait to spend years and years here.

Anyway, the reason I started this post was because I stumbled upon this picture.


[found here]

This week there has been thick yellow film on everything, especially cars. It's pollen*. I'm sure the locals HATE it, but I think it's sort of beautiful. It's also beautiful seeing the bees hard at work.

See, that's the great thing about moving to a place completely new. So many new things to discover; it's like being a child all over again. Dry pine needles are another "discovery". I've NEVER in my life seen people use them in landscaping. I was quite confused the day our apartment complex covered them everywhere. And another.. the colors! The pinks and whites and greens that have sprung up this spring. It's so beautiful, not like anything I ever saw living in Texas or California.

Anyway, this post is pointless and probably boring, but I wanted to encourage those of you out there to take chances and try new things and new places if the opportunity comes up. It really opens your eyes.

*Surprisingly, I've had NO allergies with all this crazy pollen! Thank god.

27 comments:

  1. sigh. i needed this today, thank you! my husband may be relocating to nashville (we live in chicago) and the thought terrifies me, but it also seems like an amazing opportunity. you've handled your move so well, i hope we can do the same if it all works out!

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  2. I had no allergies before we moved to North Carolina... Now I do! I hate this pollen covering all over everything!! :)

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  3. If you ever come over to New Bern, you HAVE to go to Baker's Square for breakfast. It is a Menonite bakery and their french toast with homemade syrup is AMAZING!!

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  4. oh yes, that pollen! i always have to wait to pressure wash my house and rocking chairs on the porch because that pollen leaves a thick film everywhere! however i, too, love moving. it's like being in a foreign land and exploring is so much fun. it really is beautiful in the South in springtime, too. One of the things you take for granted from Cali is that the sky is blue almost everyday in the summertime. here, you really appreciate those beautiful days, because it WILL rain.
    glad you're enjoying your move!

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  5. I live in Winston-Salem, just north of Charlotte. So glad you are falling in love with NC! Hope you still feel that way about the pollen after a few years! Love your blog!

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  6. I am so with you on the pine straaw thing. When I first moved to Raleigh, I was thinking, "why don't these people rake up their messy looking yards?" It took me a few months to realize that was purposeful!

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  7. You are lucky that the pollen doesn't bother you. I'm all stuffed up today trying to breathe. Happy Spring!

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  8. welcome to the south, bryn! just make good friends with Sudafed or Alavert and the pollen won't slow you down. so glad you are loving it. :)

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  9. I love moving, too! Especially if it's to a new city! I grew up in TN but moved to FL and lived there for five years, then moved back to TN. After being back almost three years now, I am still amazed by the spring colors! There is nothing like it! I'm glad you're enjoying your move to the South!

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  10. I am VERY fortunate not to have developed allergies after my move south. So many people do...but thankfully not me! Charlotte is absolutely gorgeous at this time of year!! Every year I admire and appreciate God's beauty!

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  11. i lived in north carolina for two years, and totally agree that they have the most beautiful springs in the world. enjoy!

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  12. welcome to the south bryn! we're happy to have you!

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  13. Bryn--You are the only person I've ever heard call pollen beautiful :)I can't say I feel the same about it. Even after allergy shots, nose spray and Singulair, I'm such a mess!

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  14. lol, I have never heard anyone call pollen beautiful. Just give it some time - I only recently developed allergies and that makes springtime miserable. I hope you're lucky enough to avoid it!

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  15. Bryn yes we locals hate the pollen. I washed my car Saturday & 2 hours later it was dirty again. So glad you are enjoying Charlotte. It's the best city I've ever lived in!

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  16. Since I was raised in the south, I guess I've never really thought about the use of pinestraw in landscaping. It's just pretty much the norm. So, what's the norm out west?

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  17. Yes, moving to another country has been hard at times, but also very rewarding and eye opening. Learning German is quite difficult!

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  18. yep, Emily is right...you are the only person ever to think the pollen is beautiful! it's everywhere in Birmingham today, I am so ready for it to rain and wash it off. having grown up in Illinois I too was surprised that I am not at all allergic to it either. weird.

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  19. I spent four years of college in North Carolina, and you're right about the beauty of all the color there. There's nothing like spring in North Carolina. And lucky you for not being allergic to pollen!

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  20. mmm...just wait..just wait...

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  21. I have never heard someone call pollen beautiful..I guess beauty IS in the eye of the beholder! You are very lucky not to be affected by it. I'm existing on Sudafed, Benadryl and Flonase. Please let it rain soon!

    Glad you are loving Charlotte!

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  22. You are too cute! I absolutely love that you love Charlotte and you're here to remind me to love this city too!

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  23. Where did you live in Oklahoma? Just curious because that is where I am from :)

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  24. I live in SC and luckily I have no allergies to pollen. I do hate it when I wash my car, turn around and my car is yellow again. But the rain washes it away and the roads will be yellow. There's lots of 'southern-isms' you will learn too! Glad you like it here. Have you been to the Biltmore House yet? Their festival of flowers is going on right now. I've never been during this time but I'm sure it's stunning!

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  25. I have been sneezing and scratching my throat all weekend long. Its awful.

    Im excited I have a few doctor friends that give me free allergy meds.

    Now if I can control the drainage.

    Awful.

    Mr. Goodwill Hunting
    http://g-w-hunting.blogspot.com

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  26. Charlotte is a great town, I have friends that live there. Good luck on your house !

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  27. That neon powder anaphylaxis... Blehck! But I'm very thankful for the foliage it brings so I won't complain too much ;)

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