Given the time of year, I, too, vote for allergies. My throat's been sore the entire past week, some days better, some worse. My eyes are all itchy and uncomfortable. My ears have been off and on clogged. Just allergies. I generally find that this week--around the 3rd week of June is almost always pretty bad, and just when you think you really are getting sick, everything eases up, and by the end of the month, you're fine. Happens to me every year. However, for a little relief? I find that if you eat some horseradish (however you like it--on a roast beef sandwich, on crackers or french fries or even plain if you can eat it that way) it helps ease the soreness in your throat. I generally accompany that with some cola. Caffeine is very good for allergies, and I find that the combo of the horseradish and carbonation, really helps open everything up. It's a temporary fix, of course, but it works, and it's more tasty than most remedies (but then, I come from a family who loves horseradish--even my dd was eating piles of it plain by age 4).

What timing, Clare! They keep telling us it's going to get soooo cold this weekend, so I'm very glad to hear your dh will be able to fix it. The flowers are beautiful and I'm sure the chocolates are delish. I myself have a serious (dark) chocolate problem and eat it pretty much every day. Belated Happy Birthday!

Well, my symptoms have progressed somewhat over a few hours. I may change my opinion about seeing a doctor. (:-( I've developed a big knot at the base of the thumb, on the inside. That's where the problem is. The whole inside from top to bottom is a bit painful to the touch. That top joint is now pretty much stuck open unless I flex it with my other hand. It's still not a major problem, not very painful, and hasn't curtailed activities too much. But how much worse is it going to get? I've been icing it, I splinted it last night, and have been applying my topical anti-inflammatory cream (thanks to Alisande) which makes a big difference. It's been interesting, that's for sure. :-)

Yes, kinco, when I got it in May I kept it inside until mid-June but it lives outside now. It's hanging close to the trunk of a tree so that it only gets dappled sunshine. I also have a carnosa KP and a calycina hanging there too. I hope the calycina blooms this summer too but it seems like a younger plant so I'll just give it some TLC and see what happens. It has an odd and faint smell during the day, I guess I'll check it out after dark. Thanks for the heads-up, Martha.