Monday is the beginning.
Mother Nature and the cosmos dictate that the autumnal equinox this year falls on Monday, Sept. 23. In other parts of the country the change of season may be noted by the varied colors of countryside landscapes, denuded forests and light jackets. In Southern California, however, the change is marked by empty beaches and an abundance of yoga pants rather than shorts lined up at area coffee shops where people patiently await their pumpkin flavored beverages.
It is also when the familiar sounds of the season are introduced.
First we start in a quiet office with the soft, delicate hint of a sniffle. Somewhere, far off in a corner of the building where people seldom wander there comes the sound of someone sharply inhaling. It is an unmistakable sound but nearly indescribable in that it is quick and alone. Almost undetectable. Sometimes it is heard only once in a day. But eventually the lone sniffle is echoed by another, coming from somewhere else in the office.
Soon the sniffles are performing together from opposite sides of the room and they are joined a day or two later by the rumbling grating of a throat clearing. It is a raspy, deep rumbling sound that grates the vocal cords.
Sniff, sniff, rumble.
Sniff, sniff, rumble.
The sonata may last for one week, maybe two.
Sniff, sniff, rumble.
COUGH, booms the office.
Now the steady percussion of air expelled from congested lungs joins the gentle harmonies of sniffles and throat clearing with the subtlety of tympanies marching through a library.
Sniffle, sniffle, rumble.
COUGH, COUGH, COUGH
Sniffle, sniffle, rumble
COUGH, COUGH, COUGH
Achoo!
The diva has joined the performers. Rarely does a sneeze join in the symphony of sick for more than one appearance but when she does her companion is not far behind.
The nose blow.
The sniffles gradually fade away, suffocated by inflamed sinuses, and give way to more coughs and nose blows and the room is a chorus of hard, guttural percussions.
COUGH, COUGH
BLOW
COUGH, COUGH
BLOW
COUGH, COUGH, COUGH
ACHOO-BLOW
On and on the sounds echo and each person in the office plays their part, sometimes multiple roles, until finally the orchestra is silenced by sick days at home and preventive flu shots.
So be prepared as we celebrate the last days of summer this weekend. Enjoy the cacophony of merriment and good health. Fall approaches and change is near. You can feel it in the air.
Achoo!
