Every year I look forward to springtime. Since I don't really have a lot of insulation cold weather just doesn't suit me.

Each winter I suffer through the cold hoping that spring-like weather will hurry along.

When the first snap of spring temperatures arrives I am extremely excited.

No more suffering through freezing temperatures.

No more staying inside because it is just too cold to do anything else.

I am the happiest man on the face of the earth.

That is, until I get hit by the ugly side of spring.

As wonderful as the majority of springtime is it does have its bad side.

It's sort of like a seasonal evil twin and it makes my life miserable.

It's called pollen.

It comes in many forms from many different plants but its purpose is always the same: Make Rick's life miserable.

I have to say that it does a pretty good job.

Usually just when I am really getting into the spirit of the spring season the same weather that I love so much triggers off the reaction in the trees and plants.

Soon enough my head feels about the size of a pumpkin and I walk around in a daze for about a week.

Luckily this year it didn't take me that long to get over it.

My recovery lasted only a couple of days.

That is more than I can say for my truck.

It has made the transition from white to yellow in a matter of days.

I try washing it but the yellow dust comes right back.

It doesn't really do any damage. It just causes a great deal of irritation for me.

But this is just another part of spring that I have gotten used to.

Though I have no problem with the pollen other than the limited suffering that it causes there is one part of spring that I almost run out of patience with.

Atlanta Braves baseball.

Each year I build false hopes for another Workd Series title.

Every spring training I build excitement because all of the additions that the Braves make appear to be all the right pieces of the puzzle.

Most of the time they prove me right throughout the first and second half of the season.

But come October they always pull their disappearing act.

But this year will be different.

Now that I have the pollen almost whipped I am determined not to fall into the Atlanta Braves false hopes fan trap.

This year I will be returning to my "maybe they won't finish last" mentality that I had during the Dale Murphy days.

I am hoping that if I expect them to be at their worst I can never be disappointed.

So take that pollen and Atlanta Braves! This year I have outsmarted you.

There is nothing you can do to ruin my spring!

At least I hope not.

Rick Couch may be reached at

383-9302, ext. 132 or

via email at rick. couch@greenvilleadvocate.com.