Celebrating anniversary and death of allergies

Hallelujah and jubilee! Snow is expected on the Comstock!

My hero, the weatherman (doesn't matter which one, they're interchangeable), has informed me (and others watching) that Friday will have some snow overnight. Although Saturday and Sunday will be clear, both nights will be cold enough to kill the evil rabbit brush pollen that has been tormenting me since mid-September.

I have been holed up in my home for weeks, working on the phone and my home computer or a laptop I brought from the office, afraid to get fresh air.

Whenever I did venture out, that evening and beyond I suffered enormously from itchy, watery eyes that made driving a serious hazard to me and anyone else on the road. Zyrtec worked for the sniffles, but didn't do anything for the eyes.

By the way, thanks so much to the many readers who sent in allergy remedies and doctor referrals. I'm checking out a number of possible physicians, and whoever recommended Equate eye allergy relief eyedrops was right on the money.

But this weekend, thanks to the expected freeze, I should be able to go out and, lucky for me, just in time for Carl and my fifth wedding anniversary, which is tomorrow.

They say the fifth anniversary is the paper one, but I see enough paper. I want some fun.

I don't want to go off the hill, because I can't be sure it will be as cold among the flatlanders, and I want my eyes to get the break they deserve.

Every anniversary Carl and I plan a "honeymoon" rather than just give gifts or go out to dinner. We like to make an event out of our anniversaries.

Since we are still paying for last year's trip to Australia, we will stay home this year, but still make it special. We plan to party all weekend. Fortunately we live in the right town for it.

We have already reserved a spa room at Virginia City Ramada, and bought the champagne we like. Friday we'll be at the Senior Follies' "The Wild West" show at the Gold Hill Hotel. Carl caught the show at Piper's earlier this year and said was fantastic. It's directed by Norma Conway, who has also done wonderful things at the Brewery Arts Center.

Saturday afternoon we'll divide our time among the saloons that have live music, including the Buck & Bob Show at the Washoe and the Comstock Cowboys at the Bucket of Blood. After dinner, probably at the Cider Factory - a new place that has exotic (and delicious) dinners on Saturday and Sunday evenings - we'll head over to Piper's Opera House to listen to Joni Morris and the After Midnight Band perform their Patsy Cline show.

That's another show that Carl saw and I didn't, so it's his opinion here, but Morris does a dead-on Patsy Cline. We'll also stop in to hear the Rustlers, a Carson City country band that will play at the Washoe Club Saturday night. I have heard these guys once before and they are excellent, playing country and country rock like Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Alabama, the Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band and more.

I am tired of the so-called country that is played on the radio these days, and look forward to hearing some real country.

We don't mind company (except at the Ramada), so if anyone wants to stop and celebrate with us, the Senior Follies at the Gold Hill starts at 7 p.m. Friday and costs $45 a person for the four-course gourmet dinner and show. The Joni Morris Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Buck & Bob and the Comstock Cowboys both play from 2-6 p.m. and the Rustlers will perform at 8:30 p.m. Saturday and there is no cover charge.

And don't be afraid of the weather on the hill; it's never as bad as the forecasters claim. The roads are warm enough to prevent ice, and snow is no problem if you just slow down a bit.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-7351.