Somewhere between potting like mad in late July and ???? I lost ALL my energy and my right hip and knee went weird. Clearly a connection. The knee got better and then worser and I finally phoned my health consultant . A magnesium deficiency, she said. So I have been ingesting magnesium and taking more baths with epsom salt. The hip started healing first and the knee is WAY better, up to 95% today! One day, I thought I was stuck in the bathtub 'til R came home but I extricated myself, painfully.

Interestingly: 1. I remember a very nice man approaching me in a parking lot a few weeks ago and telling me about magnesium deficiency; I did not pay much attention! 2. Although we take cal/mag daily, I only realized yesterday that the current vitamins do not include minerals. 3. I pay far more attention to what R needs in that department (supplements) than what I need.

I am going to miss out on the wildlife conference I was looking forward to this Friday - in Toronto, 6 hour drive! I thought R would go and we would visit several friends but he is too busy. Today is the firs day I have driven around without increasing knee pain - from sitting in car. 6 hours? I guess not.

On the plus side, I have gotten positive forms filled out by MD and eye doctor for renewal of my driver's license. No sign of cataracts or other nasty eye troubles! The clothes and dishes are clean. The tomatoes get harvested, and the oregano. One door is partly de-painted but I may need stronger stuff as a lot of the paint does not budge, soften or anything!

The pottery has not gotten fired. I shall have to spend 2-3 14 hour days in the country to get things glaze-fired before the Festival on 1 October! The cabin is still a joy; we are not there enough but greatly appreciate when we are. Another plus is that R recognized out loud that summer is gone and he did not have much of a relaxing time. I suggested next year... "I'm working on it." - said firmly!

I know the mag is helping because I can tell when I need more - rather like pain pills. The knee reminds me and I take another 100 mg, more or less, of powdered mag with a couple spoonfuls of yogurt. About 200/day. (The RDA is 3-400/day.) Researching it, I find the symptoms of too much are similar to those for too little but too little leads to high BP and too much to low BP. Actually, it was the high, for me, BP which caused me to make the phone call. Mine has always been very low.

Terrific band at the Cafe this Friday will be my consolation for not getting to meet people in Ontario - make new friends and visit old friends.