thanks everyone -- just got back from the natural foods (etc) store, and I feel better already!   Was told that horse chestnut works even better for legs / feet than witch hazel, and sold an inexpensive gel that contains

* hazel bark extracts
* horse chestnut seed
* amica flowers
* camphor
* menthol, and
* oils of lemon and lavender.   It seems to cool and 'shrink' and kinda heat up at the same time. Wow, my legs feel like chestnuts roasting by an open fire in a snowbank right now --- very cool!

Oh, and they also sold me horse chestnut/grape seed capsules to take orally once a day. Said to improve strength and elasticity of vein walls. So we'll see! ANd in the meantime, I was given some practical everyday advice too ie

* quit wearing those walking socks that are tightly elasticized around the ankles

* quit smoking to avoid high blood pressure      (egads egads)

* dont stand or sit for extended periods of time

* exercise regularly to improve circulation in the lower body (well, I do that anyway ...)

and best of all

* take as many breaks as possible during the day to put my feet up (higher than the hips) and just relax ....

Ahhhh, I do like the last recommendation.   ANyways, thanks for the links and info folks!   I'm off to write a new parody -- called "You're so Vein"

:-)    daylia