A Conversation with Elizabeth
1998
Supplements

From:          Elizabeth
To:            Larry.m.mixson@bvs.com
Date:          3/10/98 11:15am
Subject:       supplements
 
I noted with interest your nutritional supplements. On Sunday Rounds on NPR this past Sunday the physician stated emphatically there was no need for supplements if one eats a "balanced diet." However, I regularly scan the medical journals, and I find other opinions. I take 500-1000 mg. of C daily, and just recently added 400 I.U. of Vitamin E, and I take a multivitamin. Also I try to "eat" at least two TUMS a day for the calcium it provides at protection against osteoporosis. Many physicians also take a "baby" aspirin every day. I haven't decided yet to take any "frank" herbal medications. There are some things to be careful about there. For example, shark cartilage which some people have been taking has proved dangerous. Also, some of the herbals have something equivalent to speed which can drive up the blood pressure. I listened to an extensive several part show on NPR some time back about the use of herbals in Europe. The practice is very widely accepted. The Sunday Rounds physician kept stating he couldn't understand why anyone would go that route. I started to call because it makes a lot of sense to me. When I have to get a prescription I feel that turns my health over to someone else, whereas if I can assist my health with natural foods or preparations I feel that is more under my control. Despite oppositional opinions, I feel my use of C minimizes colds, etc.
 
I couldn't find Snow Crash in the used bookstores, so it's pretty scarce around here (although it might actually be in B and N or BAM I didn't check. I finally found a library copy, but I have so many overdue books, I couldn't check it out. Fortunately, I know the system so I got it anyway. Every April the library runs a "Food for Fines" program. No matter how big your library fine you can clear it with a 15 oz. can of food, which goes to the Food Bank.
 
Mercifully I got out of class early last night as we had a guest speaker. With my class being cancelled this Wed. I feel as if I have a little "break." I gave my registration form to a friend to turn in. The "rules" are you can turn in ONE other person's form when you register. I was totally spoiled by UA's registration system as you could do it all over the phone. Also you could get your grades that way. Law registration isn't too bad. They try to make it convenient for working students, but I was most annoyed by having wasted one of my few free mornings to go there, when I could have chosen to do something else instead. The ONLY thing I miss about the public library is that when I worked the weekend (which I hated) I did get two days off during the week. That was nice. I could go to movies in the early afternoon, etc., when there were no lines.
 
Have you seen the Titanic Exhibit. It is down in St. Pete/Clearwater right now.[1] I may try to see it when I visit my mother.
 
I remember studying card punch. What a drag. Amazing how things have changed. Didn't you also tell me that you knew how to get into grades at U of F?
 
I envy you having a garden AND a fireplace. I have neither.
 
After I left your Aunt's place and had my truck I would "go" every weekend. I kept the truck sort of packed with gear, spare clothes, food. I'd head over to St. Augustine, or way up to Jacksonville, and many times over to Cedar Key. Often I would crab with some baskets I had. I miss that freedom and getting away routinely. What kind of "truck" do you have? You mentioned having one. Let me guess--probably the same kind everyone here drives. Everyone in Montgomery tries to act as if this is Montana or something. The most ubiquitous "car" on the road is the suburban truck variations, along with those ugly vans. In Snow Crash the author talks about those vans, which I found funny.
 
I've got to get motivated for finals. I'm trying to decide whether I want to shoot for a "best paper" in one of my classes. I missed one last semester by just one point. The scoop is that if you write the best final you get a "best paper award." Everyone in the school is allowed to read it, your name is publicized, and you get a plaque. I would like to get at least one. Ironically, a friend of mine, who was my former STUDENT, at Univ. of AL, wracked up two awards last term. I have a lot of competition. The class which I might shoot for is all 3rd yr. students, so that makes it a little tougher. On the other hand, I may just make what I make and accept anything above a C, which is passing, and okay. Passing the Bar is ultimately all that counts. Passing the courses is just preliminary.
 
Well, I need to get my mail. This was my break today. It took a long time to get settled back in with the grit, etc. I liked that "TU GRIT."
 
EJ

[1] The Titanic was discovered in 1985 and artifacts from the ship were on a display traveling around the country.

Re: Supplements