~ • ~
I awakened this morning with a charley horse in my right calf. Not the smoothest way to start the day. But one that got me thinking about a woman who I used to know who had some fascinating ideas about the nature of reality.
~ • ~
This woman who I’ll call K, was one of the nicest, calmest, most supportive human beings I’ve ever met. She was a mother of 4, wife of a physician, lived in a charming older home that she filled with pets, overstuffed furniture & amazing meals.
K, who was born in the late 1940s and influenced by the 1960s hippie movement, was a nurturing person who grooved on Dr. Wayne Dyer and healing crystals. And it was from this perspective that she viewed reality.
For instance, one of K’s beliefs was that when a person awoke with a pain in his or her body, the pain was a result of the sleeper’s body being used by some celestial force in a different plane of existence during the night. This made sense to her and she shared this idea with anyone who’d listen to her.
~ • ~
Now I cannot conclusively say that K’s idea is totally wrong. Who knows, eh? But I can tell you, my gentle readers, that my father was a small town doctor who had slightly different take on charley horses in the middle of the night.
His simple, straight-to-the-point explanation of why a person had a charley horse was that said person wasn’t eating enough magnesium potassium. And to remedy this situation he’d just say: “Eat a banana.“
~ • ~
And so it is as I sit here this morning typing this story that I find myself eating a banana– and reflecting upon the wonderful people who I’ve known in my life. Some a little more based in my idea of reality, than others.
THE SPECTACLED BEAN 
I wonder what the celestial forces were doing with your leg last night?!? My MIL thinks putting your foot onto a cold floor will cure it (quite how I’m not sure as I imagine a cold floor will cause the muscle to contract still further). Strange ideas some people. My own strange idea is that if I get a cramp, it’s a sign that I’m not drinking enough (water, that is). A few extra glasses and attention to hydration levels generally usually wards them off. Can’t stand bananas, so I’m glad there is another way!
LikeLike
Polly, those darned celestial forces are quite the tricksters. Who knows what they were doing? Just hope that they [I] had a good time of it.
I like your water idea. That could be the source of my leg cramp. When I get busy I often forget to drink enough water, so today I’ll make sure that I do.
LikeLike
Are you sure a nice margarita wouldn’t do the trick? Bananas are so….well….healthy but you could spice it up with some ice cream.
LikeLike
kate, yes, a nice margarita would do the trick! But it’s too early in the day for that kind of remedy. On the other hand, a scoop of ice cream with my healthy banana is quite doable. And yummy.
LikeLike
I eat a banana every morning, but still manage to have cramps in my feet and toes quite frequently. Maybe water is the answer:)
It’s interesting to hear the ideas from other people. Whatever seems to work for each individual.
LikeLike
Beth, I try to eat a banana every day, but am not overly enthusiastic about how they taste. Still, I try. I, too, wonder if more water might be the solution.
[You’d adore K, btw. Very creative and positive, but definitely going along to the beat of her own drummer. Sorry that I lost touch with her, now that I think about it.]
LikeLike
Love this, Ally ~ I’ve always been told the same thing ~ eat a banana ~ and I must admit, I like that much better than the thought of an alien abduction during the night!! By the way ~ I love your entire blog 🙂
LikeLike
Kim, I know what you mean about the abduction to another plane thing. Not really too keen on it either! 😉 Eating a banana seems so much simpler to me. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
LikeLike
I thought it was potassium but a banana is the answer either way. Meh, probably it’s both. Plus the water. And celestial forces. Oh, and calcium so a banana split with a side of water for breakfast? And a virgin margarita. And was there a solution for the celestial forces? I’m not sure I think clearly enough first thing in the morning to do more than the banana.
LikeLike
Zazzy, you may be right about the potassium. It’s been a long time since I heard my dad prescribe this for a charley horse! All I know is he was all about eating bananas to make you healthy. Which I try to do. Don’t want those celestial forces to get the better of me! 🙂
LikeLike
I used to like bananas way more than I do now, so that would be tough for me. I do love the hippie philosophy, although I’m way too uptight to follow it. I would probably be way more relaxed if I did! 🙂
LikeLike
Margaret, over the years I’ve lost my taste for bananas, too. Don’t know why. I like hjppie/new age-y ideas, too. But when it comes to medical problems I tend to turn to doctor solutions, not alternate planes of existence solutions. Still, K could be right…
LikeLike