Nancy O, I think you hit the nail on the head. I had been having a vague ache in the foot for a while but seemed to get better when I'd rest it at night. Last Tues I went fabric shopping and lunch with my 'peeps' and I wore some lace up shoes that I had not worn in ages. By the end of our field trip, I was in a bad way and it's taken days to get better. I'm almost there. but now when I go back to sewing I am going to try all of the above pieces of advice. This board is so supportive. thanks everyone.