I did catch wind of two upcoming exhibitions on our own continent. One is at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC:

Gifts for the Gods: Images from Egyptian Temples
October 16, 2007–February 18, 2008
Egyptian Art galleries, 1st floor

"Throughout their long history, the ancient Egyptians used copper, bronze, gold, and silver to create lustrous, graceful statuary. Most characteristically, these works stood at the crux of their interactions with their gods, from ritual dramas that took place within the temples and chapels that dotted the landscape, to the festival processions through the towns and countryside that were thronged by believers. This important loan exhibition, the first to focus on the art and significance of Egyptian metal statuary, as well as the influences acting upon it, will present some 70 superb statues and statuettes created in precious metals and copper alloys over more than two millennia, including rare examples from the Third Intermediate Period (1070–664 B.C.)—the apogee of Egyptian metalwork." Accompanied by a catalogue.

I could almost go there, but the timing is all wrong. There is no word if this will travel elsewhere. I'll definitely get the catalogue, though.

Holdings from another museum in NYC will be travelling, however:

"The Brooklyn Museum has organized an exhibition of 107 objects from its world-renowned holdings of ancient Egyptian art that "will go on a nationwide tour beginning in the summer of 2008 and conclude in the fall of 2011. The presentation, titled _To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum_, is slated to travel to more than ten venues.

Among the venues to which the exhibition will tour are the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the John and Mable Ringling Museum, the Columbus Museum of Art, the Chrysler Museum of Art, the Phoenix Art Museum, the Joslyn Art Museum, the Norton Museum of Art, and the Frist Center for Visual Arts, with additional venues to be announced."

It's coming to "The Phoenix Art Museum!!!" That's a for sure 'can-do' adventure, and I will keep a tab on its arrival in Phoenix.

Meanwhile, to change the subject abruptly, I came across some interesting health advice:

"Dairy foods contribute about 70 percent of the calcium in American diets. This necessary mineral is a principal constituent of bones, which constantly lose and regain calcium during normal metabolism. Diets must contain enough calcium to replace losses, or else bones become prone to fracture. Experts advise consumption of at least one gram of calcium a day to replace everyday losses. Only dairy foods provide this much calcium without supplementation.

"But bones are not just made of calcium; they require the full complement of essential nutrients to maintain strength. Bones are stronger in people who are physically active and who do not smoke cigarettes or drink much alcohol. Studies examining the effects of single nutrients in dairy foods show that some nutritional factors—magnesium, potassium, vitamin D and lactose, for example—promote calcium retention in bones. Others, such as protein, phosphorus and sodium, foster calcium excretion. So bone strength depends more on overall patterns of diet and behavior than simply on calcium intake.

"Populations that do not typically consume dairy products appear to exhibit lower rates of bone fracture despite consuming far less calcium than recommended. Why this is so is unclear. Perhaps their diets contain less protein from meat and dairy foods, less sodium from processed foods and less phosphorus from soft drinks, so they retain calcium more effectively. The fact that calcium balance depends on multiple factors could explain why rates of osteoporosis (bone density loss) are highest in countries where people eat the most dairy foods. Further research may clarify such counterintuitive observations."

I eat rather sparingly of milk and cheese but do eat a few eggs each week and take supplements with calcium, magnesium and zinc . I don't eat meat, and it's interesting that not doing so helps my calcium balance. I do know I feel much better without it, which was a great surprise. I used to have frequent stomach upset, going through a card or more of antacids to quell it, (about ten times the recommended dosage). So I don't miss that.

I've always eaten a low sodium diet, knowing it's good for the blood pressure. Viola, it's also good for the calcium retention as well.

I rarely drink sodas, preferring the Pellegrino or Perrier fizzy water with a bit of Torani syrups instead.

I'm in pretty good shape for the shape I'm in. Sigh!