Heloise

Dear Heloise: School bus companies are often looking for drivers and attendants, which can serve as employment for senior citizens. Here are some reasons to consider:

1. “They’ll discriminate against me because of my age.” My wife and I drive for a school bus contractor; we’re both 77, and our oldest driver was 92 when his health began to change and he finally retired.

2. “I’ve never driven anything bigger than a passenger car.” Most companies provide paid training through commercial driver’s license, air brake, passenger or school bus endorsements.

3. You’ll be paid for your DOT (Department of Transportation) annual medical exam. Careful scheduling will put your Medicare wellness check on the opposite month from your DOT physical.

4. “I don’t want a full time job.” Drivers and attendants only work part-time with a guaranteed two-hour a.m. route and a guaranteed two-hour p.m. route. Many companies have charter operations where you can work more hours if you wish. However, you do not have to take charters or overnight assignments.

5. The students will keep you feeling much younger than you are. — G. and R., Bozeman, Montana

WINDOW-WASHING HINTS

Dear Readers: When you dry windows, dry them on the outside from right to left. On the inside, dry with up-and-down strokes.

Also, dry windows with old newspapers because they make the windows shine. Do not wash or dry windows on a hot, sunny day because the washing mixture will dry too fast, and you’ll end up with lots of streaks. — Heloise

JAZZING UP WHIPPED CREAM

Dear Readers: If you love to top off pies or cover cakes with whipped cream, here are some ideas to make it even tastier:

To jazz up the whipped cream, add a sprinkle of nutmeg, cinnamon or allspice to it. Or you can add a drop of vanilla extract and sugar to taste. — Heloise

CARING FOR HUMMINGBIRDS

Dear Heloise: This is a reminder to regularly clean your hummingbird feeders. At a minimum, the feeders should be taken apart every few weeks (very easy to do) and cleaned with a solution of water and white vinegar (2 parts water, 1 part vinegar).

Black mold and other bacteria and fungi that are harmful to our beautiful little friends can spread a fungus that causes their tongues to swell. It may also cause death to these beautiful marvels of nature. — D.W., in California

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: Could you take a look at this cat? His owners, who live two doors down, called him a white tail. When he first came in, I called him “the cat that doesn’t live here.” Now we call him Stretch.

When he wants to go outside, he rings a bell that we have placed on the door. He never passes up on food. He splits his time between us (most of the time) and his valid owner. — Anon., via email

Readers, to see Stretch and our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

Do you have a furry friend to share with our readers? Send a photo and a brief description to Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.

(c)2023 by King Features Syndicate Inc.