Heloise

Dear Heloise: We enjoy good soups on these cool winter days. We especially enjoy clam chowder, but after having tried many different varieties, we realized that they do not include “clams” in their broth. We found that you can simply add a small can of “diced clams” to canned chowder, and it becomes a great, tasty dinner meal. — Howard Zeff, Mission Viejo, California

DRYER ALTERNATIVES

Dear Heloise: I often hang clothes on hangers in the bathroom instead of using the dryer. They are usually dry by the next morning. Also, you can partially dry them this way, then run the dryer if necessary. If an item is completely dry but still has wrinkles, just wet a hand towel and dry them together for a short time — the wrinkles will come right out.

Sometimes a cotton blouse or another clothing item might need ironing, but I don’t mind ironing. — Christine, via email

SOLAR LIGHTS SAVE THE DAY

Dear Heloise: With climate change, there has been some storms and loss of electricity that comes with it. The best thing to do is to think about your safety and stock up on all the usual foods, a camp stove, batteries, an outdoor grill, etc. One thing I never see on the list of what to stock up on or have on hand is solar yard lights.

Last year, we lost our electricity for seven days. People asked me if I had a generator, since I had light in the evening. I told them, “No, I just bring in my solar lights from the garden at night and take them out in the morning to recharge during the day.” Now almost everyone in our community has solar lights! — Cheryl Lamoreaux, via email

NASTY FINGER CUTS

Dear Heloise: Those of us who live in colder weather know that one can get little cuts at end of their fingers near the nail, and it can be quite painful. It is made worse by putting your hands in water to cook and clean. However, this nurse is still learning at age 77!

Now, at night, I just put antibiotic ointment on the cut with a bandage over it. During the day, you can wear paper tape over it to relieve the pain, as it keeps air out. Wear rubber gloves when washing dishes and cleaning. And if there is just one offending finger, you can roll a “finger cot” over it if you’re putting your hands in water. Keep at it! Thanks. — Jan Teets, in Cincinnati

HELPFUL HINT FOR CARPETS

Dear Heloise: If your vacuum cleaner is not effective at picking up small particles that are attracted to the carpet by static electricity, such as holiday manufactured greenery, the sticky side of packing tape will do the job. — D.M., via email

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: This is a picture of my cat, Coffee. I think he’s saying, “I’m hungry, Mom. Please stop working.” He’s a rescue who rescued himself and kept running in through the front door in January 2018. He quickly stole my heart. — Jenny Lehman, via email

Readers, to see Coffee 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.

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