Magnificent moms
Dear Readers: Today, and every day, we celebrate mothers for their selfless love and dedication to their families. Mother’s Day is a special time to remember these marvelous women.
Take some time to honor Mom! — Heloise
A WEIGHTY SUBJECT
Dear Heloise: In my exercise class, we are required to bring our own free weights. This can mean lugging 30-plus pounds of weights!
We discovered rolling tool bags from a big-box hardware store. This bag has an extra-wide mouth and base; the dumbbells are distributed evenly in the bag. This makes lifting the bag in and out of a car easier. The bag is sturdy and attractive. — Deborah in Aberdeen, Md.
PET PAL
Dear Readers: Mary H. in Arlington, Va., sent a picture of her two roommates — Zoe the boxer and Bernie the Lab. Mary drapes a sheet over their bed, which is easier to launder than a huge stuffed pillow!
To see Zoe and Bernie, visit www.Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.” — Heloise
CLEAN A BIRDBATH
Dear Heloise: Is there anything that can be used in a birdbath to cut down on the stains and not hurt the birds? — Edda B., Williamsport, Md.
Edda, yes, we must take care of our feathered friends! A great, nontoxic cleaner is one of my faves — BAKING SODA! Sprinkle a small amount in an empty birdbath, and add enough water to make a paste. Scrub with a stiff brush, and rinse thoroughly. Then fill with fresh water.
Baking soda is a workhorse in and around the house — it’s safe, cheap and readily available. I’ve been using baking soda for my entire career, and in that time, I’ve compiled a collection of my favorite baking soda hints in a handy pamphlet. Would you like to receive one? Visit www.Heloise.com to order, or send a stamped (71 cents), long, self-addressed envelope, along with $5, to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Baking soda can scrub out the sink, toilet and tub in your home, as well. No scratches! — Heloise
WAYS TO SERVE
Dear Heloise: For taking cupcakes or cookies to school, I use a flat cardboard tray that canned beverages come in. The tray is a convenient size, and can just be tossed afterward. To make it look festive, cut a strip of colorful paper to glue around the outside.
For serving grapes, I cut the stem into pieces with the grapes attached. That way, when someone reaches for a grape, he or she can take a little sprig, and the whole bunch doesn’t get picked over, which leaves unattractive bare stems on the serving dish.
And I’ve come up with another hint: I needed a small rack for a roasting dish, so I broke bamboo skewers to fit and laid them in a crisscross pattern to support the roast off the bottom of the pan.
Thanks — I’ve learned a lot from your column over the years. — J.R. in Alaska
HEIGHT SLEIGHT
Dear Heloise: Why don’t businesses check bathrooms for the height of coat hooks? If you are a person who uses a wheelchair and need to take off your coat in the restroom, you have to put it on the floor, which is unsanitary and has happened to me! — Jerry L., via email