DEAR READERS: Here is this week’s sound off, about stores not advertising the type of produce, only the price:
“I shop at a large supermarket near my home. I notice when I’m trying to buy apples that the price is available in large numerals, but if you want to know which kind of apple you are holding, you must be able to read that tiny label stuck on the fruit. Other supermarket chains label their fruit, so why can’t all of them? - Joan L., via e-mail
DEAR READERS: Other uses for pliers:
Use to open difficult cans.
Hold a match to light a fireplace.
For pulling weeds.
Use to remove a perfume nozzle.
Use to thread shoelaces.
DEAR READERS: I ran across a button bracelet (red, white and blue) that a reader gave to me just two weeks after Sept. 11, 2001. I was appearing at a women’s show in Indianapolis on behalf of the newspaper. I’d like to share how she made it with a piece of elastic band and leftover buttons!
Directions: Cut the elastic band open and measure it to fit your wrist. Leave a little extra length for the closure. Lay the elastic flat and sew the buttons on in whatever design you choose.
You could choose a certain color or a theme. Use different sizes and overlap the buttons until you have the whole band covered (except the closure). When done, stitch the two ends together. These make cute gifts for a friend or yourself. Visit my website, Heloise.com, to see the special red, white and blue bracelet and a photo from that day.
DEAR HELOISE: I’ve used the woven straw plates that support paper plates at summer picnics and barbecues. But I use them in the microwave as a base plate for my mug, soup bowl, even my dinner plate. The straw does not get hot, and it’s easy to put your fingers under the straw plate, with thumbs on the edge of the hot plate, and transport your food safely.
- Valerie in Illinois
DEAR HELOISE: I often cut columns out of the newspaper. The problem is that the column doesn’t have the date. Now I tear out the whole page. It gives me the date, the column and which newspaper it’s from.
- Arlene in West Virginia
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail Heloise@Heloise.com
ActiveStyle, Pages 26 on 04/01/2013