DEAR HELOISE: Another birthday has gone by, and I'm looking at my gifts. They're pretty, they're nice, but I couldn't possibly keep them all for the past 84 years.
The flowers die, and the hand lotion and perfume will not last forever. What I need is an hour of your time. Shovel snow, fix a leaky faucet, close windows for the winter, help with shopping, pay a beautician to come and cut my hair, mop the kitchen floor, adjust the TV -- the ideas are endless.
It's my fault. When I'm asked what I want for my birthday or a holiday, I clam up. I just can't ask for help. So I say nothing.
I want to share my feelings and those of many people my age.
-- Helene B.,
Martinsburg, W.Va.
DEAR READER: Helene, thanks for your powerful letter. Readers, putting some thought into your gifts can help senior citizens get services they can really use, instead of well-intentioned but unnecessary trinkets.
DEAR HELOISE: My kitten has started scratching my couch. What should I do?
-- Helen M. in Denver
DEAR READER: Helen, cats scratch; it's instinctive behavior. The goal is to teach your cat where to scratch and where not to scratch.
Provide kitty scratching posts and rub them with catnip, which will attract the cat.
Scolding the cat usually is ineffective.
Talk to your veterinarian or groomer about nail grooming. Dulling the claws may help lessen any damage to furniture. Declawing usually is not recommended.
Finally, cover the couch corners with something undesirable to the cat -- double-sided tape and aluminum foil work well, as does one of my favorite household helpers, vinegar. Pour some into a labeled spray bottle and spritz on the couch. Cats hate the smell of vinegar and will avoid it.
Keep several posts in rooms around the house.
DEAR HELOISE: Can I do anything with old bed pillows? I can't donate them to a clothing charity (hygienic reasons), but could I give them to an animal shelter for animals to sleep on? I hate to just throw them away.
-- Barbara H., via email
DEAR READER: As long as the pillows are washable, you can donate them to animal shelters -- they would appreciate your kind gesture.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Heloise@Heloise.com
HomeStyle on 01/21/2017