This old dog does learn new tricks

Dear Heloise: I’m 80 years old, and I just got my first computer. I always thought I was too old to learn how they work, but I bought one and took classes. Now, I can communicate with anyone anywhere in the world.

My grandson comes over and shows me shortcuts and a few other simple steps. I’m living proof that you’re never too old to learn something new. — Harold G., Kalamazoo, Michigan

Harold, congratulations on your new computer and your determination to learn how to use it. All too often someone says they’re too old to learn how to do things, but all it usually takes is the desire to learn something new. Our education never really ends. — Heloise

Refrigerator art

Dear Heloise: So many of my friends complain that they need to keep their kids busy during the summer break from school. When my neighbor had a new refrigerator delivered, I asked if I could have the box. They were glad to get rid of it, and I was thrilled to get it. I took it home and gave it to my kids, along with crayons, colored pencils and stickers. They had a blast color- ing both the inside and the outside. Now they lay claim to all the boxes we get and draw on them. It keeps them busy and encourages creativity. — Sandra L., York, Pennsylvania

Housewarming gifts

Dear Heloise: My nephew and his wife just moved into a new home of their own, and they had a housewarming party. People gave them some very nice things — lots of lin- ens, towels, a new doormat — but I decided to get them a gift card to a well-known hardware home store. They were so excited by the gift because they needed yard tools, shrubs and items such as a drill, a saw, a hammer and a screwdriver. It was a practi- cal gift, but one they’ll appreciate for years to come. — James D., Lewiston, Maine

James, I agree that prac- tical gifts are usually the best for housewarmings. I received a wheelbarrow when I moved into my house, and I’ve used it more times than I can count. — Heloise

Teapot nests

Dear Heloise: I had a charming old teapot that I loved, but one day, I dropped the lid, and it shattered. I was heartbroken to lose that little teapot, but my hus- band said we should hang it from the tree close to our kitchen window. He said birds would come and make a nest inside. Sure enough, in two weeks, a bird built a nest in it, and that’s where she had her babies. Since then, I’ve bought two more teapots and hung them on that tree. Birds seem to love the tea- pots because they come back every year and make the trees their home. — Pam R., Baton Rouge, Louisiana