HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR READERS: Today’s Sound Off is about the loss of “the human touch.”

DEAR HELOISE: I’m tired of hearing “Press 1 for English, press 2 for …” I want to talk to a person. I called my bank recently and got a recording with options, none of which can answer my questions. I had to call the water department, and not one of the recorded messages could steer me in the right direction.

Some companies have done away with customer service departments. We’ve lost the human touch that makes it easier and far more pleasant to do business. And when I called my doctor’s office with a question about my test results, I wasn’t allowed to speak with him, but instead was sent to a physician assistant, who couldn’t answer my questions. To all companies and offices that do business with the public, please put people back on the phones!

— Audrey in California

DEAR HELOISE: Since I live in a small apartment, where finding storage space is difficult, I store sweaters, winter hats, gloves and scarves in my suitcases. My sister puts Christmas decorations in her suitcases. I have storage boxes under the bed that hold a number of things.

Also, when one of my friends has a garage sale, I volunteer to help out, and in exchange I get all the unwanted items and can sell them.

— Kelly T., Aspen, Colo.

DEAR HELOISE: I need your Heloise formula to get rid of roaches.

— Janice N., Florida DEAR READER: Gather these ingredients: 8 ounces of powdered boric acid, 1/2 cup of flour, 1/2 of a small onion (chopped), 1/8 cup of sugar,

1/4 cup of shortening or bacon drippings and enough water to form a soft dough.

Mix boric acid, flour and onion. Cream shortening and sugar and add the flour mixture to this. Mix well, then add enough water to form a soft dough.

Shape into small balls and put around the house in areas prone to roaches. If you place the balls in open sandwich bags, they’ll keep longer. When the balls become hard, replace them with fresh ones.

You can skip the water and just use the dry ingredients. Mix powdered boric acid with an equal or larger amount of flour, cornmeal or sugar.

Keep this out of the reach of pets and children. If ingested, call your doctor immediately.