HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR READERS: Sunday is National Grandparents Day. The holiday became official in the United States in 1978. What is its goal? To show the reciprocal relationship between grandparents and their children’s children.

Grandparents enrich our lives tremendously; they are strong and wise. Spend tomorrow with your family, or adopt a grandparent at the neighborhood senior center.

DEAR HELOISE: One of your columns contained something that troubled me: A reader recommending putting perfume in her vacuum to make “the whole house smell wonderful.” As someone with a perfume allergy, my eyes practically started to water just reading that.

If someone were to do that, I would have the option not to go in her house. This lady’s two dogs don’t have that option. Given that a dog’s sense of smell is much keener than a human’s, she may be subjecting those dogs to an unpleasant and strong scent.

I felt terrible for those pets that would not have the option to say if it smells bad to them.

— Marcia H., via email

DEAR HELOISE: At the gas pump, I push the button for a receipt and I get the all-familiar “Clerk has receipt.” Why? Because the paper tape is empty. I then must go into the store, wait in line and then get the receipt. So frustrating! As a business owner, I personally only use stores in my area that I know will provide me with a receipt at the pump.

— Lisa Z., Waco, Texas

DEAR HELOISE: When we run water to take showers, I put a bucket in each tub and collect the water until it gets hot. Otherwise, it would be wasted. Then I use the water to flush the commode or water my flowers. It cuts down on our water bill.

— Edna H., Prattville, Ala.

DEAR HELOISE: Why don’t calendars begin each week with Monday on the left and Saturday and Sunday at the end of the week on the right?

This would be more sensible and easier to work with.

— Peter S., via email

DEAR HELOISE: I live alone now, so I do not have help with putting on bracelets with a clasp. I use clear tape to hold one end of the bracelet to my arm to be steady while I fasten the bracelet to the clasp. It works every time.

— A Reader, via email