HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR READERS: Today is International Cat Day, a celebration since 2002. Its purpose is to raise public awareness and understanding of the domestic house cat and learn ways to help protect them.

DEAR HELOISE: To dispose of a tick, I get an inch or two of ordinary transparent tape and hold one end of the tape while touching the sticky side to the tick.

I fold the tape over, encasing the tick in the tape. Now it can go into the trash, with no chance of escaping. If I OPINION need to take a closer look to ID it or take it to someone else to ID, the tick is still intact and visible with no danger to anyone.

— A Kansas reader via email

DEAR HELOISE: When traveling or moving, I string my necklaces and chains between the teeth in a comb and place another comb on top of the first. This helps prevent tangling.

— Mary in Ohio

DEAR HELOISE: Years ago, an elderly neighbor died. Her family passed on to me a pretty wooden jewelry case with a hinged top and two pullout drawers. The interior is lined with a velvet-type fabric.

I very much like it, but the smell has not subsided. The only way I can think to describe it is “old lady perfume” odor.

I have had the drawers out and the top standing open for over a week now, and it has not helped. Any suggestions you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

— A Reader, Fort Wayne, Ind.

DEAR READER: Giving you the jewelry case is a lovely gesture, although getting rid of the odor might take a little effort. Place the jewelry box with the lid and drawers open in a large plastic bag with an open box of baking soda. Seal the bag and leave it undisturbed for a couple of weeks. If the odor persists, you may have to generously sprinkle baking soda in the drawers and in the empty box. You’ll need to vacuum out the baking soda, but the odor should be gone. DEAR HELOISE: I love gardening, but I also love my beautifully manicured nails. To protect my nails while pursuing my favorite outdoor activity, I put baby powder on my hands and under the nails. I put on vinyl gloves, then gardening gloves. After the gloves come off, I clean my nails with a toothbrush, and they are as pristine as ever.

— Meredith in Florida Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email