This view is not camouflaged

Dear Readers: Today’s Sound Off is about the wearing of camouflage clothing:

“Dear Heloise : People from babies to adults are wea r ing camouflage clothes. It’s used on sheets, towels and whatever.

“I think this is a slap in the face to our men and women in the armed forces, who have earned the right to wear this type of clothing. I feel people should respect the camouflage clothes of the armed forces like we respect the American flag. Haven’t our men and women in the military earned the right to wear camouflage, and NOT everyone else?”—Martha N., Riverton, Ill.

Martha, although I don’t wear camouflage, I think it’s OK if others want to wear it. To some people, this is a way of showing support for and solidarity with our armed forces, while others find the design to be attractive, and hunters have used camouflage for years. It’s currently a trend, but it may fade in time.—Heloise

FAST FACTS Dear Readers: Here are a few ideas for using wicker baskets:

Use one to hold all the remote controls in your home.

Use a large basket for your pets to sleep in, with a towel or pillow on the bottom.

Save them to place gifts in. They make a nice presentation when handing a gift to someone.

—Heloise

MEDITATION Dear Heloise: My company is now encouraging employees to meditate during our breaks and if we have time during our lunch hour. It’s an innovative idea and is becoming more common in the workplace, because there are benefits to both the company and the employee. First of all, when people meditate, they also form the ability to concentrate better on their work. We just seem to have more focus, more energy and feel better all over. Some of my co-workers swear they have a better quality of sleep after meditating. I’d like to see more companies help their employees to learn meditation. It’s certainly helped to cut down on turnover in our company!—Lillian G., Bismarck, N.D. AN IDEA TO ‘DYE’ FOR! Dear Heloise: Jeans seem to last forever, but they do fade. So, twice a year, I dye them with two bottles of navy blue on the soak cycle of my washing machine. Then I run them through the regular cycle and clean my washer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. I wash them only with blue items or alone after that. I’ve been doing this for years, and my jeans still look good.—Edna R., Rineyville, Ky.

SMOOTH AS SATIN Dear Heloise: I sew or pin a satin pillowcase over my pillow. When putting on the clean pillowcase, the pillow just slides over the satin with ease.—Eileen B., Lima, Ohio

NO TREAT FOR PETS Dear Readers: It’s best to keep pets away from sugary treats during this holiday season. Ask visitors to refrain from giving your pets people food, and you’ll avoid an upset tummy for Fido or Fluffy.—Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO: Heloise P.O. Box 795000 San Antonio, TX 78279-5000 Fax: 1-210-HELOISE Email: Heloise@Heloise.com