Tiny letters on the page

Today’s Sound Off is about small print:

DEARHELOISE » I’m beginning to see a trend in printedmaterials that concerns me. I’ve noticed recently that publications likemagazines and catalogs are using an extremely small font that is practically impossible to read.

I noticed this in a recent issue of a well-knownwomen’s magazine. Almost thewholemagazine was printed with this tiny font. Just looking at the pages gaveme a headache. I also noticed this in a couple of catalogs (fortunately, only on the order forms) and even in a recent coupon flyer. Some of the print in these publications is so small that you needamagnifying glass.

This is a new thing; the print has never been this small before. I’m pretty sure it’s not just my eyes. Why are they suddenly using such a small font? Are they trying to force readers to look at everything online?

— Kathy in Nevada

Heloise

Fast facts

New uses for old tennis balls: * Squeeze to improve the strength in your hands.

* Cut in half, fillwith beer and place in the garden to kill slugs.

* Roll under your feet for a foot massage.

* Hang one froma tree limb and use to practice your swing.

* Hang from the garage ceiling as a parking guide.

* Cut a slit in themand put themon two walker legs to make for smoother movement. Clutter

DEARHELOISE » I had to apply some tough love to get clutter out of my house. My three boys would drag home all sorts of junk that just sat around their rooms, the basement or garage.

I gave themoneweek to sort through it all and either put it all somewhere out of sight or throw out broken or other useless cluttery things. No one took me seriously, I guess, because they didn’t do it.

After a couple of reminderswere ignored, I told them if they didn’t do it, I would, and I did. So, one long weekend while they were off fishing with their father, I went through the house and started tossing things out. What an improvement!

Someday, my boys will probably get married, and I expect them to help their matesmaintain a clean, clutterfree home. This all happened five years ago, and I’ve had no problemswith them since then. — Marilyn in NewMexico

Scoop is cupcake size

DEARHELOISE » When I make cupcakes, I scoop the batter out of the bowl with a ladle. One scoop fills the paper baking cups perfectly!

— Phyllis H., Merrimack, N.H. Phyllis, this is such a neat and preciseway tomake a messy job easier!

Foggy bathroom mirror

DEARHELOISE » When facing a foggy bathroommirror after you shower, it is most effective (faster) to use your hair dryer to blow across the surface rather than straight on.

— KM, Gerrardstown, W.Va.