Help older relatives with a ‘fix it’ day

DEAR HELOISE: I have been reading a lot of comments in your recent articles about gifts for elderly relatives. My dad was always one to never throw anything out. (Duct tape was his best friend!) He had more “things” than he would ever use. So my sister and I came up with the idea of a “fix it” day for my dad.

We asked him to create a list of things he needed done around his house. All of us kids and grandkids would show up ready to work. We trimmed shrubs, cleaned rain gutters, raked leaves, pruned trees and washed off cobwebs, as well as cleaned the inside of his house.

We brought coolers with waters and sodas, sandwiches and chips and paper plates and napkins. We got my dad’s house taken care of in just one day, enjoyed lunch together and gave my dad the only gift he ever wanted, which was to spend time with his family.

— M.B., Cypress, Calif. DEAR HELOISE: I notice that many, who write to you are seniors worried about phone scams. I have a simple suggestion. If you don’t recognize the caller ID, don’t pick up! As my late husband always said, if it’s important, they’ll leave a message that you can check right away or at your leisure. My phone is for my convenience, not any scam artist, charity or politician who chooses to call. Thanks for an always interesting column.

— A Reader, in Connecticut DEAR HELOISE: I like hardboiled eggs, particularly in potato salad. The easiest way that I have found to cook them and, more importantly, peel them is by steaming them. You can easily do a dozen at a time.

I have a large (soup) pot, and I add a colander that will hold a dozen eggs. I put half an inch of water in the pot, then the colander and the eggs inside. I put a lid on the pot, turn on high heat, and turn off the heat after nine minutes.

I let the pot cool down naturally for half an hour to an hour, and then put the colander and eggs in the fridge. The eggs will be fully cooked, and 90 percent of the time, they are very easy to peel.

— Dennis Zentil, Newbury Park, Calif.

DEAR READERS: Children’s toys get played with so often, and they can get grimy and dirty. To safely clean them, just make a mixture of 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 quart of water. Apply the solution onto the dirty areas, and then wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.

Curious to find out more baking soda hints? My six-page pamphlet “Heloise’s Baking Soda Hints and Recipes” is filled with so many great hints. It’s available for purchase by sending $5 and a long, self- addressed, stamped envelope to: Heloise/ Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001.