Water-saving tips continue

I recently read the third letter that said they take a container with them into the shower to capture that first cold water before receiving warm or hot water. That container-filled water is used to water the plants, etc. Bless these conscientious folks for wanting to save our valuable resource!

We've taken a different approach to attain the same result. A 25-minute installation from my husband of a water recirculating pump now provides instant hot water without having to store or waste that initial cold water. A remote allows us to turn it on just before our need for hot water. He bought ours online, but several versions of this valuable accessory are available at big-box hardware stores. Seems to me that your readers may wish to take advantage of what today's technology is offering to help protect our limited resources.

— Mary Helen, Anaheim

I found that baking soda is an odorless solution to using deodorant. On the other hand, I now use my deodorant to subdue itchy areas on my body.

— Miss Maui Mary

This is another great way to use this versatile, cheap household product. Thanks for the hint!

FYI: If you notice that your books have a musty smell, sprinkle the pages with a bit of baking soda. Then place the books in a plastic bag for a week to absorb all of the odors. Remove the books from the bags outdoors. Turn them upside down and shake out the baking soda.

I iron my clothes every week and was surprised that no one had responded back to the lady in Wisconsin on how to keep her iron from clogging again. I have been using distilled water in my iron for years! No clogs or white mineral spots on the clothes that I am ironing! Happy ironing!

— Mary, Chino Hills

To keep onion and other odors out of my fridge and freezer, I store the offending foods in glass relish or pickle jars (after removing the labels). The jars can be washed in the dishwasher and the lids replaced periodically with newer ones.

— Darlene, Maumelle,

Arkansas

I just read your great rules for ladder safety, and I have one to add that I learned from experience. Count the rungs while climbing up the ladder so you can count the same number going down.

— Diane Rivera

That's a good hint. Also, pay attention and don't be in a rush when you are going up or down stairs. One added stair safety hint: a handrail!

ACROSS

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5

10

14

15 16 17

19 20

21 22

23 25 28

33

34 37

39

40 41 42

43

44

45

Rounds out, as an event Sound of a cake hitting the floor, frosting first

Gush (over), as to gain favor

Plant watcher, for short

Reluctant Designer Saab Wins the Hunger Games, e.g. Young newts Annual pageant winner

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Maker of Z-cars, once

Hoover rival Online handle

Like the “5” of “5 & 10”

Maine university town

Repellent spray Coleridge’s “The ___ Harp”

One requested by disgruntled customers: Abbr. Bard’s “before” See 30-Down Common street name in suburbia Fish with a long snout

Mexico has 31 of these

“The Sleep of Reason Produces 46 48 50

52

56

57

62 63 64 66

67

68 69 70 71

DOWN

1

2 3 4 5 6

7 8

9

Monsters” artist Go haywire

Have as a tenant One of the Eternals, in Marvel comics Insurance giant acquired by CVS in 2018

Followers of the largest denomination of Islam

Labor group for athletes

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Top-shelf Supersharp Actress Kunis of “Family Guy” “Thumbs up from me!”

Sea eagle

Rustic verse Steady looks

Wine category

Classic pink cocktail

Up and about Terrible twos, e.g. Surrenders Ukrainian, for one Neighbor of a Ukrainian

Hideout Off-roaders, for short

Grp. established by 1992’s Maastricht Treaty 10 11

12

13

18

24 26 27 29 30 31 32

34

Bottom ___

Car whose logo features a coiled green serpent With full knowledge Puccini aria popularized by Pavarotti

“Only joking!,” to a texter

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Acoustic measure –

Result of a rift With 41-Across, a celestial event … or a hint to four squares in this puzzle

Top-shelf

What avocados don’t do until they’re picked Catastrophic weather event 35 36 38 41

45

47 49 51 53 54 55 58 59

60 61

63 65 potentially caused by a meteor crash Spiderlike

“Yes, of course” Brief second? Bruins legend, to fans

Receives an anesthetic, perhaps

Open, as a tomb Button on a scale Herb unit

Un gato grande Incessantly

Much of Chile ___ land

Ansari of “Master of None”

Harness

You are, in Spanish

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Answers to yesterday’s puzzle