HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR READERS: Today’s Sound Off is about unwanted baby-sitting duties.

DEAR HELOISE: My son and daughter-in-law seem to think I’m a handy baby sitter. Please understand that I dearly love my grandkids, but I can’t always baby-sit for them. I have a life that includes travel, getting together with friends and a part-time job.

Please let your readers know that being retired does not automatically mean we can baby-sit for our grandkids. Some of us still need to work part time, have physical limitations or don’t want to cancel our plans. We’re not being obstinate; we simply cannot wrap our lives around our children’s schedules. When I can spend time with my grandchildren I do, and I enjoy it. At present, my daughter-in-law is not speaking to me because I wouldn’t cancel a doctor’s appointment to baby-sit her three kids. I’m not alone, either. Many of my friends have gone through the same thing.

— Gloria in Wisconsin

DEAR READERS: Here are some other uses for coffee filters:

■ To polish silver.

■ As a bowl cover in the microwave.

■ Place under a plant to absorb moisture.

■ To clean a mirror or window.

DEAR HELOISE: I have a habit of removing my rings when I wash my hands in a public place. To keep from losing them, I do one of two things: I either put them in my pocket or thread them on the stem of my glasses. I learned this the hard way when I forgot to put my rings back on until after I had left a restaurant! Sadly, they were gone, and no one turned them in to the management.

— Beverly T., Mount Pleasant, S.C.

DEAR HELOISE: We use a lot of eggs in my home, so the only way I can tell the fresh ones from the older eggs is to buy brown eggs one week and white the next week. Works well for me.

— Patricia B., Tiverton, R.I. DEAR HELOISE: The writing end of a fountain pen is called a nib, and here is one way to unclog it. Heat vinegar in the microwave for about 18 to 20 seconds, then place the nib in the vinegar and let it sit overnight. The next morning, your fountain pen nib should be clean and unclogged.

— Harold F., Ohio