In drought areas, small savings add up
Dear Heloise: To save water, my wife and I shower one right after the other. She goes in, showers, jumps out, and I go in immediately afterward to keep the water hot. While soaping up, I turn off the water until I need it to rinse. The dishwasher is now run every other day, or even less. There are many others things, but these are the biggest users of our dwindling water supply. My lawn will suffer, our cars will be dirtier, and our lives will be different from now on.—Larry in Garden Grove, Calif.
Water is a precious resource, and we in Texas understand how serious it is, since many parts of the state are under extreme drought conditions and have been for years. They say this is the worst drought in hundreds of years. Every drop counts! Some folks have even sprayed their yard green since they can’t water. Now that’s a Heloise hint!—Heloise
NO LOST PET Dear Readers: If your pet runs away or gets lost, what is the best way to help ensure that it will be reunited with you? First is, of course, a collar with tags. But a microchip is the best defense. A tiny, tiny chip that contains contact info is inserted with a quick injection. Any veterinarian office, shelter or rescue group should have a scanner to read the chip, and then you can be contacted.— Heloise
PET PAL Dear Readers: Mary in Helotes, Texas, sent a picture of her two Chihuahuas asleep in bed and surrounding her. Mary would like to get up for the day, but she doesn’t want to disturb anybody. They are seemingly stuck to her like glue! If you’d like to see her two dogs sleeping peacefully, hop over to Heloise.com, and click on “Pets,” then “Pet of the Week.”—Heloise
EASY TEA Dear Readers: Looking for a delicious, cold and simple way to make iced tea? It’s sun tea! Pick a bright, sunny day. In a glass or clear container, put in the tea bags and cold water. I also added a handful of peppermint candy. Cover and place in direct sunlight. This is solar tea! No energy wasted at all. Thanks, Mother Nature!—Heloise
LIGHTWEIGHT
BLANKET Dear Heloise: Regarding the removal of cords from an electric blanket: We have a beautiful electric blanket in excellent condition, and we never use it as a heating blanket. If possible, could you repeat your hint on removing the wires? Thank you.—June G., The Villages, Fla.
Removing the wires is fairly simple. Figure out where the wires end at either the top or bottom of the blanket. In an inconspicuous spot there, snip a TINY slit in the blanket and gently pull out the wire. The heating element may be slightly bigger, so a bigger hole may be necessary. Stitch the blanket closed, and you have a “new” lightweight blanket.—