When photo storage in cloud goes kaput
Dear Heloise: I read with interest a recent column about storage of photographs in the “cloud.” We are currently problem-solving this very issue. Our storage firm has failed, and the company has gone belly up. Fortunately, my husband is pretty techy and has some ideas to retrieve the history of lost photos. Time will tell.
Anyway, onto my hint! I decided to make a digital catalogue of my mother’s photograph albums. I used my phone to take pictures of the old photographs and Polaroids. Much to my surprise was the amount of detail that was captured, including things that appeared quite vague or dark. When using the zoom feature, much more becomes visible than can be seen in the originals! Ditto to the suggestion that digital images are easier to share with family and friends across the miles.
Also, thank you for choosing one of my previous hints for publication. It was a jolt to my morning newspaper routine. Dropped my muffin! — Elizabeth, Stephens City, Virginia
CUTTING BOARDS
Dear Heloise: There was a recent conversation regarding wood versus plastic cutting boards. If you have good knives, the wood is better for the knives. Plastic will dull them more quickly. Regards. — Lilith, Ventura, California
HOT WATER SOAK
Dear Readers: Sometimes, hot water may be all you need to soak and clean stainless steel pots and pans with light stains. But, for stubborn stains, pour 2 cups of white vinegar in them and let soak for about 30 minutes. Then, give pots and pans a quick scrub to remove gunk and debris, followed by a cold-water rinse. If pesky stains still remain, use a scrubber and put them in the dishwasher for a more-thorough cleaning. — Heloise
DRY MOUTH AT NIGHT
Dear Heloise: Someone wrote in to say that seniors who get dry mouth while they sleep at night with their mouths open use a chin strap. But the reader said they find chin straps uncomfortable, so they suggested using a sweatband around the chin and head.
As a senior, I have dry mouth during the night, but it is not because of sleeping with my mouth open. It’s because of medications that lots of other seniors may also take. I solve this problem by keeping a small bottle of water on my nightstand. When I wake up with a dry mouth, I take a sip and go right back to sleep. — Roma, in New York
PET PAL
Dear Heloise: This is Xander, from New Hampshire. He’s a 1-year-old rescue. A rescue group in Homestead, Florida, sends kitties to New England each month to find them homes.
There’s never a dull moment with Xander. He’s very talkative and high-energy. — Marcia Szumiesz, via email
Readers, to see Xander and our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”
Do you have a furry friend to share with our readers? Send a photo and a brief description to Heloiseheloise.com. — Heloise
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloiseheloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.