DEAR HELOISE: First, I’d like to say that I enjoy reading your hints each day. Here is a novel idea my late mother once said to me: “Why don’t you give me flowers now when I can enjoy them, not when I am dead and cannot?” I find it rather sound advice. What say you? Thank you.

• Daniel D., via email

Daniel, I agree, and I think many of my readers do as well. Thank you for writing in.

• Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: I, like many other senior citizens, take aspirin and blood thinners and suffer from occasional pop-up skin bleeds that get on my pants, shirts or shorts. As soon as I notice the blood, I soak the garment in cold water and gently rub the affected area, and the stain is gone after soaking for 5-10 minutes.

I read your column in the San Antonio Express-News.

• Pete S., in San Antonio

Pete, so many times, I’ve warned readers about washing blood stains in cold water because hot water will set the stain. Thank you for this reminder.

• Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: Recently I’ve seen a couple of columns where individuals question whether or not donations to charities are used well. For example: “How much of it really goes to the charity?” As someone who worked in the very important not-for-profit sector of our community for more than 30 years, the quick answer is that of course all of your donation goes to the nonprofit/charity you select. It seems that the real concern is about whether or not the individual nonprofit uses the donation wisely and as completely as possible to serve the cause you care about.

There are a few well-known nonprofits that advertise themselves on TV and deserve to be questioned. However, the vast majority of nonprofit organizations keep their administrative/overhead costs as low as reasonably possible (under 25%) to direct the majority of their funds toward helping people in need, animals or the environment.

All nonprofits are required to submit a form called a 990 to the IRS detailing their revenue and expenses, and these are public records that are available either through the nonprofit itself (and frequently posted on their website) or through an independent organization like Cander/Guidestar online. Most nonprofit / charities are well deserving of our support.

• Patti C.,

Community Volunteer