Trending
DEAR HELOISE: As I've gotten older, I've become more concerned about preserving my hearing. The only loud noise in my life is my blow dryer, so when I need to use it, I pop in a couple of foam earplugs to help block out the noise.
-- Jeannette B., in Newbury Park, California
Jeannette, you're smart to use earplugs to protect your hearing. Many of us are damaging our ears with loud noises at work or at concerts or by wearing various devices in or on our ears. The damage may not show up right away, but it'll show up in time.
-- Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: I was reading about the treasure hunts while emptying out deceased parents' homes. My mother told my sister to be careful when throwing away old medicine bottles. She'd put her wedding ring, engagement ring and other expensive rings in a medicine bottle. My sister told me this after I'd already shaken and tossed out many prescription bottles. I was in a real panic.
A few hours later, my sister found the rings in the cough drop can. Our elderly family members may stash expensive jewelry, money and important documents in just about any container imaginable. Be careful when it's your turn to clean up
-- Paula D.,
in Sahuarita, Arizona
Paula, this a good warning. My grandmother used to place $20 bills between the pages of old magazines. It was a holdover from the time of the Great Depression.
-- Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: What can I do with a full set of china dinnerware? It's not an antique set (circa 1970), but it's in excellent condition as it's only been used very few times. No pieces have been broken. I have no interest in making money on this but would like to rehome it.
-- Deb B.,
in The Villages, Florida
Deb, have you tried Habitat for Humanity or perhaps offering it to a church for a family who needs items for their home? You might call a fire station and see if they can recommend anyone who has lost their home and needs items like dinnerware. Readers, do any of you have a good suggestion for rarely used china sets? Let us know at Heloise@Heloise.com.
-- Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: Not sure if any other seniors out there have trouble when lifting a snow shovel. I'm always trying to help my husband with snow removal somehow. So, I picked up a child-size orange snow shovel so that I can shovel the steps and landing area. The shovel wasn't heavy and worked so well.
-- Jill, a Heloise Fan,
via email
SLIP RINGS ON EASILY
Dear Heloise: When I mentioned to a jeweler how much trouble I had getting rings over my arthritic knuckles, he told me to spray my fingers with Windex first. It's amazing how well this works. Now my rings just slip off and on easily! I love your column and read it in the Oregonian. — Joan W., in Portland, Oregon