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DEAR HELOISE: I have a coffee maker that uses coffee pods. The descale light came on, and no matter how many pots of water and vinegar I put through it, it wouldn't function. So, I went on the internet. The suggestion was to turn the machine off and press the 6-cup and 8-cup buttons together. Then, when the descale light comes back on, you just press the K button. It bubbles and eventually shuts itself off. Now it works! Who knew? Thanks for the hints.
-- Ed B., in Camarillo, California
DEAR HELOISE: Did you ever notice that when you eat a nice, big, fat, juicy double cheeseburger that they tend to break apart at the bottom? Flip it over because the top bun is stronger than the bottom, and when you eat it upside-down, the strong part won't come apart.
-- Gary P., in
Laguna Woods, California
DEAR HELOISE: During my first corporate job decades ago, when I reported to work on the first day and was introduced to my new co-workers, I was startled when I was asked numerous times: "When's your birthday?" In due time, I got instructed that in our department of 20 employees, each employee was required to bring doughnuts to the office for the whole group on their birthday.
You just have to buy doughnuts once a year, and you get to eat free doughnuts on everyone else's birthday. While healthier celebratory fare is probably better these days, one must admit that this is a stupendous office birthday system.
-- Jim R. ,in Houston
Jim, you're right; this is a good office birthday system. Although doughnuts may seem like a fun idea, some of your co-workers might have been more appreciative of fresh fruit. Bananas are usually inexpensive, or you could get whatever's in season. At least fruit is healthier and kinder to everyone's waistline.
DEAR HELOISE: Maybe you've heard of this, but when we were canning and freezing fresh vegetables, my husband learned this neat trick for corn on the cob: Take a bundt pan and place the ear of corn with its pointy side into the funnel hole. Place the palm of one hand on the flat side of the cob, then scrape the corn off. It'll then fall neatly into the pan. Scoop the corn out and place it into quart bags (or smaller bags) and place them in the freezer. A big job is made much easier!
-- C.W., in Tiffin, Ohio
DEAR READERS: To remove wrinkles in clothes, place them in a dryer with a damp hand towel (damp, not wet) for a few minutes. Then remove them immediately when they're dry.
-- Heloise