Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: Here is a hint that might help others. Recently, I started purchasing nylon socks to use for holding those tiny black seeds for finches. When I would fill them, the seeds were always flying off onto the table. I got an empty toilet-tissue cardboard roll (you can also use an empty paper-towel roll) and put that inside the sock, then put all this in a bowl. Now I pour the seeds into the cardboard roll and just move it up the sock until I have enough. There’s less waste, it’s easy to fill and easy to clean up. – Bonnie Panattoni, Simi Valley, Calif.

Dear Heloise: I often see signs around the neighborhood saying someone has found a dog or cat. I am hoping that you will send out this reminder to people that pets often have microchips under their skin, and the city animal shelter should have a scanner to retrieve information about the pet’s owners. This is so helpful when an animal has lost its tags. – Mitzi, Spring, Texas