HELOISE She found way to keep high-flying flag unfurled

Dear Heloise: So many more American flags are flying from residences now. Others might be having a problem that I had with my flag when it wrapped around the flagpole several times.
My flag is on a bracket above my garage door, and my grandson had to use a ladder to put it up. I don't care to climb ladders anymore and didn't want to call my grandson to unwrap my flag every few days. So I took a look around the garage and came upon a solution.
I took an old-fashioned, lightweight curtain rod that extends to 7 feet and taped it in place at that length with strapping tape. The extended pole was just right for pushing the flag back off of the flagpole. Rosemary P., Brea, California
Flying Old Glory is something many people are doing, and this is a good hint that can help others.
FYI: Please take a minute to look at the flag you are flying or displaying. Is it faded, torn or worn? If so, please do the right thing and replace it if you can. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When I travel, I take as few clothes as I can. I do this by coordinating most pieces into several outfits. Also, it's really easy to do when you take washable clothes and there are laundry services available.
This keeps me from having to check luggage, so I can get out of the airport a lot quicker. A Reader, Boulder, Colo.
Dear Heloise: I always enjoy reading your columns in newspapers and magazines.
I don't remember seeing this hint in any of your columns. But I have been using the big, oversized coffee mugs for spoon holders when I cook.
This is a good way to use those souvenir and gift mugs that end up in the back of your cupboard. Shirley Kays, Diamond
Dear Heloise: A lady shared with me this use for leftover coffee: Use your cold, leftover coffee to "water" your flowering plants from time to time. I had used coffee grounds, but not coffee.
My African violets have loved it and are more beautiful than ever. If you don't have enough coffee left in the pot, dilute it with some water to make it go farther. Sandra Yoder, Joplin, Mo.
Dear Heloise: I had a problem and finally found a way to take care of it.
In my bedroom, I have an electric alarm clock and a night light plugged into the same wall socket. Whenever I ran my vacuum, one of them had to be unplugged. Of course, it seemed I always unplugged my clock.
I took a twist tie and twisted it on the alarm-clock cord near the plug, and now I know which cord goes to which. Alice Jones, Ionia, Mich.
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate