HELOISE Help patient during hospital stay

Dear Heloise: Recently, my husband was hospitalized for surgery at a hospital 100 miles from home. Once he was feeling better and I left to go home, I knew he would miss not being able to call home and friends, so I bought a phone card and left it with him. He made good use of the phone card; it kept him in touch with everyone and helped him pass the time while in the hospital. Pauline Keewatin in Minnesota
Pauline, we like your idea. This would also be good for others when away from home. Remember to buy cards from a reputable company so that if there is a problem, you will know whom to call to resolve it. Heloise
Dear Readers: I decided to poll my office and ask them what their favorite cold-weather hint is. Here is what they had to say:
UJoyce said, "Nothing is better than a homemade cup of hot chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream, while sitting next to the fireplace."
UKathy said, "I stock up on cotton socks and sweat shirts from resale shops so that I can walk around in my socked feet without worrying about ruining my socks."
UJanie said: "I take out all my afghans and quilts and set them around the house. Not only do they look nice, but one is always handy when it gets chilly."
UKelly said, "I stock up on soup and teas for an instant warm-up."
Me? I love to make the house smell wonderful by simmering a pot of water on the stove (caution -- don't let it boil dry) with a little cinnamon or nutmeg added. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Mattress manufacturers recommend rotating your mattress and also turning it over every six months. A good way to remember to do this is to use a black marker and write "January" and "July" on one side of the mattress and "April" and "October" on the other side. You will never be confused again! Every three months, turn the mattress to the correct month. Ron Narmi, Alexandria, Va.
Dear Heloise: Here's a timely hint to pass along: We are warned to wash our hands after grocery shopping, handling shopping carts, etc. It's a good idea to keep those little packets of (anti-bacterial -- Heloise) moist towelettes in the glove compartment of your car and use them to clean off your hands and the steering wheel of the car after shopping. It's amazing how many germs you can spread without realizing it.
I started doing this long ago after I had my car serviced and noticed that the steering wheel needed to be cleaned. Nowadays, you can't be too careful. B.J. of Missouri
Sound off
Dear Heloise: I think some garment makers are finally putting the logo and care-instructions tags on the side seam, but don't those common back-of-the-neck tags drive everyone bonkers? Cutting them off close to the stitching lines seldom helps, since the nylon-thread stitches can still irritate the skin! Janet Hounsell, Conway, N.H.