HELOISE Power company employees were heroes

Dear Heloise: My family went through Hurricane Charley. We escaped with little damage, even though thousands of our neighbors are still enduring very trying times. The heroes were the employees of the power companies who traveled from all over the country and worked 16-hour days in the hottest time of the year. They risked their lives so that we could have our modern conveniences that we have become so dependent on. To see their truck convoy coming to our neighborhood after four days with nothing but debris all around us was a godsend. We will forever be grateful -- thanks, guys!!!!
As an avid reader, I feel I must also share something that made our time in the dark much easier -- solar lights! While getting prepared for what we thought was going to be a lot of wind and rain, I brought in my solar lights so they would not become flying missiles for my neighbors. After Charley turned and suddenly slammed into our tropical paradise, we found ourselves in total darkness. While I was lighting all the candles, it occurred to me how much safer the solar lights would be. I placed them throughout our home to create a clear path, and I kept one in each bathroom. Every day, I gathered them up to place in the yard for charging. Lisa Trujillo, Fort Myers, Fla.
Lisa, you certainly are one of the lucky ones. Our thoughts are with all who have suffered. These solar lights definitely have another use when the electricity fails, so it just might be worth having some on hand no matter where you live. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When I travel, I like to send postcards to friends and family. But sometimes carrying your address book with you isn't practical. To save time and space, print out your friends' and family's addresses on computer labels. If you're traveling in the United States, you can pre-purchase postcard stamps. You won't have to fumble around with your address book -- just write the note, put the label on it and stamp it. C.V.B., Springfield, Va.
Dear Heloise: This is in regard to washing-machine odor: Simply leaving the lid open at the end of the day's washing (my manual says to do this) will dry out the washer and help eliminate odors. My machine is more than 5 years old, and it is odor-free after all this time. Of course, if your washer has a lint filter, that definitely should be cleaned as well. A grateful reader, Santa Ana, Calif.
Dear Heloise: I have enjoyed your hints for years, and I believe I have a new one:
Place plastic wrap, aluminum foil or waxed paper on top of tall kitchen cabinets to keep the cabinet tops from becoming dust-catchers. Every so often, replace the wrap. N. Jackson, Indianapolis.
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
King Features Syndicate