Friday, January 27, 2006
Dear Heloise: On a camping/hunting trip, I discovered several uses for duct tape. After unexpectedly sitting on a prickly pear, I used duct tape to remove the small stickers. I wrapped a long piece around my hand (sticky side up) and patted the stickers a few times. I also found it very effective as an instant patch when my jeans were torn. I'll never go camping without duct tape now. E.H., Kermit, Texas
Ah, the ever-versatile duct tape! What would the world be without this never-ending-uses miracle? No person, auto, travel trailer, boat or home should be without a roll. In fact, I travel with some that I put on wax paper folded up and slipped in my suitcase. I've even taped hotel drapes together over an air-conditioning vent that blew right at the head of the bed, and I use it to tape the wire from the clip-on mike when I do a speech.
What's the most unusual use that you have found for this "tape of all trades & quot;? Send your unique use to: Heloise/Duct, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; fax it to: 1-210-435-6473; or e-mail it to: Heloise@Heloise.com. We will pick 10 of our favorites and print them, and we will send those readers a Heloise coffee mug and set of pamphlets. So, don't wait -- send in your use now. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When my family travels by car, we take a picnic lunch and stop at a "Welcome Center" on the interstate for a relaxing lunch at the picnic tables. We get a break from riding, stretch our legs and enjoy the fresh air while we eat our lunch. And you can pick up new state maps and other information inside the center. We often do the same on our return trip home. I read your column in The Huntsville (Alabama) Times. Evelyn Hulsey, New Market, Ala.
Dear Heloise: We have a deep freezer and dutifully froze leftovers for easy, quick, home-cooked meals, until one day a chicken was found thawed in the working freezer!
It turned out that the thermostat had a default that caused it to turn on and off randomly even though the unit was still on. This caused food to freeze and thaw randomly!
We had the unit replaced, but I wanted a surefire way to know if the freezer was working properly. My fix was to pour 1/4 inch of water in one compartment of an ice-cube tray, cover the surface with aluminum foil and stick a toothpick in the center. Once frozen, I popped the cube out and placed it into the freezer.
I check this cube every time I get food out. If it's still frozen, all is well. Doni H., via e-mail
Dear Heloise: Related to your article about videotaping items for insurance purposes, I suggest that the reel of tape or snapshots of your possessions be kept in a bank vault in case of a home fire. L.Z., Springfield, Ill.
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate