To get answers from doctor, she faxes the questions

Dear Heloise: I found that every time I called my doctor's office to ask a question, it would take forever for someone to answer me. I sometimes thought that he didn't get my message. So, I decided to start faxing my questions to the office. This seems to get me a much better response. The doctor almost always calls me back the same day! Felicia in Maryland
Felicia, love your idea. But be sure the doctor is receptive to this. Also, if you have a friend or family member in a nursing home or assisted-living facility and you can't get by for a visit, take a few minutes to fax a note to let the person know that you are thinking of him or her. Heloise
Dear Readers: Empty pill bottles and film containers can come in quite handy if you're going camping. They can be used to keep all sorts of camping supplies clean and dry:
Store cotton balls. You can use cotton to remove sticker burrs from your clothing; or tuck a cotton ball in each ear to cut out the cold or the wind. Cotton is also great kindling for a fire (by the way, so is lint from your dryer).
Store wooden matches. For an easy striking surface, wrap a small piece of fine-grit sandpaper around the bottle and glue or tape it in place.
Use to hold all sorts of other small items, like safety pins, sewing needles and even bandages.
To identify each one at quick glance, label each container with first-aid tape and write the contents in permanent marker! Heloise
Dear Heloise: I quickly tired of turning on the lamps in my dimly lit breakfast area every evening, so I placed them on a timer. It is so nice not having to turn them on or having to turn them off again later. Because the timer didn't fit behind the buffet, I cut a hole in the back of the buffet to accommodate the timer, which isn't noticeable since the buffet has doors on the front. The buffet is now flush with the wall. Fran Maness, College Station, Texas
Dear Heloise: While making candied yams, I decided to grate butter onto the yams instead of using little cut-up chunks. Not only did it take half the time, it looked great as well. The butter has to be right out of the fridge. S.D. in Camarillo, Cal
Dear Heloise: My pet peeve is merchants putting their price tags on the bottoms of everything from heavy pottery to delicate china. Having reached senior-citizen status, I don't feel as sure as I once did in lifting and handling the goods. Really, it is sometimes the first thing a consumer wants to know. Susie, Katy, Texas
Send 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