Reader finds ‘neighbor-friendly’ wind chime

Dear Heloise: I love wind chimes, but, out of respect for neighbors, I don’t have any on my balcony. However, I have found a way to use a beautiful, melodic set in my little bright, airy studio apartment.

To soften the shrill clang, I pushed a big cotton ball into the low end of each tube. It doesn’t alter the tone, but it mutes the sound to a pleasant softness. I have a little fan that I set on low and aim it at the beautiful wind chimes.

I still have on my bulletin board a picture of your cute little dog and your hubby riding your beloved motorcycle (that can back up) from when you visited The Manhattan Mercury and I had the pleasure of meeting you. Helen R., Manhattan, Kan.

Helen, love your “good neighbor” hint, and I had such fun when David, Cabbie and I visited! Yes, my “bike” does have reverse and a sidecar! Visit my Web site, www.Heloise.com, to see photos of both. Heloise

Fast Facts

Dear Readers: Other uses for nonstick vegetable spray:

USpray on cookie cutters before using.

USpray the inside of a syrup lid to prevent sticking.

USpray lightly on fingernails to help polish dry quickly.

USpray measuring cups and spoons before measuring sticky items like honey or syrup.

USpray cheese grater before grating cheese.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I read and enjoy your column daily. I have misplaced the ingredients for stain and spot remover. It works so well, I am lost without it. Would you please reprint it? Jane in West Virginia

I’d be happy to reprint Heloise’s Prewash Spray. Mix equal parts water, household ammonia and dishwashing (not dishwasher) liquid (example is 1‚Ñ3 cup of each). Put into a clean spray bottle, and you must label it clearly. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Once you apply to a stain, you must wash the garment right away — don’t throw it into the hamper or let it sit longer than an hour or so.

This money-saving recipe and other stain-removal hints are in my Heloise’s Handy Stain Guide. To order this fact-filled, eight-page pamphlet, just send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (61 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Stain Guide, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Remember to read the care label on a garment before laundering! It will save you money. Don’t just toss and wash — you may ruin a garment, and that’s like throwing money away. Heloise

Sound Off

Dear Heloise: I become angry when I am making a purchase or asking a question of a salesclerk and the clerk stops my transaction to take a phone call.

I know the clerk has a responsibility to answer the phone; however, if someone has gone to the trouble to come in to the store, I feel that the in-store customer should have first priority. Linda B., via e-mail

SBlt Send 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