Trip journal helps to identify pictures

Dear Heloise: I have been traveling in Europe recently and have taken many pictures with my digital camera. I found that in downloading the pictures at a later date, I could not remember the names of the various attractions I had filmed.

I purchased an inexpensive notebook and decided to keep a daily journal. Each evening, I would sit down for a few minutes and record towns, attractions, restaurants and even food I had eaten. I found I could then easily identify the photos I had taken that day, and I also enjoyed reliving my adventures. Roberta, San Antonio

Dear Heloise: I have found another use for that extra remote car-door opener that a lot of us have. I place it on my bedside table, and if I hear an intrusion, I can easily reach it, push the panic button, and my car horn immediately begins blaring. Hopefully, this will frighten intruders away. Regina, via e-mail

We tested this hint, and some car-door openers didn’t work from inside the office, so be sure to check this out first. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I found a good use for a backscratcher in the laundry room. Use the claw end of the scratcher to rub stain-remover solution into a soiled spot. It saves ruining your fingernails, and it is not too abrasive on clothes. I especially like it for scrubbing around the collar. After that procedure, I use the handle end of the scratcher to push the clothes down into the washing machine. Fransol, Kerrville, Texas

Here are two great hints from Jean Milici of Torrington, Conn.:

•At times, paper-towel rolls are too short on my paper-towel holder. So, I take an empty toilet-paper cardboard roll, push it into the towel roll and extend it out as much as necessary to hold it on.

•I take canvas totes when grocery shopping. Rather than take up space in my cart and to keep them together (all in one bag) as I shop, I loop the child-safety-seat strap through the handle and let them hang in front of me on the cart, out of the way and secure until needed at checkout.

Dear Heloise: Please do not place garage-sale price stickers on the front of pictures, artwork, photographs, books or any other item. I just bought a lovely photograph album, but it was ruined when I tried to remove the price sticker and tore the album. Morgan, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: To help prolong the cleanliness of pillows, I use double pillowcases; one may be a white one from linens no longer used, and then the current pillowcase that matches the sheets. Connie Balmos, via e-mail

King Features Syndicate