HELOISE: Reader wants to go by the book

Dear Heloise: The time is drawing near when we will have to downsize and move to a smaller home. Do you or your readers have any suggestions for disposing of a set of encyclopedias? I offered them to the local library but got a “no” response. Suggestions would be welcome. Love your column — I read it every day.

Delores M., Spearfish, S.D.

Dear Delores: This is a timely question, and one that libraries across the country are asked daily. Heloise Central did some research, and here’s the scoop.

Resale and thrift shops usually will take them as a donation, and the books often end up for sale in their clearance center.

The library here in San Antonio will take encyclopedias and sell them in the basement, the Book Cellar.

Sometimes schools in your area will take the books if they are not too old, and the students can use the pictures from them for various projects.

Heloise

P.S.: Ask a nearby retirement, assisted-living or nursing home or jail if it might want them.

Dear Readers: Here are some hints for putting wicker baskets to use:

In the pantry: for small items like gravy, sauce and drink mixes.

In the bedroom: place bedside for jewelry, earrings, etc.

In the bathroom: roll washcloths and store inside.

In the living room: use to keep remotes corralled.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: Regarding the hint about getting fitted sheets on the bed right the first time: Did you know that most fitted sheets have the size tag sewn in on one of the corners? If you put the corner with the tag on the upper left of your bed, the sheet will be right every time.

Carolyn Morris, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: With the kids grown and gone, my wife and I live in a big, quiet house. Upon arriving home individually from anywhere, we use a password and countersign.

For instance, I’ll enter the front or back door and holler “Flash.” If she’s anywhere in the house, she’ll answer “thunder,” indicating that all is well. Any other response puts the arriving person on notice that something is abnormal — perhaps company is visiting, or there could be an emergency. And if one of us is home alone and hears a door without immediately hearing the password, then extreme caution is prompted.

Old Ag, Houston

Dear Heloise: My Sound Off is about calling the phone-company number listed on my bill and never talking to a real person. There is no way to resolve the problem with the computerized system that asks a small variety of questions. What happened to personal service?

N.C., Lancaster, Calif.

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