HELOISE: Packing? Cruise along with tips

Dear Readers: A cruise can be a fun way for the family to visit many different places. Here are some hints for packing for a cruise:

Bring a small carry-on bag (even if you check luggage) that has travel documents, change of clothes, swimsuit, medications, your camera, etc. The luggage sometimes take a while to get to your room, or may even be delayed a day or two.

To take perfume or cologne, dab some on cotton balls and put them in a plastic zippered bag (or use a contact-lens case) so you don’t have to take the whole bottle.

For on board and on shore: Bring a hat, sunscreen, reusable water bottle and good walking shoes.

Some nights may be cool. Pack a lightweight jacket, wrap or scarf.

Don’t forget a good book or magazine, but the ship library has a lot of books, and you usually can trade out books.

Clothes can get wrinkled from traveling. Take a spray bottle of wrinkle remover so you don’t have to iron everything.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I read your letters every day in The Orange County (Calif.) Register, and I love the ones from parents with small children who say the funniest things. I had to tell you what my 5-year-old grandson said to his mother. He and my daughter were having a conversation when my daughter told him, “Ryan, do not get smart with me.” He responded with “Why, are you stupid?”

A Reader in Lake Forest, Calif.

Dear Heloise: Many newspaper websites carry a comment section. I’ve found that some require logging in first, and some do not. Sometimes the login fails, and then my comment that I have already typed is lost. Now, I highlight my comments and copy them to my clipboard. That way, my opinion is saved if the login fails.

Diane Smith, Baytown, Texas

Dear Heloise: I have a hint for people who are putting up garage-sale signs. If the location where you’re going to put the sign is in a private citizen’s yard, please be kind enough to knock on the door and ask for permission before just marching through the grass and pounding a stake into the yard.

I live on a popular sign-placement corner, and I’ve never said no to anyone who asks. However, I will tear down a sign that’s put up without my permission. The individual who put it there was trespassing.

A Reader, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: My daughter-in-law was getting ready to have another child, and we took care of the two little ones, who are pretty close in age and size. She prepared bags of clothes for the boys. In gallon-size bags, she put underwear, socks and a matching outfit. She had a separate bag for each day with their names on it.

A Reader in Louisiana

King Features Syndicate