Helpful Hints

DEAR READERS: Today's Sound Off is about driver who endanger bicycle riders.

DEAR HELOISE: Today, while my biking group was in our bike lane, a driver drove so close that she knocked a rider off the bike. She claimed it was an accident, that she didn't see him, but with nine of us in colorful outfits, in a single line, we're hard to miss. This isn't the first time this has happened.

I know we drive slower than cars because we're pedaling, but please stay out of our lane, and we'll do our best to stay away from yours. We have as much right to be on the road as a car, and many of us are going as fast as we can while trying to build up endurance for competitions.

-- Terry V., Austin, Texas

DEAR READERS: When you have empty tissue boxes, don't throw them away. First, if you or your children want to decorate them, it can be a lot of fun. Then you can use them for other things, such as:

• In the kitchen -- use to store plastic grocery bags.

• In the bathroom -- use to store cotton balls or makeup-remover pads.

• Remove the entire top and store cat toys for Fluffy.

• Use one to store receipts or coupons.

• Use as a trash collector in your car.

DEAR HELOISE: I enjoy your column with its many hints. Today, however, I have a hint for you:

I was wrapping a wedding gift of flatware to help complete the couple's dinnerware. I was looking for something to cushion the pieces in the package, so I wrapped each piece in a clean dust rag that the bride can use, instead of tissue paper that would get thrown out.

-- Jane A., Ohio

DEAR READERS: Here is a question related to refrigerating food:

"How long can I keep cooked chicken in my refrigerator?"

-- Sadie D., Inkster, Mich.

DEAR SADIE: Cooked chicken will keep well for three to four days in a refrigerator and two to six months in a freezer.

DEAR HELOISE: My husband and I did some remodeling around our home, which included repainting. I had several paint chips from the hardware store and didn't know what to do with them, so I used them as bookmarks for all the books I love to read.

-- Nancy E., Norfolk, Va.

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email

[email protected]

ActiveStyle on 10/09/2017

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