Sage Advice from the Ages

I wish there were a shot or a pill that would cure me of my pack-rat-ism...but I am trying!

Over the years, in one way or another, I have acquired bits and pieces of things that were important to someone (generally a woman) enough so that they kept them until they died...and I am determined not to keep them until I, too, die.

So, just before I toss these bits of advice from across the ages, I thought I'd share them!

Warning! DO NOT PRINT THEM - they will not go away! :) And do not try some of these at home.

1. To keep flowers: cut slits in potatoes and insert the flower stems; see that they are fimly fastened in. They will keep fresh for two weeks in a moderate temperature. T. T. from Axson, GA

2. Chewing Gum Serves Many Purposes: Use it to make the head of your shaving brush stick after glue has failed; putty a hole around the faucet of the laundry tub; along with a piece of cloth it will patch a hole just started in the sole of your shoe. Mrs. C. D. S. of CA

3. When making fudge, use canned pineapple cut in small pieces in place of nuts. It should be drained and added as soon as the fudge begins to boil. The candy will require longer cooking than plain fudge. E. K. GA

4. The wood part of one of the handles used for carrying heavy parcels makes a good substitute for the breakable clay pipe for blowing bubbles. Mrs. E. T. S. Mass.

5. To keep paint from drying after the can has been opened, cover with a sheet of waxed paper and poour melted paraffin over it. The paint will keep indefinitely and the paper and wax are easily removed when desired. Mrs. A. F. Mich

6. Decorative Baskets. You can find straw hats in the 5 & 10 cents store that can be turned into unique and beautiful baskets. Choose a black hat, or natural straw. Line the rim and inside the crown with apple-green silk or ribbon. Cover a stiff piece of cardboard the size of the top of the crown. This will slightly stretch the top of the crown and make a firm flat bottom for the basket. Make an artistic knot of a heavy silk cord in a henna shade, tying it through one side of the brim, and adding tassels to the ends. Sew several bunches of artificial nasturtiums outside the brim, touch up the buds and leaves with bronze paint. Mrs. Ralph A. Hopkins, CA.

7. Good play blocks may be made by cutting hardwood into cubes, paasting colored pictures and letters of the alphabet on the cubes, and finishing with a coat of varnish that will dry hard. Mrs. K. H. Wisc.

8. Sometimes when we bake cookies that are especially good we cut some of them with the lid of one of the tall pound tins coffee comes in. The cookies shrink a little in baking and will fit snugly into the tin when done. this air-tight box of cookies makes an acceptable gift, or it may be put on the emergency shelf and kept for a long time. If to be used as a gift, cover the tin with attractive paper, carefully cut and pasted. F.F. Wisc.

9. Ugly marks on a hardwood floor from rockers or furniture casters may be rubbed gently with fine steel wool dipped in a little soapy water and they will vanish. Mrs. A. E. E., Minn.

10. Soiled pillows can be cleaned by soaking in GASOLINE in the wash-boiler for a short time. Turn it over and let stand, then shake the feathers about and squeeze out the liquid before pinning on the line to dry. Several can be cleaned in the same gasoline and after the dirt settles the clear gasoline is good for further use. The process is good after contagious diseases and of course should be done outdoors and away from any fire. (!) M. H. R. Pennsylvania.