Dear Heloise: I have a bamboo back scratcher that I use frequently. Another use for it is to flip it over and apply a blob of thick lotion to the curve on the backside. I can easily reach parts of my back that itch this way. — L.C.S., via email

RESPONSE TO “TRAVEL POLITELY”

Dear Heloise: A recent letter about politeness when traveling reminded me of a quote by author James A. Michener: “If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.”

Our family’s lives have been enriched by traveling to different countries and interacting with the people of India, Nepal, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and others in Central America. — Julie T., Harrisonburg, Virginia

FEEDING BONES TO YOUR DOG

Dear Heloise: I read this column every day in the Maui News. The reader in New Mexico is right about feeding bones to cats or dogs. Never feed “cooked” bones to any bone-eating animal. Here’s why:

Cooked bones splinter, but raw, uncooked bones shatter. Dogs can digest raw, shattered bones in as quick as two hours, but cooked bones can poke them and get stuck in their throat or digestive tract. It can even cause a painful death.

Thanks for so many of your great hints over the years! — D. May, in Maui, Hawaii

DELIVERY BAGS

Dear Heloise: I use some of my package delivery bags in my small trash cans, like the ones in bathrooms and laundry rooms. I cut slits on the side so that they go over the cans.

I also use these bags when traveling to wrap bottles of liquid and to further protect my clothes. I use boxes from packages and fill them with items to be donated. I also use markers to cover up my name and address if I cannot remove the label. — Jackie, in Colorado Springs, Colorado

TEAPOT NESTS

Dear Heloise: I had a charming old teapot that I loved. But one day, I dropped the lid, and it shattered. I was heartbroken to lose that little teapot, but my husband said we should hang it from the tree that is close to our kitchen window. He said birds would come and make a nest inside.

Sure enough, in two weeks, a bird built a nest in it, and that’s where she had her babies. Since then, I’ve bought two more teapots and hung them on the tree. Birds seem to love the teapots because they come back every year and make the trees their home. — P.R., in Louisiana

QUICK LUNCHES

Dear Heloise: I work from home and have many Zoom meetings. Most last 45 minutes to an hour. I have found many things that I can put covered in an oven, set to 300 or 325 F, that are ready to eat by the time lunch comes around.

Here are some ideas: cut-up chicken and vegetables, baked potatoes, meatloaf, ham hash, pot pie, a stew or a soup, frozen vegetables, steak, baked apples and so on. Just add some liquid to the dishes. If things are not quite done, they finish up quickly in the microwave or stovetop. — L.D., in Louisiana

KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED

Dear Readers: It’s so easy to get distracted on a beautiful, sunny day in spring, but remember to keep your eyes on the road. And make sure to pull over if you get sleepy. — Heloise

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.