Dear Heloise: I’m not sure if this idea has been printed before, but here it is in case it hasn’t: If you give greeting cards to your early-school-age grandchildren, remember to write in “print,” not cursive writing. Or better yet, when our two grandkids were smaller, we would cut our faces/heads out of photos and tape our “face photo” inside the card in place of a signature. They could easily tell who was sending them a card by recognizing our faces when they opened up the card. Years later, looking back on these cards, they could also see what Grandma and Grandpa looked like when they were younger.

Cursive writing is not taught in schools now, so it’s not easy for us grandparents to remember this when writing to young children. Some of Gen Z does not know how to read or write cursive writing. Thank you. — Patricia, in Ohio

AFTER THE END

Dear Heloise: I’ve been a family and marriage counselor for nearly 20 years, and the majority of women I’ve seen have gone through a divorce or are in the middle of one. To help them through this difficult phase of their lives, I usually make a few suggestions:

— If you are not working, find a job. Or join a charity that needs help and volunteer.

— Keep moving. Walk or join a gym, or take up something that keeps your mind busy, such as a hobby. Stay active and stay in contact with friends and family.

— Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, get your rest, and get a checkup from your doctor. Whatever you’ve been putting off, do it now.

This not the end of your life; it’s the start of a new story that you will live and write. So, go ahead and make it exactly what you want it to be. — Ann G., in California

SUGAR- AND DAIRY-FREE DESSERT

Dear Heloise: My sister-in-law showed me how to make a new dessert that requires no sugar or dairy:

Cut up 1 banana into thin slices. Cut up about 5-7 strawberries and freeze both of these until they are firm — but not solid. Next, take these two items out of the refrigerator and using a handheld immersion blender to mix both the strawberries and the banana together in a bowl with deep sides.

Blend only until they are mixed, but not so much that they turn into liquid. Scoop this into a dessert dish and return it to the freezer until you are ready to eat it!

This is great for anyone who is on a diet or wants to keep their sugar intake low. — Sandy F., Greenville, Ohio

FUR STORAGE

Dear Heloise: A fur coat or stole costs a large amount of money, so in the warmer months, it really needs to be stored properly to avoid collecting, mold, bugs, and possibly dry rot.

Some people believe that placing a plastic bag over their fur items will be enough if they store them in a basement. Even though the basement will be cooler, it’s also damp. (Think mold.) The plastic will not allow the garment to breath. An attic is just way too hot and will speed up the weakening of the fur.

So, you should store your beautiful furs in a storage locker that specializes in fur storage. Take proper care of your fur, and it will look beautiful for years. — Marty S., in New York

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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.