Dear Heloise: We have a swimming pool that backs up all the way to a park. Every year, ducks fly in from the park, get into our pool, and make big messes. But my grandsons have a big floating alligator for pool play. We now leave the alligator in the pool all the time. This has stopped the duck problem. — Patty L., Bakersfield, California

HOUSE SLIPPERS

Dear Heloise: When I am home, I always wear slippers. Good quality slippers can cost as much as shoes, so I like to keep them for as long as I can. But after wearing out some expensive Australian slippers very quickly, I decided to purchase good-quality insoles that I could attach to my slippers. I used this wide, two-sided tape that has become popular, and my weight on the insoles affixes them well.

This way, I get the support of my orthopedic insoles, and I also get to protect my slippers from my sweaty feet. They can be washed, and if the insoles come loose, I just reattach them. My slippers always look like new. — Ann O’Malley, Bella Vista, Arkansas

THE LAST OF THE SAUCE

Dear Heloise: After years of trying to get the last of the pasta sauce out of the jar (by using spatulas or adding a bit of water, then shaking the jar), it finally dawned on me to throw a few pieces of cooked pasta in the jar and shake it, thereby coating the pasta and using up all the sauce. Thanks for all your great hints! — Cathy, Austintown, Ohio

FOUR LITTLE HINTS

Dear Heloise: I’m writing in with four little hints:

— I have several cards for different stores. For easy accessibility, I put them in alphabetical order in my wallet.

— When I run the dishwasher, I include the tops of condiments like ketchup or mustard. They come out of the dishwasher like new.

— When I run my car through the car wash, I keep a microfiber dust cloth in the car and dust the dashboard, doors, etc. I clean the inside so that when the wash is done, the car is clean inside and out.

— I divide items in my freezer into two sections: On the left side are the meats and frozen dinners. On the right side are vegetables, treats and ice cream. — Jean Milici, Torrington, Connecticut

HIDING A DOOR KEY

Dear Heloise: In reference to the recent discussion about where to hide a door key outside of one’s house for use in emergencies, I would like to add one suggestion:

Regardless of whatever clever method of concealment you employ to hide the key, you should hide it in a place where no one can see you hiding it. If the key is hidden close to your front door for convenience, a nosy neighbor or an opportunistic thief might see you retrieve it and know where to find it for their purposes. I hide my key in the backyard for this reason. It might be less convenient, but it is more secure. — John C., Lubbock, Texas

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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.