Heloise

Dear Heloise: In response to the person who was wondering about traveling solo, there are several online groups on Facebook for people who travel solo, as well as tour groups that cater to solo travelers. There is one group that specifically offers tours to women traveling solo for both domestic and international travel.

Also, the tours offered by Road Scholars often include solo travelers. I hope this encourages those who want to step out on their own but are in need of a “safety net.” — Ann Edgecombe, in Jacksonville, Florida

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON CURSIVE WRITING

Dear Heloise: In response to Sharon, who feels that it is a tragedy that kids today are not taught cursive writing in school, I would like to come at it from my perspective as an old guy and a retired educator. Educators have been tasked with more sophisticated demands on what is expected in written work. The shape of the letters is far less significant than the organization and clarity of the thought that the student is expressing.

A variety of writing tasks (expository, persuasive and narrative) require differing methods to construct an effective text. Perhaps Sharon (as well as myself) need to recognize that the “tragedy” has another cure. Can Sharon use social media to connect to her grandchild’s inbox? We don’t teach students how to use a slide rule either. The ship has sailed. — Peter Jacoby, in Bozeman, Montana

PICK UP A BOOK

Dear Heloise: Please inform your readers of Dolly Parton’s Imagination LIBRAry at ImaginationLIBRAry.com. Once registered, children receive a free book that is appropriate for their age each month from birth through age 5. Although it’s not available everywhere, it’s worth checking out. It puts books in homes that may not have any. — Becky G., via email

CAN YOU HEAR ME?

Dear Heloise: If I answer the phone and get the “Can you hear me?” reply from the other person, I reply with a Northern Norwegian dialect and say, “Ka sa dokker?” (“What did you say?”) They often hang up. — Rolf T., via email

Rolf, good idea. Never say “yes” in this situation. — Heloise

YOUR FAVORITE PILLOW

Dear Heloise: Just to add to the use of bright-colored pillowcases for travel, this is also important if you bring your favorite pillow to the hospital. Otherwise it may get tossed in the hospital laundry where everything looks the same. — Marie C., via email

TRAVELING INTENTIONALLY

Dear Heloise: I travel all over the world, and I’ve discovered two very important things: The first is to take your time when traveling. Don’t rush through the places you visit. Enjoy the sights by taking time to sit and observe a place, a monument, the people, and the beauty of what you’re looking at in this moment. If you ventured off the beaten path and are away from the tourist areas, you can observe the nuances of a different culture.

The second thing is to bring more money than you planned to spend. It’s very common for things to cost more than you anticipated or to see something you want to take home with you as a memento of a nice vacation. Don’t go home after a trip and say, “I wish I had bought that painting.” — A Reader, via email

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.