Heloise

Dear Heloise: I just have to comment about the lack of needing to teach cursive writing in the letter as described by the retired educator from Montana. No wonder our country is in such sad shape with this kind of thinking. When you can’t read cursive writing, you cannot read important papers that were written by our Founding Fathers, as well as many other past important papers. All family histories are written in cursive by the generations of the past.

I understand that Ken Burns is producing a documentary series on the Revolutionary War. How in the world would he have been able to get all this information without being able to read cursive? A dumb answer to this question is to “Google it.” Someone who could read cursive might have put this info into Google, but you don’t know if they got it right.

An additional benefit to cursive writing is the development of fine-motor skills — not like driving a car but being able to use your hands/fingers to hold small items and perform tasks like using a screwdriver, using nail clippers, etc. … The list can go on and on.

It’s hard to stop my indignation regarding the lack of needing to learn cursive writing. — Brenda R., in Fremont, Nebraska

Brenda, I find it a very lazy approach to teaching, and judging from the letters we get here in our offices, so do most schoolteachers, parents and students. It’s a simple skill, and if teachers can’t teach it or aren’t allowed to teach it, then parents need to step in and teach their children how to write cursive. — Heloise

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NO SIGNATURE

Dear Heloise: Regarding cursive writing in a recent letter that ran in the Omaha World Herald, the writer dismisses it, but I have another angle.

Two years ago, my teen grandson stated that he didn’t have a signature. He prints his name because he doesn’t know how to write in cursive. I believe that this is a good reason for students to be taught, at the very least, how to write their names in cursive. — Roxanne M., in Neligh, Nebraska

Roxanne, printing is for young children, but every adult should know how to write in cursive. We cheat our children of yet another worthwhile skill if we neglect to teach them cursive writing. — Heloise

HEATING PAD WARMS FOOD

Dear Heloise: Last week, I made biscuits and muffins to take to a senior morning group. I wanted them to stay warm, but I didn’t have a heating tray, so I took along a heating pad. I set the pad on high, and the muffins stayed warm beautifully! I love reading your hints here in Connecticut. — Mary, via email

Mary, this is a clever idea. We all must have a number of items at home that serve double duty. Readers, write to me and let me know what you use that does more than it was designed to do. — Heloise

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS

Dear Heloise: I enjoy reading your column daily. Regarding the letter about “recognizing friends versus foes,” I only have a smartphone now. I attach a name to each of my friends’, family members’ or favorite business’ phone number. When my phone rings, I just have to look at who the caller is. Having a specific ringtone is probably handy if you don’t have the phone beside you often. — Terry, in Gore, Virginia