Heloise

Dear Heloise: I live in one of the last houses on my street that still receives a daily newspaper, and I always enjoy reading your column in the Orange County Register. Even though we hardly ever get rain where I live, the newspaper arrives every day wrapped in a blue plastic bag.

I used to toss these bags straight into the recycling bin, but then realized that they would be perfect to reuse as doggie cleanup bags. Now I keep a drawer full of them at home, and every time I take my dog for a walk, I grab a small handful before heading out.

The bags are lightweight, convenient, and just the right size for the job. It feels good to give them a second use rather than throwing them away. We’re always prepared, and it’s one less item I have to buy at the store! — Stephan Mitchell, in San Juan Capistrano, California

BREAD ENDS

Dear Heloise: So, you’re down to the ends of a loaf of bread and are tempted to throw them away. After all, many people think that they can’t be used for anything. Or can they?

I like to use the ends as a substitute for hamburger or salmon burger buns. I’m referring to a standard loaf of sandwich bread — not rye or round sourdough. I simply trim the bread ends to fit the size of the burger (if necessary) and usually toast them for a little extra texture.

I’ve been doing this for many years, and I don’t miss the standard buns at all. It’s a simple way to reduce food waste and make use of every slice. I enjoy your column in the Orange County Register. — Ira Blair, in Lake Forest, California

CUT ON THUMB

Dear Heloise: I cut my thumb right on the top of my knuckle, and I knew that it would be difficult for it to heal properly because of all the bending and flexing in this spot during the day. After cleaning the cut thoroughly and applying antibiotic medicine and a bandage, I wanted to stabilize my thumb so that it wouldn’t keep reopening.

My first thought was to use a tongue blade to make a small splint, but I didn’t have one on hand. Instead, I grabbed what I did have: an emery board. A small, stiff emery board worked perfectly to keep my thumb from bending too much. I taped it in place, and it worked like a charm as a makeshift splint while the cut healed. — Corrinne Berkland, in Universal City, Texas

DOUBLE-DUTY HEATING PAD

Dear Heloise: With outside temperatures staying well below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, all of the little birds’ drinking water sources in my area froze solid. I tried putting out small containers of fresh water for them, but they would freeze within a couple of hours no matter where I placed them.

I finally came up with a solution: a heating pad. I put the pad inside a garbage bag to keep it clean and dry, then set a shallow dish of water on top. The gentle heat keeps the water warm and unfrozen around the clock. We already feed the birds regularly, but now they can also have a much-needed drink of water after they’ve eaten, even in the coldest weather. — Mel, in Arkansas

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: Here is a pic of my cats, Salt and Pepper. They enjoy looking out the window, so we made a perch for them. They are so funny. — Tiffany Haynes, via email

Readers, to see Salt and Pepper, as well as our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

Do you have a furry friend to share with our readers? Send a photo and a brief description to Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise