Heloise

Dear Heloise: I am a 75-year-old woman who enjoys setting a pretty table for special holidays, and I like using cloth napkins on such occasions. I have no biological children but frequently entertain nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends. Usually, most of them set the cloth napkin (which is secured in a holiday-themed napkin ring) aside for fear of staining it.

This past Thanksgiving, I asked then to “humor me” by actually removing the napkin ring, placing the napkins on their laps, and wiping their mouths with it if need be. I told them that any stains would be a wonderful future reminder of our gathering.

They willingly complied and used them at our recent Christmas gathering at my home without being asked. This brings me joy, and at my age, who knows how many years I have left to enjoy setting up special meals! My family means more to me than any stain on a napkin! — Cathie D., in Lisbon, Ohio

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Heloise@Heloise.com

EVEN SHEETS

Dear Heloise: As a widower who has been living alone for the past 18 years, I have a suggestion for the bed- sheet industry that I’d like your opinion on.

As anyone who has ever had to make their bed alone can tell you, the most time-consuming part is centering the top sheet. The fitted bottom sheet centers itself naturally, while the top sheet can require multiple trips around the bed until it passes the eyeball test of having an equal amount of overhang for the entire length of the bed on both sides.

Since sheets are sold by the bedsize, and each mattress size has a specific width, it would be helpful if the top sheet had a pair of seams or some other unobtrusive marking that ran the length of the top sheet at the width of the bed size (i.e., 60 inches apart for a queen-sized bed).

Once the top sheet was lined up with the top of the mattress, centering the sheet would only require that you pull the sheet from one side until the seam lined up with the edge of the mattress, then walk around to the other side and pull the sheet until the other seam reached the edge of the mattress. And voila, you are ready to tuck! No more playing ring-around-the-mattress to center your sheet.

What do you think? Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? — Sal R., via email

Sal, do what most people do and just measure with your eyes. It doesn’t have to be exactly the same number of inches on both sides. If manufacturers had to devise some way to get the top sheet perfectly even on both sides, you can bet the price of sheets would increase significantly. Frankly, I think sheets are expensive enough already. — Heloise

WHAT A CHORE

Dear Heloise: To the lady who hates dryer sheets, you can buy them without fragrance. And who irons pillowcases? — Ron T., via email

Ron, I iron my pillowcases, and there are many people like me who iron more than just their pillowcases. Actually, I find ironing relaxing, but I hate unloading the dishwasher.

Readers, is there any chore you secretly enjoy and one you don’t like to do? Write and let us know here at Heloise Central (Heloise@Heloise. com). — Heloise