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Dear Heloise: A reader recently wrote in asking for help in identifying an unknown (and delicious) apple variety that grows in Manitoba, Canada. Alas, I don’t know the name, but if their neighbors don’t have any suggestions, they might want to contact their local Agricultural Extension Office or the Canadian equivalent.
In the Pacific Northwest where I live, there’s a nonprofit organization called the Lost Apple Project. They specialize in identifying and preserving “lost” apple varieties in Oregon, Washington and Idaho by searching for old trees with apples whose names have been lost. Then they identify them through research. (According to the Lost Apple Project, there were once an estimated 17,000 named apple varieties growing in North America, and around 4,500 survive today.)
I wonder if the Lost Apple Project could help our reader friend or if there’s such an organization in Canada. — Cathy H., via email
Cathy, thank you for this information. It certainly can’t hurt to try. — Heloise
A PAINTING TRICK
Dear Heloise: I painted the ceiling in two of my rooms and ended up with paint all over my arms. Is there any way to keep this from happening again? — Andrea C., in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Andrea, when painting a ceiling, wear a pair of rubber gloves from the grocery store (an inexpensive pair) and turn the end part over your arm about 1-2 inches to catch the drips. You can do the same thing when washing windows or anything high up, and the cuff will catch the drips. — Heloise
CAT IN HEAT
Dear Heloise: My cat, Miss Kitty, is in “heat” right now, but I don’t want to breed kittens. I keep her in the house, but male cats still seem to be showing up. How can I stop her wailing noise and odd behavior? — Doug N., in Arizona
Doug, take Miss Kitty to the vet and have her spayed. After this, you won’t have to worry about kittens or wailing. Believe me, you’ll both be happier in the end. — Heloise
MOTHERHOOD FOR A CAT
Dear Heloise: We adopted two female kittens, and what a joy it is to see them playing! However, my wife wants to let them both have a litter before we get them spayed. She feels that we’re depriving them of something by not letting them experience motherhood.
I want them spayed at 6 months, nevermind having a litter. Kittens are hard to give away, and the world doesn’t need more stray and starving cats. — Janice and Fred, in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Fred, you’re correct. The world doesn’t need more stray kittens. Cats don’t long to have a family like a person does. It’s simply a biological response when they go into heat. Yes, many female cats are loving mothers and take good care of their babies but they’re just as happy even if they never have a litter. Get them spayed as soon as your vet recommends. — Heloise
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.