The Shadow
Dear Heloise: Here is a fond memory of YOUR MOTHER. I had the very good fortune to live in Hawaii as a child. My father was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base from 1956 to 1960, and we were faithful members of the nearby base chapel. The original Heloise was living in Honolulu at the same time.
I am very sure that she was the teacher for a rather rowdy group of 9-year-old boys during the Summer Daily Vacation Bible School, including me. She was a very good teacher, and she put us through the paces of “Bible verse drills.” The quickest to find the verse would win. What we would win, I can’t really remember.
When things got too loud and out of hand, I remember vividly her solution, delivered in a steady, dramatic Texas twang: “If you boys don’t hush up, I’m going to … KISS YOU!!!” Immediate silence all around, and back to work we went. — John Hardy, Baton Rouge, La.
John, yes, that was my mother, all right, and I can still hear her Texas twang! Thanks for making me smile. — Heloise
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Heloise
P.O. Box 795000
San Antonio, TX 78279-5000
Fax: 1-210-HELOISE
Email: Heloise(at)Heloise.com
LETTER OF LAUGHTER
Dear Readers: Heloise Central is an office full of women! I like calling my employees “my girls,” and one employee in particular doesn’t mind. Since she turned 40, she likes being called a girl! — Heloise
LUNCH TO GO
Dear Heloise: We stayed at a motel this summer that provided a complimentary breakfast, but also a “breakfast on the go” lunch sack, and in it was a bottle of water, an apple, chocolate and a health-food bar. Was it ever handy and delicious as we traveled.
So, when we had company, I made “breakfast on the go” bags for the two of them. They planned to shop all day, so I labeled it the “shopping survival kit,” and they said it was wonderful. Thought you would like to pass it on! — Corrinne B., Universal City, Texas
Glad to, and it’s a lovely gesture. Hey, what motel put chocolate in the breakfast bag? I want to stay there! — Heloise
SMOOTH OPERATOR
Dear Heloise: I have an almost-new, expensive ballpoint pen. I have not used it for about two months, and now it will not write. Any hint to get it operational once more? — Daniel F., via email (my pen won’t write!)
Hi, Daniel: Team Heloise checked with a major pen manufacturer and learned that ink refills have a two- to three-year shelf life. Sorry to say, the ink in yours most likely is dried out. Check for replacement refills at office-supply or other retail stores. — Heloise
HOLD IT RIGHT THERE
Dear Heloise: I don’t know why this works, but it does! If you use salt and pepper mills, hold the top firmly and turn the grinder itself. I also found that this works great when using a large, wooden pepper mill — it seems easier to grind! — Barbara in Hummelstown, Pa.
(c)2012 by King Features Syndicate Inc.
