Insect Indigestion

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-Gary Gerken
New South Wales, Australia

Time-Tested Remedy

When our antique grandfather clock began regularly losing time, an elderly gentleman's advice put it back in perfect working order. We filled a shot glass with kerosene and placed it in the clock, near the mechanism but out of the way of any moving parts. Slowly, as the kerosene evaporated, it deposited a film on the workings that acted as a lubricant. We replenish the kerosene as needed, and the clock runs smoothly and on time.

-Rob Sporgell
Moylan, Pennsylvania

Thrift-Shop Bagger

My fall leaf raking results in mountains of leaves that must somehow be moved to the compost heap. In searching for something that would make this job easier, I came across an old drapery with an attached lining. After cutting the lining from the drapery at the bottom hem only, I ended up with a huge, sturdy bag. This I placed next to a leaf pile (heavy-fabric-side down), propped wide the open end and faced it into the wind. Since my makeshift bagger held an enormous amount of leaves, it was no time at all before the piles were moved and my yard was neat.

-Marcella Matthews
House Springs, Missouri

Shell Game

I always thought growing and harvesting popcorn was easy compared to the job of shelling it. I've found a way now, though, to make that easy too. The corn is best when the ears are picked two or three weeks after the first hard frost and then dried thoroughly. I take an old, but still tough, pair of blue jeans and tie a knot at the bottom of each leg. I fill the jeans with ears of corn, hold the top closed and pound the jeans against a cement floor. A few hard raps on both sides of the pants, and I can pour the kernels out into a container. This is sure a lot easier on my fingers than the old way.

-Larry Prissel
Durand, Wisconsin

Get Well Soon

When you send a card to someone in the hospital, use the patient's home address as the return address on the envelope. This way, you'll be sure your message is received even if the patient has been discharged.

-Joyce Mason
Westminster, California

Foiled Again

A ball of aluminum foil makes a great pot scrubber for aluminum pans.

-Jeremiah Pierce
Truth or Conseq., New Mexico

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