A New Twist on an Old Tree

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Extending the life of socks takes only a few minutes of your time, a pair of scissors, and a sewing machine or needle and thread.

This method works best on knee socks or tube socks, but any sock with a good long top will work.

1. Cut the sock off above the heel and any worn spots. (See diagram #1). 2. Round the cut end (See diagram #2). 3. Sew the cut edge on a machine with a zig-zag stitch or by hand. 4. Trim close to stitches being careful not to cut threads. Sock tops make great slippers and around-the-house socks.

— Marilyn Gill Lewistown, MT

Flying the Coop

I am a longtime subscriber and have used a lot of ideas sent in by other readers. Now I would like to share two ideas that might be of help to others.

My first tip is a way to let your poultry out of the coop in the morning if you want them out before you get up. The enclosed drawing will give you an idea how it works. The door should slide easily and should sit in a pocket so predators can't get in. Hang a window weight or other weight just slightly heavier than the door a foot or less above the floor.

Above: ER. Jespersen's automatic coop door opener

An alarm clock should be fastened on a shelf with a lightweight line (fish line is good) wrapped around the wind-up knob for the alarm and fastened to the cord holding the weight. You might have to alter the wind-up knob so you can wrap the line around it. Wrap the line so that it unwinds as the alarm rings, making the weight go down to the floor, lifting the door. Wind the alarm each night and wrap the line around the knob so it keeps the weight from going down and keeps the door closed until the alarm rings in the morning, lowering the weight.

Tip #2. To get rid of June bugs and other night flying insects in an earth-friendly manner, hang a light with a shade over a bucket or pan filled with water to within a few inches of the top. The bugs fly into the light and slide down the shade into the water. In the morning the grackles and other birds will sit on the edge of the container and eat the June bugs. You might want to put gravel in the bucket so there is only about an inch of water above it to keep any small birds from drowning. The June bugs can't crawl up the sides of the bucket but for some other insects you might want to put a little vegetable or other oil in the water to keep them from flying out.

—F.R. JespersenOverland Park, KS

Winter Warmer

For my money, nothing warms you up like a good bowl of chili. Here's my favorite beef chili recipe, which is very simple to make and is great over rice. You can, of course, substitute home grown vegetables and homemade broth if desired.

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