Country Lore
(Page 2 of 3)
-Louise Hickman
Salt Lake City, Utah
RELATED CONTENT
Iced Boxes
Each evening I fill pint jars with my family members'
favorite fruit juices and place them in the freezer. The
next morning, a tightly capped jar goes into each lunch
box. During the day, the lunches stay cold, and I don't
need to worry about food poisoning in hot weather. Best of
all, there are nice, slushy, cool drinks to pep up my
husband and children at work and at school.
-Pam Ashburn
Glencoe, Illinois
Substitute Paintbrush
When you have a small amount of painting to do, like a
touch-up, simply clamp a piece of felt in a spring-type
clothespin. It costs very little, and you can throw it away
when you're done.
-William C. Thompson
Newtonville, Massachusetts
Lights Out
I often drive with my lights on in the morning when it's
still dark or foggy. When I ar rive at my destination, it's
daylight, and many's the time I've forgotten to turn off my
headlights and have ended up with a dead battery. No more!
Now I keep a facial tissue with a hole poked in it on hand.
Every time I switch my lights on, I hang the tissue on the
light switch lever. When the reminder has done its job, I
remove it till the next time it's needed.
-May M. Richardson
Blue Mounds, Wisconsin
More Help for Loose Screws
In issue 101, one of MOTHER's readers suggested using
toothpicks to reset a screw in a stripped or enlarged hole.
I have a better way. Cut a few snippets of solder and put
them into the hole. As you twist the screw back in, the
soft metal solder will squish around the threads, making a
very tight, strong repair.
-L. C. A rata
Solsberry, Indiana
Post Haste
I have a quick and easy way to remove wood or metal posts
from the ground. I simply shovel out a small amount of dirt
from around the post and pour water into the indentation. I
then rock the post back and forth, which allows the water
to seep down around the base, and can usually pull it
straight up and out. Sometimes I have to add more water and
repeat the rocking procedure, but, even then, it sure beats
digging way down and then prying out the post.
-Don Crutchley
Erie, Colorado
Garden Party
If the birds enjoy too much of your garden's fine fare,
it's time for you to party, too. Invite your friends, and
ask each one to bring some worn-out clothes. Provide sticks
of wood and plenty of straw, and see who can come up with
the best scarecrow. If you have lots of guests, divide them
into groups of three or four. Everyone will have a great
time, and you'll have a small militia of straw guards to
protect your garden.
