DEAR HELOISE: Before our daughter's wedding, we contacted the Ronald McDonald House in Lubbock, Texas. We asked if we could bring the wedding flowers to the house that Saturday night, and they were thrilled. After the wedding and reception, the florist delivered them for us. We were told that the families felt a "bright spot" that Sunday morning when they saw the flowers.

– Kirby D. In Texas

DEAR KIRBY: This is a wonderful hint. Valerie Reeves of Katy, Texas, shared a similar story: "Our son was recently married, and the wedding took place out of town. We had fresh floral arrangements made for the rehearsal dinner. A couple of weeks before the wedding, I contacted a hospital in the wedding town and set up a donation of our flowers.

"On the morning of the wedding, my husband and I delivered the flowers to the hospital for them to distribute to patients. The hospital had two nurses ready to meet us with red wagons. Hospital personnel were happy to help us spread our joy by sharing flowers. It made us happy, too!"

– Heloise

DEAR READERS: When replacing your microwave, save the glass turntable. It is handy for the following:

• Use as a cake platter.

• Serve sandwiches on it.

• Use as a candle display base.

DEAR HELOISE: I read your column every day in the Spokane, Wash., paper. With my kids now playing multiple sports, I reuse either older kids' backpacks or pick up a couple at the thrift store, and use them for all of their equipment. We mark them on the outside so they know which backpack they need for which sport, and when they are done, everything goes back into the backpacks. I have a hanger on the back of the door for them to hang on.

DEAR HELOISE: A shower-curtain liner can easily get residue and scum due to soap, shampoo and other products. They can go from transparent to cloudy quickly. Use vinegar and a microfiber cloth to wipe away the deposits.

DEAR HELOISE: It's so rude and awkward when you ask a store employee where to find an item and the person turns and walks away without saying a word. I don't know whether the employee is going to show me where it is and I should follow, or is going to page someone who can help, or perhaps check a stockroom and I should stay put and wait. A simple "Follow me" or "I'll be right back" would be so helpful.

DEAR HELOISE: I save a lot by driving less and by riding a bicycle whenever possible to do my grocery shopping. For the price of three tanks of regular gas, I bought a very nice used bike, and for the price of one more tank of gas, I was able to buy a carrier rack to mount on my bike.

At the store, I buy considerably less, especially when it comes to things I really don't need. This is a good habit for health, savings and the environment.

DEAR ELIOTT: Eliott, not only are you saving money and helping the environment, you are getting exercise, too! When I ride my Ural motorcycle with a sidecar to the store, it does make me think about not buying too much.

DEAR HELOISE: If you lose the stays that fit into the tips of men's dress-shirt collars, you can cut some out of bendable plastic cards (credit or debit, etc.). If you have just one stay, it makes a perfect pattern!

DEAR HELOISE: Help! Can you please tell me how to clean brass?

DEAR TERESA: Teresa, you can start with a condiment in your fridge: ketchup! But first, you need to know if your brass is lacquered or not. Nonlacquered brass can be cleaned by rubbing ketchup on the surface and then taking it off with a damp, clean cloth. Buff until dry. However, lacquered brass can be cleaned only with a damp, soft cloth – no cleaners or polishes should be used.

DEAR HELOISE: How do I tell if a honeydew melon is ripe?

DEAR KATE: Kate, The best way to pick a honeydew melon is by letting your nose be your guide. The melon should have a fruity or honey fragrance, and be firm and free of blemishes, with a creamy, white rind.

DEAR HELOISE: This has bugged me for a while. Why can I buy a set of queen sheets for $50, but two regular pillowcases cost $25? If I ever find my sewing machine (it's in the spare-room time-warp zone), I may use your mom's hint to make some from a flat sheet.

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Send a great hint to Heloise, P.O. 79500, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

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