Dear Heloise: Prevent moldy bread just by using your hands: Hold the loaf on opposite sides near the open end that points down. Squeeze slightly to allow the desired slices to fall out. Close with a few twists. Lay the loaf down, turning the twist under. Bread now keeps for weeks.

Here’s another hint: Buy a package of your favorite unpasteurized yogurt, eat it, then pour milk in the empty container, which will have a little leftover yogurt. Stir thoroughly, then cover. Next, heat a container of water on the oven to a normal body temperature and add it to the container. You should have yogurt overnight. If not, reheat. This can be repeated many times with the same container. — Bill Herron, via email

Dreaming about new inventions

Dear Heloise: The story often goes that Charles H. Duell, who was the Commissioner of the United States Patent Office, told Abraham Lincoln that he should close the U.S. Patent Office because “everything that can be invented has been invented.” Some people believe this quote was taken out of context, others feel that it was only a joke, and then there are still others who believe it was never spoken at all.

Since that time, there have been many things invented, such as automobiles, airplanes, new drugs in medicine, cellphones, and more. After thinking about this, I came to the conclusion that I’d like to see someone invent an affordable drone for one or two people that could replace morning rush-hour traffic. We could build houses with landing pads on the roof, then get in our one- or two-person drone and fly off to work. It’s just an idea. What would you like to see invented? — Victor H., Houston

Victor, this is a good question. I’d like an affordable robot that would empty the dishwasher, vacuum the floors, kill spiders, make dinner, take out the trash, and mow the yard.

Well, readers, what would you like to see invented? Let us know by writing to Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise

DIFFERENT GRADES OF EGGS

Dear Heloise: My close friends and I were having a debate about eggs last night. Two of them believe that grade AA eggs are more nutritious than grade A or B. They also think brown eggs taste better than white ones. Personally, I can’t detect a difference in taste. Is any of this true? — Hailey S., Laramie, Wyoming

Hailey, first, there is no difference in nutritional values between grade AA, A and B eggs, according to the American Egg Board. There is also no difference between brown and white eggs. Brown eggs are produced by hens with red features and earlobes, while white eggs come from hens with white features and earlobes.

When a recipe calls for eggs, they usually mean large eggs as a rule. By the way, here is a “Heloise Hint” for peeling a hard-boiled egg:

Lightly crack the eggshell on something hard, then start rolling the egg between your hand with a light pressure until the shell is cracked all over and loose. Hold the egg under running water and start at the large end when you begin to peel off the shell. — Heloise

UNHEATED SOUP

Dear Heloise: My teenage son actually likes eating soup from the can unheated. Is this a safe thing to do? Could he get sick from eating uncooked soup? — Mallory E., Raytown, Missouri

Mallory, yes, soup can be eaten straight from the can because it was already cooked before it was canned. However, it just seems to taste and feel better going down the hatch when it’s warmed up. — Heloise

GIFTING PETS

Dear Readers: Think long and hard before you give someone a pet as a surprise. Puppies and kittens are adorable, but as cute as they are, people need to pick out their own pets. And while many express a love for animals, it does not necessarily mean that they actually want to take on the work, financial commitment and responsibility of having a pet. — Heloise