Dear Heloise: Folks who like to do the daily newspaper crossword puzzles know that they grow in difficulty as the week passes. The Monday puzzles are childishly easy with clues such as: “Hints [blank] Heloise” (four letters). They’re no fun at all.

So, as a means of upgrading the difficulty, as well as improving the challenge and enjoyment, just turn the puzzle upside down. You can read the clues upside down and teach yourself to print the answer letters upside down in their squares.

This can make a Monday puzzle just as hard as Saturday, and it’s merely another simple thing that seasoned citizens can do to keep their minds nimble. — Jim R., in Houston

Jim, you’re all about keeping our brains nimble! Sleep and a healthy diet also help, as do things such as reading, exercise, puzzles, and social contact with family and friends.

Some doctors believe that a pet may also help keep us busy and make our brains stay active because we need to take care of our furry friends, feed them, and walk them. They serve as companions for many people. — Heloise

STUBBORN STAINS

Dear Heloise: I read your column in the Springfield News-Sun in Springfield, Ohio, and have adopted many of your very helpful hints. Here is my problem: I have a small rug in front of my kitchen sink, and it has left a yellow stain on the vinyl floor. I am hoping you can tell me of a method to remove the stain.

Thanks for all the hints, recipes, chuckles and helpful information! — Freddie C., via email

Freddie, try a solution of baking soda and vinegar, and mix into a paste. Scrub the area in a circular motion. If the stain is very stubborn and won’t lift out, you may want to try something a little stronger such as bleach and water in a 50/50 ratio. — Heloise

REUSING EMPTY JARS

Dear Heloise: When a guest brings me flowers wrapped in paper from the store, I find it awkward to stop what I’m doing, find an appropriate vase, then cut and arrange the flowers. Consequently, I save empty jars from mayonnaise, jelly, etc., and use them as vases when I bring flowers as a hostess gift. I usually tie a ribbon around the top of the jar. — Ellen, in Buffalo, New York

Ellen, what a great idea! If you enjoy crafts and have time, you might also enjoy painting a design on the outside of the jar or a decoupage on the sides of the container. The hostess can then save the jar for other things such as holding pens and pencils. — Heloise

RED LIGHT

Dear Heloise: When I was in the Army, I served a tour of duty in Vietnam. While on guard duty, all the flashlights used a red bulb or a red filter — the reason being that the color red does not destroy one’s night vision, whereas white light does.

My hint is to use a red nightlight in the bathroom. The benefit of this is that after visiting a bathroom when the house is dark, you are much better able to see your way walking back to your bed through the hallway and/or the bedroom than if the nightlight was emitting white light. — Jack D., via email

Jack, thank you so much for this hint and for your service to our country! — Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise@Heloise.com