Dear Heloise: In response to all the letters that you’ve printed in your column concerning “thank you” notes, I wanted to add an important element. Not only is a thank-you note a kind way to show appreciation for something that was done for you or given to you (whether you liked the gift or not), it also lets the giver know that you received it.

When I send a gift by mail, I always appreciate knowing that the person actually received it. Mail can go astray for many reasons (including theft), and it’s a relief to know that my gift arrived.

Given how easy it is to send a text or email, I’m surprised at the resistance in sending a note to thank someone for thinking of you. Wedding presents should always be acknowledged with a handwritten note to the giver, but even an email could suffice in this era.

I enjoy reading your column in the Dayton Daily News and the Xenia Daily Gazette. — Leslie Bates, in Xenia, Ohio

DOUBLE-DUTY COOLER

Dear Heloise: I am a faithful reader of your column in the Long Beach Press-Telegram. Coolers aren’t just for keeping beverages and other items cool. Just as a thermos can retain heat or cold, so can the coolers that we are used to filling with ice.

When I am taking barbecue or other foods that need to stay warm, I heat a brick (sometimes two) on the barbecue, wrap it in a towel, and place it in the cooler. Note: If using this method for meat, one might want to cook it below the desired temperature as it will “coast” to a higher temperature in the heated cooler. — D.C. Smith, via email

SHOPPING CARTS

Dear Heloise: I have been using a walker for about two years, and it’s a big deal for me to load and unload it from my car’s trunk each time I go out. Because of this, when I shop at stores that provide shopping carts, I often choose to leave my walker at home.

I always keep a sturdy cane in my car, which helps, but I can’t use both a shopping cart and a walker at the same time. I don’t want to risk a fall by trying. Whenever possible, I try to park close to a cart rack so that I don’t have to walk too far without support.

For stores that provide shopping carts, I have a small request: Please leave a few in the parking lot for people like me. Not all carts have to be rounded up immediately or brought inside super fast. I understand that cart theft can be an issue, but having a few available outside can make a big difference, especially near designated accesible parking spaces. I have gratitude to the stores that already do this. — F.J. Viereck, Getting Older But Still Upright

OPENING FRUIT CUPS

Dear Heloise: I love your column! In response to the gentleman who asked about opening fruit cups without spraying juice everywhere, I wanted to share what has worked well for me both at home and at work:

At home, I use a sharp, pointed knife to cut just inside the rim along the front of the cup, then continue cutting around both edges about a quarter of the way toward the back. Once the seal is broken, I can pull the lid off from there without any sudden splashing.

At work, where using a knife isn’t always practical, I set the cup firmly on a flat table. I carefully lift the edges of the cover and pull gently, being sure not to squeeze the sides of the cup. This method isn’t quite as successful as the first, but it usually works well. Best of all, no more juice on my blouse! — Ellen T., in Texas