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Dear Heloise: One Christmas, my good friends surprised me with a gift called a "SaladShooter" (a motorized rotary grater). Before I could mute my inner thoughts, I blurted out: "What am I going to do with that?!" (So much for awkward moments!) Over the years, the SaladShooter has become one of my most-prized kitchen tools; it makes short work of salads, vegetables, hash browns, cheese, etc. I'm a kitchen tool/gadget/thingummy nut, and the SaladShooter ranks high in my pantheon of the best tools ever.
I lost touch with these friends shortly afterward and wish I could heartily thank them anew for the gift that reminds me of them every time I use it. -- Tom F., in Colorado Springs, Colorado
A PORTABLE SAFE
Dear Heloise: In reply to your query about unusual gifts received, 35 years ago, my husband and I received a portable safe as a wedding gift. We thought it was a bit odd, but it remains one of the most-useful items that we own. It contains our passports, birth and marriage certificates, gold coins, and other valuables; it'd be the first thing we grabbed if we ever needed to evacuate our home quickly. -- Mai, via email
WEEDING OUT WHAT'S OLD
Dear Heloise: I'm retired, and I have a method that I use to decide which of my large collection of men's casual shirts need weeding or updating. Each day, when I reach for a shirt to wear, I pull one, sight unseen, from the far back end of my closet rod.
If I'm glad to see whichever shirt it is, it's my pick for the day. If I feel let down and want to skip the shirt for a "favorite," I know that I'm ready to let it go and freshen my wardrobe with some new shirts. I enjoy your column in the Houston Chronicle. -- Scott M., via email
WALKING WITH MUSIC
Dear Heloise: Your response to Irene K., in Hillsboro, Oregon, was good to a point. Walking while wearing headphones isn't a good idea. You need to be aware of what's around you at all times, especially if you're walking alone. Thanks for all the good information and ideas from your column! I read it in the Dayton Daily News. -- Carol W., via email
Carol, thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your thoughts on this topic. You’re absolutely right -- being aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone, is incredibly important for safety.
However, a lot of people do choose to use headphones while walking or running, so other suggestions include using one earbud, turning down the volume enough to hear passing traffic and noise, or pausing the music when crossing the street. -- Heloise
CAR SEAT AS A WEDDING GIFT
Dear Heloise: At my wedding, my mother-in-law gifted us with a baby's car seat. She made it clear that she wanted grandchildren, and we made it clear that we weren't having any children. My husband had a deep sea-diving incident that made it impossible for us, but my in-laws weren't having it! Finally, we moved halfway across the country, which helped us ignore their demands. -- Ken and Coralee, in Washington
Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.