Home and Garden 08/05/17

HOME & GARDEN • SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 2017

Look inside for these specials and many others.

Enjoy mosquito-free patio parties KEN MOON:

Managing your cooling systems YEAR ROUND GARDENING:

Gardening in the rain

SUMMER ADD SOME

TO YOUR HOME’S INTERIOR

It’s not too late to

add some

summer to your home’s interior

••

T

BY GINA CRONIN, GINA.CRONIN@GAZETTE.COM

he garden is looking beautiful, so let’s head inside. Have you added all of those little summer touches that you planned in late spring? It’s only the beginning of August — there are technically still nearly two months of summer left, so it’s not too late. Bring some light and color into your space with cheerful accents. As a bonus, in August a lot of summer décor is on clearance to make space for autumn trinkets, so it’s a good time to embellish your space while planning ahead for next year.

ASSESS THE SPACE Scan the space and detect all areas that bring that winter feel. Is there dark furniture, throw blankets, heavy curtains and clutter crowding the area? This isn’t hibernation season! Clear your space, open it up, and let the room breathe in the breezes and floral aromas of summer.

Start with the windows. If it’s not a terribly hot day, open those windows up and welcome in some fresh air. Take down dark, heavy curtains and replace with billowing white curtains or sheer colored curtains in a sky blue, light green or pale yellow.

Next, donate items you don’t need.

Everyone has that extra chair that no one sits on, or extra table that gathers junk, or old knick-knack that serves no sentimental, artistic or practical function.

Donate these items and make space for clear thinking and easy movement. You can switch from floor furniture to shelves if you need surface space.

Give your living room an instant summer update by covering the sofa with a white slipcover and finishing off with a lively arrangement of colorful throw pillows. You should also store away fleece sheets and dark bedding and replace with something lighter and more breathable.

Next, if you have dark-colored tables or drawers that you wouldn’t mind painting for the season, opt for sage green, white, pale yellow, basalt blue or a pastel lilac.

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN Summer is made special by those gorgeous wildflowers you happen upon during a hike, those cool sips of water during the heat of the day, those pink sunsets over the mountains, and those delightful birdsongs. There is no reason why you shouldn’t get to enjoy some of those sensations from your own home.

Bring plants and fresh cut flowers indoors. Have a floral arrangement when CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

HG 2 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, AUG 5, 2017

Enjoy mosquito-free METRO SERVICES

Outdoor gatherings are a summertime staple for many families and groups of friends for whom summer simply would not be complete without backyard barbecues or lazy evenings on the patio.

While outdoor party hosts often invite as many friends and family members as possible to such gatherings, they also can count on some uninvited and particularly bothersome guests: mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes love to bite humans. The side effects of such bites can range from the relatively harmless (annoying, itchy bites) to the severe (disease). Hosts who want to keep mosquitoes at bay during their next patio party can try the following tips.

patio parties

ADDRESS AREAS WITH STANDING WATER Standing water is attractive to mosquitoes because it gives them a place to breed.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, studies have shown that female mosquitoes prefer to lay eggs in water that collects or is stored in manmade containers. The CDC recommends that items that can collect water, including pet bowls, vases, birdbaths and pool covers, be emptied and scrubbed at least once per week. When items like pet bowls are not in use, turn them over to empty them and then keep them covered until they must be used again. Tightly seal any water storage containers to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside and laying eggs.

SIMULATE WIND Few people may think to bring window or desk fans outside when entertaining, but simulating wind can deter mosquitoes from invading patios and decks.

Mosquitoes fly slowly and often cannot make it through the simulated wind created by manmade fans. In addition, fans may blow away the very things, such as body odor, that draw mosquitoes to humans in the first place.

LIGHT CITRONELLA CANDLES AND/OR TORCHES Citronella candles and tiki torches that burn citronella are effective mosquito deterrent as well. Such candles and torches give off smoke that confuses mosquitoes and masks the human scents that attract the bugs. Place torches around your patio but find somewhere other than the dining table to place

citronella candles if you decide to use them, as some people find the candles aggravating or bothersome.

PLANT MOSQUITO-REPELLENT PLANTS The right plants might help you keep mosquitoes at bay as well. For example, catmint contains an oil called nepeta faassenii that can be used as an allnatural mosquito repellent. Closely related to catmint, catnip also can be an effective mosquito deterrent. But both species can be invasive, so be sure to contact a local lawn and garden professional before planting any plants to repel mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are a potentially harmful nuisance that can quickly compromise outdoor gatherings. But party hosts can take several steps to keep these uninvited guests from spoiling summertime soirees.

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SUMMER INTERIOR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

you enter, to uplift your senses. Dot more flowers throughout in mason jars, like little gifts from Mother Nature — in the bathroom, near a reading nook, on the dining room table, on the guest bedroom night table. Bring in bamboo, succulents and jade plants to clean the air and add those green tones that harmonize the room. In the kitchen, have a big bowl of fresh fruit on the counter. If you like to have the TV on in the background, pop on a peaceful nature documentary or ambient album to hear the orchestra of wildlife.

Quench the dry Colorado land with an indoor water feature. If you Google “indoor water fountain,” you’d be amazed at the selection. From Zen statues, to copper walls, to whimsical pottery, to elegant stone, there is a fountain style for every person. Let the water flow and fill you with tranquility.

ADD COLOR Summer is a time that you can get away with color. A lot of color. Want pink wall trim and sunny yellow sheets? Candy apple red accents walls? A magenta coffee table? A cobalt blue lamp? How about a bright, abstract multicolor panting? It’s summer so go for it. Tap into the rainbow and have fun choosing where your pops of color will be. You don’t want your home to end up looking like a carnival, but there are aesthetic ways to work in vibrant colors. You can always consult an interior designer if you’re worried your selections will be too overthe-top, and many local furniture stores have complimentary design services to help you outfit your home.

When you go inside on a gorgeous summer day, don’t leave the joy on the front porch. Bring it in with the above tips and enjoy.

AROUND THE HOUSE

Managing your cooling systems

BY KEN MOON, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

KEN MOON

Dear Ken: You recommended a certain type of carbon monoxide detector on your show a couple of weeks ago. Which one was that?

— Kyle

I prefer the plug-in style of CO detector for several reasons. When activated, it sits at roughly the same level as your head while you’re sleeping — the time when you’re most vulnerable to this insidious gas. Even though carbon monoxide is a little lighter than air, it tends to accumulate near the floor first, as the hot air from the furnace scoots across the floor on its way to a cold air return.

I like the Night Hawk brand because it contains a historical record of prior CO exposures, and it’s easy to self-test.

Dear Ken: My father has a non-metal swamp cooler – maybe fiberglass? I’d like to find one, too. Any recommendations?

— Randy Your father’s cooler enclosure is probably polypropylene, a heavy duty plastic. It’s a great idea, because a steel evaporative cooler’s greatest vulnerability is rust and corrosion. The innards — pump, float, hoses and pads — are easily replaceable, and cheap, too. So, a plastic swamp cooler is basically a lifetime investment. Two of the brands that pioneered the use of this material are Trade Winds and Breeze Air, although there are several others. You can also ask your friendly HVAC contractor for their recommendation.

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HG 4 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, AUG 5, 2017

Dear Ken: I have a humidifier and I run the furnace fan 24/7 to add moisture. Is this okay in the summer while I’m running the A/C system?

— Ellen Absolutely not! Air conditioning dehumidifies the air. Notice the water dribbling down the drain while it’s running.

So, your humidifier adds to the cooling load, and you also risk a coil freeze-up.

Turn the little dial to OFF for the summer.

Also, if your humidifier has a big duct leading to another part of the furnace, there should be a damper lever labeled

“summer/winter.” Set it on “summer” for now. In the winter, open it to allow damp air to circulate through the humidifier pads.

Your question reminds me of a way to mitigate A/C operating costs. The basement contains a reservoir of cooler air that’s been saved up all day long. So, turn the furnace fan on the thermostat to the always ON position when you get home from work. That will draw cool basement air into the system, so the compressor won’t have to run as long to get the house to your given set temperature.

Dear Ken: I’ve got a colored and patterned concrete patio that I spilled fertilizer on. How should I get it off?

— Robert Ordinarily I would recommend a remover chemical, like CLR or one of the concrete rust removing products powders you can get at the hardware store — perhaps combined with power washing. But, in your case, I’m concerned that they might remove the decorative finish on your patio. Instead, let’s wait for our strong UV sunlight to “cook” it away. It may take several weeks, but be patient.

Dear Ken: I have a kitchen/family room that only has two small windows, so it’s quite dark. How can I brighten it up without spending a fortune?

— Barbara There are several brands of so-called tubular skylights you can install for a fraction of what a regular skylight would cost. They slip in through a hole in the roof, down into the attic and terminate on the ceiling with a diffuser lens. The tube is lined with a high-tech reflective material that is extremely effective in capturing sunlight and bouncing it down the tube. It’s so bright — even on cloudy days — that it will remind you of a powerful halogen bulb light fixture, but with zero operating costs. Also, you can add an optional light kit above the diffuser which will simulate daylight after the sun goes down.

Ken Moon is a home inspector in the Pikes Peak region. His radio show airs at 9 a.m.

Saturday and is carried on KRDO, AM 1240 and FM 105.5. Visit AroundTheHouse.com.

YEAR ROUND GARDENING

Gardening in the rain

BY FREDRICKA BOGARDUS, COLORADO MASTER GARDENER

The ground in my garden is saturated, and the weather forecast shows no end to the daily showers. My rain gauge says we have had seven inches of rain in the last 10 days.

I’m not complaining, the moisture is great, but I am trying to figure out how to adapt to our temporary wet conditions. On that note, here are a few suggestions for things to do between the raindrops: 1. Turn off your automatic sprinklers. I hope this is so obvious that you are all rolling your eyes at this suggestion. Don’t turn them back on until your garden needs water.

2. Track how much rainfall you are getting with a simple rain gauge. Even the thirstiest grass only requires about one inch of water per week to stay healthy, if you know how much rainfall you have received you will be more confident in your decision to hold off on watering when the current rainy weather stops.

3. Try not to mow when your grass is wet. This can be tricky as your grass is

4.

5.

6.

7.

probably growing really fast in response to our generous moisture.

If you do mow a long or damp lawn, and the highest setting on your mower cuts off more than one-third of the length of the grass, consider bagging the cut grass. If the grass has not been treated with herbicides (weed and feeds, etc.), use the clippings as a mulch or compost them.

Fertilize your lawn, perennials and annuals. Nitrogen is leached out of the soil with all of the rainfall.

Don’t fertilize evergreens, rapid growth this late in our growing season may subject new growth to damage when it gets cold.

Use this wet period to evaluate and record what areas in your garden accumulate water, and which drain quickly. That information can be very helpful for future plant selection decisions. For example, moneywort CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

COMING UP AT EXTENSION Pressure Canning Workshop Thursday, August 17, 2017 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Cost $15 Community Plant Swap Saturday, August 19, 2017 8:00 – 10:00 a.m., plant drop off, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. swap. Free and open to the public. Bring up to 20 plants to exchange with other gardeners.

Preservation through Dehydration Thursday, August 24, 2017 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Cost $15

Fall Bulbs, Rhizomes, Tubers and Corms Thursday, September 7, 2017 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Cost $15 Go to elpaso.extension.colostate.edu or call 719-520-7690 for more information and to register.

Photo by Fredricka Bogardus

Lawn Mower Tune-ups

Low Maintenance Gardening Saturday, August 12, 2017 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Cost $15.00

Peach Preservation Workshop Wednesday, August 30, 2017 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Cost $15

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GARDENING IN THE RAIN

Merry Maids shares

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

(Lysimachia nummularia) will tolerate flooded conditions, sedums and other succulents will not. When selecting plants, the drainage or lack thereof is useful information.

8. If you have perennials that are enthusiastic re-seeders, try to get out and deadhead the flowers to minimize unwanted offspring. Of course, if you want them to re-seed, you can sit back and smile at the great conditions for seed germination.

9. This is a great time to pull weeds, they will come out easily.

10. Avoid stepping in flower or vegetable beds. Soil will really compact when the ground is this wet. If you must go into the garden, step on stepping stones or boards to distribute the weight.

11. Avoid working in vine crops when they are so wet. Disease can easily be spread when foliage is wet.

12. Divide overgrown perennials. Replant them or even better put them in a pot for the community plant swap on August 19 at the CSU Extension office.

13. You may see mushrooms springing up in your garden. Don’t eat them. You can

knock them over, but don’t move them out of the garden, they are a good soil amendment.

14. Enjoy the cool wet weather, curl up with a good gardening book and dream of sunny skies. They will return.

cleaning hacks for the most common summer stains

BUSINESS WIRE

Take advantage of plant sales. Usually starting mid-to-late-August and into September many nurseries will have plants sales with prices as much as 50 percent off.

When you have questions, Colorado State University Extension has researchbased answers. Get answers to your horticulture questions by visiting ask. extension.org any time day or night.

Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. you can call 719-520-7684 or email CSUmg2@elpasoco.com.

For current garden tips visit www.facebook.com/ ColoradoMasterGardeners.EPC For current classes visit elpaso. extension.colostate.edu.

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As you fill your summer days enjoying the pool, backyard barbecues, family vacations and more, Merry Maids, one of the nation’s largest home cleaning providers and a ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) company, is sharing easy cleaning hacks to tackle some of summer’s toughest stains.

“This is the time of year people should be focused on making memories with their families, not getting duped by some of the stains that can drive us all crazy,” said Debra Johnson, Merry Maids cleaning expert. “You have to move quickly to get the best results, but thankfully, we have some great tips to help you take care of stains from grass, mud, sunscreen, frozen treats and more.”

Here are a few of Johnson’s favorite cleaning hacks to help make sure stains don’t leave their mark on your summer. No matter what stain you’re tackling, it’s important to test an inconspicuous area before beginning.

Repeat as necessary — and be sure you have a mat by the door to remind family and guests to wipe their shoes and feet before coming indoors.

SUNSCREEN RESIDUE Sunscreen is a must, but if you apply it inside your home, be careful. Lotions can leave oily residue on your hands, which you can transfer to furniture, clothes or other things you touch. Aerosol varieties may seem easier to apply, but watch where you spray it, as it can leave a film over windows, walls and floors. For mirrors, windows and walls, wipe the excess with a dry microfiber cloth, then use warm water and liquid dishwashing detergent to remove the remaining residue.

For floors, remove the excess sunscreen with a microfiber cloth or spatula, sprinkle baking soda over the area and let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum the area.

GRASS STAINS

FROZEN TREATS

These can be a parent’s worst nightmare, but have no fear, Merry Maids has a simple and natural solution: vinegar. Apply a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water to the stained area, let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then launder the item and let it air dry. For set-in stains, combine vinegar and baking soda to create a paste, and rub it onto the stain with a toothbrush, launder the item and let it air dry.

They’re the best hot weather snack, but the high temps will have them dripping all over, causing quite the sticky mess. To prevent ice pops from creating a melting mess, Johnson suggests cutting a hole in the bottom of a cupcake wrapper and placing the wrapper around its base. If it melts past the wrapper and drips on clothing, first dampen the stain with dishwashing liquid solution, then cover it with a white towel and run a hot iron over the towel, transferring most of the stain to the towel. If you run into sticky countertops, wipe them down with warm water and mild dishwashing liquid — avoid citrus for granite and stone counters — and a microfiber cloth.

Grab a fresh, dry microfiber cloth to dry off the countertops to avoid leaving behind water marks.

If the summer months have you strapped for time, your local Merry Maids is here to help keep your home clean while you spend time making memories with family and friends.

To find the nearest Merry Maids location, visit MerryMaids.com. Merry Maids can customize a cleaning plan for your home, ensuring a consistent, reliable and thorough cleaning every time. For more tips, visit the Merry Maids blog.

MUDDY FOOTPRINTS If you’ve ever forgotten to remove your shoes after gardening, or had kids make a mad dash through the house after playing in the sprinkler, you know what a mess muddy footprints can leave on carpets or rugs. In most cases, the first rule of stain removal is to act fast — but in this case, your best bet is to let the mud dry completely and then move the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner slowly across the affected areas. You’ll probably still have some residue, so gently scrape it with a flat object to loosen it, then vacuum again. Once you have as much off as possible, put a bit of dishwashing liquid on a damp microfiber and gently blot. Then, rinse the cloth of any sudsy residue and blot again.

denniS The menaCe

The Family CirCuS

by hank ketcham

Sherman’S lagoon

PiCkleS

by Brian Crane

mr BoFFo

by Joe martin

by J. P. Toomey

by Bil keane

rhymeS wiTh orange by hilary Price

marmaduke

by Brad and Paul anderson

Baldo

by hector Cantu and Carlos Castellanos

SATURDAY, AUG 5, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 7

Blondie

by dean young and John marshall

muTTS

by Patrick mcdonnell

Funky winkerBean

luann

by greg evans

PeanuTS

by Charles Schulz

by Tom Batiuk

HG 8 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, AUG 5, 2017

loS angeleS TimeS CroSSword

non SequiTur

by wiley

edited by rich norris and Joyce lewis

lola

by Todd Clark

BeeTle Bailey 4 Baby newt across 5 Cronus and Rhea, e.g.

1 Part of the back forty 6 Harlem Renaissance writer 5 Genghis Khan subject Locke 10 Go after, as flies 7 Giving up the ball after a fake 14 Words of self-pity punt, say, in football lingo 16 One heading for the cape?

8 Word in many degrees 17 Layoff order?

9 Outdoor gear giant 19 Remnant 10 Georgia’s __ Mountain 20 Water carriers 11 Acura MDX relative 21 Rooney and Griffith 12 Elite military member 22 “Haven’t the foggiest” 13 Sees only one person 23 Calligraphy problems 15 To the same degree 24 Law school course 18 Called 27 Area between highlands 22 Does a kitchen job 29 Word whose meaning can be the same when read backward 23 Dog follower 24 Bath additive 30 Take the wrong way?

25 Head rest?

31 ADHD drug 26 Like some combat 33 Triangle relationship 28 Winter Olympics maneuver 34 Removed a cylinder from, 31 Word with front or pocket maybe 32 Stick in a cage 35 Kurylenko of “Quantum of 34 Martial arts move Solace” 37 Agitate 36 Like throwbacks 38 Not relevant to 38 Reacted to a call at home, 41 Shade providers at golf clubs maybe 43 Exec’s extras 39 Came together 45 Competitor of Helena 40 Notable feature of Africa 47 Breaks down 41 Father’s changing room 48 Off the mark 42 Plug 49 Rising spot 44 Like “The Age of Reason” 50 Stereotypical techie doctrine 52 Tangerine or peach 46 One of Israel’s 12 tribes 53 Unadulterated 47 Vermouth name 48 Took Friday’s Puzzle Solved 51 Words shouted out an open window 54 Go south 55 Compilation publication since 1984 56 Factory regs.

57 30% of essentials 58 Proceed down 1 Hamilton, to General Washington 2 “What are you waitin’ for?”

3 Author born Alisa Zinov’yevna Rosenbaum

by mort, greg, and Brian walker

hagar The horriBle

moTher gooSe

Tundra

by Chris Browne

by mike Peters

by Chad Carpenter

SATURDAY, AUG 5, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 9

Bizarro

by dan Piraro

argyle SweaTer

by Scott hilburn

CeleBriTy CiPher by luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

B.C.

by hart

ziTS

by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

JumP STarT

Frazz

by robb armstrong

by Jef mallett

HG 10 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, AUG 5, 2017

dilBerT

by Scott adams

Sally ForTh

by Francesco marciuliano and Jim keefe

BaBy BlueS

by Jerry Scott and rick kirkman

PearlS BeFore Swine by Stephan Pastis

PooCh CaFe

by Paul gilligan

SATURDAY, AUG 5, 2017 I THE GAZETTE I HG 11

TAKE OUR ADVICE ADVICE

Dear Amy: My girlfriend and I live in a small condo building.

Our neighbor is a middle-aged woman who lives by herself, and also happens to be very overweight.

Since we moved in about a year AMY ago, at least once a day (someDICKINSON times twice), she knocks on our door and asks for me or my girlfriend to bring her groceries up the stairs, bring up packages, take boxes to the trash, or move various things around her condo. We always do these things for her. She has mobility issues due to her size, and she’s always out of breath.

She is very nice and apologetic about having to ask us to do things, and thanks us each time. But it is becoming a problem for me. I am fine being neighborly, but this seems like it’s too much. My girlfriend suggested that maybe she should look for a home health aide or that someone in her family could check in on her. Her response was “I’m not that old” and “Why would I need that?”

I’m at the point where I just don’t want to answer the door anymore, but my girlfriend feels that our neighbor will know we are hiding from her. What can I do here? — Wondering Resident

ADVICE

DR. OZ AND DR. ROIZEN

Quentin H., Napa, Calif.

Question: My son’s soccer coach is trying to improve the team by having them do what he calls vision drills.

Does this stuff really make sense for a sports team? —

Dear Wondering: You have the right to the quiet enjoyment of your own home, and in order for you to have that, you will now have to be specific about what you are willing to do for this neighbor.

You and your girlfriend should decide together what neighborly chores you are willing to do. For instance, perhaps you would be willing to take out her trash, if she leaves it outside her door.

Otherwise, she will have to make arrangements, the way many people do when they have chronic physical challenges. A home health aide could come to her home twice a week and perform many of these household functions on a regular schedule.

You and your girlfriend should say to her, “We will always assist you in an emergency. We are willing to handle your trash for you and if we see a package downstairs for you, we’ll bring it up, but otherwise you will have to find other help.”

Answer: If done right, vision training is a smart move. To use it effectively though, your son’s soccer coach should consult with a sports vision specialist so that each team member can be given vision tests. The tests can assess visual acuity, eye tracking, eye alignment and dominance, depth perception, processing speed and eye-hand coordination. That allows the eye doctor and coach to determine if an athlete needs targeted vision training to improve skills such as anticipating the trajectory of a bouncing ball, keeping track of what’s happening peripherally or quickly changing focus from near to far objects and back again.

Sharpening up those abilities can really improve an athlete’s performance. A study in a European journal called Science and Medicine in Football looked at the visual prowess of Premier League soccer players. It found that not only did these elite athletes have superior vision skills, but players in different positions had unique strengths.

For example, “Defensive players ... exhibit faster accommodative vergence (seeing how plays develop) than offensive players ...”

In any sport, doing visual exercises can improve athletic performance. But it’s also essential to make sure players’ eyes are protected. As chair of the medical advisory committee of The United States Squash Racquets Association and former captain of the U.S. squash team, Dr. Mike showed the USSRA Board pictures of eye injuries until they mandated protective goggles for squash matches.

So support your son’s coach, Quentin, and let’s all learn about the benefits of maintaining superior eye health.

Send questions to askamy@tribune.com or to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.

Email your health and wellness questions to youdocsdaily@ sharecare.com.

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—

ADVICE

Dear Heloise: For fun family and friends times, we like to go picnicking. Here are some hints we use for food safety and to stay organized: • More than one cooler or basket is an absolute must: a cooler HINTS for the cold food and drinks, a FROM basket for chips and snack foods, HELOISE and a basket or tote for accessories (knives and forks, napkins, plates, blankets, games, etc.).

• Only cold food goes in the cooler. Don’t expect the cooler to cool foods; refrigerate them the night before, and layer wrapped frozen meats with ice cubes in the cooler. Pack the cooler full to help keep it colder.

• Don’t sear or preheat meats at home. Bacteria can grow rapidly on food that is not cooked thoroughly.

• Grab those extra condiment packs from a quick-serve restaurant.

• Hot foods, including vegetables, should be eaten within two hours of preparation.

• Don’t forget to have fun! Leave the electronics turned off, and grab a football, deck of cards or board games. — Tracey D. in Alabama Dear Heloise: When I was adopting my dog at the shelter, my adoption counselor reminded me that I am saving TWO lives: I’m taking home my new family member, and I’m making space in the shelter so they can save another animal.

My mantra is: #AdoptDontShop! — Carrie R. in San Antonio Dear Heloise: I read your column in the Orange County (Calif.) Register. I want to keep some of your hints to reference later.

To hold your column until I’m ready to “laminate” (with tape) the front side, I lay the back side of the newspaper column against the sticky side of leakproof sealing wrap. Then I cover the front side of the article with the clear packaging tape.

Now I can cut it out and tape it to the fridge, microwave, a mirror, a notebook or wherever I want, and it is protected from splashes. — Jackie in Santa Ana, Calif.

—

Send hints via email to heloise@heloise.com or via post to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio TX 78279-5001.

TODAY’S HOROSCOPES BY JERALDINE SAUNDERS ARIES (March 21-April 19) Pheromones and physical attraction may be at work. Knowing that people trust and have faith in you means that you have a responsibility to live up to their expectations.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Don’t mix business with pleasure since you have a knack for financial maneuvering but a low resistance to flattery.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Remember the old saying that you will attract more flies with honey than with vinegar. Hold back cynical retorts and try being a bit sweeter towards loved ones.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) You feel more comfortable when you are with those who are compatible. Enjoy the companionship of those who are on the same wavelength.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Remain focused on making permanent improvements and keeping the peace within your household. The smallest sign of disloyalty could cause a rift or an unpleasant misunderstanding.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Keep company with someone who tolerates small idiosyncrasies rather than choosing to be at the mercy of mere chemical attractions.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You may briefly feel you are at the mercy of the chemical reaction that causes opposites to attract.

It may be more important to clarify a family issue or job-related problem than to flirt.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Make beautiful music. A loyal partner may be more aggressive than usual, so you may find your evening both fulfilling and passionate.

HG 12 I THE GAZETTE I SATURDAY, AUG 5, 2017

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) A new hookup who has caught your fancy could prove too much to handle. It is best not to break a date or start a new relationship under these stars.

Good friends should satisfy your needs.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Others might take offense at your words or your actions. It is best to put off important discussions and decisions until next week.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) When you are challenged to meet deadlines, handle unpleasant routines or stretch the budget, you can demonstrate just how much moral fiber is at your disposal.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Turn up the contrast. Be exacting about the rules and meeting deadlines, but malleable when dealing with a very special someone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Aug.5 Your surroundings and companions can color your mood, so be sure to choose cheerful partners and harmonious places as the upcoming six to eight weeks unfold. As a matter of fact, your sensitivity, imagination and idealism may grow by leaps and bounds throughout the next six to eight months.

You may find that childhood interests are once again on your radar or that you are able to make major and lasting improvements to your health.