Dear Heloise: Thanks so much for your column. I do a lot of solo driving to visit my daughter, who lives eight hours away by car. Here are some helpful hints:

Always use the same credit card along the route and tell your loved ones which card you will be using. In case something happens to you, they will be able to tell exactly where you have been.

Similarly, if you make any purchases along the route — gas, food, etc. — take a photo of the receipt, with the address and phone number of the store you went to, and send it to your family members or friends so they know where you are on your route.

Always keep a day’s worth of food and drink and some extra clothing and shoes in your car — and a snow shovel and one of those window-break tools. And, finally, stay on top of the weather reports. You can usually find a place to stay along the way. — Laurie Farber, Baltimore

REMOVING TOILET BOWL

MINERAL RING

Dear Heloise: I just read in your column advice for a hard-water ring in the toilet, and you recommended lime remover. A much easier and quicker solution is a pumice stone. It’s available at most stores for under $2, and it’s even available at dollar stores. Just wet the end, rub over the stained areas, then rinse off. Repeat as needed. It won’t scratch porcelain, but don’t use on softer surfaces. It usually cleans up in one application, and I’ve used it for years in toilets. I learned this trick when I was working janitorial jobs. — Joy R. Beaumont, California

DECLUTTERING

Dear Heloise: I have always been bothered by countertop clutter, but putting my home for sale necessitated me keeping everything tidy at a moment’s notice. I came up with an easy solution. I put the things that I use every day, such as dish soap, sponges, brushes and cleaners, in a plastic shoebox that I buy at the dollar store. It’s waterproof and is easily stowed under the sink when I’m done doing dishes — leaving a clutter-free countertop. Same thing with bathroom items, such as shaving cream, razors, mouthwash and so on. — Paul in California