Dear Heloise: I spray cooking oil on my lawn mower blades to keep grass from sticking to them. I don’t use motor oil since it can kill my grass if it drips on the lawn. — Dan W., in Tennessee

HOT DOG TIP

Dear Heloise: For those who serve hot dogs and those who like to eat them, I would suggest the following:

Place the preferred condiments in the bun before adding the hot dog. This way, no more condiments fall out, and your hands don’t get messy. I enjoy my hot dogs much more when my hands don’t smell like mustard and onion. — Dorothy M., in Canton, Ohio

FAT CAT VS.

SKINNY CAT

Dear Heloise: I have a fat cat and a skinny cat. I separate them at mealtimes so that they can’t see each other. But I have an open kitchen, and there’s only one out-of-the-way place to feed them. So, I went to a craft store and got a slab of foam and a couple of foam blocks. With glue and duct tape, I created a barrier that I can put between the cats’ dishes so that the skinny one doesn’t feel intimidated by the fat one.

It’s simple to remove and store out of sight when mealtime is over. Now I’m looking forward to having both cats at the proper weight. — Arlene, in Anaheim, California

ADIOS TO APPLIANCES

Dear Heloise: I discovered that if I have something that’s still serviceable and still of value, such as an old dishwasher or dryer, I can put it out at the curb with a sign stating: “It still works, and it’s yours for free.” By morning of the next day, it’s gone! — Latrice W., Koontz Lake, Indiana