DEAR HELOISE: This is to add to Karen from Michigan’s suggestion about recycling toilet paper rolls. I reuse them by cutting the rolls in half and standing them upright in the bottom of a plastic ice-cream bucket. Next, I add potting soil until it reaches the tops of the shortened rolls. After moistening the soil, I plant one vegetable seed in each roll.

When the seedlings are large enough to transplant, and weather permits, I plant them directly in the garden –cardboard roll and all. There’s no need to remove the seedling from the roll.

This method keeps the roots from being disturbed. On warm, sunny days, you can also set the bucket outside so that the seedlings can get a little sunshine. Paper towel rolls work just as well; just simply cut them into thirds.

— Mel, in Arkansas

DEAR HELOISE: The other night, I was browning ground beef for tacos and realized that I didn’t have an empty can or a jar on hand for the leftover grease, which is something that should never be poured down the drain.

In a pinch, I grabbed a sturdy drinking glass and lined the inside with aluminum foil, making sure that the foil extended over the rim. I carefully poured in the hot grease and let it cool and solidify overnight. In the morning, I simply lifted the foil out of the glass, wrapped it closed, and tossed it in the trash. No mess and no clogged pipes!

P.S. I’m an old-school 37-year-old who reads your column every day in print in the Ventura County Star!

–Lisa Daiss,

in Ventura, California

DEAR HELOISE: I put a carbon monoxide detector in my garage, so whenever I work in the winter with gas-operated tools, I can open the garage door if it goes off. I always use an exhaust vent.

— Thomas C., via email

DEAR HELOISE: I appreciated the recent letter from a reader who is learning how to cook, and I wanted to add a suggestion that might help build confidence in the kitchen. Children’s cookbooks can be a wonderful resource for beginners of any age.

Even though I’m an experienced cook, I still keep several children’s cookbooks on hand because they include fun, easy-to-follow recipes that anyone can enjoy. These books often use simpler language — for example, “fry” instead of “saute” — and break down steps in a clear, straightforward way. Many also include helpful pictures that show what each step should look like.

I recommend browsing children’s cookbooks at your local bookstore or checking them out online.

Ann Twelves,

in Vancouver, Washington