DEAR HELOISE: I hope you or your readers can help me (and most likely many others) with learning how to respectfully dispose of used or damaged Bibles. Thank you, and I love your good work!

— Eddie S., via email

Eddie, this is a very thoughtful question. I’ve heard of people taking a very old Bible and burying it in a garden or placing it under the hands of a deceased loved one while they lay in their coffin. Some people have the Bible buried with the person, while others remove it before burial.

There are others who say that it’s served its purpose and place it in the trash. You might want to discuss this with your minister to see what they recommend.

— Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: Once fabric softener sheets have been used, they no longer have what it takes to soften laundry items. However, I figured out a second use for them. I keep a sealed plastic storage bag for the used sheets. Although their main purpose no longer applies, the amount of remaining scent is amplified when they are combined. I reuse them, especially during spring and summer, by putting them in tennis shoes and some closed-toed shoes while they’re waiting to be worn again.

— Deborah R., in Austin, Texas

DEAR HELOISE: I know that everyone isn’t computer-savvy, but if you are, you can go to the website for a particular appliance or device and enter the make, model and year to get an online manual for it. Also, you can do the same thing with YouTube to get hands-on videos for many things. Thanks for all the great hints!

— Michael S., via email

DEAR HELOISE: Having volunteered at an animal shelter, I have mixed feelings about seniors adopting cats. Truth be told, I love cats. I grew up with one and continued to make them a part of my family. However, the well-meaning people who are urging the older person to adopt a cat are only thinking of the potential cat owner.

What about the cat? Many cats end up in shelters when their owner dies. Imagine the trauma of being transferred from their home, where they’ve been comfortable, to a small cage that is surrounded by other cats in a sometimes noisy environment.

I hope those who are advocating for the senior to get a cat will also remind the potential owner that they should do the moral thing and make arrangements for the cat to be left to a relative, a friend, r someone else who can provide a home for the rest of the cat’s life. Otherwise, stick with a stuffie.

— Joan B., via email

Joan, the lucky ones go to a shelter. If a pet gave comfort to someone who’s now gone, they deserve to be taken care of and loved by another person who will honor the service that the animal previously gave.

— Heloise