Dear Heloise: I’ve had a trampoline in my backyard for many years and realized the very thin pipe insulation around the supports that hold the net up were disintegrating. I bought some large pool noodles and cut a slit up the side, and they fit perfectly around the supports. They provide more insulation and safety; plus they are quite colorful! — Karen, in Oregon

REMAKING PLASTIC JAR LABELS Dear Heloise: You had a recent great suggestion from Gloria, in Mission Viejo, California, regarding using large plastic jars from big-box stores that peanuts and pretzels come in, and I would like to add to this.

Product labels take a lot of time and/or are near impossible to remove, so I suggest cutting a piece of copy paper that is the size of the labels. Then create your own label, or have your child or grandchild draw a label. Glue it over the product label with a glue stick or rubber cement.

You can relabel it whenever convenient, and it will create conversation when seen by company. It’s so much nicer to look at than the old product label. I’ve done this for years! — Allen, in Ballwin, Missouri RED WASHCLOTH TRICK Dear Heloise: I heard this tip several years ago and have been passing it on since then in baby gifts: I put a red washcloth in my gift with a note that says to use it when little ones have cuts or scrapes as it hides the blood. It sure calms them down. — Carole Fox, in Jenks, Oklahoma SCENIC PHOTO IDEA Dear Heloise: My mother was an amateur photographer, and I found boxes of scenic photos when she moved from my house into assisted living. Not wanting to toss the pics, I started buying blank notecards when they were on sale.

I adhered a pretty photo, attached an address label on the back (photographed by “Mom’s name”), and tied five cards together with raffia string.

At her memorial service, my daughters handed out the cards as people were leaving the church.

Even the kitchen volunteers were glad to receive this “final gift” from my mom. — Marianne K., in Oregon City, Oregon PET PAL Dear Heloise: This is our Maine coon, Twinkie.

We found him lying in the middle of the street three years ago and thought he was roadkill until he lifted his head to look at us as my wife and I drove by. We did a U-turn and went back to get him. Our vet said he was in bad shape, but with medication, we were able to nurse him back to health.

He’s a monster of a cat now as most Maine coons get big. One of his favorite hangouts in our house is to assume the “Sphinx position” on the top of our couch in the living room, and our grandson came up with the name of Twinkie because he thought that’s what he looked like sitting there.

— David Kelly, via email Readers, to see Twinkie and our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise. com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

Do you have a furry friend to share with our readers? Send a photo and a brief description to Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise (Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.)

HINTS FROM HELOISE