Dear Heloise: May I share some spray-painting tips? We love to rejuvenate our yard seesaws with spray paint as rust and fading from the sun does happen over time.

Prevention is the best medicine.

While some brands of spray paint require you to turn the can upside down, some require you to only wipe the tip after use in order to prevent a clog. And when applying a second or third coat, the times do vary greatly by brand from a few minutes to the next day. Times have changed, and so has paint.

I suggest reading all of the can instructions first. For me, my reading glasses are required as the print is small. — Tim Harned, Perris, California HOME SECURITY WHEN TRAVELING Dear Heloise: Related to your comment on putting keys in a safe place, here is a suggestion for when you are traveling: In addition to keeping your blinds closed when you are gone, get a couple of very inexpensive power timers and connect some desk lights to them.

Set the times so that the lights turn on during the evening and turn off at bedtime. Have a light in your living room and in another room. — Linda and Warren Pearce, in Colorado Springs, Colorado ENVELOPE SCRAP PAPER Dear Heloise: As Carolyn, in Dayton, Ohio suggested, I learned to use the back of envelopes as scrap paper from my grandmother. She would use them for so many things. I remember when I was as a child in the ’50s, I would watch her calculate the stocks she had or was going to buy.

She was very smart. I use them for my to-do lists.

— Sandy, in California KIDS NEED TO BE KIDS Dear Heloise: I heartily agree with Jerry Hutter’s ‘Kids Need To Be Kids’ letter. I told my children that the day they stop believing in Santa, they will get socks and underwear for Christmas. They are in their 40s and still believe! In today’s world, children need to be children. — Anonymous, in Houston

PET PAL Dear Heloise: Meet Wally. He’s a big cat, but he’s not usually vocal. He was caught mid-meow in the picture. He belonged to my boss, mentor and very close friend who passed away from cancer.

He had another lady who took care of him before she passed away, but then my friend’s daughter asked me to take him and his sister in.

His sister went over the Rainbow Bridge about a year later, so he’s been through a lot of change.

He loves to eat and enjoys treats each morning and evening. He never lets me forget!

I fondly remember my friend as I cared for him and gave him lots of love. I hope his pose and pictures make you smile. — A Reader, via email Readers, to see Wally 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