Dear Heloise: When I shop for groceries, I have no memory or imagination, and I will invariably lose my shopping list somewhere along the way. It’s a disaster! Now, just before I grab the shopping list, I snap a picture of it, which has saved the day for me many times.

The phone camera is also useful for reading those tiny low-contrast computer price tags; they’re all but readable when they’re on the bottom shelf. Just snap a pic of it and blow it up to see what it says! (Remember to keep your reading glasses with you!)

Thanks! I enjoy reading your column in the Oregonian. P.S. Freezing banana slices leaves them too soggy to use. — Davis B., in Oregon

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Heloise@Heloise.com

UNCOMFORTABLE SLEEPING

Dear Heloise: I was married for 40 years, and unfortunately my wife passed away. I sleep in the same room we used to sleep in, and I’m unable to sleep the way I slept there before. Because of memory and energy, I tried sleeping in the living room, and everything was fine. So, I decided to buy a twin mattress. If anyone has had this issue, they should see if this also works for them. — Kamal B., via email

A MEMORABLE QUILT

Dear Heloise: I read a hint about the quilt made for a friend from shirts that her husband had worn before his death. I don’t know why I hadn’t written to you before about this because it actually helps reduce grief. (At least for me it really did.)

My husband and I were married for 59 years when he passed about five years ago. We couldn’t have a funeral or any type of celebration of life due to the COVID-19 countrywide shutdown. After my son took the items of his dad’s that were important to him, my granddaughter took the remainder of his shirts, saying that she’d give them to a thrift shop in town.

About two months later, when she and her family came to visit, she brought me a beautiful lap-quilt made from his favorite shirts that she’d seen him wear over the years.  And she brought a pillow made from one shirt with the buttons and pocket still on there. It was so wonderful and helped me get through my grief by knowing that he was still here in some way.

This was while I was attending a grief counseling group on a biweekly basis via a group phone call, which was also helping me. Sharing this story with others on the call helped me get through my grief and loss as well. Hugs and thanks for all your hints! — Jeanne F., in Oxnard, California

PUMPING PROBLEM

Dear Heloise: I am continually frustrated when trying to open new lotion and hand-soap pump bottles. In some way, I believe it is because I am directionally challenged. I have to stop and think which way is left and which is right. I have also recited to myself the “lefty loosy, righty tighty” phrase, to no avail.

I confuse myself or talk myself out of turning a pump top this way or that. I now have three different bottles on my counter, and I’m waiting on someone to help me figure out the trick to open these pump bottles. My spouse and two sons have tried to help, but I’ve usually got the cap messed up by then. Do you have a trick that I can use? — Megan, in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Megan, this is a good question! Readers, do you have any hints to help make a pump bottle easier to open? — Heloise