Dear Heloise: This is in response to a recent hint from M.K., in Nebraska, concerning frying banana bread in butter, then heaping chocolate or ice cream and fudge on top of it. It’s apparently still 1956 in Nebraska, where obesity and diabetes are unknown. The reality is that it’s 2024, and the United States has a population that has a weight control problem. Diabetes is practically an epidemic.

As a responsible writer whose publications run in several newspapers, you have a responsibility to at least offer comments of warning about certain hints that you offer or offer additional dessert ideas that could actually be healthy.—Sheldon T., via email

Sheldon, most of my readers are sensible enough to know that this dessert is loaded with calories. The choice to indulge in it is theirs alone, although I seriously doubt that many people would enjoy this dessert often due to the calories. But every once in a while, the majority of us like to enjoy a tasty but naughty treat. I do not monitor, condemn or judge others for their food choices, nor is it my responsiblity to.—Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO: Heloise@Heloise.com

MACHO MALE THINGS

Dear Heloise: Is this a cultural thing or a macho/male thing? It upsets me when I see women carrying heavy bags or pushing heavy carts of things, while their male counterparts are walking along with nothing in their hands, other than their cellphone perhaps.

What gives? They can’t all be that inconsiderate, can they?—Frank A., Ventura, California

Frank, that’s a good question. Do any of you who read this column have an answer? Let us know at Heloise@Heloise.com.—Heloise

LOST CHILDREN

Dear Heloise: It seemed that every time my children and I would get separated from one another, someone would announce to the whole store that they had a lost child in some department. We settled that by having our children meet me at a certain place in the stores.

For example, they know that if we go to a big store in the mall, they should meet me by the escalator. “Wait until I get there,” I tell them. This has saved us a lot of tears and fears. They are not to leave or go anywhere with anyone else.

We used this method in case of fires as well. If there is a house fire, they are to get out any way that they can, and we will all meet at the big blue spruce three doors down. Even if their father and I were trapped by the fire, I would want them to get out and save themselves.—A reader, via email

COLLECTING THERMOSES

Dear Heloise: Over the years, I have gone to a lot of garage sales, and somehow thermos bottles attract me. One day, I bought one for $1. The inside was so coated with dried coffee that it was pure black inside. I put some powdered dishwashing soap in and added hot water. It started to work immediately, and in 30 minutes, the inside was as clean and shiny as a new one would be.

I have bought several thermoses since that time and cleaned them the same way. I send them home with people who come to visit. I tell them to keep them, so when company comes, they get free coffee and a free thermos.

By the way, this method works on both glass- and steel-lined thermoses.—P.P., in North Dakota