Dear Heloise: I have a little kitten who followed me home when I was walking my dog. The vet said he was only about 6 or 7 weeks old, and I decided to keep him and take care of the sweet little guy.

If he didn’t eat his food, I’d usually put it in the refrigerator for a while until he was ready for his next meal. I asked the vet why he refused the refrigerated food, and he said that cold food often gives a kitten a stomachache. He suggested that I put the food on a plate and slowly warm it in my toaster oven for a few seconds, but I found that placing it on my coffee maker while it’s brewing coffee works better.

I also use the top of the toaster oven because it gets warm when I cook oatmeal for breakfast or make a toasted sandwich. Both of these warm the cat food without getting it too hot. — Jessica C., Ogden, Utah

DISASTER KIT

Dear Heloise: No doubt you’ve read about all the natural disasters that have been happening due to climate change. Hurricanes, flooding, fires and more have caused people to evacuate their home in a hurry with little time to prepare.

Before there is a disaster, carefully pack a backpack with items you will need to survive in your area of the country. My husband had an emergency kit ready when our area was flooded, and we made it out and even managed to help a few other people and their pets. Better to be prepared than to depend on luck! — Loretta G., via email

THE OLD LADIES’ RELAY TEAM

Dear Heloise: I have four very dear friends whom I have known for at least 30 years. The five of us are getting up in years, and we decided to start a plan to make sure each of us is OK.

Every Sunday, I make a call to all the others to chat briefly and make certain that everything is in order with the other four. On Wednesday, Lois calls all of us to briefly chat and see that no one is in need of help. On Friday, June makes the calls, and on Saturday, Betty calls all of us.

If anyone is out of town or in the hospital, we let Maggie know, and her job is to fill in for that person. We don’t call before 9 a.m. or later than 10 p.m. This way, we make certain that no one is injured or needs help.

We always joke that we are “the old ladies’ relay team.” — Lois, Betty, Maggie, June and Grace, in Indiana

THROAT SPRAY

Dear Heloise: My doctor gave me some medication for my sore throat that comes in a spray bottle. The medication works great, but the taste is absolutely disgusting. I discovered that if I take a large serving spoon and cover my tongue with the spoon (placed upside down with the round side up), I could spray the medication down my throat and cover my taste buds at the same time. — Jordan M., Braintree, Massachusetts

CLEANING COOKIE SHEETS

Dear Readers: Our metal baking sheets get so much use that they often accumulate a greasy buildup. To remove it, scrub the sheet with a scouring powder or a fine steel-wool pad. You also can use an oven cleaner, but do not use this on nonstick pans.

For nonstick pans, set them in hot, sudsy water and use a nylon scrubber. Never use abrasive cleaners or steel wool on them. And do not use metal utensils on nonstick surfaces; use wooden or plastic tools instead. Do not put nonstick pans into the dishwasher. Read the manufacturer’s care and cleaning recommendations for your particular brand. — Heloise

— — —

Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.