Heart and Home Chats

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 635, 11 April 1929, Page 5

Heart and Home Chats

By

Anue Rutlede

Misa Anne tint led, ye wilt answer letters in this column every Thursday. An accomplished writer, an ardent feminist, a student of hitman nature and a wide traveller she is well fitted tor the task. Those who have problems and tack a confidante to help in their solution may, with conjidence write to Miss Rutledge , whose knowledge will be placed at their disposal. A sympathetic woman, she will assist those who stand tit need of assistance Communications for Miss Rutledge should be addressed to THE SUN office.

HIS SISTER’S FRIENDS Dear Miss Rutledge,— I am a bachelor of 32, and I should like very much to marry and settle down, but I cannot seriously entertain ideas of owning a home of my own, until two younger sisters are off my hands. These girls are both attractive, but on different occasions have become infatuated with an unscrupulous type of man, and seem now afraid to take seriously any attention paid to them. Our parents left us comfortably provided for, and my sisters feel that most men worship Mammon. They are nice girls, and it would make things easier for me if they had decent young husbands to shoulder their responsibilities. MERE MAN. ANSWER Your sisters are bound to recover from their experiences with such poor types of men, and there is no doubt but what their reaction will be perfectly normal and trusting. It is no indication whatever that they won't marry, simply because they look upon eligible young men at present with suspicion. But your best plan is to send them off foi' a trip so that they will be able to meet men of all types, who will know them simply for what they are. Of course, your company would considerably facilitate matters for them with regard to right introductions. It is easier to ‘“sum up” the calibre of your sex, man to man. Regarding your own love affair, take my advice and do not tarry too long. Romantic longings and fancies are necessary if you would wed happily, and your sisters will not thank you if you sacrifice the freshness of your life, later to become a sour old bachelor. ANNE RUTLEDGE. TOWN V. COUNTRY Dear Miss Rutledge,—• I have been friendly with a young man for nearly a year. He thinks a great deal of me, but since coming to live in town, I have met somebody else who has taken me to dances on various occasions. He has taken it for granted that I am perfectly free, and naturally I have not mentioned my friend in the country. I do not care to tell my country friend about the city acquaintance because he is of a very jealous nature, and might misunderstand. Do you advise me to give up this friend in town or shall I tell him and let him decide? Sometimes I think it is mere friendship, and other times think differently. F.C. ANSWER.

Unless you have a definite understanding with the young man in the country, you are at liberty to please yourself about accompanying somebody else. Bear In mind that love symptoms can be just as incorrectly diagnosed as any other

symptoms. Make sure that Cupid’s dart has struck home, and don't be like some of the modern story book heroines who are fond of remarking- to the nearest male, “I must be in love with sorriebody and surely you will do?’’ I advise you not to choose definitely until after seeing the country friend again. Study the J respective characters and ideals of both, j and don’t be misguided and misfitted for I life by foolish infuation. ANNE RUTLEDGE. A HOME-LOVING GIRL Dear Miss Rutledge,— I have been much interested in your advice to various people, and wish you could help me. I am nearly IS and have no desire to become interested in the opposite sex whatever. People remark that I am unnatural and odd, and I am concerned as to what I should do. Shall I just go along naturally or be like other girls of my acquaintance who cultivate an interest in the opposite sex? Thanking you for guidance. BLUE EYES. AN & WER “To thine own seif be true,’’ and all else that is good will follow in due course. Someday, perhaps you will meet a man who will greatly appeal to J°Ui and who will love and admire you for being natural. He may also rejoice in the knowledge that he has found one rai-e blossom of womanhood who has never made a “hobby" of love affairs. Take it from me, the average man is just a little tired of the persistent flapper who shows such a special interest in his company. Ear too many girls to-day indulge in cultivating a “taste” for the opposite sex, and it is quite a novelty for a man to meet a young woman who is different. So, Blue Eyes, pay no heed to the empty criticism of so-called friends. Be yourself, and take an interest in social activities and any useful hobbies for which you have an inclination. ANNE RUTLEDGE. ENGAGED TO A WIDOWER Dear Miss Rutledge,— I have fallen in love with a man who tells me that he reciprocates my affection. We have mentioned marriage, and he has remarked that he doesn’t wish to become engaged for a few months, as his late wife has not been dead quite a year. Perhaps you can help me by advising if you think be really cares for me, or if he is only trying to put me off. I should feel much obliged if you would assist me to decide correctly. EDITH. ANSWER Your own self respect depends upon your putting all thought of marriage out of your head for the present, and if you have any doubt as to your friend’s sincerity, you are wasting your time by taking him seriously at’ all. Cast your mind back over the short time that you have been friendly with him, and draw definite conclusions Surely his conduct toward you should be proof enough of his fidelity? If you do eventually marry him. you will have every reason to be glad that be showed sufficient respect toward his first wife, by not rushing to overshadow her memory. Digest the fact that our friend “Dobbin” can be taken to the water, but he won’t drink unless he so desires.

BABY’S TEETH Dear Miss Rutledge,— Is it necessary to take care of a small child’s teeth from the earliest stages of their development? Your advice will be appreciated. A.H. AXSWER Care of the teeth from early infancy is a matter of paramount importance. As soon as baby begins to cut his lirst teeth, give him plenty of bread crusts to chew so that the circulation in his tiny jaws may be stimulated and the adjoining tissues well supplied with the essentials that insure their development and good repair. Teach baby to masticate thoroughly his food, and be careful not to include too much soft food in his diet. A small piece of apple helps to “clean” the teeth | after each meal, and this is essential because it is in their hours of idleness that the real harm is done to teeth. The cause of almost all teeth trouble is the tiny pieces of food that sometimes remain in the crevices of the mouth after meals. No mouth is ever free of microbes, and the warmth and darkness of the moutn makes an ideal incubator for these destructive forces to play havoc with health and digestion at an early age. Serious diseases and their origin have frequently been traced to bad or neglected teeth, and it is a matter of common knowledge that unhealthy or ugly teeth spoil a person’s (especially a woman’s) chances in life. A ruined digestion makes for short tempers and jaded nerves, and mars the joy of living completely. Many a woman owes her p'oor figure and bad complexion to neglected teeth. So be sure to clean out those microscopic marauders from your little one’s teeth with the aid of small pieces of cotton wool (sterilised) and a very weak solution of boric acid, before they have a chance to do any harm. Be strictly scientific about the toilet of the mouth, and train him to use a brush as soon as he is old enough. This should have bristles of unequal length to conform to the shape of the mouth, and should be used with a light movement up and down. Dental silk helps to remove any particles from the interstices, and a solution of bicarbonate of soda acts as an astringent and kills destructive acids and ferments. ANNE RUTLEDGE. TO MAKE BREAD ROLLS ANSWER TO DOLLY GRAY The following up-to-date recipe should help you to make excellent bread rolls. Method.—" Warm 11b flour, make a hole in the centre into which crumble ioz of compressed yeast; sprinkle over with loz of sugar and moisten with two tablespoons of warm milk, making a little batter in the centre. Allow this to stand in a warm place with a cloth covering the basin for 40 minutes; (2) beat one egg, add a little less than half a pint of warmed milk, and rub 2oz butter into the flour, round the edge of sponge, then quickly add milk and egg to the contents of basin; (3) turn all on to a warmed floured board, knead quickly and lightly. v Cut across top, return to warm basin again and cover, stand in warm place another 40 minutes; (4) turn on to board again and cut according to size required, knead into nice shaped rolls, and place on a warmed greased oven tray; (5) stand again in a warm place for ten minutes. Brush over with egg and bake in a hot oven for 13 minutes. ANNE RUTLEDGE. ANSWER TO "JEWEL" (Herne Bay): If the stains are old. rub them carefully with glycerine. Tf new. try stretching the stained part over a bowl and pouring boiling water upon it from a tea kettle held at a height of three or four feet, so that, the water strikes the stain with some foi*ce. Stains remaining after treatment with boiling water can often be bleached by moistening with lemon juice and exposing to the bright sunlight. ANNE RUTLEDGE. ANSWER TO “DAD” (Mount Albert): Dinner jacket and bow tie would only be permissible at an evening wedding when the bride and maids would be dressed to correspond. ANNE RUTLEDGE. If the bottom sheet will not keep its place on the bed tie a knot in . each corner before tucking it under the mattress. If suet is melted in the oven and placed in jars it will keep indefinitely and will be much easier to chop. To reduce lundry work use plain white paper serviettes and tray-cloths if there is an invalid in the house.

! AVOIDING “WARMED-UP” MEALS I * PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS j A cold meal is not a welcome feast j j for a tired mail after a day’s work, nor is the obvious rechauffe of yesterday’s joint particularly inviting, j Yet something must be done with the joint that has to appear on the table more than once. The great wrinkle is not to cook a joint in its entirety. A leg of mut- I ton can be sawn in two by the but- I cher. The one half can be served ! one day as a roast, while the other half can be braised or boiled the next ; day. The same idea can be carried j out with poultry, a fact which too j few housewives recognise. Any ob- j liging poulterer will cut a turkey, for j instance, down the centre, so that one | section may be baked, or cooked en j casserole, and the remainder fricas- i seed with sauce for the next day’s j dinner. A fresh fricassee of this kind | caunot be compared with that made | from an already cooked bird, so sup- j erior is it in flavour and delicacy. A Dutch oven enables a small piece of meat to be baked without being dried up—a fact that would not be practicable without such a contrivance. A tiny round of beef, just sufficient for a single meal, may be cooked in it with the minimum of shrinkage, thus solving the troublesome problem of cold meat remains. The Dutch oven, in fact, is invaluable to the small family. WALKING FOR HEALTH ('By A MASSEUSE.) Walking is the best of all exercises. It is simple, easy, beneficial, and safe. The small child just able to toddle finds in walking a rhythmic exercise. The* athlete trains for more vigorous exercise by walking. The elderly man or woman finds a saunter in the open air refreshing and invigorating, requiring as it does a small amount of effort, while giving a maximum of beneficial results. Walking is the first exercise an invalid takes when he has reached the convalescent stage, because it is very little strain on the system, all the muscles being used in moderation. At the same time, a man or woman in vigorous health can, by walking each day,- obtain the total amount of exercise which a human being may take without putting undue strain upon heart or lungs. How the Circulation Benefits When walking slowly, the volume of breath is almost doubled, while fast walking induces deep breathing, and brings into working order those parts of the lungs which would not otherwise be used sufficiently. With the breathing rate increased, it follows that there will be increased action in other vital organs, due to the quickened flow of oxygenated blood through the body. The digestion will be aided, and ihe appetite will benefit. Systematic walking exercise acts as a tonic to the nerves, and induces sound healthful sleep. How to Walk Walk with your legs, not with your arms. Keep the arms still, the head upright, and the shoulders well back. When you have occasion to stand ; still, stand with toes, heels, and knees together. Forget all about the old rules, “toes turned out at an angle ! of 45 degrees,” and “arms swinging well from the shoulders.” If people ! whose work causes them to remain i on their feet for hours at a stretcr will j adopt this standing position, they will j be considerably less fatigued, and will ' cease to fear flat feet. j Before using eggs for cake-making j place them in cold water or in the ice- | chest l'or two hours and the cakes will j be much lighter. ;