The pharmacist, without any apologies, said, "It was an honest mistake." He gave me the 23 pills.

Please advise your readers to count their pills. — C.M., Manchester, N.H.

Wow! One, two or a few, but 23? That's a lot. Sometimes the pill count might be short for a legitimate reason, and if so, the pharmacy should inform you.

Folks, count those pills! — Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have two ideas for disposable cameras. The first is to keep one in your car in the glove box. If you have an accident, you can take pictures right away for your insurance company.

The second is at my kids' school. We would send cameras for the teachers to take pictures at special occasions or parties throughout the year. At the end of the year, my kids gave me the cameras back, and we developed the film and laughed at all the fun things they did through the year. My son's teacher took her picture with my son and also an end-of-the-year class picture. It was very special. They made a little album for me. What a keepsake! — Judy from New Jersey

Dear Heloise: When wearing a pin on the lapel of my suit, sometimes it opens up, and I'm always worried I will lose it.

So, I cut the tip of a pencil eraser and put it through the stem of the pin (before closing the clasp), and now if the pin lock opens, I won't worry about losing it. — G.D., West Palm Beach, Fla.

Dear Heloise: I travel occasionally for my work and always carry a portable smoke detector (it just hooks over the top of any door). I pack it when I visit friends and relatives, too — you'd hope everyone checks his or her detectors regularly, but you never know.

I'm sure my friends and colleagues think I'm a little odd, but I also give the detectors as presents, and I always include batteries. — B.C. from North Carolina

You are not odd! The alarming number of house fires that happen because there is no smoke detector or the battery is dead is staggering. Play it safe! — Heloise