Fill hummingbird feeder with homemade solution

Dear Heloise: You once gave a recipe for a hummingbird-feeder solution. Could you repeat it? —Alice Stjernstrom, Tyler, Texas

You bet! All the hummers nearby will thank you for thinking of them when you make and put out this sweet concoction.

To make one batch, all you need to remember is the ratio 1-to-4 — one part plain white granulated sugar (Do not use a sugar substitute, brown sugar or honey) to four parts boiling water. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved, then place in the fridge until it has cooled. Make only the amount of solution you need to fill the number of hummingbird feeders you have out, since this solution doesn't keep for more than a day or two in the refrigerator.

Also, since the majority of hummingbird feeders are red or have the color red somewhere on them, there is no need to color the solution with red food coloring. In fact, some experts believe the food coloring might even be harmful to these fascinating little birds. Trust me, the hummingbirds will find those feeders! —Heloise

FYI: Rockport, Texas, on the Gulf Coast, is home to the annual Hummer/Bird Celebration, Sept. 14-17 this year. More information can be found at www.Rockport-Fulton.org. Be sure to check the Internet for birding and nature festivals for those who live in other states!

Dear Readers: Carol Dutcher of Midland, Mich., sent in a photo of her 3-year-old, black-and-white cat named Sacha who loves to play chess with their son Mark. In the photo, Sacha is studying a book of chess and perfecting some of his moves to a checkmate.

Do you have a pet photo you'd like us to feature in this column? If so, send it to: Heloise/Pet Photo, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000. —Heloise

Dear Heloise: I believe I have a great hint for you. My granddaughter just got a Chihuahua puppy, and she is darling. This breed chills easily and must be kept warm, but when they came to visit, they forgot his sweater. It took a while, but the only thing I came up with was one of my other granddaughter's newborn T-shirts. It worked in a pinch. —Evelyn D., via e-mail

Here are a couple of other great "sweater" ideas for small breeds:

• Cut the arm off of an old sweatshirt. Measure and cut the right length, using the cuff as the neck opening, and make two holes for the front legs.

• For tiny ones, the top cuff cut from a man's sock will work. Cut two holes for the front legs and slip on. —Heloise

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