Toomey J Gazette (Vol. 11, No. 1, 1968 - Polio Place

a "I use utility tongs of several sizes to reach things on
the second shelf of the cupboard, or pick things up from the
floor. Also, I have a heavy yardstick with an L-shaped hook
£as tened to the end."
a "I have a pulled-out wire coat hanger to hook towels from
shelves or for floor picking up."
a "I use barbecue utensils for a longer reach."
a "I have an old fashioned grocery store reacher to snag
things far away from me."
a "A child's rake can be used to retrieve things and
straighten curtains and push and pull small items."
a "I use my trusty lazy-tong reachers to reach things in
high places. I keep three in different parts of the house.
When dropped, I slip the long tines of a carving fork through
the gripper and pick up from the floor."
r Breck's has 30" long magnetic tongs (A) of chromed steel.
Non-slip ends. $2.98.
r CLEO has 30" and 42" Grab-all Extension Arms (B) that work
like old grocery store reachers. $2.95 L $3.95.
o Better Sleep, Inc. has a 27" Magnetic E-Z Reach (C) made
of birch with non-slip magnetic tips. $3.49.
a "I don't attempt the impossible or take chances of getting
burned or scalded just to prove how independent I can be."
a "I use a straining spoon for removing vegetables. For
spaghetti, I use a very small saucepan to ladle out the water
into the sink or into a lightweight aluminum bowl."
a "Never attempt emptying large amounts of water. I have
had catastrophies ! "
a "TO cook frozen vegetables without draining the water, I
melt one tablespoon of butter or oleo in a pan with a tight
lid, add the frozen vegetables, and from one to three table-
spoons of water. Cooking time is about 20 minutes over a very
low fire. Timing and amount of water come with practice."
a "To avoid carrying boiling vegetables to the sink to drain,
cook them in a fry basket and lift out when done, thus re-
moving the vegetables from the water instead of the water
from the vegetables. "
a Colonial Gardens has a French wire mesh salad washing
basket (A) $1.50 and, for under SL, many department stores
have an 8" fine mesh colander-strainer (B) with legs. Both
could be used in which to cook vegetables, spaghetti,
noodles, etc., and remove them from the hot water.
a To eliminate handling of hot water many frozen vegetables
can be cooked in the oven in a covered casserole with butter
added.
a If you have one strong hand, try a pan strainer lid (C).
Locks on. Adjustable to fit most pans. $1 including postage.
Alfco, Inc., 4950 So. Sepulvedg Blvd., Culver. City, Cali-
fornia 90230.
r "I have washed floors when I have had to, but it is defin-
ately not easy. However, I find that by wetting a paper towel
and using my tongs, I can prevent spots and messy areas from
accumulating. "