Dear Heloise: A perfect basted egg is one of my favorite breakfast delights. My brother taught me the secret when I was a youngster about 70 years ago. I use an iron skillet and avocado oil because the oil can take a higher temperature.

I heat the oil until nearly the smoking point. If it starts to smoke, this is OK. I crack the egg and drop it into the skillet. I take a lid, preferably glass if you have it, then I add about 2 tablespoons of water to the lid. When the white of the egg looks done, and the edges turn brown, I clap the lid over the egg, aiming for the water to hit the skillet. The steam from the water then does its magic.

If you have a glass lid, you can watch to see when the egg is perfectly done. This method of basting is lower in calories because you use steam rather than oil to baste the egg.

— Laura B., in Fort Wayne, Indiana

CEMETERY FLOWERS

Dear Heloise: Here’s what to do with flowers that you’re planning on bringing to the cemetery:

Wrap newspaper around the stems of flowers, then a plastic grocery bag around it with the handles at top, which makes it easy to pull old flowers out. Be sure that they fit into the vase tightly; if not, add more paper.

— Charles Fox, via email

LONG-LASTING APPLIANCES

Dear Heloise: You mentioned having had your hair dryer for 24 years. I got mine in 1980. Although I no longer use it for myself, it’s been available for use in my guest bathroom.

Also, my cousin gave me your waffle recipe for my 51st birthday in 1998, along with a waffle iron. I’ve used the waffle iron consistently through the years. (I did so yesterday in fact.)

Although I’m now vegan, I borrowed your waffle recipe and substituted club soda for nondairy milk, making the waffles far crispier. Thanks for all your hints throughout the years!

— Richard, Southern California

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: We rescued Sissy Mae when she was 8 months old. She was almost dead from neglect when she arrived at the shelter from a breeder because she had a severe underbite and one ear that didn’t stand up. She was useless to them as a Morkie.

Sissy took some time to recover and learn how to heal and trust. She was helped by another rescue dog who had been in a similar situation before we adopted her. She gained weight and is now a healthy 7 pounds! We always thought we rescued her, but after I developed unstable blood pressure and collapsed one night, she began rescuing me repeatedly!

The next time my blood pressure dropped, Sissy went into action by barking and clawing at me and refusing to allow me to sleep. The condition makes me feel sleepy and sick, and I will yell at her until I realize she is letting me know to get help.

She is my official support dog and has even flown with me! Our pets are often better in tune with us than we can imagine! Sissy is a little over 6 years old now.

— Sheryl M. Donnell, via email

Readers, to see Sissy Mae and our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”