June 1978

Troubleshooting your car's air conditioning system

When you switch on your car's air conditioner for a cool, comfortable ride, you set in motion a complex system of air cooling and air distributing mechanisms. Because the closed system contains a dangerous refrigerant under pressure, you should leave the servicing to an authorized air conditioning mechanic.

HOW TO TALK CONTRACT

With any contract, it's important to understand every single word before you sign-- whether the agreement is written in simple English or in legalese. You also should realize that many pieces of paper, such as baggage checks, sales slips, and plane tickets, may be contracts too-- even though they don't normally require your signature.

GARDENING IN JUNE

June is the ideal month to propagate some of your favorite flowering shrubs and perennials. In most cases, it's easy to do and you'll be rewarded with plenty of extra plants for the garden next year. Two of the most commonly used propagation methods are ground layering and stem cutting.

A Report From More Than 300,000 Readers

Last fall, in our September and October issues, we published a special two-part questionnaire inviting readers to share their feelings on the state of the American family. As was the case with our first family survey five years earlier, the number of respondents topped 300,000-- this time 302,602.

HOUSEPLANT HOW-TO

CASE GOODS: WHAT TO LOOK FOR BEFORE YOU BUY

"Case goods" is a term the furniture industry uses for a large category of unupholstered items-- cabinets, chests, desks, étagères, wall systems, and such. Some manufacturers even include headboards, tables, and dining chairs because they are made in much the same way and in the same factory.

TAX FACTS FOR WHEN YOU SELL YOUR HOUSE

With home prices often rising eight or ten percent or more a year, chances are you'll make a hefty profit when you sell your home. But how can you hang on to most of those dollars rather than turn them over to Uncle Sam in taxes?

PIGMENTATION PROBLEMS: FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Most people don't see a doctor about flaws in skin coloration-- birthmarks, moles, and liver spots. One reason is that pigmentation problems seldom cause pain. Another is that it's generally believed that nothing can be done. The latter reason is no longer valid.

What to do about WRINKLES

Growing old would be much easier to accept cheerfully if only our looks didn't reflect the calendar's progress. Wrinkles are perhaps the most unwelcome signs of aging, and unfortunately there's no way to prevent them. However, cosmetics can effectively camouflage wrinkles, and there are medical and surgical treatments that can even eliminate them, at least temporarily.

Extending the life of your draperies

Draperies may not get the kind of wear and tear that your upholstered furniture does, but they don't last forever. The average lifespan for lined draperies is five years; for unlined draperies, four years; and for sheer fabrics, three years.

Cordless soldering gun

Double-duty cooler

Carpet deodorizer

Geometric track lighting

How to size up car rental insurance

Before you sign any car rental agreement, read through its insurance provisions carefully. How well are you covered under the rental company's policy? What would happen in the event of theft? What driving regulations must you follow?

Counter-top caches you can build

Quick concrete repairs

Do you use rugs to hide cracks in the basement floor? Or do you camouflage gouges in the front steps with potted plants? Why not repair all of those eyesores some Saturday? It just takes a little elbow grease and one of several compounds on the market.

KNOCK OUT THE WALLS... CREATE A LIVE-IN KITCHEN

If your kitchen has only enough elbowroom for the cook, here's one solution to the problem. Knock out a wall or two and combine activity areas. This family did exactly that, and just look at the livable and functional spaces that opened up.

DOWN WITH DULL BATHROOMS!

If your run-down bathroom has you ready to throw in the towel, take a look at these lively examples of do-it-yourself renewal. Four of the rooms were revitalized with quick cosmetic changes; four more were transformed by simple remodeling solutions. Feel free to borrow ideas from any or all.

TIPS TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

A REGULAR FEATURE DESIGNED TO MAKE AROUND-THE-HOUSE JOBS EASIER FOR YOU

A CLEAN CONTEMPORARY WITH LOTS GOING FOR IT

Offbeat magazine storage

STEP-BY-STEP PROJECT SCRAPBOOK

As real estate values soar, it makes more and more sense to utilize every square foot of your lot. Even narrow side yards offer limitless possibilities for adding amenities-- those improvements that reflect your personality and make your home more enjoyable for you and your guests. On these pages, we show you how two homeowners revamped small areas creatively.

A Samplerful of Embroidery Ideas--flourishes, flowers & fanciful letters

This smashing sampler could be the start of something big! Once you've stitched the graceful needlework alphabet pictured opposite, you'll be ready to use those 26 letters and four fancy borders in dozens of other imaginative ways.

How to order material from the magazine

ASPARAGUS-TOMATO STIR-FRY

Quick and easy cooking is old hat to Oriental cooks. They call it stir-trying-- which means cooking foods quickly while stirring them constantly. The traditional stir-fry cooking utensil is a wok. its sloping sides and round bottom provide a large cooking surface. Since the bottom gets hot while the sides stay cool, foods that need no further cooking can be pushed up the sides.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER VACATION ADVENTURES

The mighty Mississippi, one of the world's great rivers, starts as a walk-across trickle in northern Minnesota, then cuts its ever-changing serpentine course through the heartland of America. In addition to being a romantic, 2,365-mile repository of history, the River is also a wildlife refuge, a recreational bonanza, and a busy carrier of commerce.

Corner sink dress-ups

Repairing and replacing shabby shingles

Putting off roof repairs is easy. You can find dozens of excuses, from not being able to find your ladder to a fear of heights. But every day you postpone remedial action can mean further damage and more costly repairs. Here's how to get on with the job.

Great living in a garage

If you've been considering converting your single-car garage, here's one approach worth trying. Bumpout a wall to give you even more space to work with, then let your imagination go wild. Here the garage became a family room. Your project, of course, will depend on your needs and on your floor plan.

HOW TO HANDLE AN OVERHEATED ENGINE

A flashing "Hot" or "Temp" light on your dashboard indicates engine overheating, a condition that could ruin your car's engine with just a few more miles of driving. Knowing how to pinpoint the cause of the problem can get you back on the road promptly.

Discovering Dog & Cat Shows

Attending dog and cat shows was once a wealthy folks' pastime. But now, about everybody is doing it, and your family shouldn't miss out on the fun. The shows are both entertaining and educational.

Stash-away stools

Fireplace settings

Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence. If not delighted, each company will happily refund your money.

The Man Next Door

Bubba Daley, 16 years old, asked to borrow our lawn mower last week when his machine wouldn't start. After he brought ours back, I found the gas tank filled and the blades sharpened. That's one reason why I'm high on the young people of today.