January 1984

A BREATH OF SPRING

WHAT THE GROUNDHOG KNEW YEARS AGO

RESOLVE TO FEEL FITTER

SAVE THE GEESE

BOOKINGS, BUMPINGS, AND BAGGAGE

With deregulation of the airlines, air travelers are generally on their own, bound by terms of independent contracts automatically made when purchasing tickets. Generally, those terms cover your rights regarding air fare restrictions, flight delays and cancellations, reconfirmation of reservations, check-in procedures, and baggage allowances.

HOW DO KIDS FEEL ABOUT SCHOOL?

HAPPY HUNDREDTH, MET!

Amazing Advances in Medical Technology

Yesterday's science fiction fantasies are fast becoming reality for hundreds of thousands of disabled persons, the beneficiaries of a new wave of advances in medical technology. The artificial heart has commanded the most headlines, but other equally impressive man-made body parts are just beginning to come into use as well: ears that "hear," eyes that "see," artificial skin and blood, and electronic limbs, to name just a few.

Superinsulation NEW ENERGY-SAVING TECHNIQUES FOR ANY HOME

Turning your thermostat down several notches and bundling up in a heavy blanket may help you hold the line on fuel bills this winter, but modest savings like these will soon be gobbled up by rising energy costs.

Traction Tips

Good tire tread is crucial for keeping your car under control, but inclement weather and varying road surfaces sometimes can cause even new tires to slip out of your control.

Better Homes and Gardens 1984 HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTEST $10,000 GRAND PRIZE

Planning to remodel? Then plan to enter your completed project in Better Homes and Gardens 1984 Home Improvement Contest! You may win one of 99 Better Homes and Gardens cash prizes, including a top prize of $10,000. Other cash awards range from $4,000 to $100.

Fabric Folk Art

Using fabric and thread the way an artist uses canvas and paint, you can create enchanting appliquéd pictures like Coffeetime (above). This fabric "painting," rich with color and detail, is a masterpiece of design and composition. Folk artist Arlette Gosieski explains how to make a patchwork picture like this one.

PRIZEWINNING PROTECTS WITH IDEAS YOU CAN USE

These first-place winners from our recent Home Improvement Contest-- as well as the many other well-executed entries we received-- have inspired us to put the challenge to you once more: enter our 1984 Home Improvement Contest and show us what you can do! Use these winners (and those published in our November '83 issue) to get ideas, and then turn to page 32 for entry details.

Blooming Tropical Houseplants

This winter you can enjoy the color and fragrance of exotic foreign lands when you grow bold, blooming tropical houseplants. All of these plants are surprisingly easy to grow, requiring only a bright window and regular watering.

FAMILY VACATION PACKAGES HOW TO CHOOSE WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU

Package vacations have long been a favorite way to explore Europe. But now there are more and more packages for vacationing closer to home, too-- throughout the states, as well as in Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Some of these packages are just right for families.

What's What in Life Insurance Policies

With so many different kinds of life insurance policies in the marketplace now, it's easy to be confused about which policy serves what kind of purpose. To help you sort it all out, here's a glossary of the major types of policies available today.

COPING WITH THE DEATH OF A PET

PET INFORMATION FOR FREE

A no-furnance solar house

Furniture from Kits

Everything in this room that's wood was built from a kit-- even the dulcimer on the love seat-- and so were the lovely period pieces on the next page. Kit projects like these are fun and rewarding, and if you're an avid do-it-yourselfer, there are enough types to furnish your entire home.

ALL-AMERICA ROSES 1984

The Olympic Committee and the All-America Rose Selections have a lot in common. The Olympic Committee promotes and recognizes athletic achievement through international competition. The All-America Rose Selections committee monitors and encourages the development of champion roses in test gardens across the country.

BIG STYLE for Basic BUNGALOWS

Bungalow. The very word connotes warmth and coziness. Add to that the homey appeal of old-fashioned windows, wood floors, arched doorways, and brick fireplaces, and you can see why bungalows from the 1920s to the 1940s are being rediscovered by a new generation of home buyers.

Gala Glassware

When beautiful pieces of glassware grace your table, even casual parties become gala events. Crystal-clear goblets, decanters, vases, and bowls create an elegant mood and give atmosphere to anything from a New Year's Day feast to a romantic dinner for two. These classic pieces in etched, banded, and cut designs are always in style and add a sparkling touch to your collection of tableware.

SHOPPING

Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shop ping 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

The distinction between news and gossip, according to Isabel Norman, usually boils down to whether the topic of conversation is a member of your family or someone else's.