Chew on This

“The Crying Clan” (Nov. 12) suggests that “no remedy for tearing (while cutting onions) is foolproof.” My Swedish girlfriend, Siw, always held a toothpick in her mouth. Works for me!

AL HIX

Hollywood

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Cry of the South

In “The Crying Clan,” you gave us a few tips about peeling onions. My favorite comes from a book I picked up in a gift shop at Graceland called “Boilin’ ‘n’ Bakin’ in Boogar Hollow” by Mary Hall, Dorothy Hogg and Nick ‘n’ Wilann Powers: “If’n you’ll keep yo mouth shet whilst apeelin’ onions you won’t cry . . . keepin’ yo mouth shet cud keep you from cryin’ about a lotta other things too.”

WENDY RITTERMAL

Santa Monica