On wintering over

To the real estate editor: I lived in central Maine more than 40 years. We had no central heating; only a wood-burning heater in the living room and an oil range in the kitchen.

When we went south for four to five months during the winter, the water was shut off, pipes drained, faucets left open, refrigerator disconnected, and a door left open about an inch.

When we returned in April or May, we turned on the water and plugged in the refrigerator. There was never any damage; not even to the papered walls. Mrs. L. Webster Asuza, Calif.