TALKING TRASH: PLEASE PAUSE FOR PLASTIC

Plastic -- elastic, bombastic, drastic, sarcastic, fantastic! There. I did it. The language lobe of the brain has been scanned. The order to "call up" all words that rhyme with "plastic" has been completed. The "software" of our brains (formerly called gray matter), stores phenomenal amounts of information. Much of this minutiae can be accessed without so much as a click of a key or a mouse. This "open mouth-speak before thinking" kind of language, can often get us in a bind. Next, there's the memory banks of our minds that warehouse our past experiences; some readily recalled and applicable for everyday use, others more difficult to search for and find, yet still other memories blocked or lost for all time. Another memory bank, less than technological in nature, is our programmed bank of language. We've all heard it. The people or machines that say the same thing every time they open their mouths or turn on the tapes. "I'm sorry. We are unable to complete your call at this time. Please hang up and try again." "If you are calling in regard to your balance, please press one...", "Class, everybody turn to page...", or "The (boss) is not in. May I take a message?"

The mind: too magical, mystical, and marvelous to waste on mundane-sounding messages!

My favorite key to punch on "the computer of my mind" is "Kaye, create!" The blank screen before me allows for mental gymnastics that take on a myriad of shape, form, color, and size. The thoughts are mine. I own them, therefore they are my responsibility. They can be as far-out or as restricted as I choose, colorful or drab, lifeless or energized, magnified or microscopic. Our computerized minds, encased in the hardware called "skull," are housed in miraculous abodes called "heads." The man-made high tech machines that compute daily data are housed in -- plastic. There. You have it. Divergent thinking at its finest. From plastic back to plastic-elastic-fantastic!

Plastic bottles are the reusable, recyclable subject of today. Calling for all resourceful scavengers! Take five minutes out of your busy day to scan your kitchen cabinets, pantries, and fridge for transparent plastic containers. My list was 10. Milk cartons don't count on this list because they're translucent and in a reuse category all their own.

I could just give you MY list, in the spirit of sharing, and end this column right now. But, the teacher in me feels a challenge coming on! So, in the spirit of daring -- you make the effort and the list! If we're ever going to make reuse and recycling a habit, we must get involved!

Lil, your son would get a charge out of this scavenger hunt. Come on, Nancy and Jerry! With your wonderful minds -- wow, what you could create! Georgeanne, a challenge fit for nutrition students. There. The dare is on! With your list in hand, focus on just one clear plastic container. How many ways can I REUSE this before recycling it? Hint: A plastic spice jar resides in my purse, efficiently keeping all of my change in ready access.

Please, won't you share your creativity and ingenuity with us? I'll be watching the mailbox for your responses!

Care to share an idea with us? Just send it in to "Ms. Kaye," Southeast Missourian, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701.