TALKING TRASH: TRY TO RECYCLE, REUSE `THE LITTLE BLUES'

Outspoken person that I am, I can HONESTLY say that I have never called, written in, or whatever to "Speak Out." Read it daily? Yes. Agree with everything I read? Hardly! Celebrate our First Amendment rights? You bet! Believe in tempering that right with discretion, good judgment, and a sense of conviction? Yes! I enjoy reading other people's opinions on timely topics, suggestions offered for improving our "human condition," and even negative comments that may evoke positive changes.

A "simple sharing" slipped in a couple of week's ago. So simple, in fact, that only two or three comments ensued. The subject? What to do with those little blue plastic bags that protect "The Missourian" from the elements. Nonetheless, a treasure worthy of "Trash Talk!" One person blows them up, ties them, creating balloons for his dog. Great idea, If your dog isn't into swallowing plastic after he's played with the bag! Surely he has no small children around that might do the same!!!Safety first, last and always, please!

Additional ideas include making bows, braids, and jump ropes. Wrap a birthday present in newspaper or comic section, make a bow out of one or more little blue bags. Present your uniquely wrapped gift with pride. Be proud of your cleverly wrapped gift. It will be one of a kind and didn't cost you $3 to $4. Money saved -- money earned! Just tie a regular bow (as in tying your shoestrings) or group two or three bags together lengthwise and fold in half. With a twist tie, twist this bundle tightly together. Cut folded ends to open. From each end, cut several slits toward the center. Pull and shake to loosen, clip to desired shape -- a fluffy bow!

Another clever way to reuse those "little blues," is to slit lengthwise to completely open the bag. You will have a 5" x 20" rectangle in front of you. Knot three of these together at the end and braid. Tie a pretty ribbon to each end. Hang on the wall and use to store barrettes and bows. If you braid four to six sets of bags and tie them together, end to end, you've created a wonderfully durable and Free jump rope!

But my favorite ideas came from an elderly lady years ago on our son's paper route. One Christmas, instead of a money tip, she presented him with a "Bag of Bags and Bands." She had been saving them, carefully smoothing them and folding for him tor reuse -- thus saving him the cost of supplies to provide her delivery service. He quickly caught the gist of her thoughtfulness!

Frank Sinatra may have his "baby blues" (eyes, that is), but in the "Heartland," we have our "Little blues." (Bags, that is). Perhaps not worth millions, but they can sure save us dollars and make good sense!!

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