Today's Feature

Blunt Statement on the Inauguration.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt today issued the following statement after attending the Inauguration of President Barack Obama:

"Regardless of party, today can only be described as historic. While this is a milestone for our nation, we cannot forget that we are facing unprecedented challenges that require more than the partisan gridlock that characterized the last Congress.

"In the last few weeks President Obama has signaled he wants to chart a centrist course, listening to ideas from both sides of the aisle. I am encouraged by his actions and I know Republicans are ready to help solve the challenges we face as a nation - while always fighting for our principles."

Commission Tour Canceled.

The tour of the old McCune Brooks Hospital building by the Jasper County Commission scheduled for this morning has been canceled. The site is being considered as a location for the Juvenile Center. The final report by Carter Goble on Juvenile Center will be at 10 a.m this morning at the Annex II bank building.

Mornin'

Sometimes I wonder if we don’t get a little too concerned about the details of how somethin’ works to the point that we spend all our time just lookin’ at the mechanics and don’t appreciate the function.

Most of the time, understandin’ the mechanics makes ya able to redefine the function, but there’s always some truth in the sayin’, "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it."

Had a friend that worked on cars. Whenever a customer would come in with a problem, this guy would always tell ‘em he could fix it "good as new."

I questioned him about this one day, sayin’ that it was a pretty good boast.

He said it weren’t nothin’. The way he figured, the new one broke, and he thought he could fix anythin’ to at least do that.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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•"When dispensing medicine to my dogs, I have always coated the pills in butter or peanut butter. It seems to make it more appetizing, or the butter at least helps it go down smoothly. I recently was prescribed some pills that are very large. I tried the butter method on myself, and sure enough, it works." -- J.K. in Pennsylvania

• "A nice, cheap exfoliator for skin is baking soda. It gives just enough scrub, and a box is less than a dollar. I love it." -- A Reader in Minnesota

• "I cook soup in quantity, because my family loves leftovers. To cool a big pot quickly, I keep a clean, plastic water bottle mostly filled with water, which I freeze. I use it to stir the soup. It cools down quickly, and then I can stick it in smaller containers in the fridge." -- V.L., via e-mail

• "In a pinch, you can invert a metal colander over a pot of spaghetti sauce or a pan of greasy bacon or burgers to keep things nice and neat while cooking. It catches the splatter in the net, and the grease or sauce doesn’t get all over your stovetop. I really hate when tomato sauce gets on the wall behind my stove, because it’s hard to get off if you don’t catch it all right away." -- A.A. in Florida

• To test whether the oil in a deep fryer or fry pan is ready, try dropping a single kernel of popping corn into it. If it’s hot enough, it should pop.

• Go Green Tip: Paper or plastic? How about neither! Buy and carry reusable shopping bags -- especially for the grocery store. There are many styles of bags that can be folded and zipped up in such a way that one or two can be tucked in a purse or pocket for other shopping expeditions. It’s a great way to lower the impact on our landfills.

•Go Green Tip: Here’s a great resource for all things green -- www.earth911.com. Information on recycling and other topics, to better our world and save you money.