And in tonight's edition of "Things That Consume Gary's Thoughts" -- are you ready?...THE SHELF LIFE OF TABLE SALT

So the salt shaker on the kitchen table was just about empty. I went to fill it up, thus again noticing "10/10/03" on the 26 oz. container. (Yes, I put the purchase date on most foods that won't immediately be eaten...although now that I think about it, I also date my box of envelopes just for the "fun" of seeing how long it takes to go through a box...2 years, if you're wondering.) THREE years and 3 months, i've now had this salt! This got me thinking/paranoid...is the salt still good? Are there worms in it? I spied no small creatures in the salt as it poured out into the shaker. But I decided I HAD to know a "standard" for how long it lasts in your kitchen. Google again came in handy. Imagine my amusement when I read "25+ years" for both table salt and baking soda!?! YAY! Crucial information! I LOVE information!!

**While i'm at it, the other day I heard someone say that American bills are 6 inches long, thus can be used as accurate measuring tools in a pinch. Well, I had to verify that, too. And whoever said it...is WRONG! I measured every bill in my wallet (no jokes, please) and EVERY one was...6 INCHES AND 1/8"!! Maybe i'm nitpicking, but I don't care...that 1/8" can add up (again, no jokes). Gary demands accuracy!!