Today's Feature

Leggett Declares Dividend.

Leggett & Platt’s Board of Directors announced a dividend of $.25 per share for the first quarter. The dividend will be paid on April 15, 2009 to shareholders of record on March 13, 2009.

Chairman of the Board, Richard T. Fisher, stated, "Leggett & Platt continues to view dividends as a key element of its goal to consistently achieve Total Shareholder Return (TSR(1)) within the top one-third of the S&P 500. The company is proud of its 37-year record of dividend increases, and hopes to extend that record well into the future."

The company believes that 2009 cash flow from operations should exceed $300 million, and be more than sufficient to fund the estimated $255 million needed for capital expenditures and dividends. Leggett’s financial position is strong, with: i) net debt-to-capital well below the company’s long-term target range of 30%-40%, ii) no significant long-term debt maturing until 2012, and iii) more than $500 million available under the company’s existing commercial paper program and revolver facility.

Mornin'

Spent last weekend around a lot a people, most of ‘em I didn’t know. Lota things goin’ on at a fairly fast pace with little time for thinkin’ ‘bout what was goin’ on. It’s strange how interactin’ with people is so much different than just watchin’ an event as a spectator or watchin’ the tv.

The thing that is most different is the day after. Bits and pieces of the day before keep floatin’ to the top of the mind. It seems when ya actually participate in some activity, the brain pays more attention and in makes a more lastin’ impression.

I suppose those who worry ‘bout kids playin’ so much with electronic games and watchin’ so much tv are concerned with the lack of real life interaction bein’ somehow shallow or lackin’ in the human experience. After all, nothin’ compares with a good game a checkers with grandpa.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

How to Silence a Squeaky Floor

Q: The hardwood floor in my loft apartment is beautiful. It’s very old and has a rough look from generations of use, but the floorboards squeak loudly in several places. The landlord says the floors are as-is and won’t repair them, but he did say I could try to fix the problem myself. How do I do that? -- Tony B., Boston

A: Squeaky floorboards are an annoying problem, and can be an expensive fix depending on the cause of the squeak. If the boards just squeak when stepped on and don’t sag under your weight, the sound can be minimized without too much work.

Floorboards squeak because one board is rubbing against another. On a perfect floor, boards don’t rub against one another because they lie flat against the subflooring and are placed firmly side by side. Over the years, however, heat, cold and damp, as well as everyday use, cause the boards to swell and contract, sag under heavy weight, and spring up away from the subfloor.

A quick fix, one that works on minor squeaks, is to squeeze graphite powder between the boards. (Some folks use talcum powder instead.) This lubricates the joints, and although the boards still rub against each other when you walk over them, the squeak will be minimized or disappear -- but only for as long as the lubricant stays in place.

Larger squeaks and sagging boards take a bit more work. If you have access to the subflooring (unlikely in an apartment building), stand beneath it as someone walks across the floor above and pinpoint the squeaky areas. Then, hammer shims (thin wedges of wood) between the joist nearest the squeak and the subflooring, and put wood screws up through the subfloor to the center of each board to reattach them to the subfloor.

Chances are you don’t have access to the subfloor, so you’ll have to work from the top. In this case, locate the squeaky spots and hammer finishing nails into the edges of the boards at several spots. Angle the nails slightly so they’ll have less chance to work back out. You can also re-anchor the boards to the subfloor from this direction by placing either nails or screws along the center of each board. Drill a pilot hole first, and then either drive a nail or a screw into the board, sinking the head of the nail below the board surface. Fill the small hole that results with wood putty to hide the nail head.