The Slice Mystery Feeder-Filler Brings Joy To Surprised Seed Fumbler

Connie Vetter was trying to fill the bird-feeder at the front of her house but spilled all the seed.

Some time later, when she came outside again, she noticed that someone had purchased a new bag of seed, filled her feeder and left the remainder of the bag by her front door. “It made my day,” she said.

Even without the polar bear: In the November issue of The American Spectator magazine, actor/writer Ben Stein calls Spokane’s airport the “world’s friendliest.”

One way to note Washington state’s birthday today: Spend five minutes looking at a detailed map of the Evergreen state. You learn something every time. Can you find Old Toroda and Fairbanks?

And to note Veterans Day: “Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison,” starring Robert Mitchum, on AMC.

Reader discretion advised: “As we were expecting company, the guest bathroom was cleaned and then declared off-limits to the little boys,” wrote Gaye Shumaker. “Soon thereafter, 2-1/2-year-old Quinn was spotted emerging from the restricted area. Upon confrontation, he proudly reassured, ‘It’s OK, I didn’t get the toilet dirty. I pottied in the sink.’ “

Overheard at Rocky Rococo (a young guy talking to an older woman about his college/career plans): “I’m a people person.”

Well, we wish him luck. But isn’t in-person interaction with other humans about to be phased out?

Keep dreaming, kid: “My wife was explaining to our 7-year-old (Tyler) about who and what we were voting for on election day,” wrote Dave Frank. “She told him we were voting for the president, governor, et cetera…and then she said ‘And superintendent of public schools,’ at which point he jumped from his chair and with wide eyes exclaimed ‘Vote for Super Nintendo for our public schools, Mom!’ “

Thanksgiving preview: “It’s an impolitic thing to say, but all of us think we’re smarter than the people who disagree with us, even if we share their genes.” - columnist Mary Schmich in the Chicago Tribune

Things that make you smile: For Spokane’s Christy Himmelright, the signs and displays outside Handy Andy’s plumbing fit that description.

Today’s Slice question: What can you learn about the Inland Northwest from surveying roadside litter?

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Drawing

MEMO: The Slice appears Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Write The Slice at P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; fax (509) 459-5098. B. Moser wishes the “Please do not shave in hot tub” sign at her health club were not necessary.