The Slice: Bridging the Thanksgiving generation gap

The Slice asked for advice to pass along to adults planning on sitting at the children’s table today.

“Sit back and listen to their conversations,” wrote Peggy Self of Liberty Lake. “They can be quite intelligent and very funny.”

Angela Chandler offered this. “Do not, I repeat, do not comment on how much they have grown. You will be shunned.”

Dick Parker suggested going easy on the “eat your vegetables or you won’t get any dessert” line of discourse.

And Trudy Zaborski recommended going around the table and asking the kids to identify something for which they are thankful.

Just wondering: What’s your idea of perfect Thanksgiving weather?

The secret to great pancakes: “The secret is not to flip them until little bubbles appear on top.” – Kathy Hansen

“Very thick batter.” – Ken Stout

“A sourdough sponge mixed the night before and left on the counter overnight.” – Karen Yancey

“Buttermilk.” – Darlene Thain

“Hungry grandkids.” – Alice Penna

“Having a really hot griddle makes a big difference.” – Anne C. Cowles

“Cook them on a cast-iron griddle.” – Sarah Nielsen

“Thoroughly whip the egg whites and fold them into the batter before cooking.” – Malcolm Montgomery

“Huckleberries.” – Clark Battan

“When using a box mix, I add buttermilk instead of water.” – Herb Postlewait

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret.” – Denice Lucas

Charlotte’s tree: Sue Teague said The Slice column about real trees vs. artificial pretty much described her “intermarriage.”

“Dave grew up with artificial trees, and I grew up with real ones. We’d debate it every holiday, but my vote always prevailed until Christmas 1987. We had purchased the most beautiful live blue spruce that year and it smelled great. We didn’t realize until close to New Year’s that it was infested with baby spiders. They were coming out of the tree and moving into the carpet. They were literally everywhere. I needed psychiatric help after that, and I still get the ‘creepy-crawlies’ when I think about it.”

Starting with 1988, they became an artificial tree family.

Slice answer: Spokanthrax makes one break out in plaid, said Kathy Hickman.

Then she amended her answer. “That would be North Idahothrax. Never mind. Yes, I live in Idaho and have my share of plaid outfits, Guess that makes me a carrier.”

Today’s Slice question: What has your pet trained you to do?

Write The Slice at P. O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Happy birthday to my Idaho camping buddy, Marvin Lake. He turns 83 today.