The Slice: Expanding our definition of winter sports

People who say there’s nothing to do here are wrong.

My friend in Spokane Valley, Jim Clanton, entertained visitors from Southern California recently. They tried sledding, tubing and generally horsing around in the snow.

“My son-in-law even took a shot at running my big-boy snowblower.”

They had a ball, said Jim.

Maybe the seeds of a tourism campaign are there.

“Near nature, near your chance to fire up a snowblower.”

Just wondering: Have you ever been such a regular at a restaurant or a tavern that the staff, without saying anything to you, put in your order moments after you walked in the door? It’s a good feeling, isn’t it? Sort of a small affirmation of your place in that little community. It says “We know you.” It says you belong.

There is a comfort there. There’s a sense of acceptance that shouldn’t be minimized in a society that doesn’t work for us in so many ways.

But what if one day you decided you wanted to try something other than “your usual”? OK, it wouldn’t be that hard to hold up your hand to get their attention and then cheerfully explain the departure from your norm.

Still, would you really be able to do it? You know, mess with a hard-earned recognition of your routine.

How did you handle it when you were the regular wanting to try something new?

Today’s Slice question: Maybe it’s my imagination. Or perhaps I’m just naturally defensive. But you know how, when checking in for an appointment at a medical office or some agency of government, the person at the reception desk will ask you to confirm your personal data? Sure. Well, does it sometimes seem as if “Are you still on Mulberry?” carries with it the slightest tinge of accusation? You know, as if there’s some sort of implied judgment there. Perhaps a suggestion that your days of being upwardly mobile have ground to halt.

And if your answer to the question about your address is “Yes,” have you ever been tempted to add something to that reply? If so, which of these might you say?

A) “Yes, we’re quite content there.” B) “Yes, but we’re working on that situation in the basement.” C) “Yes, but doing something about that back bathroom is on our to-do list.” D) “Yes, the pre-convict renter across the street with the ‘Hell Rider’ bumper sticker has moved.” E) “Why? What have you heard?” F) Other.

Write The Slice at P. O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Laurie Anderson said she would like Spokane news media to reflect a greater recognition of the fact winter happens every year.