The Slice: Maybe they’re ubiquitous only in this column

Here’s one more fill-in-the-blanks answer.

“Even though I’ve lived in Spokane for (75 years), I’ve never (seen a Marmot),” wrote Kevin Martin. “Maybe at the next lodge meeting.”

Kevin is the one who capitalized “Marmot,” so it’s not altogether clear if he was referring to the rodents or the rascally members of the fraternal order.

Let’s move on.

Word power made easy: Steve Whitford shared this story, which reminded me of a scene in “The Princess Bride” where one character says, “That word you keep using. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

Anyway, here’s Steve’s story.

“Today a contractor emailed me a proposal and offered me a free on-site consolation.”

Yes, that’s what the contractor said. Consolation.

“Maybe he meant consultation, but considering the price quoted, maybe it does come with free consolation.”

Betwixt and between (continued): Jim Markley had something to add.

“I have heard the ‘Spokane is the largest city between …’ thing many times but only once did I hear someone describe Spokane as ‘the second largest city between Minneapolis and … Tokyo.’”

Viewers like you: Yes, said Karla Sherry, the “Downton Abbey” marathon on KSPS did prompt a re-watching of the entire series. “Our daughter Katie had not watched the series when it aired originally. After watching a few of the episodes during the marathon she was hooked and wanted to watch them all in order. I have enjoyed watching them with someone who had not seen them before and hearing her reactions.”

Coeur d’Alene’s Cathy Kraus filed this report. “I am re-watching ‘Downton Abbey’ for at least the sixth time.”

She labeled it a minor compulsion. I’m sure she could quit anytime she wanted. Ahem.

In other television viewing news, Vickie Sienknecht recorded every Hallmark Channel Christmas movie last year and is still working her way through them.

She watches the movies while doing her post-knee replacement rehabilitation exercises. “They don’t require much focus since they all end the same.”

And they last just about as long as Vickie’s workout routine.

“I only have five more Christmas movies left but luckily the Valentine’s Hallmark movies are starting to show up.”

In praise of obsolete stuff: Glenn Winkey always liked dial telephones. “And the sound they made returning to stasis. I loved dialing ‘0.’ ”

Today’s Slice question: Can you think of a time when seeing food in a movie or TV show made you crave that particular cuisine?

Write The Slice at P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Saturday’s Slice revisits ’70s hair.