Translation To English ‘Glonous’

Dick Wandrocke, mayor emeritus of Fightin’ Creek, sends along his endorsement of Mad Mary’s, the new Thai restaurant on Sherman Ave. And this observation: The package containing Dick’s Chinese-made chopsticks had instructions that included these nouns and adjectives: “glonous” (glorious?), “cultual” (cultural?), “thurnb” (thumb?), “chcostick” (chopsticks?) and “tirst” (first?). Writes Dick philosophically: “Oh well, I’m sure that I would not do as well if I had to attempt to translate from English into Chinese.”

Wrong number: Hmmm. Indeed, Hagadone Directories had the wrong listing in its white pages for the Post Falls Planning Department. But, believe it or not, the fault belongs to GTE. GTE is required by law to provide white-page info to its North Idaho competitor and does so - for a cool $25,000 annually…. How the Other Half Lives: A pair were admiring a $1.5 million Glen Garry Estate home recently - particularly the workout room with a hot tub facing the Highlands Golf Course - when a subcontractor waltzed in. “Gee,” said he, “I hate working on these HUD homes.” … Overheard at Silverwood, a tot who refused to return a smile to two passing women: “I’d smile back, but I didn’t brush my teeth this morning. And my mommy told me not to.” Smile? Or talk to strangers?

Et tu, Mom? D.J. Nall, editor/janitor of Hauser Thoughts, is hanging up her eyeshade because the newsletter takes too much time. I’ll miss Deej’s commentary under the clever pseudonym, Frum Helen Back. In her final column, she described the ecstasy of watching her son deal with his first child - a “grouchy, demanding, overbearing, controlling daughter.” Opined Helen: “My son has always had a hormonal-caused tendency to be a male chauvinist pig. Revenge is sweet. I’m hoping that he has lots of little Hilarys in his life.”

Fan mail: William H. Howe of Post Falls knows a landlubber when he sees one. Therefore, he was amused by the Huckleberry Past that talked of two out-of-staters who were told to drag their “bumpers” alongside their boat, so they’d look like Idahoans. Writes William: “The implication that boaters who do this, and there are lots of them, are somewhat deficient in their boatmanship is probably true in most instances. But calling boat fenders, “bumpers,” also is a sure sign of a landlubber. I suppose those outlanders also refer to the bow of the boat (or forward) as the “pointy end.”

Huckleberries: The Sandpoint woman who reported only five wedding rings stolen this week certainly isn’t Elizabeth Taylor. She’d be a couple of “till-death-do-us-parts” short…. “Cool!” must be making a comeback. Recently, I’ve heard it used by my 9-year-old, a hip S-R colleague, and the catcher on my softball team. I think it still means “rad,” Dude. (That’s Daddy-O for you older-than-I-ams.) … It’s a bit unnerving to dial information and hear this recording: “Please check the number and dial again, or call your operator for assistance.”… One Idaho Senior Games event will require incredible endurance to win: the 100-year backstroke. Or at least that’s how it’s listed in a press release…. Do you suppose a politician was driving that Range Rover near Post Falls with the Washington vanity plate “BRIBE”? … Sightem: A baseball cap for sale in a CdA garage recently had the inscription, “For sale: Ex-wife. Just take over payments.”

Parting shot: Apparently, Silver Valley publisher Paul D. Friend is upset that his Idaho News Observer incorrectly is being linked to the militia. And called a “radical” publication. He ain’t going to take it any more. Editorializes he, under the headline, “Damnable Lies!”: “We’re tired of taking their crap, and we’re going to start tracking the rumors back to their source. When we learn who they are, we’ll print their names and sue them.” Gracious, Paul, it’s better that they’re lying about you and cussing you than not discussing you at all.

, DataTimes MEMO: Gotta Huck? Call the Huckleberry Hound Hotline, (800) 344-6718 or (208) 765-7125.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria The Spokesman-Review