The Slice: Buzzkill mothers spoil fun

Let’s start with a note from a friend.

“My 6-year-old son Alec was gearing up for his first soccer game of the season and was thrilled to hear he was first on the list to bring snacks,” she wrote. “As he jabbered on about Gushers, Rice Krispie treats and the like, I broke the news to him that the moms had agreed this year there would only be healthy snacks – you know, actual food like vegetables, fruits, etc.

“He was dumbfounded and holding back tears. And I think he really meant it when he finally choked out, ‘Mom, you’re practically ruining my life.’ ”

“Today’s geography genius is: A hair stylist from Texas currently living in a small town in Alberta. In the course of one conversation with Janet Lake’s granddaughter, this hairdresser managed to ask if Spokane is in Idaho and if Oregon is a city or a state.

“Getting carded: “I work in an optometrist’s office,” wrote Shelley Davis. “When a patient checks in, we ask to take a copy of their insurance card. Our receptionist and I are perplexed when people have to go out to their car to get their insurance card.

“We’d love to ask one of them why they would keep their insurance card in the car, rather than in their wallet or purse, but we figure there’s no way to ask the question without insulting them. So we were hoping you could do it for us.”

So it’s OK if I insult them? OK. Consider it asked.

“Spokane Valley’s John Sayles (the retired airline pilot) ranks his favorite movies by John Sayles (the film director): 1. “Matewan.” 2. “Eight Men Out.” 3. “Lone Star.”

“Slice answers: Here’s how quite a few readers said I should have responded to the nurse asking me if I were a doctor: “No, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.”

Judy Grollmus said I should have answered, “No, but I play one at The Spokesman-Review.”

Christian Walsh suggested I should have said, “Why, what have you heard?”

And several readers said the answer would have depended on the nurse’s appearance.

“Slice reader John Bonnier suggests a survey: “All fast-food restaurants will be closing in one week for one year. Which three fast-food favorites would you visit, in ranked order, during that last week?”

His list? 1. D’Lish. He likes the quality and prices. 2. Wendy’s. It’s his granddaughter’s favorite place. 3. Taco Time. Sentimental reasons. He said he worked at the first-ever Taco Time when it opened in Eugene, Ore., in 1960.

“Manners matter: “I’m wondering if you have noticed that not many folks in Spokane or surrounding areas know what RSVP means?” wrote Libby Moore.

“Today’s Slice question: Who is the angriest person in Spokane?