The Slice: Maybe we could steal their sun

Sooner or later, the Southwest is going to try to steal our water.

It’s inevitable. Just look at population trends.

So when you’re at a lake this summer, be watchful. If you see some sun-bleached guys with leathery tans and turquoise jewelry surreptitiously constructing pipelines, notify the authorities.

“Earlier this week: There were 13 Expo ‘74 souvenirs for sale on eBay. (Actually several auctions included multiple items.)

“Just wondering (prompted by thinking about “The Andy Griffith Show” and the idea of walking down to the filling station to get a bottle of pop): Which is the best brand of grape soda?

I’d say Boylan’s, but I’m willing to listen.

“The half-life of kindness: Sometimes, if you pay a little attention to a kid, that child will never forget it.

Here’s my evidence.

Long ago and far away, I played in the hockey equivalent of Little League. I had one piece of equipment that my Ojibway Hotel teammates didn’t — a bronchial inhaler.

I don’t think I was freaked out about it or anything. Still, it was an issue.

Anyway, someone told a local college hockey player about me. And that’s how I came to meet Rick Comley.

Comley, it turned out, also used an inhaler. I can’t honestly remember anything he said to me. But I know I was blown away by the simple decency of his taking time to talk.

No doubt his message was “Don’t let it get you down.”

Comley is now head coach of the Michigan State University hockey team. Last Saturday, his underdog Spartans beat Boston College in St. Louis to win the NCAA championship.

I doubt if it made any difference. But he had a fan rooting for him way out here in Spokane.

“Note from a friend in North Idaho: “I was at the ob/gyn recently for my annual checkup (always a fun time) and noticed the sign in the waiting room of their new office,” she wrote.

The sign says, “No animals past this point.”

Hmmm. Well, it turns out the office staff includes a rabbit and a chinchilla. No one there wants patients coming in with pets that might regard those two as prey.

Still, my friend was left to wonder. “What kind of woman takes an animal with her to her ob/gyn appointment?”

No comment.

“Slice answer: “When you are a woman ‘of a certain age’ it’s pretty much short-sleeves year-round,” wrote Kim Bush.

“Know your geography: 1. Several states have a town named Deer Park. 2. The Pittsburg Landing on the Snake River should not be confused with the Pittsburg Landing that was the site of the Battle of Shiloh in April of 1862.

“Today’s Slice question: What expecting father got so nervous he all but turned into a sitcom dad?