The Slice: Time to add a garage to the barn?

Back when gas was really cheap …

South Hill resident Sue Burford was setting up a small Nativity scene with her 4-year-old grandson, Evan. They talked about the figures as they placed them around the manger.

But the little boy sensed something was missing.

“He brought over his little cars so there would be one for the mom and one for the dad,” wrote Burford.

You know, in case Joseph had to dash out to the minimart for some Huggies.

“The three kings each got one, too.”

The five toy cars are parked next to the stable.

“Maybe this will be a new Christmas tradition for us,” said Burford.

Why not? Just imagine.

“Hey, Grandma. I can’t remember. Does Mary drive the SUV or does that belong to one of the wise men?”

“Slice answer: Sandpoint’s Forrest Schuck said an American ought to know about Pearl Harbor Day by first grade. He also made several other points. Then, later, he wrote back.

“Jeez, I sound like quite the geezer when the rant gets goin’, don’t I? I just re-read what I sent. Sounds like something my dad would say. Guess the pedant doesn’t fall far from the curmudgeon.”

“A purchase inducement Vince Eberly found resistible: “Free self-installation.”

“Local quirks that used to be annoying but you eventually got used to: “The Slice,” said Kim Crosby.

“Sally Holt of Worley, Idaho, issues her ruling: “No matter what else the ailing Spokesman-Review gets rid of, they had better keep the birth announcements.”

“Something you probably don’t have to worry about in your job: A woman who works in Spokane TV news told me viewers critique her lipstick colors.

“Another problem with that song: Dave Lewis of Post Falls used to hear “Up on the housetop, reindeer paws” (instead of the correct “pause”).

“I thought reindeer had hooves, not paws,” he wrote.

“Annual reminder: Don’t buy “Northwest” calendars that are actually “Western Northwest” calendars.

“Warm-up question: Watching which movie ought to be part of any Theater 101 course? A) 1954’s “The Country Girl.” B) 1999’s “Topsy-Turvy.” C) 1998’s “Shakespeare in Love.” D) 1998’s “Moon Over Broadway.” E). Other.

“Today’s Slice question: How many people have a mailing address that says Town A but actually live nearer Town B?