The Slice: Phone call obviously left him puzzled

This mystery seems solvable.

Irene Arm, who lives just outside Spangle, saw a piece of a child’s cardboard jigsaw puzzle along a road where she walks. She wondered if it might be the only one missing from an otherwise completed puzzle.

It’s an inside piece and Arm thinks a coyote might have bitten it.

Anyway, after seeing it for several days, she decided to take action.

She placed a “Found” ad in the Fairchild Flyer. “PUZZLE PIECE on Jennings Road” wound up on the weekly shopper’s front page.

And, miracle of miracles, someone actually responded.

One problem, though. Arm’s husband, Chris, knew nothing about the ad. So when he answered that call, he was less than helpful.

Irene now hopes the person who phoned will try again.

“State your name: The Slice heard about a 3-year-old in California who took a call from a relative vacationing at Priest Lake and reported to his mother, “Grandma is in Hi-Dee-Ho.”

“Slice answer: “How do I know when to throw out a pair of jeans?” wrote Dee Jones of Colbert. “When the muffin top is out of control and there’s no turning back. Don’t know what ‘muffin top’ means? It’s pretty much self-explanatory. But if in doubt, ask most any woman — she’ll know.”

Somehow, that’s one question I really can’t imagine myself asking. But thanks.

“Multiple choice: Actress Karen Allen was most radiant in … A) “Animal House.” B) “Starman.” C) “The Sandlot.” D) “The Basket.” E) Any of the “Indiana Jones” movies.

“Marmot Lodge update: A fresh batch of membership applications burrowed into The Slice mailbox Thursday and Friday. These new additions to the rolls of the International Order of Friendly Marmots shall henceforth be known as Perkypine, Tubby, Mama Sarah, PD Blaster, Marmot Hugger, Cat Nest, Pack Marmot No. 2, Toaster, Bacon, Cheddar, Juan Lucky, Gunnut, Little Marmot, Henna, Rigby, Mama Nanda, Chuck (2), Marmlover, Gaber the Gamer, Starr, Buckshot Bob, Murray, Golfer, Tweet, Sam, Chewie, Mother Marmot, Mossy Mo, Addie Mae, Rock Chuck, Mazzie, Chim-chim, Podo, Gabi and Ted.

This group contributed $125 to the Spokane Humane Society.

The next report will appear in Sunday’s Slice column. At that time, I’ll wrap up the honor roll of nicknames and share some thoughts applicants had about the Marmot Lodge.

“Today’s Slice question: Who gets to decide which campaign signs appear in the yard — the person who owns the house or the renter living there?