The Slice: Oldies might want to tune in to this

Warning: Today’s first item probably won’t make sense to those unfamiliar with pop songs of 1967.

“This last Sunday I was standing in line at our local convenience store,” wrote Gary Wisben, who is 55. “The lady in front of me, who seemed to be in her mid-50s, was writing a check. She asked the teenage clerk what the date was, and the clerk said, ‘It’s the third of June.’ “

Wisben took that as his cue to chime in with “Another sleepy, dusty Delta day.”

“The woman writing the check smiled and added, ‘I was out choppin’ cotton, and my brother was balin’ hay.’ “

Wisben and the check-writing woman laughed at their shared memory of Bobbie Gentry’s hit song “Ode to Billie Joe.”

“And the clerk just looked at us like we were nuts.”

That happens to boomers a lot these days.

“Just wondering: What medical specialists are most aware of shaving trends that do not involve the face?

“In the matter of online courage: “If you really want to see some ridiculous ‘tough talkers’ you should check the Spokane Craigslist rants and raves,” wrote Tony Johnson. “I hope that it’s not an accurate cross-section of the Spokane area populace but I fear it might be.”

Their true moxie might be in doubt. But one thing is certain. They can’t spell.

“Kidspeak: Noting that her dad seemed to have stalled out while trying assemble a toy, a little Spokane girl advised Scott Jacob to check the “destructions.”

She probably meant “instructions.” But you never know. Little kids can be pretty cynical these days.

“Multiple choice: You don’t need to worry about a child going through a “kissing everybody” phase until that youngster is…

A) 4. B) 5. C) 6. D) 17.

“Bag it: Carrie Lorenson, who lived in Seattle for years, said bringing your own canvas bags to grocery stores is common there. It eliminates the whole “paper or plastic?” thing and generates less eventual trash.

Anyway, she does that here. Not everyone applauds her choice, however.

“Most checkers show their exasperation and distaste when they see these bags on the conveyor belt and invariably call for a bagger,” she wrote. “The bagger will often roll his/her eyes upon seeing my canvas bags. Imagine being snubbed by a part-time high school student/grocery store employee.”

Recently, though, she has sensed an attitudinal shift. Checkers and other customers have given her bags a thumbs-up.

So she wonders. Is Spokane at a tipping point on this environmentally friendly practice?

“Today’s Slice question: How many S-R subscribers have had birds build nests in their newspaper delivery boxes?