The Slice: For some, life in the fast lane isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

It’s one of my favorite news stories at this time of year.

A road or sewer project shunts cars and trucks onto a detour. And residents along the temporary route get all up in arms because of the increased traffic and speeding.

“Think of the children!” they squeal.

I always hope that people who live on streets that are busy all the time catch these reports. I like to imagine them humming a few bars of “Cry Me a River.”

Actually it was his appendix: But West Valley grade school teacher Joan Williams reported that by the time classmates heard about one boy’s absence, the rumor had spread that he was having his “apparatus” taken out.

And as we all know, that’s major surgery.

Slice answers: A farmer near Ritzville said inspecting for ticks can be a form of foreplay.

Several readers said roofers get to see some entertaining sunbathing.

One minor beef with the STA commercials is that one shows a bus passenger riding his bike on a downtown sidewalk. And another reader said the flightline scene in the KHQ promo inspired “Top Gun” nicknames for the three guys — Goose, Iceman and Necktie.

Recycling a classic, Laura Parker said you know it’s time to leave the party when the person wearing the lampshade is you.

Janelle Baker said the time to leave is when you are sober and everyone else is drunk.

Wade Griffith wonders: “In the Spokane zodiac, is this the Year of the Remodeled Grocery Store?”

Slice reader Roberta Garner says: “I really think women are not born with the spitting gene.”

Today’s cheesecake shot: “This is the Washington State Senior Women’s Olympic softball team and we think we are the best-looking team, at least the best-looking senior team,” wrote infielder Marcia Payson.

Today’s Slice question: Are you no longer even surprised when you encounter what you suspect to be deceptive business practices?