One great thing about eating outdoors is the fact that even the most tsunamic spills are not a big deal.

Of course, it can also require people to talk instead of watching TV or other plug-in screens. And some families aren’t really into the whole verbal communication thing.

Slice answer: “People moving here for a job or any reason should know we have four seasons,” wrote Jim Bailey. “We can and do get snow in the winter (it makes the lakes fill up for fun in the summer). It can get below freezing. We have awesome summers, but temps can get over 100. Fall is beautiful but spring can get really wet. If you’re prepared for that, welcome. If not, don’t complain. And pay attention when you drive!”

It’s not really a survival issue: But the limitation on fast-forwarding while watching an “On Demand” offering is a bit of a pain.

Transportation-themed Hoopfest nicknames up for grabs (demonstrated here with hypothetical full names): 1. Wade “Complete Streets” Griffith. 2. Emily “Traffic Calming” Parsons. 3. Nick “Bike Lane” Britz. 4. Johnny Lee “Light Rail” Achziger.

Slice answer: It wouldn’t be accurate to call Claudia Wohlfeil’s husband, Will, this area’s most committed Luddite. “He’s not anti-progress but he is not what we would call an ‘early adopter’ of technology,” she wrote.

Not long ago, Will sent a well-reasoned letter on this subject to The Slice. Snail mail, of course. And it was written with a pencil that he had sharpened with his pocket knife.

A North Idaho reader who has been going through her late father’s belongings wonders: “What does one do with map overlays from the Korean war that are marked ‘Top Secret’?”

Well, the classic strategy is to add them to your own accumulation of stuff and then let your dad’s grandchildren figure it out someday.

Today’s Slice question: Should Father’s Day be a weeklong celebration this year?