The Slice: These kids definitely have some great genes

People can be so thoughtful.

Every now and then, I’ll hear some sad news from an adult child of one of my older correspondents. They will call to inform me that my longtime pen pal has passed away.

Sometimes they say that they assumed I would wonder why I was no longer hearing from so-and-so. They’re right.

So I thank them for telling me. And I try to say the right things.

We’ll talk about times their mom or dad had been in The Slice. Once in a while, we even laugh about those stories.

Then it gets quiet.

After we hang up, I sometimes go for a little walk.

Some of the best people Spokane has ever seen are no longer with us. But you can still get a hint of just how excellent they were when you meet the children they raised.

Just wondering: Based on your experience, what is the key to pulling off a surprise birthday party?

What you would name your bar: “Gary’s Old Towne Tavern.” — Gary Polser

“The Moose and Marmot.” — Bill Mahaney

“The Sacristy.” — The Rev. Chris Pollock

“The Anchor Windlass.” — Charles Tappa

Don’t let them eat cake: Stan Hughes has a 4-year-old granddaughter who has been reared with a parenting style that, as much as possible, eschews confrontation and threats.

Not long ago, this little girl requested a piece of a cake that had recently come out of the oven. Her mother told her it was too close to dinnertime.

That prompted the following exchange.

Girl: “Mom, that’s not one of your choices.”

Mother (trying not to laugh): “Well, what are my choices?”

Girl: “Well, you can say ‘Yes, Emily, you can have a piece of cake’ or ‘Yes, sweetie, you can have some cake.’ ”

Nice try, kid.

Alas, Emily did not get the pre-meal dessert. But her extended family regarded the story as a treat.

Warm-up question: A knowledge of which scientific discipline would come in handy when you decide to clean out your refrigerator?

Today’s Slice question: How inadequate is the closet space in your home?