The Slice: Another sleepy, dusty Spokane day

Readers were asked to rewrite the second half of the first line of “Ode to Billie Joe,” a hit song by Bobbie Gentry in the summer of 1967.

It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty Delta day.

“It was the third of June, another blustery, dusty Scablands day.” – Ted Wert

“It was the third of June, another eyes-a-weepin’, nose-a-dripin’, pine tree pollen spewin’ day.” – John Myers

“It was the third of June, 6 a.m., and had a tee time soon.” – David Morton

“It was the third of June, another smoggy, dirty, loud, frantic Spokane day.” – Jeannie Maki

“It was the third of June, my husband Michael had been born just yesterday.” – Susan Johnson

“It was the third of June, another breezy day in Deer Park.” – Cliff Rogers

“It was the third of June, another weepy, sleepy Spokcannabis day.” – Georgie Ann Weatherby

“It was the third of June and why do people have to bitch and moan?” – Owen Fullmer

“It was the third of June and Spokane is graffitied anew.” – Rich Kapelke

“It was the third of June, another sweetly scented springtime day.” – Tina Piaskowski

“It was the third of June, another tire testing, pothole day.” – Mark Piaskowski

Several readers rewrote the whole song. Here are a few snippets.

“Twas the third of June, another detour dodging Spokane Day.

“Patti Sue was on West Rowan til they made her go a different way.” – Patti Baird

“It was the third of June, another engaging, well planned day.

“Teachers were scrambling to finish grading and instructing students whose minds have gone astray.” – Sharon Burrell

Then there was this, from Tim O’Doherty.

“It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty day.

“I was busy chopping corned beef and my brother was pouring beer.

“And at closing time we stopped and went back to our house to eat.

“And Mama hollered, ‘You all remember to wipe your feet.’

“And then Mama said ‘I got some news this morning from City Hall, Mayor Condon jumped off the Riverfront swinging bridge.’

“Papa said to Mama as he passed around the Zip’s burgers, ‘Well, Mayor Dave never had a lick of sense, pass the tartar please.’ ”

(Tim likes the mayor but couldn’t resist, later in the song, using the line “Seems like nothing ever comes to no good up at City Hall.”)

Today’s Slice question: Would a TV Western set in 19th-century Idaho have been called “Here Come the Sister Wives”?

Write The Slice at P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Is your Hoopfest team overconfident?