The Slice: It’s written on the wind

Every family should have one.

You know, a person who can smell a skunk discharge before others detect it.

Having such an individual in residence can shave crucial seconds off your response time when it comes to closing windows and what not.

It can be fascinating to observe one of these genetically gifted people pick up the scent as it were. It’s something to see.

They suddenly stop talking. Their countenance takes on a studied aspect. They take on the look of an oracle. Their eyes shift to one side.

Then, like a wildcatter loudly greeting an oil well gusher, they call out the word that tells everyone exactly what to do.

“Skuuuuuunk!”

Here in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene Skunk Belt, having one of these aroma diviners in your home is like having a missile defense distant early warning line. You don’t get caught with your pants down, so to speak.

But what should we call these olfactory savants?

Send The Slice your idea and it could win you a coveted reporter’s notebook.

A memory of my neighbor’s cat: “I first met Chloe about 10 years ago,” wrote Jim Gyarfas. “I stay at (my neighbor’s) when I play in golf tournaments at Manito. (My neighbor) said to be careful of Chloe since she doesn’t enjoy strangers’ company. Loving animals, I thought ‘No problem.’

“I came into the house and slowly put my hand down to pet her. She seemed mellow enough.

“Bad idea. Simultaneously, she came close to removing my nose with her paw and my index finger with her teeth.

“Through the years we came to an agreement. I’ll stay away from her and she won’t try to kill me like some mouse in a bush.

“Chloe RIP.”

Slice answer: “Spokane: Come for the nature. Stay for the marmots.” – Bruce Au

Notes from the home office: Thanks for the red wagon photos. Look for something next month.

You have until Wednesday morning to submit five headlines that would top stories if The Spokesman-Review covered your Hoopfest team the way the newspaper covered GU men’s basketball last season. Which is to say, robustly.

Finally, my plan is to visit Molly Zammit’s backyard this evening. There were many outstanding “Best Backyard” entries. But I liked the looks of Molly’s. And I have enjoyed hearing about her dogs over the years.

Warm-up question: Who around here has the most venerable Pendleton shirt?

Today’s Slice question: What are your family’s Summer Solstice Eve traditions?

Write The Slice at P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. The Slice declares today to be Dr. Jonathan Carlson Day in Spokane.