The Slice: Celebrate talk like a Marmot Day

Perhaps you are aware that International Talk Like a Pirate Day is next Tuesday.

That’s fine. But what “Talk like a …” day could we observe around here that has a Northwest theme?

Talk like a grizzly? Talk like a craft-beer drinker with a beard? Talk like someone who doesn’t care about the Seahawks?

Let’s move on.

Slice answer: Linda Carroll shared this. “When living outside Spokane and encountering another Spokanite, the first question I asked was ‘Where did you go to high school?’ The answer to that question says a great deal about the person and his/her background.”

The way air travel used to be: Several readers recalled how taking a flight once was a dress-up occasion.

Now? Ahahahahahaha. Let’s just say that is no longer the case.

Bill Dropko remembers the in-flight food was better long ago. “Now it is pretzels and water.”

There has been, however, at least one welcome development.

Barb Stimers recalls trying to breathe. “I still remember how blue the air looked because of all the cigarette smoke.”

I remember that, too. The memory still makes me shake my head.

Jim Clanton recalls when the whole experience of air travel was enjoyable. Now? Not so much.

Part of the change can be attributed to 9/11.

“These days, I would rather drive for a full day or even more to avoid a three-hour plane flight.”

Warm-up question: What long-ago TV show did you watch with your parents when you were 13?

Today’s Slice question: Ever have one of those moments when you find yourself thinking life in Spokane can be pretty sweet?

I’ll tell you mine and you can tell me yours.

Sunday afternoon, my wife and I attended a performance of the Spokane Symphony at the Fox. “The Blue Danube Waltz” was still ringing in my head as we walked back to our car, parked nearby on Riverside.

The temperature was late-summer perfect.

The musical clanging of church bells made me look up at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes. Does anyone not love that sound?

I noticed, not for the first time Sunday, the blue sky. For the moment anyway. The oppressive smoke that had camped on our heads for a week was gone.

The tourism brochure version of Spokane was back and ready to take a bow.

Write The Slice at P. O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Nothing says welcome back to school like head lice.