The Slice: One of us has an abundance of energy

My retired friend Paul Turner has quite an active outdoors lifestyle.

He’s also on Facebook while I am not.

This sometimes leads to a bit of confusion. But I never fret about people thinking the other Paul Turner is me. He’s a good guy. I’ve been to his house. He represents our name with energy and verve.

Have you been similarly lucky with those sharing your name?

At least it’s not a potato reference: “People who complain about people mixing up WSU and UW have no gripe coming,” wrote Myron Molnau of Spokane. “It is MUCH worse when you say you worked at or attended the University of Idaho and they brightly say, ‘Oh, I drove through Boise once – it was a nice town.’ ”

Talk about getting old: “For us, the aging conversations usually start with something to the effect of ‘Where in the world did this bruise come from?’ ” wrote Karen Botker.

Another reader, who is 68, said those in his meet-for-coffee group have vowed to not talk about their latest ailments or planned surgeries.

“I’m betting we won’t last two minutes – or we won’t have anything to say.”

OK, I’m game: Lynn Lombard suggested The Slice award a coveted reporter’s notebook to the reader who has the most remarkable collection of boots.

Today’s Slice reader quote of the day: “I never thought that retirement could be so exhausting.” – Jim Murphy

If not for the railroads, Spokane would be …: “Danville, Washington,” said my friend Bill.

This date in Slice history (1995): Slice answers: The sound of trains on the move is Spokane’s quintessential background noise, said Judy Burgad, who also mentioned small planes and sprinklers.

Sheryl DuHaime nominated “The sound of boom-box stereos that you hear after the car is six blocks down the street.”

And, of course, several readers suggested “Screeching tires.”

You know your spouse is really not into sports: When your alma mater’s athletic teams are the “Lumberjacks” and, at least once, your wife couldn’t remember that and so offered up “Lumber People.”

Warm-up question: What was the answer after you asked Alexa or Siri a question dealing with Athol?

Today’s Slice question: If you had a spokesperson, how often would he or she be forced to say that your remarks were taken out of context?

Write The Slice at P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; email pault@spokesman.com. Spokane Valley’s Larry Gants won a coveted reporter’s notebook for being one of many who knew a bit about Sheb Wooley.