Griping is surely a sign of spring

Amy Larson saw a sign outside a golf shop in Coeur d’Alene that made her wonder.

The sign said “Spring special: re-griping.”

It probably should have been spelled “gripping.”

But Larson thought maybe it was an invitation to go in and gripe again about some weather or issues that had already been complained about.

•Trend alert: Slice reader Ed English had a question. “Have you noticed that they are dropping the ‘the’ in ‘the South Hill’?”

He cited the retirement community “Waterford on South Hill” as an example.

And he predicted what’s coming next: “Wal-Mart on South Hill.”

•Slice answers: “Our pets’ names come from ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ ” wrote Joyce O’Connor-Magee. “Scout is our feisty cat, Dill, our wonderful corgi. We are still waiting to see who and what Gem and Atticus will be.”

Inchelium’s Lacie Abell also weighed in. “I am a so-so housekeeper, kinda average-looking, and only middling at tennis, but boy, with P.G. Wodehouse’s help, can I name ‘em! Famous for his ‘Jeeves and Wooster,’ I have frequently turned to this particular British author, with a cat named Lord Chuffnell (Chuffy for short), and two chickens: Honoria Glossop and Bingo Little. Sadly, Madeline Basset was eaten by coyotes.

“In a pinch, try Arthur Conan Doyle. We have Mrs. Hudson (which we yell at the top of our lungs) for our big, white goose.”

Another reader suggested that the works of Charles Dickens are a rich trove of potential pet names.

•Battle of the ‘80s bands: Which is the best song: The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven,” Joe Jackson’s “Steppin’ Out,” or “More Than This” by Roxy Music.

•Oops: Marty Jones wrote to thank The Slice for help with a parenting challenge.

Last Saturday, April 1, his young son woke up and reported that the Tooth Fairy had failed to compensate him for the tooth left under his pillow.

This was not good. But a reference in that day’s column gave Jones an idea for what to tell his son.

He told the boy that the Tooth Fairy must have been playing an April Fools trick on him.

Jones doubts that he bought it. But in any event, some cash magically appeared under his pillow a short while later.

•Speaking of last weekend: A friend who works at Spokane International Airport told me a few passengers who missed their flights on Sunday because they forgot about the time change actually complained that the airline should have called to remind them to set their clocks ahead.

•Today’s Slice question: What Inland Northwest golfer comes up with the most creative excuses for poor play?