The Slice: Just don’t send anything that’s alive

Up against the wall, mothers and kittens.

One day last week my friend Dan Pelle, a longtime S-R photographer, was taking pictures of newsroom staffers at their desks. I have no idea why. With Dan, I have learned that it is sometimes better to not ask.

But when he later e-mailed a snapshot he had taken of me, I noticed something. The photo provided evidence that I am a man of my word.

You might remember back when I moved to my current work station a little more than a year ago. I invited Slice readers to send pictures of themselves/their pets, business cards or grandkids’ refrigerator art to help decorate my new space.

Well, more than once while talking to subscribers I have had a feeling they doubted that I really followed through and displayed their offerings.

But now we have photographic proof.

I know. You can’t really make out everything on my reader wall. And much of it isn’t even in the photo.

But trust me. If you sent something, it’s probably up there.

And yes, contributions are still being accepted.

• Today’s credit card capers: “I realized my American Express card was missing when the Amex security department called to ask me if I had charged $400 of liquor at a Miami liquor store the previous night,” wrote Jim Clanton of Spokane Valley.

“They said that was an unusual purchasing pattern for me. No doubt.”

Let’s hear it for being predictable.

Of course, maybe when Jim feels like blowing $400 on booze in Florida, he pays cash.

Jacqueline Volz, who is nearing 70, knew something was amiss when she checked her online statement and saw that someone in Wisconsin had used her card number to buy $350 worth of racy underwear at a store called “Forever 21.”

•I like Spokane but … : “I don’t like how Spokanites obsess over Spokane being in a movie or just plain obsess over Spokane even being mentioned.” – a reader who wishes to remain anonymous.

Speaking of Spokane being mentioned, did you notice last Monday night that CBS basketball announcer Jim Nantz pronounced the name of our city correctly?

•Slice answer: “I think I know why the local hospitals have declared an intention to no longer share birth notices with the newspaper,” wrote Liz Gillette of Ritzville. “They can’t spell them.”

•Today’s Slice question: How many Easter eggs are still out there waiting to be found?