CHEERS
LESTER MY LOVE: It's only been a short time since Celeste arrived in my life — wide-eyed, full of wonder (and maybe caffeine), ready to take on the world of children and office soda runs — but already, I can't imagine my days without you. From the moment we first shared awkward small talk in the alcove, I knew I was in trouble. You had that certain sparkle — the kind that made me think, "I must protect this one at all costs." Like a new parent staring down at their adopted baby, I felt this overwhelming urge to make sure you were fed (snacks from my drawer), cared for (by reminding you to log off at a reasonable hour), and never left alone to do NP swabs on babies (because even I wouldn't wish that on anyone). Honestly, I beam with pride. You've made this place softer, warmer — and a little more chaotic in the best way. So yes, I may refer to you as "our sweet little workplace baby," but the truth is, you've become something more. You're the bright spot in my 8-to-7, (at least when you're here from 2-7), the smile I look for in a sea of blinking notifications. I might be joking when I say I've adopted you — but my heart, well, that part's serious.DIRT BIKES & ELEVATOR MUSIC: There's this man, when asked what he's thinking, says dirt bikes or elevator music. A man who manages to make me feel like both the open road and the reason he takes the long way home. When we first started... whatever this is, I said I wanted something casual. Wind in my hair, no strings attached kind of thing. And I meant it. Sort of. Okay, maybe more like I mean "just one drink" on a Friday night. But the more I've gotten to know him and the way he moves through the world, the more I realized I don't want to just be a summer ride. Instead I've fallen. And not gracefully, more like skidding around a sharp corner without a helmet. I'm not trying to define what is undefined or put a title on what we are. I'm not asking for handlebars or hard turns, just leaving this here, quietly, like a note on the kitchen counter. I just needed to say it out loud. Because this ride? It's been unexpected and beautiful.
INFRINGEMENT: Bill Bryant is spot on with his article on the knee-jerk gun law just signed into law. The panic stricken left has again launched an attack on our rights and passed a law that will do nothing to stop gun crime. While I agree that a brand new gun purchaser who has no experience should get training, someone with two carry permits and a safe full of every weapon imaginable (me) should be able to walk into a gun store and buy whatever he or she wants without any encumbrances. Never forget: the keeping and bearing of arms is an enumerated right. How about making people take a serious driving test when it's renewal time, including skid pad and panic stops in a turn between cones. Better still make people prove their mental state and citizenship before they can vote. That would go a long way toward keeping idiots out of Olympia and the governors mansion.
RE: PATHETIC LOSERS: Dear Inlander: "I beg of you" to continue to print jeers about the pathetic losers who choose to ignore paying for license tabs in Spokane. If someone doesn't pay for tabs, they shouldn't drive. Just yesterday, I was behind a car who had tabs that were expired from 2021. Can you even imagine? I'm sure many agree with the other more intelligent jeer "More Tab Stuff" in which the writer quotes the Bible "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's..." Are people in Spokane really such losers that they seriously can't afford car tabs? Wow! Why keep living?
THE LITTLE PEOPLE VS. DEVELOPERS: Kudos to my neighbors in our Audubon/Downriver neighborhood who fought (for almost 2 years) against a major developer trying to squish 20 single-standing homes on 1.3 acres on a basalt cliff. We appealed their plat drawing & won thanks to a hearing examiner who "got it." Now, the developer is trying to overturn this decision! Not on our watch! We believe in development but not 20 houses on 1.3 acres!!! City of Spokane -– stop coddling to these developers!
CROSSWALK SAFETY: Cheers to pedestrians who make eye contact with each driver just before you walk in front of their car. Cheers to drivers who, before pulling forward, look both ways AGAIN for pedestrians who can arrive at an intersection while you've focused on watching traffic. Stay safe everyone. Thank you!
ALWAYS LOTS OF FUN: To a friend who always has a cheerful demeanor, positive attitude, uplifting stories to share, and great recommendations for new places to find tasty treats in Spokane. I really enjoyed our bump-set-spike (albeit short session) and hike this weekend up to the summit of Antoine Peak!
THE BACKYARD IS STUNNING: Blaska Landscaping, we're thrilled with the backyard, but also really impressed with how smooth the process was to go from idea to reality with you! The hydrangeas are happy, the yard drains so well, and the big ol' slab of concrete for our patio has already served as a perfect foundation for meals with friends. Thanks for your expertise, your helpful and thorough approach, and thank you for your hard work.
HOMELESS OUTREACH WORKERS: Cheers and gratitude to those wonderful humans who spend their days working with individuals living in the shadows of society to bring life to those many have forgotten. Homeless Outreach workers in this community spend days working to bring dignity, worth and hope to our folks living homeless. These dedicated individuals take the time to hear, heal and offer hope to many marginalized individuals. We have a wonderful team of Homeless Outreach advocates who work to ensure our homeless are fed by providing sandwiches and snacks, are hydrated by providing water, are getting their basic medical needs taken care of through street medicine, who ensure folks living outside have adequate clothing for the weather as well as lifesaving supplies, provide harm reduction interventions through sunscreen, aloe, hygiene, and Narcan. Thank you to all the Homeless Outreach workers who have administered Narcan more times than they can count to save lives. You are all appreciated and seen, and thank you all so very much!
JEERS
LOCAL FUEL COMPANY: After installing a new furnace, cost $7,000, techs forgot to light pilot light, called the furance and fuel company to light the pilot next day when we discovered no hot water. Tech came out, lit pilot and then billed us $250 for a service call. It gets better. After speaking to someone at the company about getting a new valve replaced on a propane bottle for a BBQ, brought the tank in. After two hours, returned to the business to hear the following, "we checked it over, re certified it and it is working fine." Took tank home, hooked it up, same problem. No gas comes out of the valve. That's quite a certification process they use. Hope the furnace job passes final inspection!I DON'T GIVE A HOOT... I don't give a single, gosh-darn hoot about fentanyl or people stealing from the Apple store. The cops need to do something about these illegal, obnoxious-ass mufflers. I can't sleep, listen to music, read a book, or have a conversation in public without being interrupted by some jackass whose whole identity is making loud noise. Help us out here popo. Those mufflers have BEEN illegal. How did you all let it get SO bad that 10% of the vehicles have one? It could only happen because the law hasn't been enforced in a long time. I know it's not as sexy as drug busts, but eliminating unnecessary disturbances like excessive traffic noise would go a long way to improve the quality of life for every citizen in Spokane. Thanks, I'm out.
WELCOME TO THE FUNHOUSE: The dizzying carnival ride we're on, thanks to the TACO clown and his clown car full of minions, won't end anytime soon. Up, down, round and round we go, terminally nauseated and numb, dangerously close to comatose. Step right up, folks, and watch the carnage! Cruel cuts to vital services for the poor and elderly and veterans, crude amputations of lifesaving research programs, the gutting of environmental protections that might have saved us from extinction — the clowns are up to their elbows in blood, and this circus isn't leaving town anytime soon.
ROAD CONDITIONS: I've been on smoother motocross tracks when compared to your streets. I'm really tired of having to get my wheels aligned after visiting the city. How about putting the money you waste on a bunch of drug-soaked bums towards making your roads passable. The people that drive to work and pay the freight around here should at least have roads that don't destroy their vehicles. I'm sending the invoice for my next wheel alignment to city hall.
LAST WORD ON CAR TABS: I just paid $87 for my $30 car tabs. Remember when the cost for tabs went down each year? But then the people in Olympia said hey we are losing money, so let's place other taxes to offset the loss. The public won't be able to complain and if they do, we can explain the extra taxes. Like winter coats for squirrels. But the most obscene tax is the $20 for road improvement which every city in Wash. charges. You have to be kidding! No vote and no way to fight the tax. I've had three alignments in two years, and the holes in the roads just keep getting deeper. We are one of the highest taxed state and there is nothing we can do. And Olympia will continue to tax us just as the people we voted for continue to lie just to be elected. Save the squirrels!!! ♦
