Lol, that would use more memory defining the character,
and sending it to LCD CGRAM.
So long as I had the memory, you are right

I think I could have also flogged pin RA4 to use any time other than when LCDOUT is printing.

Most importantly, I should not have done this:

Which is why I'm suprised it STILL works! Too bad if I ever dropped it.

Now I have to hope this thread get buried again!