Category Archives: Smith Tower

Windows that open

This was probably taken in 1998. I had harnessed up and climbed out of one of the globe’s panel openings at the very top of the Smith Tower. I was thinking I would be able to lower myself down to … Continue reading

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Creation and Re-creation

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Favorite Restaurants

Bar Sajor from Matt Dillon (whose other spots, Sitka & Spruce and Corson Building are also fabulous).  SW corner of Occidental & Jackson.  Scrumptious! (206) 682-1117  Their online reservation tool works well. Bar del Corso from Jerry (and Gina) Corso 3057 … Continue reading

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Homework in the Globe

Naomi and I kept Simone company while she did her homework.  She graphed the number of fireboats, ferries, rooftop satellite dishes, buses, pink cars, horse-drawn carriages and bicycle carriages and calculated the “range.”  Then she drew a detailed picture of … Continue reading

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One way to work with fractions.

Naomi has been decorating with fractions.  I saw one that had fallen out and put it in and she, clearly horrified, pulled it right back out again saying, “That doesn’t go there. See the pattern. That one goes here.”  “Green, … Continue reading

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Tickle Time

There are quite a few tickle times.  There is the bedtime tickle time, the elevator tickle time and the Chinese Room tickle time. Meseret is helping out with the Chinese Room tickle-time.

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Sunny reading

Hard to resist reading outside on a day like this!

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“To play without passion is inexcusable” or Rascal and the Minnie Bergman’s Park.

Naomi has Rascal for the weekend. Rascal is the PK classroom mascot.  Each weekend a student gets to take him home and show him their world.  We’re asked to document our adventures with Rascal for his journal. We can draw … Continue reading

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Sleeping model

This morning, while David was sleeping, Naomi drew him.  Her model stirred and opened his eyes at one point and she, intently studying his face, said, “Stay still, I’m trying to draw your mouth.”  A minute later she asked, “How … Continue reading

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Two sisters outfit their digs and enjoy the design mishaps

We were picking up a birthday present for a classmate of Simone’s at Pottery Barn when the girls spotted this bunkbed.  We measured twice and measured again and though it would be really tight, we decided to order it and … Continue reading

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Jeanne gives us a gardening tip and Elinor visits.

Jeanne stopped by the Tower and helped us plant our roof-top garden. Local law enforcement stopped by and was generous with the sticky sherif badges. Jeanne’s wisdom: Turns out that when you pop out the starter tomato plant to move … Continue reading

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Chalking it up on the front porch

A sunny day came along and we just couldn’t stay couped up inside. The girls wanted to “doll up” our dreary front porch, also known as the sidewalk on Second Ave between James and Yesler.    Naomi and Simone decide to … Continue reading

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Which moments do you remember?

My neighbors and good friends, the Strains, were written up in the Seattle Times today. Jeff believes that living downtown proffers more family moments..those revelations, discoveries and “good times” that you stumble upon together during a neighborhood romp.  He says, these … Continue reading

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Naomi tells the story of Rosa Parks

Naomi’s PreSchool class is working on a play about Rosa Parks.  Naomi tells me about what they were learning here. Three year old Naomi tells the story of Rosa Parks

Posted in Family, Friends, Naomi, Parenting, Politics, School, Simone, Smith Tower, Stories, The Arts | 2 Comments

Bringing Science to Science Fiction

Larry Dalton In 2000, Larry Dalton came over to the tower apartment to share his idea of creating a Research Center for “Materials Science and Devices” that would bring together material scientists from across the country to solve the hardest … Continue reading

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Santa stopped by the tower.

Naomi saw this image and asked me, “Mama, how cold was the North pole? Did you like working in the toy shop? I’m glad you are back, Mama.”

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Snow day or Ahhh L-I-F-E

Woke up for my morning run and look. These little dashes of fine powder are falling on Seattle. The first snow of the year.  I have to get out there! The air is sharp.  It’s 5:15am.  Jogging around the square, … Continue reading

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Naomi’s KOMO tour of the Tower or “What was on the cutting room floor?”

This KOMO news piece turned out well. In the hopes of championing ACT Theatre, which I love, I mentioned them dozens of times. I tried to weave ACT into whatever they asked about. “Yes, I DO love living downtown, especially … Continue reading

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115 "area ways" below the streets of Pioneer Square

After school the girls like to play in front of the building for a while. It’s our “porch”and on sunny days it is a fun place to hang out. Typically we get out the bikes, chalk and a few toys … Continue reading

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First time

Naomi’s adventure came about when KOMO news asked to do a story on the apartment. Heather Reese and photographer Ben Barnett arrived when Naomi and I were chalking up the sidewalk outside the Tower. The crew let Naomi lead the … Continue reading

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