Mural, Mural on the Wall

Murals are primordial. Our ancestors painted on walls 40,000 years ago, a celebration of continuity. In modern day, murals express the concerns and aspirations of a community. Mexican artist and muralist, Diego Rivera, painted scenes of revolution as well as everyday...

Sonny in Seattle

Sonny Bone’O is a friendship magnet. He and I cannot walk anywhere in the neighborhood without someone commenting, what a beautiful Boxer he is. People ask to pet him.  This is a good thing, especially when I’m down in the dumps, missing my old Montana home and...

City of Literature: Seattle Reads

How would I meet people and make friends in my Lake City neighborhood? Thirty-two thousand people living within four square miles was daunting. I happened upon the Lake City Branch of the Seattle Public Library within walking distance of my apartment. Oh, happy day!...

The Legend of Princess Angeline

Born c. 1820 in what is now Rainier Beach, Washington, Kikisoblu, the eldest daughter of Chief Seattle is recognized around the world as Princess Angeline. Princess Angeline became famous as the subject of one of the earliest portraits taken by Edward Sheriff Curtis...

Seattle Is a Verb

Seattle screams with verbs: Crashing, lurching, heaving, rising, shoving, pulling, dreaming. There is nothing glamorous about our Lake City apartment. Third floor on a busy street, we do not see skyscrapers or the Space Needle. Our view is McDonald’s golden arches,...

Gypsy in the City: A Walk in the Park

Little Brook Park, where I walk Sonny Bone’O, is across the street from our Lake City Seattle apartment. The one-acre park is named for a shady brook running through it and includes a kiddie playground plus a track and grassy field. Bruce walks Sonny in the park...