The mountains were out—all of them—between Tacoma, WA and Salem, OR as I drove down to retrieve our youngest from college. I was glad that he drove the car home, so I could take pictures on the return trip. It was pretty spectacular. But wait, there’s more. I fulfilled my wish to see the AuroraContinue reading “May 10, 2024: One Amazing Clear Day”
Category Archives: Tacoma
February 11 Day 1435: Dragon Tales
This was going to be a post about the specialness of Tacoma, Lunar New Year celebrations, and the quest for monkeyshine glory. TL/DR lots of rogues, no official glass, but I ran into a pop-up craft market on Saturday where I purchased a glass dragon’s egg. I still hope to find glass in the wild,Continue reading “February 11 Day 1435: Dragon Tales”
January 8 Day 1401: Ghost town
It’s a Monday and the office should be bustling, right? Yet I haven’t seen another soul in what feels like hours. Sure its grey outside but that should not keep people away from the University in the Pacific Northwest. Where is everyone? Are they all getting ready to watch the National College Football Playoff Championship? ApparentlyContinue reading “January 8 Day 1401: Ghost town”
October 11 Day 1312: What are the Odds?
I am teaching Foundations of Mathematical Reasoning this quarter and it’s all about reading proofs, writing proofs, and revising proofs. It is one of my favorite classes to teach because of the topic and the people. We genuinely build community. Partly because as the students are struggling to develop their proof writing chops, they bondContinue reading “October 11 Day 1312: What are the Odds?”
August 23 Day 1263: Creatures of the Sound
The last two mornings have had encounters with native beasts of the South Sound. The heron stayed close to the construction platform. The deer were unphased by nearby humans. And the seals were unusually close to shore.
May 13 Day 1161: A Festival of Fun
This morning, Tacoma Math hosted its second community math festival of the year. Our first was April 27 at Lincoln High School and today’s was on UW Tacoma’s campus in the new Milgard Building. Funded by the UW Tacoma Office of Community Partnerships, we recruited undergraduate students to create and facilitate math activities. There wasContinue reading “May 13 Day 1161: A Festival of Fun”
December 31 Day 1028: Here’s to 2022
The last day of the year brings reflections on the past and hopes for the future. It was a good year with a rough start and a whirlwind finish. The delta and omicron strains of COVID required pivoting from our plans for a return to normal. But by summer, travel was back in full forceContinue reading “December 31 Day 1028: Here’s to 2022”
December 28 Day 1025: The Tide is High
This morning’s walk evidenced a higher than usual tide—although according to Metro Parks workers, yesterday’s was worse. Mark and I arrived for our morning walk at 9 am. The drain holes in the Point Defiance Boathouse were letting water in. And twenty minutes later the entire floor was covered in water. The promenade to OwenContinue reading “December 28 Day 1025: The Tide is High”
November 20 Day 987: The Mountain’s Shadow
Rainier cast a long shadow on the low clouds as the sun rose this morning. Everything has to be just right from the height of the clouds to the angle of the sun. I’m so glad to be home to have witnessed it today.
October 19 Day 955: Watching the Smoke Roll In
It’s a bad air day. One where wearing a mask outside is probably a good idea. Looking forward to some rain later in the week to clear things out.
Math Belongs to All of Us 