Mae West by Dali

May 18th is Mae West day in the Pike Place Market. She was a much loved part of our community until the early 1990's. Our "Mae West" (that was what she called herself) was a local resident who came through the Market every day offering to watch your shop for you for a few minutes. She was probably in her 70's and walked slowly, her legs placed heavily on the ground as she made her way from one end of the Market to the other greeting everyone. I would wait patiently for her around 3:00pm when I worked. I remember sometimes being angry when she was late, as though she was an employee. I was in high school and worked at my parent's shop on Saturdays. Mae would crochet her own hats using beer can labels. She wore long flowing purple gowns and had a raunchy sense of humor. She is one of our ghosts, if you want to hear more, come down and take the tour.